Oldest Comments Gallery - August 2006 through July 31, 2008 - closed to new comments - click on image to view Photo Gallery by Don Boyd at pbase.com

Oldest Comments Gallery - August 2006 through July 31, 2008 - closed to new comments - click on image to view

This gallery contains all the comments that were made from August 2006 through July 31, 2008. Comments that have been made in other galleries and under individual photos, which are often more pertinent to the subject, have not been moved and will remain where they are.

Please do NOT add new comments to this gallery because they will be deleted. Please add your new comments to the NEW Comments gallery. Thank you.

comment |

Don Boyd		31-Dec-2013 06:37
Thank you for your comment but the comments are spread over many many pages that are part of this site instead of in one place so that kind of ruins the blog aspect of it. Don .

ghwiagpynb@gmail.com		31-Dec-2013 00:13
You must take part in a contest for probably the greatest blogs on the web. I’ll suggest this website!

Don Boyd		01-Aug-2008 04:28
Okay folks, it is now August 1 and a few hours in GMT or whatever PBase uses for the time on the right side of all postings. All comments from now on should be in the "Comments" gallery and not in this "Older Comments" gallery which will be retained because of all the valuable historical information that has been submitted. Again - no more comments for this gallery. Thank you. Don

Jo-Anne K		31-Jul-2008 22:35
Hey LARGO......Please don't ever turn the caps lock off, if you do I won't be able to hear you.

Don Boyd		31-Jul-2008 19:52
I added two 1968 photos of Hud's Restaurant on W. Dixie Highway (restaurant gallery). Also a 1974 photo of The Treasury Store on S. Dixie Highway and a 1975 image of a Grand Union and Zayre shopping center on S. Dixie Highway (both in the stores and shopping centers gallery). And a 1960 photo of a MacMillan gas station on S. Dixie Highway (gas station gallery). Don

Guest		31-Jul-2008 18:08
Great postings--thanx to all. LARGO, not sure why you are shouting, but is there any chance that you could turn off caps lock?

Sofia		30-Jul-2008 12:31
It would be great if someone contributed images of the hotel on Curtis Parkway in Miami Springs which now functions as the Fair Haven Nursing Home. I've heard it was a gorgeous hotel when Miami Springs was developed. I used to visit a friend at the nursing home several years ago and was impressed by how beautiful the lobby still is, with its Mexican tile floors and Pueblo architecture.

Don Boyd		29-Jul-2008 07:00
Wayne Weible contributed eight great 1950's class images from Springview Elementary, Glenn H. Curtiss Elementary and Miami Springs Elementary. All images are in the Miami Springs gallery. Don

Don Boyd		28-Jul-2008 19:41
John Tomasetti contributed three 1962 images of a Cuban Antonov crop duster that was flown to MIA by a defector. They are in the aviation gallery. Don

Jeff		28-Jul-2008 18:09
As far as I know, Dave... the Boulevard Drive-In Theater at 146th and Biscayne is the only drive-in Theater North Miami ever had. It's now the site of Costco. The "drive-in" at the intersection of 16th Avenue, Biscayne Blvd. and 116th Street was a restaurant - The Biscayne Boulevard Drive-In... similar in name... but (obviously) a different type of drive-in...

daveinthetriad		28-Jul-2008 15:05
Does anyone remember a drive-in theater around NE 16th Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard that was open in the early 50s? My brother says he has a book that shows a picture of a theater at this area in 1953. We both grew up around this part of Miami and can't remember there being a drive-in around here. The closest we could come up with would be the Boulevard drive-in at around 146th and Biscayne.

Roberta Perry Hughes		26-Jul-2008 05:37
Joanne...Those little "dove-like" birds that y'all called "Bob Whites," because of the song they sing, are quail. Up here, they are known as "Bob White quail," or just plain ol' quail. There's another, similar bird, a partridge...(yes, as in "The Twelve Days of Christmas"..."and a partridge in a pear tree.")...& also, there are Chuckers, which are also similar. Both of these birds are larger than a quail. Never could understand why men go "bird hunting," for quail & dove, when they are so tiny, you'd have to eat a platter full of 'em to fill you up! Go figure. Biggest part about 'em would be their breast, & then, that's barely a bite! Me? I'd rather have fried chicken, myself, or chicken & dumplings, or a hen with dressing. Ray...We have a large burrowing insect up here, that moults & leaves it's shell behind, which we'd paint & put glitter on, & stick in our mother's potted plants. We call 'em "June Bugs," & they are VERY loud. I think Dictionaries call them a "dor." June Bugs look a lot different than a cicada. Was your yard full of little round holes? If so, you had June Bugs. The Summer sounds I love to here, is after a rain, when the little green tree frogs are so happy, they sing to one another...especially out around the pond! It isn't a mere "croak;" it's a multi-tonal song, & sounds sort of like...erk-ork-EEK-ork!! erk-ork-EEK-ork!!, over & over again. Crickets are also nice, of an evening, & to make it even more pleasant, is the sight of fireflies...which are scarce, anymore, like 'skeeter hawks have come to be(large dragonflies).

Joanne		26-Jul-2008 02:58
Parks...Thank you, yes, it was Ixora that I was remembering. Ray... Thats an amazing audio you linked to. I remember that noise too. Always assumed it was the cicadas (sp?) I'm glad you mentioned it, It would help me get to sleep at night sometimes, before the A/C was added to the house. I also recall the little dove-like birds we called :Bob White's because of the song they sang.

charlis		26-Jul-2008 00:53
Largo and Kew... Duane was my art teacher at Miami Dade in the late 60's. He was a great guy! I had been to his studio many times. He had been at a few parties at my parent's house. He even made casts of my hands for some work he was doing! Imagine my surprise to see his "hobo" sculpture at the Orland airport in the 80's. My daughter was scared of it... it was so real! Duane had a good affect on me... to this day I do a lot of graphic design because of him... some for fun, some for work.

kewaynco		25-Jul-2008 22:51
Largo, I read that Duane Hanson used his wife Wesla as the inspiration for a Playboy Bunny sculpture. I've been unable to find it online. Wesla was gorgeous, so I could see that happening.

Bill Smith MHS 64		25-Jul-2008 22:26
Some of my fondest memories were of fishing in the bay, before it was ruined by the dredging.

Jo-Anne K		25-Jul-2008 16:13
Hi Roberta. Your post about the St. Augustine grass plugs reminded me of a cute story. Growing up in So Fl it was not unusual to see large pallets of sod being delivered to new home sites so when I brought my then boyfriend down to Orlando (Dizzy World) this was the first time he had ever been away from the mountains of western NC he was amazed that you could buy a lawn, but then again he called him Mom to let her know that "they even have phones in the bathroom" at the motel.

LARGO		25-Jul-2008 13:33
KEWAYNCO...WOW!...NEVER WOULD I HAVE THOUGHT TO SEE DUANE HANSONS NAME ON THIS SIGHT......NEVER KNEW WESLA...DUANE WAS MY ART PROFESSOR IN ATLANTA...CIRCA 64...AND WAS THE SINGLE MOST INSPIRATION TO MY CREATIVE PURSUITS ...I HAVE ONLY ONE YEARBOOK FROM THAT FIRST YEAR @ OGLETHORP UNIVERSITY..OF HIM ONLY...BURIED SOMEWHERE IN STORAGE. DUANES FIRST WIFE (AN OPERA SINGER) HAD LEFT HIM...THEY HAD A TRIBE OF KIDS...SO BEING A PROFESSOR WAS NOT CUTTING IT FINANCIALLY... HE WENT TO NY...AND REALLY GOT SERIOUS... EXHIBITING HIS CONTROVERSIAL LIFE SIZED SCULPTURES OF KIDS BURNING THEIR DRAFT CARDS AND THE COPS WITH THEIR THREATNING NIGHT STICKS HELD HIGH..AT THE PEAK OF THE VIETNAM WAR... EXHIBITS AT THE WHITNEY....I MET HIM AGAIN LATER, HE HAD A SHOW IN MIAMI...AROUND '73...HE WAS ONE OF THE GREATS...I INVITE THE CURIOUS TO GOOGLE HIS NAME...HE WAS AMAZING.......LARGO

kewaynco		25-Jul-2008 02:55
I attended Hialeah Junior High from 1965 to 1968. Had an english teacher in ninth grade by the name of Wesla Host. She got married and I guess did not come back to teach after 1968. She married a famous sculptor named Duane Hanson. She sent me a picture of her baby Maja the next year. I lost all of my yearbooks over the years and was looking for a 1967/68 yearbook, possibly to purchase, or, if not, to look at the pictures of the teachers, in particular Wesla Host. I'm trying to figure out what other teachers I had and would also like to find the name of a guy I used to hang with. He had a corvair and had a plate on the front of his car that said Svololchi, a Russian word along the lines of the Jewish word Drek.

Ray		25-Jul-2008 00:47
I'll ask you to close your eyes for a second (okay, not yet silly, you have to finish reading this). Think back to being a kid in Dade County in the summer. What did you hear on a hot day? I have memory of a single insect.. was a it a cricket? Cicada? A long song to attract a mate. Started slow, ran for a while as a constant sound, then slowed down. I think they hung out in the pine trees, which are almost gone now. Which may be why I don't hear this sound any more. I've just been searching the net to find a sound file but I can't find a good match to my memory. Sort of like the build up and fade out of this one: http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/Michigan_Cicadas/Michigan/WAVsounds/canicul.WAV but not as high pitched. I just remember hearing how loud they were. And how it really cut through the silence. To me, this was the sound effect for a hot summer day. A sound that meant it was damn hot. Sounding familiar to anyone else? By any chance does anyone know the specific bug it was so we can find a sound sample? Ray

Arizona Al		24-Jul-2008 16:48
Waxing on the Flora topic: My family's yard in Cutler Ridge (1956-1964) was a virtual sub tropical and tropical miasma. I recall banyan trees, an avacado tree, several palm trees, a crocus hedge along the front wall, a bouganvilla hedge along one side of the property and a bamboo hedge along the other side. There was an orange and a grapefruit tree in the back and a plethora of "ornamental" plants. We also had a small garden space for melons, cucumbers, and tomatos. Now the "down side" this paradise was that when I got old enough (about age 12) I had to do a lot of yard work and lawn mowing almost every weekend. GAH!! Alan Ogus,Ph.D. Alive, well and looking at his current yard containing rocks, boulders and cacti in Phoenix, Arizona

Roberta Perry Hughes		24-Jul-2008 08:10
LARGO, & Gang...When we moved into our brand new home, at 9985 S.W. 55th St., our yard was comprised of nothing but white sand. My father set out small sprigs of St. Augustine grass, I think it was, in rows, in the front, back, & side yards. He later added a load of black muck, & he watered it, every day that it didn't rain. (He put in our own well & pump). Those little grass sprigs became patches, & before too long, they merged with one another, & we had a full lawn, of dense dark green grass...the prettiest lawn on the block! Every tree, shrub, or hedge, that was planted in our yard, either came from a local nursery, or were cuttings, or grafts, given to us by relatives, friends, & neighbors. Our yard was not overly done, in foliage, but there was a neighbor, 2 houses down, whose yard resembled a jungle. You couldn't even see their house! The folks across the street from us had ZERO shrubbery, hedges, or trees...just grass. That meant NO shade, whatsoever! In Summer, their grass was yellow. So there were 2 examples of the extreme, on our street. We were astounded, by the "jungle yard," but we thought the "grass only" yard was the more bizarre...& ugly, in its starkness. Many folk planted the now-known-to-be-harmful flora, in their yards. But it was done in innocence, not out of willful malice. The Hawaiian Islands are a HUGE example, of harmful botanicals, having overtaken or killed out the native species. They even extincted birds, using their feathers to adorn their royalty. So, Miami, & the State of Florida, is not the only area to suffer from these costly errors, originally intended to "beautify." Roberta...up late again, as is my habit, while "mouthing off," on this amazing Site, & fixing to go through 28 e-mails. (help me).

