On Wednesday, May 16, 2018, Orlando Remembered,Inc.,met at the Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando FL. Meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Attending were:
Claude Wolfe, President
Vic Ratliff, Vice President
Grace Chewning, Secy./Treas.
Dan Assael
Don Batchelor
Texann Buck
Joy Dickinson
Charlie Gray
Leon Handley
Ron Jaffe
Bill Leach
Mark Line
John Olin
Gail Padgett
Bunny Parish
Mary Phillips
Jane Tracy
Peggy Jo van den Berg
Bob Woodbery
Carolyn Accola
Dr. Mac Barnes
Heather Bonds
Dr. James Booth
Gary Daugherty
Saundra Gray
Barbara Leach
Cecil Moore
Hon. Robert Stuart
Hon. Charles Wells
- GUEST SPEAKER: The Honorable Charles Talley Wells, retired Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice, shared insightful/delightful memories of growing up during the 1940s-‘50s when Orlando was a medium-sized town with an “Old South” orientation, its main economy rooted in citrus and winter visitors from the North. Early home-life was on a large oak tree lot along Gatlin Ave., bordering Lake Jenny Jewel, in proximity to many families, such as the Benzings, Orrs, Hoffmans, Pensons. Judge Wells also recounted adventures spanning years at Delaney Elementary, Cherokee Junior High and William R. Boone Senior High, some involving our Bill Leach and Cecil Moore!
- MINUTES: The April 18 minutes were approved as written on motion of B. Woodbery, seconded by V. Ratliff and vote carried.
- TREASURER’S REPORT: $28,703.02 [including $10,000 in Andrew N. Serros Legacy Endowment Fund] as of 3-31-18.
- NEW BUSINESS: FDistrict 3 City Commissioner Robert F. Stuart reviewed proposed redevelopment of the old Youth Center property in Loch Haven Park by the Orlando Ballet, involving necessary demolition of the structure BUT plans to provide a memorabilia feature in the new structure. Support was expressed to support this project, individually and collectively. FDiscussion ensued on concerns about recent discontinuation of “free” Death Notices published daily in the Orlando Sentinelto “paid” Obits only. J. Tracy provided information on EPOCH [Electronically Preserving Obituaries as Cultural Heritage, http://www.epochlegacies.org/], a database created by the Orange County Library System for preserving obituaries and tributes. EPOCH is a depository of information that will be held for future generations of researchers and genealogists. Family and friends of the deceased may submit detailed obituaries as a tribute to their loved ones, and in doing so help build a meaningful history of the residents of the community.
- ON-GOING ACTIVITIES: () The 12thAnnual John Young History Maker Celebration is Tuesday, May 22nd, 5:30 p.m., History Center, honoring Dr. E. Ann McGee, retiring President of Seminole State College [Present] and the late Al Nelson, Orlando Human Relations Director [Past]. Information on other events/programs/exhibits at www.thehistorycenter.org. () Mark Line, Orange Preservation Trust VP, noted its first Outstanding Achievement Award in Historic Preservation went o Grace Hagedorn, who has done a great deal to further the cause of preserving historic buildings, especially in College Park. () Tiffany Rivera reported via email that: ua new digital exhibit is now featured on the RICHES Mosaic Interface™ about Central Florida Railroad Depots [https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/exhibits/show/railroaddepots], created by Dr. Connie L. Lester’s American Economic History class during the Spring Semester of 2014 at UCF, demonstrating the role of railroads, specifically railroad depots, in the economic life of Central Florida communities. Long and arduous journeys by watercraft or stagecoach were the only methods of travel and transportation of goods in Central Florida before the advent of railroads in the 1830s. Following the American Civil War, railroads expanded further across the peninsula, eventually becoming a fully established system by the 1880s. The efforts of Henry Flagler (1830-1913) in the eastern coast and Henry B. Plant (1819-1899) in the central and western portions of the state were largely responsible for the rapid development of the railroad, which connected virtually every major city and town by the 1890s. Although the railroad network peaked in the 1920s, with a number of cities being serviced by multiple lines, the rise of the automobile, air travel and the Great Depression contributed to its decline during the 1930s and 1940s. uRICHES will partner with the St. Cloud Historical Society to host a History Harvest in the fall.
- ANNOUNCEMENTS/GOOD OF THE ORDER: JWELCOME new ORWarrior, Gary Daugherty, [email protected], 407-620-8617 (C), 851-9547 (H), 3619 Eloise St., 32806.
JHappy Natal Day Anniversaries to Vic Ratliff, Bob Serros and Mary Phillips! JREMINDER: Periodically check our website, www.orlandoremembered.organd Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/71485598736/,VPrayers for Texann Buck that next week’s appointment at the Cleveland Clinic will result in a viable course of treatment.
- ORLANDOANS REMEMBERED: People whose lives were so important to so many, who helped make Orlando a great City and whose passing represents a significant loss to our community: Mary E. Smith Crosby; Mary “Ruth” Logue Story; John Richard Hefferan, Jr., Esq.; Thomas “Tom” Frederick Lang, Sr., Esq.; Katherine “Kitty” Chappell Brandel Cooper; Robert Bedford “Bo” Leonard; Elizabeth Allen “Happy” Sterchi; Louise “Boots” Horney Ferris Nevius Pepper.
- ADJOURNMENT:There being no further business, meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m. Next regular meeting is Wednesday, June 20, 9:00 a.m.
Grace Ann Chewning, Secretary-Treasurer
Orlando Remembered, Inc., Loves “The City Beautiful!”