Let Freedom Ring

The phrase “Let Freedom Ring” comes from the song “America (My Country, Tis of Thee),” written by Samuel Francis Smith, a Baptist preacher in 1831 while a student at the Andover Theological School Seminary in Andover, Massachusetts. The lyrics were meant to be inspirational as we appreciate the beautiful landscapes of America and, as the Pilgrims did, to appreciate the economic liberty and opportunities in the New World. The verse, “Let freedom ring,” is also one of the core founding values of America.

For Rene and Tish Champagne of Marco Island, Freedom was the perfect name for their newly restored fiberglass dolphin. Rene is a veteran and according to his wife Tish, he is definitely a Patriot - there are flags everywhere; even his golf bag has the American flag. Initially, Tish referred to the dolphin as Bubbles, a play on their last name of Champagne. Once Tish and Rene chose an artist to work on the restoration, Freedom was re-born and given a new purpose.

For months Tish would drive by a “sun-bleached, faded and cracking fiberglass dolphin, looking very sad and covered with overgrown shrubbery.” Like a mythical siren from the sea, the dolphin’s call tugged at Tish’s heart. Tish said, “Every time I drove by the dolphin, I just wanted him to come back to life.”

With further research, Tish traced the origins of this dolphin to the Dolphin Debut, a fundraiser in 2003 where 36 life-sized dolphins were brought to life in the hands of local artists and their sponsors. For six weeks, the celebrity dolphins transformed the island and increased awareness for the Marco Island Art League and the Marco YMCA and raised $123,000 for the two organizations. The dolphins were auctioned off to various bidders, and while some may have left the island, a small “pod” of celebrity dolphins stayed in Marco.

Clara.Net was Lot No. 18, created by artist Don Mills and sponsored and owned by the Tateo Family and Horizons Realty. Dolphins were very special to the Tateo family when they first settled on Marco in the mid-1960s. Dolphins would run with their boat, “smiling” at them and the name Clara.Net was a natural fit holding a clarinet between her soft lips.

Tish and Rene acquired “Clara.Net” from the Tateo family and it was trucked to the Vosburgh’s Fiberglass Repair Shop for a complete restoration. The Florida weather is brutal to the fiberglass dolphins and their vibrant colors faded; some lost fins or tails and others broke apart at the seams. Leslie Shannon of Goodland was chosen to work on the dolphin’s artistic re-birth. 

With their charismatic smile and playful personality, dolphins “splash” their way into our hearts. Champagne’s Freedom is now happily gazing over his new domain of the backwaters of Caxambas Bay, looking over a small bird rookery. Gone is the dull gray color, now replaced with the red, white and blue flag draped over his star-studded curved body joined by the symbols of the Statue of Liberty and an Eagle in Flight. 

Where have all those hand-made dolphins gone?

Chefantastick, Lot 31, originally painted by artist Kevin Scobie was at Marek’s Restaurant. It is now at the Marco Island Center for the Arts with a complete re-birth as Daphne the Dolphin, restored by Keith Pershing of Island Automotive along with John McCoy and Mike Pettitt.

Carrying a message of hope and peace, World Freedom, Lot 24, is at Residents Beach, painted by artist Kathleen Eichman and sponsored by the Sunrise Rotary Club of Marco Island/Robert and Ruth Coffman.

Goodland artist Denise Santos restored several fiberglass dolphins from the Dolphin Debut collection. All Purpose Porpoise, Lot 16, was an all-purpose giant Swiss Army knife created by artist Chris Lombardo for Woodward, Pires and Lombardo, PA. He was in disrepair in front of Marco Island Office Supplies. Denise Santos gave her a new identity as the dubious Captain Jack Sparrow. 

Mackle Park is home to Homeland, Lot Nine, brought to life by local artist Robert Eder revealing the intricate layout of Marco Island.