Jackie		24-Jul-2008 04:26
Florida holly, australian pine, melaleuca.... All introduced to South Florida nearly a century ago to "improve" nature. I remember when we didn't know how bad they were...just interesting specimens. As a kid, I loved the color of the Brazilian pepper (Florida holly), the stateliness of the Australian pines and the wonderfully eerie sound they made when the wind blew, and the novelty of the melaleuca's papery bark. Little did we know, back then, how invasive and destructive they could be-- drying up wetlands and destroying habitat.

Parks		24-Jul-2008 02:32
Hi Joanne, Are you thinking of the Ixora plant? I used to suck the honey water out of the blooms just as you describe. If you Google Ixora you'll find pictures. On the subject of stick trees, I have a beautiful carombola (Star Fruit) that was given to me by Chris Rollins of the Fruit and Spice Park about twenty five years ago. It was actually a stick with a few leaves when I got it. It's huge now and gives us far more fruit than we can eat. We named it Stick and have called it that ever since.

Joanne		24-Jul-2008 00:38
Don'tknow the name of this plant but it acted as a small hedge in much of my neighborhood. It had clusters of red flowers when it bloomed. They were sort of trumpet shaped and very small. If you pulled the bloom off and sucked on the end you tasted a small amount of honey. I also had a friend with a star apple tree, what a sweet taste that was.

Teri		24-Jul-2008 00:23
There she goes again with her comments about the speed of the site, I can just picture Don rolling his eyes in annoyance.

charlis		23-Jul-2008 23:43
Don... FYI,,, site is loading very fast today.

charlis		23-Jul-2008 23:42
largo... Brazilian Pepper... yes... it is a problem here in FL... Many years ago a neighbor planted some "seeds". It overtook his yard and mine! I was able to control the infestation but he was not as lucky. A few years ago I was asked to help in a "clearing" project at one of our parks. We were asked to walk through areas and pull up the plants!

LARGO		23-Jul-2008 22:23
ROBERTA ...YOU KNOW THE FLORIDA HOLLY IE or aka...shinus terebinthifolius...or BRAZILIAN PEPPER...CHRISTMASBERRY...YADA YADA..(.HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS EXTREMELY INVASIVE PLANT.)..WAS INTRODUCED TO FLORIDA WHEN YOU WERE A LITTLE MOUTHY CHILE...WOW!!!...THIS NON NATIVE PLANT HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF MANY COMMUNITIES OF PRECIOUS MANGROVE ALONG THE FLORIDA COAST...AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW THE MANGROVE IS AN IMPORTANT PLANT THAT IS SHELTER TO MANY AQUATIC AND TERRA LIFE FORMS...AND HELPS TO KEEP THE SHORELINE INTACT FROM EROSION...MANGROVES ARE OUR FRIENDS HERE IN FLORIDA...AND MANY OTHER COASTLINES...THEY HAVE BEEN ABUSED BY INDISCRIMINATE, THOUGHTLESS LAND BARONS...AND OF COURSE THERE IS PROOF POSITIVE IN THE ONCE BEAUTIFUL..LIFE GIVING EVERGLADES. SPECIES THAT WERE ONCE COMMON TO THIS PRECIOUS LAND...ARE NOW EXTINCT...THREATENED...OR BECOMING HORRIBLY MUTANT, THANKS TO GREEDY HAP HAZZARD DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURES OF PAST DECADES...(SUPPLY & DEMAND)...SADLY, THE SMALLEST MICROORGANISMS THAT COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAVING THIS PLANET ...OR AN INDIVIDUAL HUMAN LIFE.... ARE BEING HORRIBLY ERADICATED ...IN THE NAME OF THE MIGHTY DOLLAR...WE DO NOT NEED TERRORIST TO DESTROY US ...WE ARE DOING QUITE WELL ON OUR OWN .......

Roberta Perry Hughes		23-Jul-2008 05:25
Charlis...I remember those "baby" coconuts! We thought they were soooo cute!! My best friend, who lived next door, was allergic to mangoes...didn't know it 'til the day my mother had peeled several chilled fruits & had them ready-to-eat, when Cheryl came over. She had never eaten them, & she thought they were just delicious...which they are...but!! Before she left to go home, she had broken out all over, & had to get to the doctor's office, toot sweet, for treatment!! I had no clue that I was allergic to Florida holly, 'til the day I misbehaved (my main childhood "crime" was being a sassy back-talker) & my father gave me a switching with a Florida holly limb. Broke out all over, so, no more switches were used on me. There were other forms of corporal punishment, however, as most of us recall, from back in the day when "spare the rod and spoil the child" was practically a revered cross stitched sampler, hanging on the wall in our homes...& in some schools, too...whether it was actually THERE, or just one of those Proverbs that were ingrained in the brains of adults...right in there with "cleanliness is next to Godliness." But, back to flora...it always puzzled me (as a child) why Miami's holly didn't look a THING like the holly associated with Christmas decorations, you know? Speaking of Florida cherries...every Hallowe'en, I am made to long for those juicy fruits whenever I see those tubfuls of candy orange pumpkins. They are shaped just like our Florida cherries! It's those shaped "sections" that does it! Y'all ever eat Rose Apples? Crandon Park used to feed them to the monkeys. They loved them! They sort of looked like loquats...oblong, light yellow in color, & fuzzy...but they smelled like a rose. I LOVED ripe avocados, cubed, with finely chopped onions on them, then, generously squeezed Key Lime juice over the top, & served with seafood. YUMMY!! We had a Key Lime tree, & most every tropical fruit tree in our yard. How lucky we were!! I didn't care for papayas, however. The seeds looked like fish eyes...ew!!

charlis		22-Jul-2008 23:31
I love the talk about S Fl Flora and Fauna... as a child in OH the only allergy I had was "spring fever"... the morning dew on the grass got me sneezing. My mother developed Hay Fever so bad that the doc wanted to put her in the hospital. The following year we moved to Miami Beach. Except for the occasional cold, my mother never sneezed. I, on the other hand, never stopped! Orange blossoms made me nauseaus. I would sneak into the back yard and knock the darned things off the 2 trees we had! Then I moved to Tampa... every time a cold front was coming I would start sneezing the minute it hit the state line... friends called me "Barometer Nose" as they could hear me sneezing from across the street. In my 50's I finally outgrew the allergies, except for the "Barometer Nose"... but... my worst experience with FL's Flora and Fuana was the Palm trees... dropping the "baby" coconuts on you when you walked down a street! When I bought my first house, as an adult, the palm tree on the property was immediatly taken away!

LARGO		22-Jul-2008 11:35
PLUMERIA (FRANGI PANI)....THE STUFF OF HAWAIIAN LEIS....THE FRAGRANCE IS AMAZING....BUT YEAH...AS A STICK...NOT SO GORGEOUS...........LARGO

Jackie		20-Jul-2008 16:58
Largo... I have an 'ugly old stick" story. When we first moved to Miller Dr. in '55, the development was new, and the yards were bare except for a few pine trees the developer left standing. My dad came home one day from one of his strolls around the area with a bare stick about a foot long and the thickness of a broomstick. We were fascinated; my mother was pretty sure she didn't want it in her yar. I think he had received it from an established yard not far from our development, so he knew what it was, but he didn't let on , and planted it against Mother's objections. As it grew, it developed large, dark green leaves, and finally ,clusters of beautiful pink flowers. We had never seen a frangipani before, but it was the most glorious blooming tree we had ever seen, (except for a royal poinicana, which we did not have) and it continued to grow and produce wonderful shade and color for as long as we lived there. Some other plants that I used to bring home to my mother and display in water glasses were lantana and coral vine which grew wild in a nearby vacant lot. I loved the coral vine so much, with its delicate pink, tiny bell-shaped fowers and bright green, heart shaped, crinkly leaves. I tried many times to get starts from them, but never did. Others would say how easy they were, but mine never grew. Finally, MANY years later, I found one for sale at a botanical garden in West Palm Beach. We planted it near a gazebo and watched it cover the whole structure. Every spring we cut it back to the ground, and by summer, it had completely grown back. Funny thing... we had so many volunteer starts from that plant. We gave them to everyone, and when we moved to GA, we brought two with us. The first one died, but the second is beginning to bloom for the second season on the back deck right now. Don.. What great news about Hialeah race track. I think Roberta has a great idea about how to deal with people who defraud the public

Parks		20-Jul-2008 05:21
There was a story in the Miami Herald today saying that Snooty the manatee turned sixty. Snooty was born on the Prinz Valdemar in downtown Miami in 1948. Snooty is the oldest Manatee in captivity. I would bet he is the oldest anywhere as they probably don't live that long in the wild. To see a picture of Snooty's birth place, go to Don's photo gallery of Miami Tourist attractions.

Roberta Perry Hughes		20-Jul-2008 02:44
Don...I clicked on, & eagerly, read the article, and...!! OH, boy!! Dare we to hope & dream, for this propostion/sale to come-to pass, & become a reality?? Maybe it would be the shot-in-the-arm that South Florida needs, to promote tourism again...& bring in the people with the deep pockets...to grant a jolt to the economy, once again, & provide some jobs, too...!? This seems to be the most promising of hopes, to save Hialeah Race Track, that I have read, to date. It renews encouragement, & restores hope, too. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Now, if Florida could only make the fraudulent mortgage brokers make financial restitution, to the countless people they've scammed & hurt, for the sake of greed, well, wouldn't THAT be a miracle?? How could this be brought about? Here's a thought, & I thought of this during that ENRON scam: the "powers that be" should seize all assets, of those who scammed money out of investors, or home buyers, including all properties, which would include their homes & the contents of those homes, yachts, boats, cars, jewelry...even their designer wardrobes, & their wives' designer wardrobes...call in Sothebys, & auction said confiscated items, & use the money to make financial restitution to those they scammed. JUST giving these people a prison sentence isn't enough, & does not benefit those who lost everything because of these crooks. This is EXACTLY what they did, in Augusta, when 2 doctors, who worked in MCG's Research Department, used those funds to buy big homes, fancy cars, objet d' art, jewelry & fine wardrobes, rare paintings, rare wine, European vacations,etc. They called in Sothebys, & auctioned off everything they owned, & made restitution to MCG's Research Labs. Looks like this could be done in EVERY instance of fraud, Nationwide. Everyone rejoiced, over what became of those 2 doctors' ill-gotten gains...plus, the 2 are in prison, besides which.

LARGO		20-Jul-2008 02:31
WELL... I THINK I AM INTRIGUED BY THIS HALSEY MINOR FELLA...WANTING TO ACTUALLY BRING BACK HIALEAH RACETRACK TO ITS "FORMER" GRANDEUR ....THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE BEAUTIFUL FLAMINGOS AND THAT 20'S FEEL THAT WE SEE ON OLD FILM OR RECREATED IN MOVIES...LETS HOPE IT HAPPENS ....THAT WOULD BE WORTH A TRIP DOWN SOUTH.....LARGO

Don Boyd		20-Jul-2008 02:01
There may be a saviour in the wings for historic Hialeah Park. Go to the "Save Hialeah Park" gallery to read the story or tohttp://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2008/07/19/0718hialeah.html Don

LARGO		20-Jul-2008 01:39
ROBERTA.....LOVED IT !!!.....YOU WERE ON THE MONEY...........

Roberta Perry Hughes		20-Jul-2008 01:32
LARGO...Actually, if indeed, they WERE "GREED PODS," they'd have opened up to reveal a Floridian "Pod People," aka: fraudulent mortgage brokers. NOT funny, I admit, but, just couldn't resist!! Mama's Angel Trumpets were a deep golden yellow. WOW. I LOVE pink, so, can only imagine how gorgeous PINK Angel Trumpets are!!

