West Orange County history for the week of July 18, 2024

OLD TIMES / THE WAYS WE WERE

Excerpts from the newspaper archives:

80 years ago

The big fan displayed at R.A. Kerr’s place of business attracted much attention. The gigantic fan looked as if it could cool off the largest building in town on a hot summer day.

S2-C Clyde E. Roberson, accompanied by S2-C Roy Pederson, spent the weekend in Winter Garden with the former’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.D. Roberson. They were stationed at Daytona Beach.

A crew of carpenters and painters were at work on the large eight-room house facing Lakeview Avenue in the rear of the bus station on Plant Street, reroofing, renovating and remodeling it throughout preparatory for living quarters for some of the people working in the citrus groves of Neil McMillan.

50 years ago

The marriage of Lee Ann Lait, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray N. Lait of Ocoee, and John Hunter Claflin, son of Mr. and Mrs. George B. Claflin of Falmouth Foreside, Maine, took place at the Ocoee United Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert Titus officiating.

The western bypass was still alive. The long-discussed road that would route traffic off I-4 north of Orlando and input back into I-4 somewhere southwest of the congested downtown area, was back in the news.

30 years ago

SunBank, which had offices in Winter Garden and Ocoee, announced the formation of a local advisory board for this area. Those serving were Bill Amidon, George Bailey, Derek Blakeslee, Dr. John Cappleman, Fred Crabtree, Glenn Jackson and Milton West.

20 years ago

Oakland Town Commissioner Willie Welch was recognized for serving more than 20 years on the Town Commission. The awards banquet was sponsored by the Florida League of Cities and gave recognition to elected officials and municipality staff for long-time service and commitment.

Health Central honored dedicated employees at its annual service awards program. Some of the milestone awards were presented to 35-year employee Shirley Preston of Health Central Park and 30-year employee Elizabeth Ireland of pediatrics. Several were honored for more than 25 years: Jacqueline Frey, administration; Diane Victor, ambulatory surgery; Georgia Wise and Joyce Walls, Health Central Park nursing staff; and Lal Swaran, obstetrics/gynecology.

The Ninth Street Church of Christ broke ground for the construction of a new 8,060-square-foot building that was to include a sanctuary with seating for 302. The ceremony included remarks from Winter Garden Police Chief George Brennan, City Commissioner Mildred Dixon, Building Committee chair Lonza Morgan Sr. and minister Xerxes Snell. The church was founded in 1939.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

JULY 17, 1942

The men of the United States were going overseas to fight in the war, and women had to jump into the workforce to keep the country operating.

In a 1942 advertisement in the West Orange News, the Florida Public Service Company touted the benefits of the “magic product” of electricity and said it “makes a substantial contribution to the economic emancipation of the American woman.”

The ad praised women for being willing to “fill men’s shoes in the essential industries.”

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION ARCHIVES

In a photograph taken 20 years ago, West Orange Red Hat Society members pose in the City of Winter Garden’s Commission Chambers. Eleven of the women have been identified, although corrections may be needed: Nancy Richards, back left, Roberta Davis, Ruth Hawk, "Smitty" Clarke, Lillian Reeher, Nora Rowley, Vikki Chitwood, Joyce McWilliams, Betty Jo Ellis; front, Mary Ann Gravel, Margo Kennington and Lib Youngblood. 

The organization’s official website states “the Red Hat Society is a worldwide membership society that encourages women in their quest to get the most out of life. We support women in the pursuit of Fun, Friendship, Freedom, Fitness and the Fulfillment of lifelong dreams.”