‘The Placemaker-Poet’ an entertaining look at rise, demise of Gables icon George E. Merrick

Most of us know that George E. Merrick was the developer who planned Coral Gables, the City Beautiful. What many don’t know is that he was also a creative writer and a poet, and that his last job was as the Miami postmaster.

On Sept. 23, 26, 27 and Oct. 18, Phillip M. Church and What if Works will present “The Placemaker-Poet,” a 90-minute dramatic curation based on Merrick’s life and legacy.

The production at three locations — Seminole Theatre, Coral Gables Museum, and Westchester Cultural Arts Center — was inspired by the acclaimed biography “George Merrick: Son of the South Wind” by Arva Moore Parks.

“The production tracks Merrick as he arrives in Florida at the age of 13, a boy passionate to be a creative writer but, instead, set to work by his father for his first seven years ‘land-grubbing’ and ‘road-rocking’ selling the plantation’s produce in the newly incorporated city of Miami,” Church said.

Finally, at age 21, Merrick enrolled in Rollins College to study writing. But his father had other plans and redirected him to New York Law School.

When he returned to Florida, Merrick’s prominence as a real estate developer was meteoric. And with a “dream team” of designers and architects he gave birth to the City of Coral Gables.

“Unfortunately, his demise was equally swift, the result of an overextended dream, a bank collapse, two hurricanes and the onslaught of the Great Depression,” Church said.

“There is so much covered in this play,” said Joanne Meagher, Chair, Merrick House Board of Governors.

“Phillip uses George’s poetry to carry us through not only his experiences but his relationships. And he pays particular attention to Merrick’s affiliation and affinity for the Black Bahamians who ‘showed the way’ in the early days and went on to build the city’s infrastructure. “George always said they deserved to be recognized, and Phillip’s treatment of this subject goes a long way toward doing just that.”

Learn more about “The Placemaker Poet,” as told through a theatrical tapestry of drama, poetry, movement, music, masks and puppetry, at www.whatifworks.com Proceeds benefit scholarships for first-year college history majors.

Photographer shows life at Redland Market

HistoryMiami Museum’s Center for Photography announced Carlos “Cali” Muñoz as the 2023 Photography Fellowship winner for emerging, local documentary photographers.

Muñoz will receive a $25,000 grant from The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation to continue his work shining a light on the Redland Market, a 27-acre plot of land in Homestead.

“I am thrilled to win this year’s grant,” Muñoz said. “I believe this project is important in constructing part of Miami’s history — the history of immigrants, the history of progress, but also the history that includes communities that are not always visible but are still part of this great cultural mix that is South Florida.”

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, to Colombian parents, Muñoz fled political turmoil for life in Miami in 2015. In 2023, he began documenting the immigrant community residing around Redland, where nationalities of migrants, mostly from Mexico and Central America, converge.

The project is made possible through The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation at The Miami Foundation as part of the CreARTE grant program.

“In a city like Miami, flowing with cultural diversity, it’s crucial that every community finds representation,” said Jorge M. Pérez, internationally recognized philanthropist and founder of Related Group. “Muñoz’s work focusing on South Florida’s migrant history exemplifies the profound impact of art as a universal language—one that bridges cultures and fosters empathy.”

More at www.historymiami.org

Walk for the Animals is Oct. 14

The Humane Society of Greater Miami invites all pups (and their humans) to dress up in favorite costumes at the next Walk for the Animals.

This long-running event is fun for the whole family and supports a great cause in helping shelter animals in our community. There will be a doggie costume contest, and games and raffles with prizes.

The morning walk begins at 8:30 a.m., Oct. 14, at Margaret Pace Park, 1745 N. Bayshore Dr.

Visit walkfortheanimalsmiami.com to register.

Garden Club hosts photo contest

“As I See It,” Coral Gables Garden Club’s nature and wildlife photography contest, has surpassed all expectations this year, said Susan Rodriguez, club president.

The top 25 entries can be seen until Oct. 1 at the Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Ave., alongside the top 25 winners of the “Capture Coral Gables” photo contest.

”This marks the first time our talented finalists and winners have been invited to a museum-quality exhibition, and we are thrilled to collaborate with the Coral Gables Museum,” Rodriguez said.

The People’s Choice Award will be decided through online voting with the winner set to be announced at the closing reception during Gallery Night Oct. 7.

More at www.coralgablesgardenclub.org.

Apply for Classroom Makeover Grant

FPL is inviting public, private, and charter schools at all grade levels to apply for a $50,000 Classroom Makeover Grant. The makeovers for five eligible Florida schools are part of the company’s continued commitment to STEM education.

“At FPL, we believe that knowledge is power and that by enriching students’ experiences in STEM, we can help break down barriers to opportunity and drive interest in furthering their education and future opportunities in STEM fields,” said Kate Cotner, director of community engagement for FPL.

Funds will update STEM classrooms with new infrastructure, technology, or resources, including software, equipment, books and training for teachers. Applications are accepted through Oct. 15.

Apply at FPL.com/ClassroomGrant

Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.