LARGO		20-Jul-2008 01:11
OOPS!...NOT "GREED PODS"...GREEN PODS !!........TIME TO QUIT..MY FINGERS ARE TRIPPING.......LARGO

LARGO		20-Jul-2008 01:06
NOW YOU GALS ARE TALKING.....(HERE SHE GOES!!)...WHEN I WAS A KID IN SOUTH MIAMI...MY YOUNGER SISTER AND OUR GANG OF KIDS USED TO FIND VERY LARGE FIELDS OF "WHISPERING PINES"....WHICH WERE REALLY AUSTRALIAN PINES...THEY WERE LEFT IN SOME OF THE LARGE ACREAGE THAT "WAS" FARMLAND.(GROWN AS WINDBREAKS)..DESTINED TO BE THE NEW "BURBS" OF SOUTH MIAMI.... THEY MADE THE MOST HAUNTING SOUND WHEN THE WINDS BLEW THROUGH THEM...THE BRONTE SISTERS WOULD HAVE LOVED THEM. WE KIDS WOULD CLIMB THEM AS HIGH AS WE DARED EACH OTHER TO GO...YOU KNEW WHEN YOU WERE REALLY HIGH ( the best kind by the way ) WHEN THE TREE TOPS WOULD SWAY YOU BACK AND FORTH IN THE WIND...IT WAS SUCH SIMPLE FUN... AND EXHILARATING ALL AT THE SAME TIME !!.............THE ORCHID TREES WERE "HONG KONG ORCHIDS"...AND HAD A LOVELY PURPLE FLOWER...THEY GROW THIS FAR NORTH...AND HAVE A RATHER RAPID GROWTH HABIT....I THINK JACKIE WAS ON THE MARK...I TOO THINK THOSE WERE ARALIA'S.....MANY GREW THEM AS FENCE HEDGES....AND THE GARDENIAS...THE FRAGRANCE WAS INTOXICATING......THANKS FOR THE MEMORY JOLTS JACKIE & ROBERTA........LARGO ...HEADING OUT TO CHAT WITH MY COURTYARD PLANTS...BY THE WAY..A PS INSERT HERE....A FRIEND GAVE ME AN UGLY OLE STICK CUTTING ABOUT THE SIZE OF A BROOM HANDLE STUCK IN A POT...HE SAID TO WATER IT ONCE A WEEK...LOOK FOR LEAVES TO SPROUT...PAY LITTLE ATTENTION TO "IT"...AND JUST WATCH. WELL THE LEAVES GREW HUGE..AND LOOKED LIKE "POKE LEAVES" (thats another story)...AND THIS LITTLE STICK STARTED PUTTING OUT BRANCHES AND MORE LEAVES ...AND FINALLY AT ABOUT 5 FEET..I NOTICED SMALL PALE GREED PODS DEVELOPING...AND THEY WERE AT LEAST 6 TO 8 INCHES BEFORE THE MAGIC BEGAN...I CAME HOME ONE EVENING AND SMELLED THE MOST AMAZING PERFUMED SCENT....AND THESE HUGE PINK PENDULOUS BELL SHAPED FLOWERS LITERALLY COVERED THE PLANT...GROWN FROM A LITTLE STICK!!...I CALLED MY FRIEND TO REPORT THE MIRACLE...AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS A "PINK ANGELS TRUMPET"...QUITE A TREAT !!!....LOVE GARDENING...CAN YOU TELL ???.........LARGO.......BLISSFULLY... HOWLING & PRUNING AWAY IN OLD TOWN ST. AUGUSTINE...................

Roberta Perry Hughes		20-Jul-2008 00:37
jackie-Gables-57...I had forgotten about the shrimp plant! We had one in our yard! Very aptly named, too, as they looked like a shrimp, on the ends!! Thanks for the memory!! LOVED the big Seagrape leaves!! And even the (deadly) Castor Bean tree. Seems that most everyone had Coleus, or Crotons, as yard borders. I lucked-up on 17 pieces of Poinciana of Florida chinaware, in the Hibiscus pattern, which features a gorgeous golden yellow bloom on a green stem with leaves, & one perfect closed bud, to the side, that were in the center of the plates, cups, & fruit/sauce bowls, & a beaded area on the inner borders. Oh!! To own a complete set!! (sigh) Of the pieces, I have 2 place settings, lucky me! I have several tagged Florida hankies, that feature a hibiscus, or a spray of same, in their centers, & many souvenir of Florida tagged scarves, made in Japan, with the state in the center, & hibiscus & flamingos in their borders. Love them all!! Have some wonderful vintage postcards that feature the flowers of Florida, & some that feature the trees of which we speak.

jackie -Gables 57		19-Jul-2008 18:56
Roberta... Funny, I was wondering the same thing about the sausage tree. The sturdy hedge you mentioned might have been a variety of aralia. The one we had in West Miami had a very woody, slender,light brown trunk, but there were so many "limbs" that you couldn't just walk throu it like so many other hedges. The leaves were much as you described. I remember that when they were trimmed, the leaves wilted quite rapidly, but I don't recall any particular odor. When we had to take leaves to school for science projects (it seemed that we did it nearly every year in elementary) I always took them from an aralia, a copperleaf (large red-orange leaf), a sleeping hibiscus, a Florida cherry, and a croton. If I needed more than five, I would pick leaves from the shrimp plant, periwinkle, and orchid , ficus, and oak trees.

charlis		19-Jul-2008 17:00
Don. Sorry. I understand what you say. I just thought you'd like to know so you could report it. It's not just this computer but the other two that I use. Maybe it's something in the air here in Tampa since I asked a friend to go to the site... he had the same problem ;-) I promise to get those old Viscaya pics to you. something keeps coming up every time I set aside time!

Roberta Perry Hughes		19-Jul-2008 05:14
I've been remembering the trees & foliage of Miami, & I know that a lot of it has been cut down, or cut back, so, I am wondering if the following are still growing in the area: Ficus trees; Sausage trees; Pomegranite trees; Kumquats; Loquats; Rose Apples; Sapadillos; Sand Pears; Vitex hedges (they were the ones that were a powdery green leaf on one side, & silvery on the other, & as soon as you trimmed it, they wilted; the front & one side of our yard was "fenced" in this hedge, & I had to gather up the clippings every time my father trimmed it...ugh! And on a Saturday, too!) Our neighbor's had a tall hedge that "fenced" their back yard from ours, & it was the one with the big leaves that were green on one side with yellow trim, & yellow on the underside, & when the leaves died, they turned yellow all over. Can't remember the name of the hedge, but they had a distinct pungent smell, especially when trimmed, or when the leaves that had dropped off were decaying in the heat & humidity. This particular hedge was ideal as a "privacy hedge," as it grew quite tall, & dense, & the body of the plants was quite sturdy, making it difficult to just crash on through it, as with some flimsier hedges. It even kept dogs & cats from getting through. The leaves had several points to them, but all were uniform in design. My favorite tree was the Seagrape, with its big fan-like leaves. I loved the bouganvillia vines, the Angel's Trumpet vine (big yellow flowers), & the orchid trees, & my VERY favorite flower is the hibiscus, any color. Roberta, missing the flora of Old Miami, on another late night, hearing LARGO's HOW-WWL-LL, & Charlis's computer frustrations, of the eve of a muggy weekend, in the Empire State of the South, aka The Peach State.

LARGO		18-Jul-2008 21:31
WHEN THE MOON IS FULL........AND THE WOLFBANE BLOOMS......OWWWWWWW!!!......LARGOOOO! ...HOWLING FOR THE WEEKEND...MIAMI IS A BEAUTIFUL MEMORY...LETS KEEP THAT GOING.....

Don Boyd		18-Jul-2008 05:08
Charlis, as I have explained before and hopefully for the last time, I don't have any control over how this site operates for all the people who visit it. Please stop beating a dead horse and please stop asking me what I have done to it because all I do is add photos and make comments on it. It is a photo hosting site with millions of photos on it by thousands of photographers. It was not designed to be a message board with only a meager amount of photos being displayed. Fortunately the site, designed to host photos, is also capable of handling the numerous comments under the photos and in this remarks galley. I am only responsible for the content of my rented space and I have no control whatsoever over how the site reacts when you visit it. No one else is complaining about what you have described so that leads me to believe it is on your end and not with the site itself. Don

LARGO		18-Jul-2008 01:41
CHARLIS....WELCOME... TO THE TWILIGHT ZONE...........................LARGO

charlis		17-Jul-2008 23:20
Don... what is going on? I go to this page and my auto log in is not working. No problems last week.

charlis		17-Jul-2008 23:12
gang... farm store's egg nog was the best... add the sprinkled nutmeg... ummmmm

mike		17-Jul-2008 12:58
Bill Haast lived in our neighborhood. We would see him "jogging" around the block in the early 1960's before jogging became popular. We thought it was a very strange sight seeing him running around the neighborhood all the time, so he had a reputation of being a little "out there". Little did we know.

Don Boyd		17-Jul-2008 05:42
I found a recent (July 11th) article about Bill Haast of the Miami Serpentarium. He is now 97 years old and was recently honored by the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Venom Response Unit. I copied the article and it is under his photo at http://www.pbase.com/image/64581068 . The article is also located at http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080711/NEWS/807110356/1661# His current photo: http://images.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=SH&Date=20080711&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=807110356&Ref=AR&Profile=1661

Ray		17-Jul-2008 02:46
I just found a great movie about Jimbos. http://runningrootsproductions.blogspot.com/2008/06/jimbos-documentary.html A little slow getting started, but give it a chance. Nice history in there too.

Don Boyd		17-Jul-2008 02:28
Gino Fulci sent me some shots from an old movie that he needs someone to identify. They are in a new gallery on the main page called "Memory Test - where were these photos taken?" All comments will be appreciated. Ray, I took a bunch of photos of Jimbo's last year while driving around one late Sunday afternoon. The appearance of the place and the characters around there caused my daughter to decide to stay in my SUV with the doors locked. It was a trip back in time alright. I'll post the photos one of these months. Don

Ray		17-Jul-2008 01:35
Under the heading of things to check out in Miami before they're gone... Jimbos. It's going to be hard to describe if you haven't been there. It's a dock. A hang out. "Interesting" people. Cats, roosters, raccoons. You can buy a beer or a tee shirt there. Where is it? About 500' upwind (east) of the central sewage station on Virgina Key. Here's their website: http://www.jimbosplace.com/ If you go, take a very open mind. You might want to leave the little kids at home. Before you go, watch the movie on the web site. You will need that to see how to get there. The story, as it was told to me, was that he owned land that is now the Herald building. The City basically told him to take the land on Virgina key and he could have it until he dies. I guess they didn't count on him living so long. Do check it out. I was there for the first time a few weeks ago. Been there, done that, got the tee shirt. It's like a trip back in time.

charlis		16-Jul-2008 23:55
what is going on here!?!? Got a message about logging in or registering... about Farm Stores... figured my computer had reset itself and I had to log in... posted to Jeff and got same message. I was logged in... or so I thought.

Jo-Anne K		16-Jul-2008 23:45
Hey Don.......does that mean I can now tell everyone I was born in Dania Beach instead of just plain ole Dania? Wow, I feel so much more worthy now!!!!!

Guest		16-Jul-2008 23:33
jeff... hope your are okay, brat. ;-) We do have a history in common.. I miss Kope. Email me and let me know what is going on. Evie had, what appears to be, a mini stroke this past weekend. She is under a lot of stress, thanks to our wonderful government and its giving help to the hispanics before helping US citizens. See previous post about an article that was in our paper about Americans and Hispanics in South Florida, Tampa Tribune, Metro 7-5.

charlis		16-Jul-2008 23:21
Yuummmm... Farm Stores... egg nog was great, but the chocolate marshmallow ice cream was the best! When they added the chocolate chunks... I became addicted! The heck with Ben & Jerry's... Up here, near Tampa, we had both the drive in and drive thru versions. Still a few open, but not many.

