This week in West Orange County history: June 29, 2023

OLD TIMES

90 years ago

Cameron Shipp, Winter Garden agent for the American Express Company, carried this ad in the Winter Garden Journal: “Five days in Chicago pullman from Orlando, meals on the train, room and meals at the famous Parker House, tickets to the fair, boat trips, sightseeing trips in this all-expense tour — $93.

85 years ago

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported there was considerably fewer arrests made since beer became legal.

80 years ago

Ocoee City Council awaited federal approval of a city beautification project. Ocoee asked for more than $10,000 in Works Progress Administration funds.

50 years ago

Kathryn Petris and Maggie Martin retired from Lakeview High School this year. Petris began her teaching career in 1930, and Martin first taught in 1938.

Scotty’s Home Builders Supply opened in Ocoee with Jinx Givens as manager.

David Owens and Richard King opened Modern Taxi on Highway 50 and offered rides in an air-conditioned nine-passenger station wagon. Owens previously served with the Winter Garden Police Department, and King owned Winter Garden Paint and Body. They also provided charter and limousine transportation in the area.

40 years ago

Many friends and well-wishers attended the celebration of Charlie and Ruby Connell’s golden wedding anniversary at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden.

30 years ago

City of Ocoee employees hung up a closed sign at Ocoee City Hall and moved their offices to the Ocoee Community Center and a module facility across the parking lot. The present City Hall was to be razed in preparation for a new municipal complex on that site.

It’s late afternoon on a beautiful summer day, and you decide to ride your bicycle for some fresh air and exercise. You head toward the new bike trail, where you can ride free from automobile exhaust and traffic lights. This potential scene was laid out as county and state park officials made plans for the first phase of the West Orange Greenway, part of the national Rails to Trails program. The path was planned with five trailheads: at the Lake-Orange County Line, in Winter Garden, between Winter Garden and Clarcona, in Clarcona, and in Apopka. The linear park was later named West Orange Trail.

Mandy Maxey, of Gotha, graduated first in her class from the University of Florida College of Medicine. For this honor, she received the American Medical Women’s Janet Glasglow Memorial Award and the Upjohn Achievement Award. She also was recognized with the Bythewood and Baker Scholarship for Women, the University Medical Guild Scholarship and induction into the international medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

JUNE 26, 1942

In 1942, many of the advertisements in the West Orange News were centered on World War II and the war efforts on American soil.

The Atlantic Ice Company, in downtown Winter Garden, told citizens: “It’s patriotic to save food, save money with modern ice refrigeration.” It recommended residents “help win the war by saving food, avoiding waste — conserving all the vitamins and nutriment” by buying the modern air-conditioned ice refrigerator. It was noted that a single servicing of ice lasts three to five days or longer. To inquire about the new appliance, folks could call the company at phone number 113.

First National Bank of Winter Garden invited residents to buy United States war savings bonds and stamps to keep the nation united by war and so “you, too, can sink U boats.”

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION ARCHIVES

This postcard depicts a citrus packinghouse mural that once graced the east wall of the Winter Garden Heritage Museum. They were distributed to visitors beginning with the museum’s opening in 1998. Painted by Don Reynolds, it graced the wall, with occasional touchups, until it was painted over due to upkeep issues: “The oranges were peeling,” the heritage staff was told. A seasonal visitor from Canada, named Mr. Blackie, photographed the setting for Jerry Chicone Jr., who commissioned the postcard.