Hello all!

I am excited to be your 2008-2009 State President with our theme as Discovering Florida’s Roadside Attractions as we all experience and learn about this unique and almost forgotten aspect of Florida history.

Start by reading all about my project as you explore all that this edition of Orange Blossom has to offer. Many thanks to State 2nd Vice President Chrissy Herreid who put this all together in a wonderful fashion.

My year as President has already begun as I brought greetings to the FLSSAR during the installation banquet of their Board of Management meeting held in Kissimmee on Saturday, May 3. The first project pins for this year were sold thanks to the generosity of SAR at an astounding total of 34 pins.

For those of you who don’t know me all too well, I am a member of the Fort Brooke Society in Tampa and just completed my freshman year at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Currently, I am a dual-major in History and Health Education and Behavior: Health Studies hoping to go on to grad school for nursing and maybe history. In addition, I have been a member of CAR since the age of 3 having been part of the Wisconsin, Virginia, and Florida State Societies holding various chairmanships and offices at the state level for lorida.

I am hoping for a large representation of our society at the Southeastern Regional meeting on July 29th and 30th as it will be at our very own Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Be sure to read up on all of the great activities planned. This is the perfect time to experience and learn all about the National society while we also support
Kelly Knight of the Princess Malee Society in Jacksonville as she is National 1st Vice President! Let us work together to create a riveting year as it is not only up to
me, but YOU to get out there and experience all that we can as a society.

Sincerely,
Valerie Bagenski
P.O. Box 2212
Palm Harbor, FL 34682-2212
(727)-781-2660
[email protected]