Jeff		15-Jul-2008 21:33
Largo, I'll pop in once more to say thank you... Yes, I'm fine and keeping myself quite busy... I appreciate the kind words! Until next time...

LARGO		15-Jul-2008 17:30
HI JEFF...HAVE MISSED YOUR FUN/INFORMATIVE COMMENTS OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS. I PRAY THAT YOUR HEALTH IS GOOD AND THAT YOU ARE STRONG AND THAT YOUR ABSENCE HERE IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE MORE IMPORTANT/PROSPEROUS EVENTS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE....THAT ARE RENDERING YOUR TALENTS IN A TRULY PROFITABLE MANNER..............LARGO

Sofia		15-Jul-2008 06:10
Parks -- next to home-made egg nog, Farm Store egg nog is the best. As a child, I remember my parents driving to our neighborhood Farm Store to pick up milk and ice-cream. They preferred their brand to anything available at the supermarket.

Parks		15-Jul-2008 03:03
Miami Girl, there are still a whole lot of Farm Stores around Miami. I buy egg nog at the one on Red Road every year. My family always called them Cow Stores. The cubans call them La Vaquita, Little Cow.

Jackie- Gables 57		14-Jul-2008 23:34
Charlis... Thanks for the info. I certainly hope that something can be done to restore the Everglades that we remember. I"m encouraged by the fact that some are at least trying to do that, but I'm enough of a realist to know that it will be slow going if it even gets off the ground. After 42 years in Palm Beach County, we moved to North Georgia last year.

Miami Girl		14-Jul-2008 23:33
Dave: Yes I remember those Farm Stores and wish they'd come back again -- I'd save a ton of money when I just need milk and bread ( and maybe some ice cream) instead of having to stop in the big store, walk all the way to the back and pick up a hundred other items on the way! Wish I had the capitol to start one myself - actually no I don't.....I'm gettin' close to retirement so will leave it to the next generation.

Jeff		14-Jul-2008 22:23
I'm here for some short comments and then I'm gone again for a good while... Farm Stores was formed in 1960 as the outgrowth of the old Land O' Sun Dairies... I emailed Gino and identified the bulk of the images he was wondering about... many were from 1976's Crime Busters, and Don has some of the North Miami Grand Union exterior shots posted... Bye!

charlis		14-Jul-2008 21:00
Jackie Gables... The main thing for FL, in the good old days, was agri and tourism. I did a little research and found that cane goes back to the late 1800's after several devistating hurricanes went through and pretty much leveled the the area near and around Lake O. I remember, after having moved down there in '62, taking a trip to the Flamingo area and having the damage from Donna pointed out. Years later, as an adult, I took another trip down there. The area still had not recovered... and the builders were moving in. I hate to see what it looks like now, after 35+ years. The TB Online article was interesting. (Are you living up here?) My trip though the Lake O area, on that 2004 trip for a HazMat conference, was, in a way, a delight to see... wide open spaces! Cane, cows, etc., and very few houses. The sad thing is that, being that I work in Solid Waste, Lake O "houses" one of the states largest landfills. As we say in the business... Lake O takes anything! Sad, but true. And, the EPC is going after farmers for polluting the ground water and streams with animal waste run-off. That is why so many farms around here are shutting down... with the land being sold the builders!

Dave		14-Jul-2008 19:45
Great site! Does anyone remember the Farm Stores where you could drive through in your car and get milk, eggs, cottage cheese, etc.? There was one on Bird Road and just west of 107th Avenue.

Jo-Anne K		14-Jul-2008 18:18
Don....Thanks for the info on Jaxson's (I'll not be travelling to MI to eat ice-cream).

LARGO		14-Jul-2008 15:27
RE: TERENCE HILL & BUD SPENCER....THE MIAMI SHOW WAS "MIAMI SUPERCOPS"...FILMED IN THE 80s...LUKE HALPIN aka "FLIPPER"..HAD A MINOR CRIMINAL ROLE IN ONE......GINO...YOU CAN GOOGLE JUST ABOUT ANYTHING....AMAZON.COM HAS A LIST OF MOST EVERYTHING THE TWO FILMED TOGETHER..USED VIDEOS FOR SALE ETC. HOPE THIS HELPS................LARGO

Arizona Al		14-Jul-2008 13:45
Miami River Rat: Thank you for the corrective feedback. I am not a serious country music afficianado and the John Anderson song "Seminole Wind" crossed over to the pop charts when it was released in the 1980s. That is how I became aware of its existance. In any event, the song certainly lamented the demise of the Everglades over 25 years ago. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive and well in Phoenix, Arizona

Miami River Rat		14-Jul-2008 12:28
The title of the most excellent John Anderson song Arizona Al referenced below is actually “Seminole Wind”. Any of you that haven’t heard it should give it a try. It hurts my heart that the Gumment has purchased the old Monroe Station building and boarded it up. Monroe Station was once the finest honky-tonk in the everglades, hangout of smugglers, gator poachers, snake hunters, orchid thieves and similar cutthroats. Now it is closed! I had hoped to get just one more beer there, but that was not to be. The first time I got really, totally drunk was out at Monroe Station. I was age 14 at the time, started throwing up green stuff and a friend casually noted: “You’re gonna’ die”. I, however, made it through to return to Monroe Station many more times in the years that followed. Hang in there…

LARGO		14-Jul-2008 01:42
GINO.....??? DO YOU MEAN TERENCE HILL FROM "THE TRINITY SERIES"...IE..."THEY CALL ME TRINITY"...AND HIS HULK HALF BROTHER..."BAMBINO" ???....THESE WERE SPOOFS ON THE 60'S SPAGHETTI WESTERNS THAT MADE STARS OF CLINT EASTWOOD & CHARLES BRONSON ...DID NOT REALISE THEY WERE FILMED IN S. FLORIDA....... ...I HAVE THE DVD'S........PS...MY FATHERS LEGACY (CLIFFORD POLAND ESTATE) OF FILM EQUIPMENT ETC. IN MIAMI, WAS AUCTIONED THIS PAST SATURDAY AT... AUCTIONAUCTION.COM................................LARGO

Jackie - Gables 57		13-Jul-2008 23:38
Charlis... That was a very interesting article on the situation in Clewiston.. Some thoughts....Big Sugar has had a grip on several towns near Lake O, but they are not the ones who drained the everglades to create farm land. We can thank the "founding fathers" of S Florida for that. Of course, if they hadn't, Miami and the rest of our end of the state would have been just small coastal towns, and many of the places where some of us lived would not have been buildable. Hopefully, The people of Clewiston can find work in the restoration projects in the area. I saw another article (written last Nov.) in Tampa Bay Online about the attempts to restore the Everglades. The State of Florida has done some (with some help from the sugar companies and other farmers) work in Palm Beach and Hendry counties to reclaim agricultural water and redirect it toward the Everglades. Other projects scheduled (but not yet funded by the Fed) are in the St Lucie and southwest Collier areas. Who knows if those projects will get off the ground.

charlis		13-Jul-2008 19:28
AZ Al... when I lived in West Hollywood, in 1962, the Everglades were only a mile or so away... Hollywood Blvd ended there, at a canal. I lived at 68th Av. Hollywood Blvd now goes past 180th Av! As to the sugar cane story... ironically an article was in today's paper about the impact the situation will have on a small town there, Clewiston. US Sugar being there was a big "boon" to the town and now people are wondering what will happen to them when the company pulls out. Although US Sugar came in in the 50's, it seems that the area had been suffering from hurricane damage since the late 1800's. The areas flattened by the hurricanes became aricultural. US Sugar was not the first company to use the area for growing cane. The sad thing is that the area will now be built up with housing... We all know how that works. The "powers that be" declare an area "natural" and then some builder will approach the authorities and offer a great price, saying that a certain portion will be kept "pristine". Then another builder will do the same. Then yet another builder will promise the same. I know this to be a fact... I have seen it here in the Tampa area, have friends in very rural areas of the county who, when buying their properties or whose families owned properties for generation, to suddenly find Offer this state enough money and the environment goes "out the window"! The way thing are going, this state will separate from the continent... becasue of the weight of all the building going on... it will sink!

Gino		13-Jul-2008 16:37
Help! I'm trying to find locations from 3 movies that were filmed in the Miami area in the late 70's early 80's. Those were movies with Bud Spencer and Terence Hill. I can send pictures to anyone who think can help. If you think you can, contact me at fulciwin@hotmail.com I've been searching for years! So any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Arizona Al		13-Jul-2008 10:25
The memories I have of the Everglades are those of a pristine wonder of nature. However, these memories are from the mid 1950s to mid 1960s and are prior to the commercial development and manipulation for flood control that you (sic) describe. In the 1980s a country music artist named John Anderson had a song on the charts called "Everglades" in which he lamented the disapperance of the glades as a result of draining and development. Sometimes things are so old they appear to be new. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive and well in Phoenix, Arizona

charlis		12-Jul-2008 19:49
From what I can remember the sugar cane industry being allowed in FL, 50 years ago, was to help restore the Everglades that had been devastated by hurricanes, particulary Donna. Using the "natural ingredients" of the soil would make for great sugar cane growing, and help restore some of the natural wild life, and bring money to Fl. After the devastating hurricane season of '04, on my trip to Miami Beach for the conference, I purposely took 27 to see the "wide open spaces". (There are so few of them left in FL!) There is more to the story that we are not being told... like the amendment for homestead taxes. People did not look "at the fine print" and now look at what we are facing... cut backs in all local government assistance programs!

Miami River Rat		12-Jul-2008 03:27
The Time article is sad, but true. Last trip down I went out and traveled the Loop Road that starts past 40-mile bend on the Trail and goes to Monroe Station. It’s terrible to see places that used to be large ponds now grown up in weeds due to lack of water. Meanwhile, the Powers That Be, because of some convoluted deal with the sugar industry, have dumped so much excess fresh water out the Saint Lucie canal that they have killed all the brackish water species that lived in the Saint Lucie estuary. Those millions of gallons of fresh water could have been sent to The Everglades just by opening a different floodgate. In the end, greed will be recognized as the culprit that ruined South Florida.

charlis		11-Jul-2008 22:37
Don, great article! How sad, but true. I happen to be one of those that bought a condo/condo conversion. The developer pulled out shortly after I moved in. 90% of the units are being rented out to low lifes, judging by the the daily crime reports. After 8 months I am still waiting for final repairs to be done!

charlis		11-Jul-2008 22:17
I have to go look at the article, but a small part of it was in the local paper... that if you are an american.... forget it. Evie is an example of how bad it is. It took her 4 years to get assistance, was even told to add "ez" to the end of her name so that se could get assistance. The place she lives in is a "rat hole" and she pays as much in rent for a small one room unit as I did for a 2 bdr with pool in Tampa. She called Code Enforcement about the conditions of the building... A coworker of mine was one of the "Peter Pan" arrivals in the early 60's. He can not stand Miami for the way it has become! The early arrivals adopted this country in hopes that it would adopt them. Many of my old friends, the early arrivals, have left the area. In the early years there were signs in shops... "Hablo Espanole"... now the signs in stores are "English Spoken". It's pretty bad that you have to speak a foreign language in your own country.

Jackie -Gables 57		11-Jul-2008 17:21
Roberta... The Varsity also has an orange smoothie to die for. When you go back to Atlanta, you'll have to try one. Also, there are several Brewster's in the Atlanta area. One opened in West Palm Beach shortly before we left S. FL. Don... thanks for the link to the Time article. Things have been going downhill in S. Florida for a long time. And now ,we're seeing a lot of the same unchecked growth in north Georgia.

mike		11-Jul-2008 13:28
It sure isn't the same miami we grew up in, but there are some places that will surprise you. I visited a couple years ago and matheson hammock was the same as it was 45 years ago. It was like going back in time. And old cutler road is nicer than before because of how much the trees have grown.

