On Wednesday, January 21, 2015, Orlando Remembered, a Committee of the Historical Society of Central Florida, met in the 3rd floor Grand Jury Room at the History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando FL. Meeting was called to order at 9 a.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Attending were:
Mark Line, Past Chairman
Grace Chewning, Secretary
Daniel Assael
Joe Baker
Texann Buck
John Camichos
Sandy Dann
Joy Dickinson
Leon Handley
Ron Jaffee
Mary Phillips
Tana Porter
Vic Ratliff
Jane Tracy
Peggy Jo van den Berg
Claude Wolfe
Bob Woodbery
Richard Forbes
Anita Lam
Jessie Allen
Whitney Broadaway
Kimberlee Riley
Brian Roquemore
1. MINUTES – The December 17 minutes were approved as written on motion of V. Ratliff, seconded by M. Phillips and vote carried.
2. TREASURER’S REPORT – K. Riley related the following balances through 12/31: $17,095.84 [Money Market] in OR account; $9,498.00 [CD] in the Andrew N. Serros Legacy Endowment Fund. Same was accepted.
3. PROJECT PRIORITIES
A] 1 S. Orange Ave./Yowell-Drew-Ivey – No current activity.
B] 390 N. Orange Ave./Bank of America – T. Buck reviewed efforts taken during the last month toward making this a reality, including possible utilization of an existing display case currently in storage.
C] Autrey Arcade/Jefferson Court block – V. Ratliff commented on the recent on-site tour of this area with B. Woodbery and T. Buck! Collections staff volunteered to research inventory for items relative thereto.
4. OLD BUSINESS: [a] Strategic Initiatives: ► Member Education: Visit existing displays. ► Exhibits and website: On-going considerations. ► “We Love Orlando” Party: No report. ► Orlando Remembered Legacy: The top “100 Historical Icons of Orlando/1960-1985,” led by Jason Zangari, conclude with an upcoming grand unveiling of the Top 25 at the History Center. [b] The latest draft of “Historic Downtown Orlando Walking Tour” brochure, incorporating OR displays, is being edited. [c] Jessie Allen advised that staff attended a presentation by a private company on a media wall that was suggested for installation in the History Center. Proposal(s) and potential locations are under review. [d] Whitney Broadaway, Collections Manager, submitted her report covering on-site inspection of various OR Display, dated January 20, 2015. Per suggestion by J. Allen, Anita Lam and Texann Buck will interface with W. Broadaway to assess the comments therein for subsequent recommendations to the Board on appropriate actions.
5. ON-GOING ACTIVITIES: (a) Historical Society President Mark Line noted numerous “good things happening,” especially the “And Still We Rise: Race, Culture and Visual Conversations” quilt exhibit scheduled for Feb. 7-May 3. Members who are interested in OR sponsoring a quilt should send donations to M. Line or G. Chewning. (b) Via email, T. Rivera indicated that UCF History Dept./RICHES is still processing the fall 2014 class project digital exhibit. As soon as it is live on the website, she will give a report [https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/exhibits]. (c) E. O’Dell provided an update on activities of the “Orange Preservation Trust” [new 501c3 focusing on education and advocacy in behalf of historic properties while serving as a resource for preservation-minded citizens to learn how they can preserve and revitalize historic properties in Orange County] and the “Saving Tinker Field” effort.
6. ANNOUNCEMENTS/GOOD OF THE ORDER: ☑ This year’s “John Young History Makers” event will honor Dr. John C. Hitt [present], UCF President, and Burt Roper [past], Florida citrus pioneer/inventor/philanthropist, on Thursday, April 23, in the Pegasus Room at the University of Central Florida. ☑ Ron Jaffe reported on restoration of the Cameo Theatre building on E. Colonial Drive by new owner, Jorge Boone, who also arranged for reproduction of the original neon sign, scheduled for a “lighting ceremony” this coming Friday, 7 p.m. – first time in 50+ years! ☑ Brian Roquemore referred to US Senate Bipartisan Resolution S. 550 designating September 2014-September 2015 as a “Year of National Thanksgiving for the Bicentennial of the National Anthem” and elaborated on myriad activities underway Nation-wide celebrating “Star-Spangled America.” For info, contact Brian at 877-652-5200 or www.Star-SpangledAmerica.org.
7. 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: Elizabeth Ann Wiese Cohen, Robert K. Veazey, Sr., Robert G. Neel, Margaret “Peggy” Thornton Petris, Elizabeth “Betty” Howe, Donnie Muriel Orizondo, Lawrence Insana, Col. Samuel Ray McDaniell, Jr., Charles Tiedtke Brumback, Dr. H. Trevor Colbourn, Richard B. Morgan, Joy Johnson Radebaugh, John Kelly Harris.
8. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further business, meeting was adjourned – at 10:40 a.m. Next gathering is February 18, 2015, 9 a.m., at the History Center.
Grace Ann Chewning, Secretary
Orlando Remembered Loves “The City Beautiful!”