This week in West Orange County history: Sept. 8, 2022

OLD TIMES

70 years ago

A shortage of doctors in Winter Garden was going to be alleviated by the coming of Edward Bradford, M.D., from Cedartown, Ga. He planned to open the offices in the Edgewater Hotel formerly occupied by Dr. Whitehurst.

Lakeview High valedictorian Marion Lincoln was granted a scholarship to the University of Florida.

55 years ago

The First Baptist Church of Windermere planned its inaugural ceremonies for Sept. 10. The new church was sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Winter Garden.

45 years ago

In honor of Bobby Ficquette’s 23rd birthday, friends held the “Ficquette National Tennis Tournament” on the courts in downtown Winter Garden, followed by a cookout. Playing in the tournament with the birthday boy were Dan Dummett, Johnny Ficquette, John McMillan, Steve Girvin, Bruce Britt, Jerry Baker and Hal Cuddy.

40 years ago

Vice President George Bush flew to Orlando to speak at a re-election fundraiser for Congressman Bill McCollum. A rally was held at the Cheyenne Saloon on Church Street.

30 years ago

Letter to the Editor: Try square dancing, says the Wizard. “If you haven’t tried it, don’t knock it. Some of the best fun I’ve ever had square dancing was in the beginners class. The enthusiasm that is felt by a beginners group when they finally get to complete a full tip without breaking down is pure joy. It is a feeling that even an old, experienced hand can appreciate and experience over and over. For those of you who think of the old-time movie version of the mountain boys with their jug, looking for a fight, nothing could be further from the truth. Square dancing gets too complicated eventually to anyone who is alcohol-impaired. It is good wholesome family recreation and can be enjoyed by people of any age.” Signed, J.P. Carris, The Wizard of Ag.

The Winter Garden Players were practicing for their upcoming season-finale presentation of “Barefoot in the Park.”

20 years ago

A Winter Garden man whose early years were spent digging ditches for water lines, skimming dead fish from Lake Apopka, picking oranges and planting cabbage crops left the area and became a military hero. After returning to his hometown, Sylvester Johnson donated his United States Army uniform to the Winter Garden Heritage Museum.

Lex Veech was hired by Orange County Chairman Richard Crotty to serve as the county’s public affairs coordinator. He previously was the community and governmental relations liaison for the Orange County Convention Center.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Rod Reeves, longtime Winter Garden artist and former art teacher at Lakeview and West Orange high schools, is known for always having his sketchbook with him so he can quickly draw anything and anyone he comes across. In The Winter Garden Times, Reeves ran a weekly feature called “Remember…” in which his drawings drew attention to locals and a tidbit of fact.

His Sept. 7 and 14, 1972, drawings featured Mrs. Russell Pounds, who represented her home state of Arkansas in the 1940 Miss America Pageant, and Lakeview’s 1954 Orange Belt Conference stars, Audie Ward and Mickey Cox.

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE MUSEUM ARCHIVES

Melodye Hendrix Flanagan and her brother, Tim Hendrix, right, recently donated the cool neon sign that once was displayed above the front door of their parents’ pharmacy. Tibbal’s Rexall Drugstore was located at the southeast corner of Plant and Main streets in a building owned by pharmacist Jimmy and Georgiana Hendrix. Georgiana also operated a dress shop located in the building. (Until destroyed in a fire, the pharmacy was located across Main Street and operated by Hendrix and Howard Tibbals.)  

Winter Garden Heritage Foundation Director Jim Crescitelli, left, visited the pharmacy’s site with Tim Hendrix.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation preserves an extensive archive of artifacts and signs from Winter Garden’s business district over the past century. Call (407) 6563244 to make a research appointment.