Published by former Mayor George Gardner January 20 2016
The Report is an independent publication serving our community
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Quest for Lady of La Leche
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 A St. Augustine delegation has moved closer to bringing an historical painting of Our Lady of La Leche home after a 253 year absence. The painting is significant as a representation of the first Shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States, established in the 1600s at the Mission of Nombre de Dios.
The delegation met with officials of the Mexican Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in December to describe the two and a half century  journey of the iconic painting. It was removed from the religious artifacts inventory of St. Augustine by Spanish residents evacuating the city with the British takeover by treaty in 1763.
That journey began aboard the schooner Nuestra Senora de la Luz to Cuba, then to the Mexican city of Campeche where the painting was stored in the San Francisquito church. In 2014 the painting was relocated to the Chapel Jesus Nazareno Museum and has been on display with other historical religious items from Campeche.
St. Augustinian Raphael Cosme, a Spanish antiquities expert, says the possibility of displaying the painting of Our Lady of La Leche at a Florida museum was discussed if museum interest can be shown here.
A proposal will be submitted to the Department of the National Museums Coordination, which processes transportation of art.
Contributed by Raphael Cosme
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Little Keeper
kids' program
Continuing with creative family museum programs, The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum begins a monthly children's program January 19 running through May.
Look for interactive activities focused on science, nature and history for ages 3-5 years.
Five part series is based on the Science of Light and inspired by the 2015 International Year of Light declared by the United Nations.
Free for Lighthouse members, $15 non-members includes admission for one parent and child.
To register, email Michelle Adams 904-829-0745 x212
Sponsored by Harbor Community Bank.
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Media and elections -
Who's really winning?
The New Media Landscape, how changes in the news  business affect voters, the candidates and ultimately the President, will be presented Thursday by Sandy K. Johnson, president and chief operating officer of the National Press Foundation.
The 7 pm talk at Lewis Auditorium opens the 2016 Flagler College Forum on Government and Public Policy. Johnson's lecture is part of the Forum's Road to the White House theme leading up to the presidential election.
Johnson, former Washington bureau chief for the Associated Press, says, "For a century, editors at newspapers and other news organizations were the gatekeepers; they made sure the content that went out to readers was fair and balanced.
"That really doesn't occur anymore," Johnson says. "The news environment moves at the speed of Twitter, so journalists are tweeting the news in bytes of 140 characters or less.
"They also have responsibilities to blog, take photos and video, and their ability to analyze what the candidates are saying and to bring fact-checking and watchdog journalism to the forefront of this campaign has been sadly lacking."
Johnson promises tips on how to fact-check and find out where the presidential candidates stand on the issues.
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Black Jacks - Early America's Mariners
African-Americans have served with distinction in the US Navy throughout its existence with several deservedly earning the Medal of Honor for their heroism. African-Americans have a deep and long history in all facets of American Maritime history and industry. In fact, the oldest NPS ranger is an African-American woman at Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park in California who was a ship welder during World War Two.
Joseph Brehm, Chief of Interpretation, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Philip, SD
Colonial Quarter - Living history or food court?
I'm no restaurateur, but how hard would it be to have a "food court" in the Colonial Quarter that sells period(s) food? At Renaissance festivals the booths with turkey legs, boiled corn and fried dough have long lines and sometimes sell out. How about Minorcan Chowder, salted fish, "biscuits", period vinegars and cheeses? Move up in time - potato anything, orange juice, star fruit and strawberry desserts. Throw in turkey legs, and I'd eat there!
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Our Native Past archaeologically
City Archaeologist Carl Halbirt details 16th century European and Native American cultures Thursday evening at the St. Augustine Art Association,based on artifacts excavated on the Art Association site in 2014.
The presentation will include an exhibit of tribal portraits by fine artist Theodore Morris and authentic artifacts on display in the Marguerita Phillips Gallery.
Doors open at 6:15 pm. Free Parking downtown after 5 pm. Seating is limited. Call for reservations (904) 824-2310.
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College gears for tourists
 When you're up to your neck in tourists, who ya gonna call?
Flagler College now offers a program in Hospitality and Tourism Management, recently approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the recognized regional accrediting body for degree-granting higher education institutions in the South.
"Tourism has long been a driving force in the economy of the state of Florida," Sport Management Department Chair Dr. Calvin Hunter says. He notes the need for qualified individuals to manage hotels, resorts and the like in the sunshine state as good reasons for students to choose the new major.
St. Augustine could benefit. The course includes 120 apprenticeship hours in the hospitality industry.
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History's Highlight
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155 years ago - Confederate St. Augustine
January 7, 1861, a lone United States Army sergeant guards Fort Marion - the Castillo de San Marcos before Florida became a U.S. territory.
With southern states rallying toward secession, some two dozen Fernandina militiamen demand the fort's surrender, and the sergeant turns over the keys without protest. 
Many of the fort's cannons are sent to Fernandina.
Three days later, delegates from East and West Florida overwhelmingly approve secession. St. Augustine resident David Levy Yulee, the territory's Congressional delegate, helps unify the delegates.
When news reaches St. Augustine on January 12, 1861, that Florida has seceded, the city celebrates with ceremonial flag raisings, church bells, and musket volleys, followed by a torchlight parade and bonfires.
Three months later, Fort Sumter's surrender begins the Civil War.
The initial enthusiasm for the war begins to fade when residents of St. Augustine realize their fledgling tourist industry has abruptly ended. To make matters worse, the Confederate Government soon imposes a steep tax on residents to finance the war effort.
The Confederate occupation of Fort Marion and St. Augustine is short-lived.
On the morning of March 11, 1862, federal gunboats anchor just outside the inlet. In anticipation of their arrival, the Confederate troops protecting the town abandon their posts and march off along with some of the town's leading citizens into Florida's interior.
A rowboat brings U.S. Navy Commander Rodgers under a flag of truce to the town wharf where he meets Acting Mayor Bravo. The city council quietly signs a surrender decree and turns St. Augustine over to northern forces, who remain in control throughout the balance of the war.
Image superimposes the official National flag of the Confederacy, adopted in March, 1861, and dubbed the "Stars and Bars" to contrast the Union's Stars and Stripes.
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The St. Augustine Report is published weekly, with additional Reports previewing City Commission meetings as well as Special Reports. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com or gardnerstaug@yahoo.com
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