PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — How does a city girl who is not fond of heat and humidity end up in southwest Florida?
A combination of hunger, compromise and serendipity conspired to bring Pittsburghers Donna and John Peterman to their new home in Punta Gorda, Fla.
Mrs. Peterman, the former executive vice president and chief communications officer at PNC Bank, was driving back from a Florida banking conference with her husband when they decided to stop for lunch in Punta Gorda.
The city, whose name means “fat point” in Spanish, has been one of the Gulf Coast’s best kept secrets — until recently. The old fishing village was reborn after Hurricane Charlie hit in August 2004. Located on the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, it is a prime spot for boaters, anglers, and anyone who enjoys the arts and Florida sunsets.
While they lived in Pittsburgh, Mrs. Peterman was a member of The Andy Warhol Museum advisory board, PNC Foundation board and WQED board, and she was the president of the SIFMA Foundation for Investor Education, which speaks for the securities industry.
Her desire to remain an active citizen was one of the reason the couple decided to put down roots here. They first thought Punta Gorda would be just a snowbird escape from Pittsburgh winters, but opportunities and Mr. Peterman’s desire to stay put made this their year-round home.
“I convinced Donna that I wanted to be here full time,” he said.
“I wanted a place where I could be involved and if you are a snow bird that is harder,” she said. “We moved a lot for my career so this was the compromise.”
Mr. Peterman, who grew up in Missouri, is not bothered by the heat and humidity. She was won over by this house’s Key West style, the town’s history and the chance to contribute to the community.
Mrs. Peterman is president of the Visual Arts Center of Punta Gorda and Historic Punta Gorda Civic Association; a board member of Punta Gorda Symphony; a member of the Punta Gorda Planning Commission and Charlotte County Charter Review Commission; vice chair of the Punta Gorda Historic Preservation Advisory Board; and chair of the Punta Gorda Tree Lighting Committee.
“I don’t want to appear slacking,” she said with a smile.
Mr. Peterman enjoys golf, the warm weather, and the views from their first- and second-floor lanais. Their home is in the historic district, where the brick streets are lined with royal palms.
“Our home was once owned by a famous sea captain who took Teddy Roosevelt on a fishing expedition,” said Mrs. Peterman.
A photo of Captain Jack J. McCann with Roosevelt at a fishing camp hangs in Mrs. Peterman’s “Zoom room” on the second floor.
The house holds many reminders of Pittsburgh. Their eclectic collection of art includes a painting by Louise Pershing that appeared at the Carnegie International. The late Pittsburgh artist was the founder of the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and related to Gen. John Pershing.
An Andy Warhol soup can print adorns the walls of the first-floor lanai, and there are plenty of works by Punta Gorda artists as well. A life-sized mermaid by Mary Jollett has a seat at the dining room table, and a sculptural painting by Gabriele Childs hangs in the circular stairwell. There is also an elevator — a nice additon for anyone planning to age in place.
The Petermans had the house gutted and opened it up. For guests, they bought a one-level cottage several blocks away.
“This way everyone has their privacy,” observed Mrs. Peterman.
She decorated the cottage in “Florida funky” style. The bedroom has a Warholesque painting of Maryilyn Monroe. There are also paintings by Highwaymen.
“Highwaymen were African American men who traveled around Florida in the 1920s and ’30s doing landscapes,” Mrs. Peterman explained. “They have a certain luminescence.”
To watch nature’s glow, the couple return to the main house for cocktails and a glorious view of the sunset over the harbor.
Patricia Sheridan: psheridan@post-gazette.com.
First Published: April 26, 2021, 9:41 a.m.
