Ship of Imagination for a Voyage of Dreams: Panama City

The weather turned pretty nasty out as a cold front moved in with wind and rain making the anchorage at St. Andrews Marina rather inhospitable. Carter's instructor at the sea school told him about a very sheltered anchorage in a place called Massalina Bayou and graciously offered to give him rides to class since it wasn't quite within bicycle riding distance like St. Andrews is. So we hoisted anchor and headed over Friday morning.

I made a new friend today in Panama City named Peggy (pictured above with me). I also got to meet a facebook friend from our last passage thru Panama City for the first time too, Carol (pictured below) always has a smile on her face.

Peggy invited me to one of her favorite places in Panama City called Roberts Hall to listen to a group of talented local musicians. I was treated to a wonderful piece of history in this old town of Florida.

Excerpts from their brochure:

"A group of citizens has taken on the challenge of restoring what was recently an eyesore through years of neglect, with the vision of returning it to its original state and usage."

" Roberts Hall is a beautifully restored historic building in the heart of Lynn Haven. The two story structure was built by L. J. Roberts and completed in 1912. It has housed many businesses throughout it's 100 year existence including a general store, dance hall/meeting hall, sewing room, and antique stores."

Beautiful vintage quilts adorn the walls on the 1st floor.

Possibly left behind from the days as a sewing room.

"The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (a fraternal organization) has met there since 1912 and bought the building in 1922. They met upstairs once a week, held dances on many weekends, hosted fish fry's, and have donated to many different charities both local and national. They rented the first floor to Lloyd's Country Store for 40+ years and that is how many residents remember the building."

"In 1948 the building was covered with a brick-print asphalt siding that had many younger generations thinking that it was a brick building. Years of wear and neglect took its toll on the building and Hurricane Opal did some roof damage that caused some internal damage. The Order members were aging and unable to do the repairs. Many members of the community considered it an eyesore and it was very close to being condemned and torn down. Then in 2007 a group of historic-minded people came forward to see if they could salvage and restore this beautiful old structure. They joined the Order and began repairs in May of 2008. The first floor is completed and restoration continues on the second floor."

Upstairs you'll find the dance hall is being restored.

There are 6 beautiful murals on the walls. I was told the artist was paid $24 for his work.

The stage upstairs in the process of renovation.

I'm told Hank Williams, Sr. performed on this stage!

Some original pieces remain in the building.

This is one of the first Pepsi coolers, as evidenced by the original color blue,

most likely to have been used in the general store.

As a means of raising funds for the restoration, there is a slate of musical activities open to the public. Visit their facebook page for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Roberts-Hall/519889941365612?ref=stream&hc_location=stream

Some local talent at "Open Mike".