Growing Up on Sanibel features Francis Bailey. This first of five Sanibel Island documentaries sponsored by Pfeifer Realty Group highlights four generations of people who grew up on Sanibel. The film will features some long–time Sanibel residents who either grew up here, or who moved here in their early adult years, and who raised families here. An additional focus to adults who grew up here takes a nostalgic look back at their experience growing up Sanibel Island. Finally, current “Sanibel kids” are featured, with glimpses into their island lives.
Francis Bailey a true Sanibel Pioneer lived on Sanibel from 1921 until he passed away in 2013. He grew up playing in his father's general store (which is now located in the Historical Village). In the back room there were 100 pound sacks of chicken and mule feed. Francis and his brothers loved jumping on them because they were soft. "Sometimes Daddy would get some work out of us. Daddy would say 'One boy you get a little work, two not too bad, three nothing.'"
"We had a big yard at home and Daddy did lots of gardening. We boys had to work in the yard, at least we worked when he was looking at us".
In remembering what it was like in Sanibel's One Room Schoolhouse, Francis said "We had one teacher, one door, one desk, one stove, one pencil sharpener, and TWO two hole outhouses." Francis met his wife in that schoolhouse. She was a snowbird. After 8 years in the one room school house, his mom passed away when he was 14 years old and had to attend prep school. He credits his teacher in the Sanibel Schoolhouse for preparing him to succeed.
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