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Greetings!
Memorializing our Freedom
For many, the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend will signal the beginning of summer, and yet history tells us that this special day means much more than sunny beaches and family picnics. With its earliest roots shrouded by the mists of time, Memorial Day began as Decoration Day, and was practiced as early as 1866 in the southern states. The national custom was officially declared in 1868, when General John A. Logan issued General Order No. 11 proclaiming May 30th as a day for honoring the nation's fallen heroes by remembering them each year and placing flowers on their graves. It is believed that General Logan selected the date with the entire country in mind, as flowers would be in bloom throughout the land.
The first national celebration of Decoration Day was held on May 30th, 1868, in Arlington Virginia, at the former home of Robert E. Lee. Over 5000 people attended the ceremony that was led by Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant. As prayers and hymns were recited, the graves of fallen Union and Confederate soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery were decorated with flowers. Less than three years after the end of the War Between the States, the ceremony was not about ideological divisions, but about reconciliation and a unified respect and honor.
By 1882 the name Memorial Day was taking the place of Decoration Day, a change that became official in 1967. In 1971 Memorial Day was shifted by Congress from May 30th to "the last Monday in May" to create a three day weekend for Federal employees. Since then, many citizens feel that Memorial Day has lost its original meaning - to bind us together as a nation through paying respects to those who gave their lives for our freedom. So as we celebrate the symbolic start of summer here in Sarasota, and the freedom to enjoy vacations, beaches and family reunions, let us honor those whose service made such freedom possible and keep the memory of their sacrifice fresh in our hearts and their graves decorated with flowers.
John McCarthy
Director
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Telling a Story Through Maps
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 There are three different reasons why we use maps in today's world: to determine a location, to navigate, and to examine spatial relationships. The third type of map, the kind used to look at spatial relationships, is the one we spend the most time on here at SCOPE. Why do we focus on spatial relationships? Well, we've found that these maps tell a story about our community by creating a visual representation of data that is accessible for residents and community members to engage with.
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Data Byte: Fruit Around the Corner
|  Have you recently found yourself searching for fruit in all the wrong places? Or perhaps you have a fruit tree but you just cannot eat all of that tasty fruit! Sarasota County's ecosystem is ideal for many fruit trees to flourish. Just in my own neighborhood, Indian Beach Sapphire Shores, I have seen many fruiting trees including starfruit, lime, grapefruit, orange, avocado, mango, and mulberry. Wouldn't it be nice to fuel your body with some fresh, free, delicious fruit while walking through your neighborhood?
Click here to check out more on our blog for more information. |
| Thanks to Our Supporters |  Thank you: SCOPE wishes to express our gratitude to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for their organizational leadership around the 36-Hour Giving Partner Challenge. Thank you for supporting SCOPE's core mission: City of North Port, City of Sarasota, City of Venice, The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Roskamp Foundation, Sarasota County Government, William G. and Marie Selby Foundation. |
Read more about SCOPE on our website at www.scopexcel.org. Our phone number is 941.365.8751.
Sincerely,  |
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Data Collaborative Meeting
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The next Community Data Collaborative Meeting
will be held on:
Wednesday,
May 22,
Sarasota County
Government,
1001 Sarasota Center Blvd Room 8,
Sarasota, FL 34240
10:00am - 12:00pm
Everyone is welcome.
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SCOPE Out in the Community
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SCOPE staff and board was out in the community -
- April 27th: STAR Students Community Conversation.
- May 6th: Sustainable Sarasota Community Partnership.
- May 8th: Public forum to Highlight Science and Society from Japan to Sarasota Bay at Mote Marine Laboratory.
- May 9th: Institute for the Ages reception.
- May 11th: Community Conversation with Laurel Civic Association volunteers.
- May 16th: "Let's Get Moving Sarasota" citywide mobility plan public workshop.
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
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SCOPE
Board of Directors Meeting,
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Center for Arts & Humanity
1226 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota
4:00pm
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Quick Links | |
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check out the SCOPE
website at
www.scopexcel.org
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Our Corporate Partners |
Their support of SCOPE's mission reflects their belief in the power of active citizens working together to make Sarasota County an even better place to live, work and play.
Platinum
CAP Brand Marketing
Herald-Tribune Media Group
Willis A. Smith Construction
Silver
Caldwell Trust Company
Florida Power & Light
Kerkering Barberio
Bronze
Gator Grading & Paving
Interested in supporting SCOPE's collaborations with active citizens? Contact SCOPE for details on the Corporate Partners Program. |
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