This week in West Orange County history: Sept. 1, 2022

OLD TIMES

85 years ago

Miss Ella Neel was hostess for the younger set in Oakland, entertaining at the Community House on Lake Apopka. Invited guests were Margaret, Alice and Dan McKinnon; Hazel, Hal and Raymond Henschen; Jimmie Sadler; Lawrence Smith; and Roscoe Willis.

80 years ago

Bob D. Kannon, who was serving with the U.S. Navy in Northern Ireland, and James E. Hazel, serving with the Coast Artillery in Ireland, both of Winter Garden, met on a street in Ireland.

70 years ago

The West Orange Little League All-Stars ended up in the semifinals of the district playoffs. Tommy DeLoach pitched a four-hitter in the first game against Leesburg, but the team lost to Lakeland 12-0.

Marion Baker placed an ad in our paper to sell his furniture. He said he didn’t have a chance to get out of bed Friday morning before he started getting answers to his ad and he practically sold out before the morning was over. Just another case where a Times ad has paid off with ultra-terrific results.

The new Dillard Street School, for children in grades four, five and six, has been completed. Mrs. Meriam Thomas, principal, was prepared to report, coming from Gotha School. The Winter Garden Primary School P-TA, with Mrs. W.H. Hinson, president, served the new school also.

55 years ago

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new A&P store. It was to be located on Dillard Street just south of the Winter Garden Lanes.

30 years ago

A new scout troop at Ocoee Middle School, 197, and the OMS agriculture students were planning a rose garden in memory of Dorothy Williams, the late wife of former principal Bob Williams.

Talley Wells of Windermere, a senior at Duke University, was one of four sent to Africa for six weeks by Duke Chapel to pave the way for a summer work project. They spent a week at the recently opened African University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, set up by the United Methodist Church.

20 years ago

New Hope, a new church in downtown Orlando, was preparing for its new pastor, the Rev. Jack Jackson, and his wife, Anna, both young Methodist ministers. Services were being held in Howard Middle School.

Thornebrooke Elementary School opened its doors for the first time with 720 students. About 200 to 225 were to arrive by bus, and the rest were to arrive by bicycle or car line or on foot.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

THE TIMES

Sept. 16, 1982

Topiary growth examined by Kurt Kotzin of WED Enterprises, responsible for construction of the ‘Journey Into Imagination’ presentation by Kodak at Walt Disney World/Epcot Center, which is to open Oct. 1. Kurt reviews the growth of a topiary figure called ‘Figment.’ … This topiary growth, which was two years in the making, will be located outside the ‘Journey Into Imagination’ presentation in a designated “picture-taking garden area.”

THE TIMES

Oct. 7, 1982

Epcot Center is now open, and many West Orange Countians have already had their first peek at the remarkable new dimension in Disney entertainment. Among the earliest visitors were the Garrison family from Windermere. Passing beneath a silver sphere called Spaceship Earth, they discover a 260-acre permanent World’s Fair of imagination, discovery, education and exploration.

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION ARCHIVES

Six young ladies prepared for a swim arrayed in the last word in Boom Time swimwear Aug. 6, 1929. About to enjoy the cool water of Lake Butler are Oraleze Hewett-Butt, left, Laura, Jewel, Laura, Agnes, and Frances Thurmond. The resident who shared this photograph did not supply all their surnames. Can anyone help?

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation preserves a vast archive of photographs picturing local life from the past 125 years. The collection, open to the public, can be accessed by making an appointment. Call (407) 656-3244.