HISTORY: West Orange County of yesteryear for week of Nov. 28, 2024

OLD TIMES / THE WAYS WE WERE

Excerpts from the newspaper archives:

80 years ago

Construction work, under the supervision of engineer George Ridge, was well underway at the Winter Garden Citrus Products Cooperative canning plant.

An enthusiastic group of citizens of Oakland and Winter Garden met to discuss plans and form an organization for a much-needed youth center.

The citizens of the Windermere vicinity on Lake Butler were all agog over the announcement that Isadore Hammer, of Patterson, New Jersey, had purchased 680 acres of property in the Windermere-Lake Butler section for $260,000. This included 165 acres of citrus groves from M.W. Metcalf.

70 years ago

The new and modern Florida Telephone Building on Main Street in Winter Garden was completed. The new building housed the local and district business offices, the toll switchboards for the district, toll carrier equipment, and equipment for local operators.

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Crawford moved into their new home in the Roper Subdivision.

The Eastern Star made plans to hold a rummage sale on the lot near the Economy Super Market.

Leonard Mann led the field in the City Commission race with a vote of 228. Incumbents George Barley, chairman, and Herbert Pounds retained their posts on the commission polling 200 and 196 votes, respectively.

55 years ago

The West Orange Jaycees sponsored their second meeting on the much-debated sex education program voted by the county board for local schools.

Sgt. Richard T. Farnsworth was on leave and visiting at the home of his parents, City Commissioner and Mrs. Everett L. Farnsworth Jr., on Dillard Street.

45 years ago

Chris Orie was crowned West Orange High School Homecoming queen at the game vs. Evans High. Homecoming king was Mike Batts.

35 years ago

Windermere Union Preschool held a 30-year reunion, and former classmates, teachers, staff and church members began the afternoon’s events with a slideshow tracing memories of the school’s development. Among the attendees were the second director, Jo Barton Tuck, and Mrs. Elder, the wife of the pastor at the time of the school’s founding. The oldest alums present were Lee and Nancy Wages, class of 1968 and 1970, respectively. Others in attendance were Paul Manor, Class of 1986; Kara Fay, 1982; Stephanie Manor, 1983; and Megan Strawn, 1984.

Kay Tanner was recognized as the National Honor Society’s Teacher of the Year at West Orange High School. Pete Abatiello and Cindy Doerges were chosen as WOHS schoolmaster and schoolmistress during the Powder Puff game.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

NOVEMBER 28, 1974

Long before it was 4 Rivers Smokehouse, the building at the northeast corner of West Colonial Drive and South Dillard Street offered local residents a different dining atmosphere.

In the 1970s, Burger Chef, located in the Tri-City Shopping Center, was one of the few restaurant choices in Winter Garden.

The eatery planned a fun evening with a visit from the Burger Chef and his little pal, Jeff, touted as “the friendliest characters you ever met.”

In an advertisement that ran in The Winter Garden Times in November 1974, Jeff exclaimed the visit with locals would be “incrediburgible!”

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION ARCHIVES

Avalonians (and other West Orange citizens) might recall this building that once stood at the site of John Meyer’s turkey farm on Avalon Road (County Road 545). Meyer supplied the delectable holiday bird to thousands of families during his years of operation.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation wishes you and your families a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!