Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise: The Story of Caladesi Island [Paperback]

Myrtle Scharrer Betz (Author), Cover Art by Chrisopher M. Still (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2007

Myrtle Scharrer Betz is a born storyteller with a marvelous tale to tell. Her account of growing up on Caladesi Island is one of the richest portraits available of life in Florida when it truly was the natural, tropical paradise that tourists and residents alike can only dream of discovering today.Told with compelling honesty and humanity, this tale by the only child ever born on Caladesi Island captures the natural wonders, discomforts, challenges, and joys of pioneer life on a Florida West Coast barrier island, spanning the time from when her father, Henry Scharrer, first arrived in America from Switzerland in 1883 until his death in 1934.This new and enlarged edition includes more than 130 historic illustrations providing a visual legacy to complement Myrtle s narrative, and granddaughter Terry Fortner has added a timeline to clarify the history, extending to the years before and after the narrative itself.With wisdom, insight, and poetry, Myrtle Sharrer Betz has written a book that is sure to become a Florida treasure. In consideration of the future as well as preservation of the past, sales from the book support the Henry Scharrer Memorial Fund to underwrite projects at Caladesi and Honeymoon Island State Parks.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I believe the story of the Scharrer family best captures for me what it means to really know and love Florida. It seems to me that the history and heart of Caladesi Island and the Scharrer family will always be linked. I believe that in Myrtle s life, in her writings, and in her passion for preserving the heritage of her family and the Island, she has given our state and nation a great gift. Their story is not just the story of one family, or one island; it is to me a universal story of family, a story of a father s love for his daughter, a story of tragedy and hope, and a story of Florida s history along the Gulf Coast. --Christopher Still

About the Author

"If Grandma Moses began painting at 70," ponders Myrtle Scharrer Betz, "why can't I start writing at 87?" Thus, drawing from a lifetime spent as an astute observer, resourceful individualist, and passionate environmentalist, Myrtle proceeded to write by hand in looseleaf binders her memories of growing up on Caladesi Island, the place on earth she knew and loved the best. Her method was to compose in her mind each night as she lay waiting to go to sleep. The following morning she would write these thoughts into her notebook. The original manuscript was handwritten from start to finish as you find it in the pages of this book, with virtually no revision or rewriting. She proves to be not only a remarkable woman, but an immensely talented author.

Product Details

• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: UT Press; 3rd edition (October 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597320331
• ISBN-13: 978-1597320337
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #848,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paradise on earth, June 6, 2007

By 

J. Richard Ward (Atlanta, Ga. USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Yesteryear I lived in paradise: The story of Caladesi Island (Paperback)

I read this great little book a few years ago. It is a heart warming story of a women's love affair with a beautiful Florida island that has been saved from development, and is now a park.
Myrtle Betz moved to the island with her father when she was a small child, and grew up there rowing a small boat to school on the mainland each day.
If you love Old Florida you will enjoy this book. You may be inspired to take a trip to this beautiful unspoiled park.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, August 23, 2008

By 

Jim (Clearwater, FL USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise: The Story of Caladesi Island (Paperback)

This is one of those books that you can't put down and makes you feel good.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise, May 27, 2008

By 

Alice T. Duxbury - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise: The Story of Caladesi Island (Paperback)

Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise is a fascinating, enlightening and informative account of pioneer life on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It is a reminder to us all that there still is beauty surrounding us, if only we know how to see it as Myrtle Betz did. The reader will surely wonder if, despite all our modern amenities, we may truly be missing something very special. Read it. Walk into the photos. Scan the "Timeline." You'll see that Myrtle Betz' granddaughters have done well in sharing Myrtle's "paradise" and a colorful part of Florida's history.