Waxing poetic about historic Jackson home’s new role

Last week was an exciting one for supporters of the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation. After two-plus years of monumental effort, the historic 110-year-old Florida cracker home of internationally renowned poet Laura (Riding) Jackson reaches the end of one journey and begins another. Newly situated on the Vero campus of Indian River State College, it will soon become a center of multi-generational learning in the fields of literature, history and the environment.

Originally built in Wabasso in 1910, the house was eventually moved to the Environmental Learning Center where it stood for 25 years. In 2017, the foundation learned that the homestead was not included in the ELC’s master plan and would have to be relocated.

Board members sought help from the community to save the fragile, historic structure and the response was gloriously overwhelming. Ultimately, the foundation partnered with the college, both seeing it as of great mutual benefit.

Funds were raised, plans drawn, permits obtained and, on July 14, 2019, the house, along with its associated pole barn, made the 6-mph, 12-mile journey to its new location.

Last week’s activities began Wednesday with a fundraiser at the Majestic Theatre, featuring a screening of the documentary “When We Were Apollo,” which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The evening opened with a brilliant performance of “Age of Aquarius” by the Charter High School chorus, and post film, audience members chatted with three Apollo team members.

The attendees also met Louise Kennedy, the very first executive director of the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation. Kennedy, a teacher at Saint Edward’s School and a long-time supporter of LRJF, officially takes the reins next summer.

At the IRSC Richardson Center on Friday morning, Jackson’s biographer, Elizabeth Friedmann, explored “who is Laura (Riding) Jackson” via her book “A Mannered Grace.” The diminutive poet has been called a witch, megalomaniac and home-breaker, as well as one of the most gifted writers of the 20th century. Her life was equally complex, bohemian and fascinating.

Later, umbrella-wielding guests trekked across the wet sod to the house itself, which, in the gray drizzle, seemed perfectly settled as a pair of cranes calmly poked for bugs in the front yard. Among those present were several who had known Jackson.

With a smile, her attorney, Rene VanDeVoorde, recalled, “She spoke with an English accent, although she wasn’t English.”

Jackson’s long-time typist, Susan Morris, remembered the house being filled with papers and books. Morris mentioned Jackson’s utter brilliance and her crooked, awkward gait; the result of having flung herself out a second-floor window in Majorca, Spain, over a lover.

Jackson’s physician, Dr. Kathy Doner, who was present at her death in 1991, called the renewed interest in the house and the poet herself akin to “opening a treasure box.”

Casey Lunceford, IRSC Indian River County provost, credited with suggesting the college-foundation partnership, said he anticipates a growing synergy between the two.

House Preservation committee chair Jacque Jacobs, the project liaison/point person, admitted to being a bit emotional as this phase draws to a close, saying that as “a storyteller, this house has moved me deeply.”

The official grand opening and a visitors’ schedule are expected toward the end of January.

For more information, visit lauraridingjackson.org.

Photos by: Kaila Jones
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The American Cancer Society’s Hope Gala bloomed with color at the Oak Harbor Clubhouse, with a ‘Pop of Color. Pop of Music. Pop of Art’ theme that set the stage for a colorful experience to celebrate lives touched by cancer. Guests wore a rainbow of colors, calling attention to the various cancers that have affected them or those they love.

John Moore, emcee and auctioneer extraordinaire, explained that the theme had been inspired by the success of art and music therapy programs as well as our community’s inspiring, rich culture.

Since 1946, the ACS has been “creating a culture of hope” by working to free the world from cancer; investing more than $4 billion in seeking cures through research. The organization also shares its expert information, supports patients and spreads the word about prevention.

“This is a night where we get to celebrate success. Success in the face of challenges, success in the face of adversity, success in the face of bad news, coupled with great results and good news,” said Moore. “We plan to celebrate lives touched by cancer and to do what we can tonight to support cancer research and all of the wonderful services that the American Cancer Society provides to help those that are dealing with cancer.”

During the cocktail reception, guests perused artwork created by cancer survivors through the Arts in Medicine program as a way to alleviate stress and anxiety.

“In July of 2014, I heard the words ‘you have cancer’ for the second time. It was terrifying. I’d already beaten cancer once and I wasn’t sure I had another fight for my life in me,” said Aric Attas, who shared that the healing power of creativity helped him through the grueling treatment regimen.

“I strongly believe that engaging my cancer journey with commitment, creativity and courage played a vital role in my ability to not only survive, but to thrive through treatment,” added Attas.

After dinner, guests viewed a video chronicling Steve Rennick’s recent battle with stage 4 testicular choriocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. The 40-year-old father of three thought he was having a heart attack – instead, he discovered that his body was riddled with tumors.

After undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy, his cancer went into remission, only to return mere months later. He next traveled to Indianapolis, where the doctor who developed the protocol for his treatment worked at Indiana University Hospital. Ironically, this same doctor had received funding from the American Cancer Society in the 1970s to develop the cure that would eventually help Rennick return home to his family in Vero Beach.

“If I could go back and thank the people that attended a gala like this over 40 years ago, raising money for research, I would love to go back and thank each and every one of them,” said Rennick. “Instead, I’m thanking you all for being here tonight for future cancer patients that will benefit from the research that we’re going to generate funds for.”

Before inviting guests to the dance floor to celebrate the cure, Moore coaxed them to dig deeper into their pockets during a call to the heart, adding that their support could help give others a reason to celebrate.

For more information, visit cancer.org.

Photos by: Denise Ritchie
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