Roberta Perry Hughes		11-Jul-2008 06:37
Don...You might have figured I would be the very first to read that article in TIME magazine, due to the fact that I am an insomniac. Wow. I'm just about speechless over it...& more than a little heartbroken, & in overwhelming shock. At first, my mouth dropped open. Then, I frowned up, & shook my head, in utter disbelief, at what I was reading. Eventually, the sadness hit me, as my memory flashed back, to a happier time & place, of post-WWII Miami, with her housing subdivisions, to accomodate all of the Vets, & their growing families, as neighborhoods cropped up, & slowly, schools were built, & places of worship, & stores, eateries, service stations...all that we remember with such fondness, & see, posted in the images in the Main Galleries, on this Site, & grief just was almost overwhelming, & I wept. As I continued to read, however, a new emotion took root: that of the cold sweat of fear, that made me frightened, for the residents of Florida, to contemplate the coming absence of a fresh supply of drinking water, for the people. To even think about it is unimaginable, like something straight from a horror movie. Has anyone considered getting a desalinization plant built, ASAP, & get it up & running? Or even more than one? I am going to buy that issue of TIME, next time hubby goes to the store. Thanks, for posting the link to the article. However, in a way, I'm wishing I'd never clicked on, & read it. I had no clue, that it had gotten to be that bad, down there. I did see a PBS special, however, some time ago, about that crooked Cuban, Juan what's-his-face...can't remember his last name, right now. I hope that he is in prison, & NEVER gets out. It must be very very difficult, to continue to live down there.

Don Boyd		11-Jul-2008 04:59
Boy o boy, there's a new article in Time magazine that really hits the nail on the head about Miami, the Everglades and the rest of Florida. Check it out online at: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1821648,00.html Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		11-Jul-2008 04:46
Charlis...Yes! Yes! Yes! E-mail me that recipe! AND any others you have, as well! And very much appreciated, thanks...!! Don...Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, that ice cream sounds just absolutely scrumptious! What a combination of flavors & textures! WOW. My personal favorite, however, is Espresso, which I have only found at a Brewsters, in an Atlanta (suburb?) when I was visiting a friend in Norcross. She also took me to the famous Varsity, where they have some terrific hotdogs. Speaking of hotdogs...if y'all are ever in Albany, Georgia, you've got to go & get a sackful of the famous hotdogs with chili & onions, from Jimmie's Hotdogs, located on Oglethorpe, across from the old Trailways Bus Station. Going to make a run down there, before too long, to get some, & take 'em out to CheHaw Park, to munch.

Don Boyd		11-Jul-2008 03:46
I added several 1962 aerial photos of downtown Miami and Miami Beach from the Goodyear Blimp (one in downtown gallery, the rest in the 60's gallery). Jo-Anne K: Jaxson's in Dania Beach (formerly known as Dania but city leaders decided to upscale the name) came in #2 for the best ice cream shop in America, as judged by ABC's Good Morning America, beaten for #1 by the ice cream shop in Michigan. I found that out by taking my wife and daughter there one evening a week or two ago for some delicious homemade ice cream. I had the one in the contest - chocolate chip, blueberries and cherries - it was superb. We had to stand in the take-out line because the line to dine in was way too long with a thunderstorm coming and that was in the middle of the week around 9pm. They do an incredible amount of business and I have never seen it without a line to get in. Don

Jo-Anne K		10-Jul-2008 22:29
Hey LARGO.... Thanks for the link to Trade Winds Fruit...........amazing. Don....I never did find out how Jaxson's did in the contest???

charlis		10-Jul-2008 22:05
gang... Shorty's is definately the place I was thinking of... long and narrow, one story, indoor and out door dining. Looked dilapidated... on purpose. On a side note... I knew the owner of Beef O'Brady's... best hot wings in the, once small town, I use to live in. The first Beef's was a small restaurant in a small strip center in Brandon, FL. (Actually was offered a franchise opportunity when they decided to go "big". Ex hubby turned down the opportunity... and it was my money!) I have the original recipe for the hot wings sauce. The wings are no where near as good as they used to be back in the late 70's and 80's! (Roberta... I'll give you the recipe if you want it... via email. ;-)... ) Sorry gang... I promised not to "broadcast" the recipe a long, long time ago.

Arizona Al		10-Jul-2008 14:50
Jeff: Help us out here. Am I confusing Shrivers's Barbeque near Homestead with Shorty's or was there actually a Shorty's at one time in the late1950s and early 1960s located between Naranja and Homestead on U.S. 1? My 62 year old neural synapses just dont fire-up like they used to when I was younger. Years of debauchary and self indulgent abuse during my youth has taken its toll on my retention and recall capabilities. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and searching for his lost shaker of salt in Phoenix, Arizona

Miami Girl		10-Jul-2008 14:16
Al: I don't remember two Shorty's - only the one just south of Kendall. They have a website where you can order the sauce, shirts and hats. We ordered a couple bottles of sauce but it's not as good. Probably has something to do with the way the meat is prepared. Someday we're going to get back there!

Parks		10-Jul-2008 04:15
Arizona Al - Are you thinking of Shriver's Barbeque? It is way down US1 near Homestead. The story I heard was that it was owned by Shorty's brother. The sauce is very similar to Shorty's sauce but not exactly the same. Where's Jeff when we need him to give us the facts? Parks, Still enjoying Shorty's Ribs and Corn when ever I can.

Arizona Al		10-Jul-2008 02:04
Charlis/Mike: In the late 50s-early 60s there were two Shorty's. One was just south of Kendall Drive on U.S.1 and the other was further south between Naranja and Homestead. I am not sure what became of the one located further south but the one just south of Kendall Drive is archived on this site in the Restaurant Section. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and fondly recalling the succulent corn-on-the-cob from Shorty's.

charlis		09-Jul-2008 22:55
mike... Shorty's... that's it! Thanks! Back in the 60's there was nothing south of Kendall... it was "wide open"...

mike		09-Jul-2008 22:44
Charlis- the bbq place might be Shorty's if it was just south of Kendall Drive on US1.

charlis		09-Jul-2008 22:39
You South Miamians... here's a question... do not recall asking this before. As you know, I moved to Miami Beach in '62. One of our "get to know Florida" trips took us to Key West, another to the southern Everglades (a place called Flamingo). We stopped for lunch one time at a BBQ place south of Miami "civilization", but still part of Miami. It was on the right side of the road... red building... patio dining. The food was great! My dad made sure that we went there for lunch (90 minute drive rom the beach so dinner was not an option!) several times a year. When I got married and lived off Kendall in 1972-74 (before our move to Tampa in '74) I took my hubby there. He fell in love with the place... better "baby back ribs" than his dad's... and dad's were great! All dinners came with the best corn on the cob, choie of fries or great potato salad. In the '80's, in the Tampa area, a bbq place opened up and the name sounded familiar... as in the "south miami" place. Anyone remeber this great place?

charlis		09-Jul-2008 22:21
Roberta and Largo... 1st, Roberta... thanks for your thoughts of Evie. She is not doing well. She spends her time on her typewriter working on a movie script about William Holden, her childhood idol. The "hole in the wall" place she lives in has been having more holes in the wall and ceiling. The landlord is doing nothing. Interesting article in this weekend's local paper about how the hispanics have taken over/rule Miami. Americans (including the early Cuban arrivals) leaving at a record pace. Evie reported the problems at her place and nothing was done... a Hispanic neighbor, with the same problems, reported the problems and the authorities were out there the next day... the neighbor's place was fixed. Evie's was not! Largo... St. Augustine... I love the place but have not been there in years. My "aunt and uncle" lived there in the 80's and 90's. Aunt Margurite Levine was big on the archeological digs going on there. One trip there got me "underground". What a trip! She is also known for her work with the Helen Keller foundation and is even mentioned in a book written by Joseph Lash (Eleanor and Franklin) for her assistance in helping in the writing of the book. The book, "Helen and Teacher" was made into a movie. Uncle Larry is also a published author, The Great Alphonse". They were friends of my parents back in France in the late 40's. Larry created the term "emordilap"... some to do with palidromes. Both of you... take care...

miami girl		09-Jul-2008 22:14
Geez, I was gone for the long weekend and it took forever to get caught up! Joanne: I don't recognize the names you mentioned, Leslie, Colleen or Karen - I guess we ran in different circles. There was over 700 in the '65 class so it doesn't surprise me. Roberta: Enjoy that DVD - I do plan to get it one of these days when I have time to watch it. I do so love reading everyone's memories so keep 'em coming!

Jackie-Gables 57		09-Jul-2008 21:56
Joanne.. We're just glad you made it through your travel ordeal safely, and got to spend time with your grandaughter.

Jo-Anne K		08-Jul-2008 17:58
Hi All! It has taken me most of an hour to catch up on posts since the last time I visited here. Since the last time I posted I made a trip home to NC to see the grandbaby (had her all to myself for 3 days). I was on the flight from hell leaving Durango, CO. The door to the cargo hold (latch) came undone and we were forced to land about ten minutes after take-off, de-planed, took an hour to fix, got back on the plane, taxied to the runway and as we were waiting to take off all of a sudden there is hydraulic oil flying down our side of the plane. I won't bore you all with the rest, needless to say I ended up taking a red-eye to Newark and finally got into Asheville late the next morning. The return was just as bad. Just reading through the posts it looks as if everyone is still hanging in and that there have been some new names added to the group which is pretty cool. I'm going to try to be better about checking the site more often because it is hard to respond to posts that are a month old. Oh, and if anyone ever plans on moving to Durango, CO.....think twice, it is hotter than S FL ever was. I feel like this job is a prison sentence, only 19 more months until I can go home.

Jackie - Gables 57		08-Jul-2008 04:37
Miami River Rat... The name Elaine Loebig was not familiar to me, so I pulled out my yearbook and found her in the class of 58. Her face was familiar, but I didn't know her. Cute girl.

Miami River Rat		08-Jul-2008 04:11
Roberta Perry Hughes: Thanks for correcting my memory. I would have graduated from Southwest with all of your relatives in 1960 if I'd finished. I thought Joe Perry was a year ahead, which according to you he originally was, but I'd thought your sister Audrey was a year or so younger. I'll dig up the old yearbook one day and get refreshed. Jackie-Gables 57. Do you remember a girl named Elaine Loebig? She was a good friend of mine, a few years older than me. Very cool girl. She probably graduated Gables in '56 or '57. Anybody remember the dances the Police Benevolent Association used to have for teens on Friday nights? They were at "Policeman's Park", where they also had rides for little kids. Those dances were just a few blocks from my home, on NW River drive and about 25th avenue. We could walk there from the drugstore on the corner of 17th street and 27th avenue, where we all hung out. See ya!

