This week in West Orange County history

OLD TIMES

75 years ago

Brenau College freshman Jean Reddick won a place on that school’s Dean’s List.

55 years ago

Windermere Town Council discussed the dangerous intersection of Maguire Road and Hwy #50. They took
action to have a traffic light installed there, which has been the scene of many accidents.

Charlotte Day and Dicky Hall were Smile Contest winners from Dillard Street Elementary, and Jeanne Pitchford and Jack Boyles from Winter Garden Elementary, marking National Children’s Dental Health Week.

Dawn Princeton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvard Yale Princeton of Orlando and bride-elect of Thomas DeLoach of Winter Garden, was being honored with many showers and parties.

45 years ago

These West Orange High soloists were chosen to compete in the District Music Festival: Randy Anderson, Jamey Baker, Dinah Tompkins, Melvin Birdsong, Mysti Smith, Billy McRoy, Charles Mears, Carl Bond and Donna Hise.

Mike Hurley of Windermere was scheduled to appear in a special bicentennial “Mike Douglas Show.”

The Winter Garden Rotary Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with all members sporting mustaches and straw hats. Special events included a Past Presidents Day luncheon and a dinner party with the Rotary-Anns. Gene Cappleman, who took his shaver to the dinner, had the shortest-lived mustache.

40 years ago

Frank Watson, principal of Spring Lake Elementary, had a momentous Valentine’s Day when he hit a hole-in-one at Cypress Creek Golf Course.

Winners of the American Heart Association Poster Contest at Dillard Street Elementary: Karen Fewell, Matthew Wheat, Lee Ann Dault, Tina Willis, Carl Peters and Bradley Baker.

30 years ago

The Orange County Commission approved the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to build a regional temple east of Lake Down.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Feb. 16, 1951

In the 1940s and ’50s, there were many advertisements related to the military and war efforts. In the Feb. 16, 1951, edition of the Winter Garden Times, readers were asked to volunteer with the U.S. Army or U.S. Air Force. Temporary recruiting officers were opened at the Winter Garden Post Office.

Members of the Army and Air Force were guaranteed good pay, excellent training, an opportunity for advancement, and the privilege of serving their country. “Your country needs you now,” the ad exclaimed.

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

Sixteen family members attended the dedication of the Quercus Quesinberry Oak, designated to honor Winter Garden Mayor Jack Quesinberry, who has served the longest mayoral term in the city’s history. The monument notes that he served the city from 1981 through 2008 as a member of the Planning & Zoning Board and then as mayor. The heritage tree stands alongside Lake Brim in the Tildenville community of Oakland Park in west Winter Garden. At the dedication: Rusty Jenkins, Adler Cristello, Sharon Jenkins, Sayler Cristello, Kathy Taylor, Adam Couch, Gloria and Jack Quesinberry, Allison Couch, Amy Quesinberry, Jeni McNeill, Jackson McNeill, Andrew McNeill, Steve McNeill, Benjamin McNeill and Harrison McNeill.