MOMENTS IN TIME

1977 MAY 5.
After 53 years of educating students, the Out-of-Door School resolved to take the next step in improving its institution. In 1977, the Out-of-Door School parents initiated a Fund Drive to raise enough money to buy the land from its owners and make it into a non-profit private school. The parents at the school wanted the best education for their children, which meant equipping the school with the right resources and funds to enrich their children’s education and expand their areas of study. The Fund Drive was ultimately successful and converted the school into a non-profit private school in the Sarasota area.

1978 MAY 11.
Dr. William H. Taft was chosen as the new director of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium to succeed Dr. Perry Gilbert. He started July 1, 1978, right around the time the lab was set to move to its new location on City Island. Taft was originally from San Mateo, Calif. He and his wife had 11 children.

1989 MAY 8.
Hundreds of locals gathered on Siesta Key Beach on a hot and sunny day to be cast as extras for the filming of a Coca-Cola commercial. Residents were recruited to be Frisbee-throwers, sunbathers, fishermen and sandcastle-makers.