LARGO		08-Jul-2008 02:29
ROBERTA...I REMEMBER THE CHERRIES!.......MY DAD PLANTED A HEDGE OF THIS DELICIOUS FRUIT AT THE BACK 40 OF OUR YARD IN S. MIAMI. THEY ARE "SURINAM CHERRIES" eugenia uniflora...ALSO CALLED: PITANGA, BRAZILIAN OR CAYENNE CHERRY BROUGHT OVER BY PORTUGUESE EXPLORERS.......MOM MADE A SURINAM/MANGO CHUTNEY..THAT DAD MIXED WITH HIS BBQ SAUCE AND SLATHERED ON RIBS/CHICKENS/PORKLOIN..IN HIS BBQ SMOKER...OMG...SOOO GOOD!...(when the cherries are off the plant fresh..one had to watch for the little cherry worms that loved them as well)...FOR YOU BOTANIST TYPES OUT THERE: www.tradewindsfruit.com ...GERONIMO LATER........................LARGO

Jackie - Gables 57		07-Jul-2008 14:53
Roberta... Thanks for reminding me of Florida cherries. I used to love them as a kid. One time, however, I ate way too many and got a terrible tummyache. I don't think I've had those cherries since! We also used to pull sleeping hibiscus from their stems to suck the nectar, and remove the inner blades of grass to nibble on the tender yellow ends. St Theresa's was the Catholic school in the Gables. I don't remember a separate bus , but I do remember seeing them leave the Gables bus terminal on their way to school. What I do remember is that most of the girls had pierced ears. A few of the Gables girls did, but it was not very common at that time. My, how things have changed!

mike		07-Jul-2008 14:50
Arizona Al- I was in H company at m.m.a. I think I spent more time marching demerits off than going on leave. I remember going awol across the street at some restaurant or hotel. I remember black john as well, like you said he lived behind the 7-11 and the liquor store. Later he moved to the 7-11 on Coral Reef (152nd st.) and US1.

Arizona Al		07-Jul-2008 14:46
Mike: I left Miami in 1969 for North Carolina where I lived until my move to Arizona in 1995. From 1974-1977 I lived in McDowell County (Old Fort/Pleasant Gardens and then Nebo on Lake James) I was employed as a psychologist at The J.Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton. I am familiar with the Asheville and surrounding areas. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and dreaming of the cool Smokey and Black Mountains of Western North Carolina,

Roberta Perry Hughes		07-Jul-2008 09:30
Miami River Rat...Greetings! WOW!! A Southwestie!! Great to hear from you!! My first cousins, Joe Perry, & Mary Jane Perry (Johnson), & my sister, Audrey Perry (Lane), all graduated from Southwest High School together, class of 1960. Joe was supposed to graduate with the class of '59, with friend & neighbor, Joe Rambo. My brother is "Willie," as he was known at home, & "Bill" to his schoolmates, but I never knew a Robert Perry, & am unfamiliar with Kinloch. There was, however, a boy in my brother's sixth grade class, at Tropical Elementary, surname Perry, no relation to us, but his given name was Eddie. My sister was also born in 1942, at Jackson Memorial (August 29th) & she attended Citrus Grove Elementary, as did Willie, prior to our move to S.W. 55th Street. We rented a house in that area, near the big (wonderful1) Fisk Tires billboard, with the little boy toddler, wearing baby blue footed onesie sleeper, holding a candlestick & lit candle in his right hand, & yawning, & he had a white sidewall Fisk tire over his left shoulder, & the words, "Time to re-tire," were in large print, & the whole thing was lit up. I loved that billboard! When we had gone somewhere, & were on the trip back, & I saw that billboard, I knew we were just a few blocks from home...& bedtime. Do you remember that billboard? You can type in Citrus Grove Elementary, & see a photo of it. And of Southwest High, too, & any other school down there. I remember a school bus coming to our neighborhood a few blocks from our house, & there would be a bunch of kids waiting to board it. The girls wore simple white blouses with Peter Pan collars, & over it, they wore a green jumper. Not Girl Scout green, however. It was more on the order of Kelly green. It was the uniform of their school, St. Brendan's. Is this school still open? Later on, one or two of those girls began to attend our school, & we got to know them. But when they were going to St. Brendan's, it was like they were segregated from the rest of the kids in the neighborhood. We found it sort of strange...& sad...because they were "set apart." They were very quiet, & shied away from any attempts to engage them in conversation, & never responded to "Hi! What's your name?" By the time I was in Junior High (Riviera), the St. Brendan's bus wasn't seen again. We always wondered about that. Dr. Ogus...! How's it goin' in the desert Grand Canyon State? We've cooled down a bit here, in the CSRA, due to a cold front, accompanied by much needed rain. Hubby said there was a "nip in the air," when he came in from feeding our horses. Charlis...How is Evie these days? I do hope things will look up for her, soon. Tell her I think about her a lot, & wish her well. LARGO...HOW'S IT GOIN' IN ST. AUGUSTINE?? HAVE YOU EVER VISITED THE PLACE WHERE GERONIMO & FAMILY WERE INCARCERATED? HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO RETURN TO ARIZONA. WHILE HE WAS INCARCERATED, (IN AN OLD SPANISH FORT, I THINK?), HE CULTIVATED A VEGETABLE GARDEN. I KNOW IT'S A TOURIST ATTRACTION, THAT PLACE IS, & JUST WONDERED IF YOU'D EVER BEEN THERE. MiamiGirl...I couldn't stand it any longer, so I bought the DVD set of "Pride and Prejudice," starring Colin Firth & Jennifer Ehle. Got a copy for Audrey, too, for her birthday. We call ourselves "The Firth Ladies," & we are among thousands, who have been "Colin-ized." Roberta...Up all night...again...typing in ramblings from a chronic sleep-deprived insomniac, extending greetings to all, while sharing a few memories of Old Miami. Y'all enjoy some red ripe Florida cherries for me, o.k.? Gosh, how I would love a bowl full of them! Haven't seen them in soooooooooo long!!! Or "home."

Miami River Rat		07-Jul-2008 03:26
07/06/08 Hi all! I posted a few days ago, just now getting back. Wow! It takes a long time to read all the back posts here, but it was fun. About myself: Born Jackson Memorial Hospital, October 1942. Granddad was also born in Miami, in 1898. Family owned a tourist attraction on the Miami River, with Indian village, tropical gardens and alligator farm. Sometimes known as Coppinger’s Tropical garden, or Pirate’s Cove. That closed in the early ‘60’s. I grew up across NW 17th street from the North Fork of the river, just west of 27th avenue. While living there I attended Citrus Grove Elementary, Kensington Park Elementary, Saint Michael’s, and Kinloch Park Jr, High. I always had some sort of small rowboat or dinghy, and in early years spent a lot of time trying to keep from falling into the polluted river, or having my grandma yell about catching Scarlet Fever when I did fall in. My mother moved out to SW 26th street west of Red Road in 1957 and I went to Southwest High for the 57-58 and 58-59 school years. Dropped out and joined the Air Force in December of ’59. Got a GED while in the service, came back and attended Miami Dade JC North Campus 1964 and ’65. After I finished there I went to Auburn University, settled in Alabama after graduating from Auburn and I’ve been an Alabama resident ever since. Posters here that I know / know of: Joe Perry was a year ahead of me at SW high, and Audrey Perry was a year or two behind me. I knew who both were, but didn’t know them well. The Perry I knew best was a boy from Georgia named Robert Perry. He was a good friend of mine at Kinloch in the ninth grade, 56-57 school year. Roberta, was he one of yours? Debi Carbine posted here about a year ago. I’m pretty sure I dated her older sister Nancy. Nancy and I “went steady” through the fall of 1958. Debi, if you read this and your dad was Mark and your mom’s name was Mary, then I remember you as a cute, skinny 10 or 11 year-old with freckles. I went back to Miami last month to visit a cousin and two nephews. That place never ceases to amaze me. Oh, well. Later!

Arizona Al		07-Jul-2008 02:35
Mike: I also attended MMA "against my wishes" 1960-1962. I was in West McKibben Barracks A Company both years and attainde rank of sergeant. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive and well in Phoenix, Arizona

Arizona Al		07-Jul-2008 02:31
Gilbert: Black John lived somewhere behing the Weinkels Liquor Store and Royal Castle Hamburger Place on South Dixie Highway near Cutler Ridge..Alan Ogus,Ph.D., Alive and well in 114 degree Phoenix, Arizona

charlis		06-Jul-2008 21:40
mike, thanks. Robert would have been a jr and sr at the time you were there.

mike		06-Jul-2008 20:23
Joanne- I had "talked" with mojohn a little while ago and we are from the same neighborhood and know some of the same people. I don't recall the name of your friend at palmetto jr.

Joanne		06-Jul-2008 18:06
Mike...you and Mo John might have some names in common. I do remember the name Rick Rasmussen but he was not the brother of Karen, she was an only child. Did you know Skip LeCain at Palmetto Jr.? I think he was there the same time as you.

mike		05-Jul-2008 20:42
Charlis- I was at MMA during the 1966-67 school year, 9th grade. Your friends name doesn't ring a bell with me. My memories at mma weren't that great as I went there against my wishes. As you were saying it was a type of punishment.

charlis		05-Jul-2008 19:02
mike... what year a MMA? Had a good friend who went there in the late 60's... Robert Lovelace. He eventually moved to TX, but our years together in jr high and high school were great. He was like the brother I never had. MMA was where a lot of parents sent kids when the kid became a teen, or, in other words, a semi adult that the parent's had differences with. It was a good school, and the grounds were beautiful.

Gilbert		05-Jul-2008 03:36
mike: hi and welcome! by the way does anyone remember who black john was? he was a homeless black man behind a store i cant remember...

mike		05-Jul-2008 03:25
Joanne- I had written a couple posts as "guest". I was born in Miami in Mercy hospital 1952 went to palmetto jr. , part of palmetto sr. , also miami military. Had I graduated it would have been 1970.

Roberta Perry Hughes		05-Jul-2008 02:27
Happy Fourth to all of my cyber friends!! In the words of the rock group, KISS, today was hot, hot, hotter than "well"...! Stayed indoors, as I usually do. The HHI made it feel like triple digits, the meteorologist on TV said. Rained in Macon, where my sister went, but...nary a drop here, in the CSRA. Shucks. Would have cooled things down a bit, maybe. Hopefully, we'll get some rainfall soon. Close to drought conditions, here. Hope the weather is kind...& cool...wherever y'all are. Enjoying the new Posters, & hope we see more & more, as word of this Site spreads. Be well. Stay cool.

Joanne		05-Jul-2008 01:43
Mike...Ddi you go to Howard Drive as well? Tell us more about yourself. I looked back a few months of this site and hadn't seen your name. We welcome all the new folks who pop in, even if its only for a couple of posts. What schools did you go to? Graduation date? Etc...?

mike		04-Jul-2008 18:59
Thanks for replying. The rasmussen I was referring to went to Howard Drive Elementary back in the early 60's.

charlis		04-Jul-2008 18:57
Happy Holiday to all. I spent my morning at the local parade driving the truck behind our Recycling robot, CanDo. The looks on the faces of the kids was so wonderful! Many yelled "Hi, Cando!" Many got to pose for pics with him. The weather cooperated for the long (over 1 mile) route. T-storms had been predicted 2 days ago.

Joanne		04-Jul-2008 18:54
Mike...I thinl Karen had a brother but couldn't swear to it. I'll ask my sister when she gets back from vacation either today or tomorrow. I'm on the other side of the state from you in Greenville. (Pitt County) It's a nice place, quiet, good breezes, much smaller than Tallahassee. Only been here a week and I'm starting to like to it.

charlis		04-Jul-2008 18:50
mike... we had a biology teacher at Beach Hi named Mrs. Ray Rasmussen. Lived in S Miami with 2 daughters. Can not remember the daughters' names but mom had them come to school before the fall session started and used black magic marker on all the "sexual" references in the text books. This was in the early to mid 60's when Dade County schools used the BSCS biology texts and 2 days a week you went to the auditorium for "on air" classes.... depending on your rating you were placed in classes by blue, green and yellow. Mrs. R taught the lower "grade". Strange thing,... one of the daughters got preggers... before she got married! Gee! I wonder why!

Mike		04-Jul-2008 16:10
Joanne- did Karen Rasmussen have a brother? I think his name was Rick. What area in N.C. did you move to? I have been living just outside Asheville for about 15yrs.

