SuZan Klassen

On a warm spring morning we drove to downtown Venice. Venice, Florida that is. We parked our car as close to the shade as possible in the free parking lot and checked the city map at the kiosk beside the public restroom building.

Downtown Venice offers plenty of shopping and restaurant choices (several with outdoor dining tables) along the main street. However, before the morning became any warmer, we walked a few blocks to the Venice Museum and Archives housed in the historic Triangle Inn.

The museum houses several collections along with the featured exhibit of Venice’s heritage on the Gulf plus three permanent exhibits: Triangle Inn’s history, Venice area fossils, and the story of Dr. Fred H. Albee, a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon. Although we appreciated all the exhibits, it was Dr. Albee’s work that fascinated me.

Before his pioneering work with bone-grafting many severely injured limbs were amputated because it was simply too difficult to repair those injuries. He invented a Bone Mill which made it possible to achieve the necessary repairs. Before that there was no safe way to cut bone without shattering it. His invention was amazing enough, but the part of his work that intrigued me most was how he took lessons from his childhood and applied them to re-building men.

His maternal grandfather taught him about tree grafting. Since he was a carpenter, he also taught young Albee about carpentry and working with precision tools. Do you see where this is leading? Years later when Albee became a doctor, he applied these lessons to bone grafting.

After visiting the museum we walked along the downtown streets, checked out the shops, laughed at a sign in a window, and reviewed the posted menus at several restaurants before selecting a table in the shade.

On our way back to the car we paused on a bench at this water fountain to enjoy the coolness. Nearby a small band warmed up for a concert. Several spectators parked their lawn chairs in the shade to listen. It was a good day.

Travel Light Tips
Venice Historic Downtown https://www.visitvenicefl.org
• Venice has plenty of free parking, check their map
• Plenty of Shopping and Dining, too
• Annual Events page
• Free Public Restroom Building beside the
• Free child-friendly small water park
Venice Museum & Archives
• 351 Nassau Street South, Venice, FL 34285; (941) 486-2487
• Free Admission, although donations are appreciated
• Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• 1st & 3rd Saturdays (October – April) 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Venice Museum & Archives Facebook page
The museum is getting a facelift right now. Keep up with the museum through Facebook.

Dr. Fred H. Albee took lessons from his childhood and applied them to solve a problem. Isn’t it amazing the good that can be done when a person uses life lessons to solve problems?

What training have you been given? What skills have you developed? How could you utilize them to help others? Tell me about your ideas in the comments below.

Until next time . . . Travel Light,
SuZan

© 2019 SuZan Klassen