LARGO		04-Jul-2008 14:53
DITTO..!!...EXCEPT FROM ST. AUGUSTINE, FL............LARGO

JackieGables 57		04-Jul-2008 14:41
Happy 4th of July Everyone! Have a safe and joyous holiday celebrating the birth of our great nation. Peace and Love from the hills of north Georgia, Jackie

Joanne		03-Jul-2008 18:15
Mo John...Fred Thiel graduated Palmetto in 66, Rocky in 67. I remember you mentioning the Doddridge name but didn't know any of them. Miami Girl...you may have known my sister Leslie Copp (went by Lee). She was friends with Colleen Osbourne and Karen Rasmussen. She was also Tao-Ti. She went to Palmetto for 2 years, 64-65 and 65-66 then headed to UGA. Any of those names famliar?

MO John		03-Jul-2008 12:47
Miami Girl, Rocky was in the Palmetto class of 67. You can Google "his name and Palmetto" and that will take you to the PSHS 40th anniversary, which he helped chair. They had their anniversary last Oct. He was probably there in 65, but more obscure as a sophmore. Best I can tell, he would have been at UF 68-71.....unless he was redshirted and stayed an extra year. Jackie-Gables 57 found the FSU game. I did not know he had switched to DB until I read that. Thanks!

Jackie -Gables 57		03-Jul-2008 12:02
I found Rocky Doddridge listed as a Gator defensive player in the FSU-UF game in 1970. (He intercepted a pass and ran it in for a touchdown.).

Miami Girl		03-Jul-2008 11:41
Joanne and MO John: Fred and Rocky must have been after '65. At least I hope it's not just my 61 year old brain forgetting yet another thing.

MO John		03-Jul-2008 03:18
Joanne, I think my 5th grade teacher was Mr. Patel....not Pytel. Rocky Doddridge, a Palmetto hero in his own right, played QB for the Panthers in the mid-60s and may have been center R. Thiel's QB. Ask your sisters; they might know. Rocky went to the Univ of Florida and played football for the Gators. I was very close friends w/ his younger siblings.

Joanne		02-Jul-2008 19:12
Mo John...I found my sister's yearbooks from 65 and 66 and had quite a few good laughs. His name was Fred Thiel and he was quite the football hero playing center on the team. Once I get my printer/scanner up and running I have all kinds of photos I'll be sending to Don Boyd. I know you and other "southside" Miamians will remember these places. I had Posey-Webster in 6th. At least we had one teacher in common. Don...I promise these will all be pics you can use not personal shots.

MO John		02-Jul-2008 03:15
Hi All, Joanne, Glad you made it safely. Negative knowledge on the football player turned biology teacher. I don't recall any of the teachers you mentioned. I had Mr. Turner in 4th, Mr. Pytel in 5th, and Mrs. Posey and Nicholson in 6th. I attribute my love of wildlife to Mr. Turner. I think we spent more time bird-watching than we did in the classroom. I realize that I suffer from "biophilia" thanks in part to Mr. Turner. Roberta, According to his "obituary" Dr. Bill Moss, taught at Hialeah Elementary in 1954, until Howard Drive opened in 1958. He was heavily affiliated w/ the University of Miami. His signature song was "This Land is Your Land....." He was a wonderful teacher.

Joanne		02-Jul-2008 01:28
Any of you Palmetto-ites of the 60's...do you remember a football player last name Theil? (maybe Richad or Robert) After he finished college he came back to Palmetto and became a Biology teacher. I had him my Sophomore year, 1973. I had several influential teachers in Miami, Mr. Bullman-Palmetto (Chorus director) Mrs. Janice Jones-Howard Drive Elem. (4th grade) A few years later I babysat her children. Mrs. Hilborn-Howard Drive (2nd grade) Mrs. Cheena-Howard Drive (3rd grade)

charlis		01-Jul-2008 23:50
I'd have to say that the 3 teachers that influenced me the most were my jr high art teacher, Barbara Lowery (got me to pursue photography), Bob Hope (Jeff can tell you about him... he was my daughter's god father) and Richard Kiibler, my art teacher. The last two were at Beach HI.... (Sure wish we could get more "Beachites" to post here.... )

charlis		01-Jul-2008 23:43
kundtz/kuntz.... couldn't find this teacher in my highschool yearbooks... might have been jr high (yearbook is still packed away from my last fall move)... my memory wants to say the first name was Connie.

Roberta Perry Hughes		01-Jul-2008 18:15
Hello, all...Was this music teacher, who recently passed away, Dr. Moss, ever a music teacher at Blue Lakes Elementary, ca. 1957 or 1958??

Arizona Al		01-Jul-2008 02:59
Charlis and Miami Girl: Mrs Kundtz was also my Spanish 3 Teacher in 11th grade, She had twin daughters in the Palmetto Class of 1964; Mary Lou and Terry Sue. Mrs Bush was my teacher in the 6th grade in 1958 (Miami Girl and I were in her class). She was the sole inspiration and mentor who guided me for a later life pursuit of the sciences. I am confident she touched many young lives during her tenure and I wish there was some way to let her know what an inspiration she was to me. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and fomndly recalling an icon of his youth in Phoenix, Arizona

Parks		01-Jul-2008 01:04
Joanne and Mo John, It's a small world. I worked with Bill Moss wife, Bea, during my brief career as a photo journalist. It was in 1969. We both worked for a twice weekly newspaper called the South Dade Guide. The editor sent both of us up to Cape Kennedy to cover the Apollo 11 launch. Bea Moss was and I would guess still is a fun lady with a great sense of humor. She worked for the Miami Herald until a few months ago. Her daughter actually took over her column when she retired. I'm really sorry for her loss.

Miami Girl		01-Jul-2008 00:54
Charlis and Alan, I think Mrs. Kuntz had twin daughters in my class but not aware of any relative on the Beach. Mr Donald Woods was my math teacher in both sessions of 7th grade -- he was a sweetheart and really tried to get me interested in math (as did Mrs Bush in 6th grade who actually came to my house to tutor me). Now guess what I do............ACCOUNTING of course! Go figure that one.

Joanne		01-Jul-2008 00:45
MO John...Thanks for the obituary link, he was my first music teacher. I made it, I'm officially a resident of North Carolina now. Drive up was long and relatively uneventful, I'm glad to say. Miami Girl...you and I are two peas in a pod. I also had the most difficult time in all math classes and ended up as the assistant to a company conroller doing cost accounting. Go Figure!!

Miami Girl		01-Jul-2008 00:23
Charlis and Alan, I think Mrs. Kuntz had twin daughters in my class but not aware of any relative on the Beach. Mr Donald Woods was my math teacher in both sessions of 7th grade -- he was a sweetheart and really tried to get me interested in math (as did Mrs Bush in 6th grade who actually came to my house to tutor me). Now guess what I do............ACCOUNTING of course! Go figure that one.

charlis		30-Jun-2008 23:00
Annoying and biting bugs... in Ohio I remember the horse and deer flies. What bugged me, sorry, could not resist that, were the sand fleas, no-see-um's, and fire ants in FL. In Central FL we get the "love bugs", totally useless except for food and most bug eaters do not touch them. They show up in the fall and spring, fly around and cause car paint to erode. They made their appearance in FL in the late '60's, and I dont think they ever made it down to Miami, judging by the reaction my FIL when he came up to visit in the mid '80's... they were very thick that year and had a habit of coming into the house on your clothes. My, at the time, young daughter, scared the heck our of her pop pop when she went in to wake him up from a nap after his drive up to Tampa.... "Pop Pop, there's a Love Bug on your nose."... He jumped out of the bed!

charlis		30-Jun-2008 22:50
Alan, I remember a Mrs. Kuntz (sic) on Miami Beach in the 60's. She was also a language teacher. Same woman? or a sister?

Jackie		30-Jun-2008 13:24
Oops! should have been "cRitters"

Jackie -Gables 57		30-Jun-2008 13:23
Let's add chiggers to the list of nasty, annoying, bothersome, chewing, itch-producing citters that plagued us when we were wee ones. My dad's treatment for any skin ailment was a vigorous scrubbing with green soap. How did we ever survive childhood in such a pest-infested paradise?

Arizona (Ne Miami) Al		30-Jun-2008 02:52
The Noseeum controversy Noseeums are a class of small biting mites from the family Ceratopogonidae. They live in temperate climates near areas of water. The vulgar vernacular calls them "no-see-um" because they are almost invisible to the naked eye. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and never having to worry about noseeums in the Sonoran Desert of Phoenix, Arizona

Alan Ogus, Ph.D.		30-Jun-2008 02:42
Largo/Miami Girl.: In the 7th Grade (1958-1959) my homeroom teacher was Mrs. Rupponer (Section 7-11). We had science in the audiutorium on televisions. Mr. Kevorkian was our"T.V. Science Teacher". I had Mr. Donald Wood for math and Mrs. Clifton for English. I remember Coach Pansa as my P.E. instructor. I think my Spanish teacher was Mrs. Kundtz. Now remember this was in the 7th grade. Due to an unfortunate set of events I managed to get in enough trouble to have to attend Miami Military Academy until my Junior Year when I was allowed to return to Palmetto (1962). In my Senior year (1963-1964) my homeroom Teacher and English Teacher was Mrs. Thalia Macia. Mr. Don Clark was my Civics teacher. Mr. Kohl and subsequently Mr, Sanderson my physics teachers.My trig and analytic geometry teacher was Mr. John Irvin and my Woodshop teacher was Mr. John Ryan. Mr. Alfonso Alonso was my Spanish 4 Teacher. Mr. Paskewicz was the Boys Dean and I made his continual acquaintance until I graduared with a 3.6 GPA (go figgure) in June 1964. I joined te Army in November 1964 and served 3 years the last one in Chu Lai, Vietnam as a Combat Support Specialist. The rest so they say is "history" Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and hoping his 50 nyear old acquisition, storage anf retreival mechanisms are still intact in Phoenix, Arizona

Roberta Perry Hughes		29-Jun-2008 22:15
Speaking of the chewing/biting insects...do y'all have yellow flies down there, aka "deer flies?" They have a longer, slimmer thorax than a housefly, & are the color of the letters under this Comments window, including their wings. When these witches bite, they leave a small hole in your skin, which will weep clear yellow exudate, that eventually crytalizes, & "itch" doesn't even BEGIN to describe it, when it gets to that point. Their initial bite HURTS, sort of like the bite from a horsefly...ever been bitten by a horsefly? (Ow.) Don't know about down there, but up here, you know when it's going to rain, as the houseflies will bite. Also, if a herd of goats are outside, & they have a barn, they will all head for the barn, just before it rains. They hate to get wet. Happens every time, with the flies, & the goats, no matter the time of day, for either critter. Gnats are a real nuisance up here, as are fire ants. Every year, we are truly grateful, that gnats don't bite, & fire ants can't fly. We'd be in deep doodoo, if they did. Pandora caused us all a lot of grief, when she opened that beautifully decorated box, didn't she?

LARGO		29-Jun-2008 22:01
CHARLIS...THAT'S WHAT I'M SHOUTING ABOUT...YEEESSS !!!...SOMEBODY GETS IT.....AND MY EYES ARE FIGHTING CATARACTS.......SURGERY AT SOME POINT....THANKS !... LARGO

charlis		29-Jun-2008 21:39
LARGO.... YOU ARE NOT YELLING. YOU ARE BEING ERGONOMICALLY CORRECT. AT OUR AGES WE NEED TO DO AS FEW KEY STROKES AS POSSIBLE. ;-) MY BOSS HATES THE FACT THAT MY WEEKLY REPORTS ARE DONE IN CAPS... SO HE CAN'T COPY AND PASTE THEM TO HIS WEEKLY REPORT. HE SPENDS A TENTH OF THE TIME ON THE COMPUTER THAT I DO!

LARGO		29-Jun-2008 19:05
MIAMI GIRL......I WAS A '63 GRADUATE OF PALMETTO HIGH ............. MO JOHN...I BELIEVE THIS TERM "NO SEE UM" WAS A "VERY ROUGH" TRANSLATION (second hand info. not on anyones authority..not a racial slur..I am 1/4 Cherokee myself) THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF THE EASTERN COASTAL AREAS USED TO DESCRIBE THE MINISCULE GNAT LIKE CREATURE...(THAT I AM POSITIVE WOULD BE NOTHING BUT LARGE MOUTH & TEETH UNDER A MICROSCOPE) ...THAT LITERALLY BIT LIKE HELL..itched for days !...AND COULD GO RIGHT THRU SCREEN DOORS & WINDOWS............. BEFORE "DEET"......I NOW USE...LISTERENE MIXED WITH SUNSCREEN (oil) in a small sprayer..GOOD FOR MOSQUITOS TOO..SAFER ON LITTLE ONES & ADULTS..THAN "DEET"...SHAKE WELL BEFORE APPLYING..WATCH THE EYES.... WORKS BETTER (for me)...AND ONE SMELLS MINTY FRESH !..........LARGO

Miami Girl		29-Jun-2008 17:27
Largo: I was the class of '65 from Palmetto - how 'bout you? You've probably posted it earlier, but I've lost track with all the fun info here.

MO John		29-Jun-2008 15:39
Hi All, LARGO, I called "no-see-ums" "sand fleas". I once spent a miserable night camping on Elliot Key w/o any bug repellant. I was eaten alive by sand fleas. At least w/ skeeters you could see um and defend yourself. Joanne: Sad news at the link below ref our beloved music teacher at Howard Drive Elementary Dr. Bill Moss I put spaces in this link, only so I could post it here. Be sure to put everything together when you paste it to your browser. http:// www.legacy. com/ Herald/Death Notices.asp? Page=LifeStory&PersonId= 112280485

LARGO		29-Jun-2008 15:00
MIAMI GIRL..WHAT YEAR DID YOU GRADUATE FROM PALMETTO ?...JUST WONDERED IF OUR PATHS CROSSED OR YOU WERE MUCH YOUNGER LIKE ARIZONA..LOL..........LARGO

Miami Girl		29-Jun-2008 14:47
AZ AL: My absolute worse grades ONCE were in PE - I got an F3F. Did I mention I had a bad attitude?

Miami Girl		29-Jun-2008 14:43
AZ AL and Largo: Well Mrs. Rupponer is in that blank space, I'll have to check the yearbooks for her face to see if she was still there in '62/'63 when I returned to Palmetto after spending 8th and 9th at CRJH. I don't recall yearbooks in our early Palmetto days -- did they have them? I do remember Mrs Lindquist and of course that hunky coach Bonnie Yarborough -- he went to college with my brother at FSU and I think was a big football star (yes, to everybody who didn't know him --- Bonnie was a guy).

LARGO		29-Jun-2008 14:02
MIAMI GIRL/ARIZONA AL....I DO NOT RECALL MRS. RUPPONER AS THE ART TEACHER...I DO HOWEVER RECALL MR. SANGIOVANNI...MRS MARLENA LINDQUIST...AND THE DRAFTING/CERAMICS/SHOP TEACHER.....WOULD BE THE BELOVED(Scottish heritage) MR. BONNIE YARBOROUGH. (I believe he coached as well ??) HE AND HIS WIFE LIVED NEAR "WEST 40"..& HAD THEIR OWN HORSES..."WEST 40" WAS A FAVORITE RIDING/BOARDING HORSE RANCH WEST OF US1.....WHERE FOR A FEW BUCKS MY FRIENDS & I (or anyone) COULD RIDE HORSES ALL DAY...WITH THE AROMA OF GUAVAS AND ORANGES HANGING IN THE AIR...THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING INTERESTING TO DO BACK THEN THAT WAS NOT EXPENSIVE....NOT JUST "DADELAND" THAT CAME ALONG LATER.....THE BEACHES... CANOEING THE CANALS OR HIKING IN THE GLADES.....OF COURSE IN S.FLORIDA WINTER OR (THE SKEETERS & "NO SEE UMS" WOULD CARRY YOU AWAY).....LARGO

LARGO		29-Jun-2008 04:04
GUEST....NOOOOOOOOO !!! I WILL NOT STOP SHOUTING...THE REGULARS HERE KNOW THAT THIS IS MY WAY...BEEN SHOUTING ON THIS SITE WELL OVER A YEAR NOW..AND YES I DO KNOW THE "OLD" COMPUTER PROTOCOL STATING THAT LARGE CASE LETTERS DENOTES SHOUTING..........SUGGESTIONS TO ASSIST YOU IN ALLEVIATING YOUR OBVIOUS IRRITATION... YOU CAN...SKIP OVER MY SHOUTS....OR IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED...WEAR EARPLUGS !!.......SHOUTING FROM THE ROOFTOPS IN BEAUTIFUL ST. AUGUSTINE..............AS ALWAYS..................LARGO

Arizona Al		29-Jun-2008 02:19
Miami Girl: Guilty as charged. My homeroom class was 7-11. Mrs. Rupponer was the homeroom teacher. If you recall she was the art teacher at Palmetto 1958-1959. I am looking at my 7th grade report card and not surprisingly my grades are all A2F and A3F where the A is academics, the number is "motivation: and the Ds and Fs are conduct. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and still scoring Ds and Fs in conduct in Phoenix, Arizona

Guest		29-Jun-2008 00:23
Great memories, thanks all! P.S. Largo, is there any chance that you could stop shouting? Thanks!

Miami Girl		28-Jun-2008 22:59
Thanks Alan but Ronnie wouldn't remember me - I only recognize his name and no other specifics or even if we had a class together although we probably did since his name is so familiar. Didn't you say somewhere here that your 7th grade homeroom at Palmetto was 7-11? Mine too (during my first rotation of 7th grade - how I really hated school in those Jr. High days) but another memory lapse prevents me from remembering the teacher. I guess that's the ol' "selective memory" thing going on. NO, IT'S NOT AGE RELATED, we boomers are NOT going to get old!!!

Arizona Al		28-Jun-2008 21:14
Miami Girl: You are correct. The Hanlin Drive Fish Market was owned by Ronnie Valentine's parents, During the Summer of 1962 myself, Ronnie, his brother Hal, my brother Mike and a fellow named Jerry Arnold worked there. Ronnie(my best friend) joined the Army in 1963 during his Senior year at Palmetto. I keep up with him on a regular basis. He lives in Virginia. I can send you his email address if you would like. Alan Ogus,Ph.D. Alive, well and fondly remembering times past while enjoying the 112 degree day in Phoenix, Arizona

Parks		28-Jun-2008 19:53
Hi Joanne, That was the same Andy Massamino. I know he moved to Palemtto after I graduated from Gables. I last heard from him in the mid-eighties. He was building an air boat and called me to ask about engines. He didn't remember me but I sure remember him. Good teacher. Florida is a beautiful place to be today. I've been fishing in Charlotte Harbor this weekend. Had lunch on Cabbage Key near Sanibel. Home to Miami tomorrow.

Miami Girl		28-Jun-2008 19:27
AZ Al: The fish market rings no bells but it must have been Ronnie Valentine's parents who owned it? The Hanlin Dr. did sound familiar until I tried to find it on my second favorite site, Google maps and realized it must be Hainlin Mills Dr. that you're talking about. Sorry I don't remember the fish market. I can't believe all those subdivisions built between Old Cutler Rd. and the bay - remember they were nothing but tomato fields? I for one would never buy a place out there, I wonder how much was standing after Andrew. Anybody know?

Roberta Perry Hughes		28-Jun-2008 08:03
Me, again, the resident sleep-deprived Insomniac, & chronic resident of Puny City. Y'all have just GOT to request Arizona Al to e-mail you photos of his vintage typewriter, & other treasures he has collected for his lovely home! Believe me, you won't be disappointed! What a treat, & I saved the images in a file, to return to, ad lib. Such a wonderful way to learn more, about our Dr. Ogus, former Ridge Rat! Just tell him, on here, or in an e-mail, that you'd like to see the vintage Woodstock typewriter, & he'll send it your way!

Roberta Perry Hughes		28-Jun-2008 05:40
Hi, Gang...still feelin' puny. Got to get better, soon, as I'm weary of chicken noodle soup, or instant potatoes. Largo...Charlis...MiamiGirl...Jackie-Gables 57...Y'all's Christmas memories were nostalgic & heartwarming for me to read, & your favorite dolls brought a smile to my face, too. Thanks, for humoring me! Jackie, one of your dolls sounds like it might have been an American Character "Sweet Sue," who was hard plastic, had a closed mouth, & was either a strung limbed doll or a walker, or an Effanbee "Honey" walker. The one with teeth could have been by Ideal, Horsman, Artisan, or any number of companies, all now a memory of the past. My fondest Christmas, in Miami, was the one when I was in elementary school, & I got both a "Ginny" bride, & the bridesmaid, a mere 8" tall, & a hard plastic blue Wedgwood design tea set by Ideal, & a wonderful panda bear with a vinyl muzzle & a growler inside. Christmas dinner was the traditional turkey feast, which the aroma awakened us in the pre-dawn hours, but even so, we didn't get up 'til sunrise, to race to the living room to find the fully-decorated tree & presents, that appeared overnight, like magic. People set up their trees the day after Thanksgiving, now, some even earlier than that. It was magical, for it to be set up in the dead of night, on Christmas Eve. Favorite pie was the mincemeat pies my father made, but mama's pumpkin pie ran a close second...& who didn't love a good pecan-laden fruit cake, that had been soaked in rum or brandy, for weeks?? One tiny slice, & you felt the Christmas cheer!! Many of the dolls in my collection were new-in-stores 1947-1959, & their original clothes are miniature versions of the clothes I wore to school, church, to birthday parties, to the beach, to bed, & at play...AND to Brownie meetings (Troop 580, on S.W. 102nd Avenue, at Mrs. Jones' house). All vintage dolls were dressed for their era, & are fashion historians. Little Time Machines, that take you back, to memories of your elementary schoolmates, & neighborhood friends. I love them all! Largo...My hat's off to your eldest sister, for her chosen profession & life's work. I wish that cancer, especially of the female anatomy, would just stop happening, with such frequency. The many OTHER cancers, too, of course, many of which were once considered to be very rare-to-find, most especially among men. Maybe one day, huh? Ah! Another Christmas memory was when my father put a small amount of egg nog, laced with peach brandy, in a saucer for our cat, then, to see the cat get glassy-eyed, & her feet crisscross, as she tried to walk, & she leaned against the walls in the hall, to help her make it to a quiet place, where she slept off her buzz. My mother was not amused.

Arizona Al		28-Jun-2008 04:05
During the Summer of 1962 I worked at the Hanlin Drive Fish Maket in Goulds, Fla. It was owned by a couple named Ron and Jewell Valentine. It had an adjacent smokehouse and between cleaning and selling fish my responsibility was to smoke the mullet fish. Does anyone recall the business? I am certain it closed in 1968 due to the unfortunate racial unrest during the period which resulted in the business being fire bombed. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive and surprisingly well at 62 years old in Phoenix, Arizona

Jackie -Gables 57		28-Jun-2008 04:02
I believe Vera Fascell was Dante's sister

Joanne		28-Jun-2008 03:34
I remember the name Andy Massamino, he ended up at Palmetto during the mid 70's. Was Vera Fascell any relation to Dante Fascell? One of Dante's kids was at Palmetto the same time as I..

Jackie- Gables 57		28-Jun-2008 02:23
Petros: Glad to help. I went to the Miami-Dade County site and did a property search on the address you gave for the groves. I'm pleased that you found the info useful.

Petros		28-Jun-2008 01:48
Hello Jackie-Gables 57, Your info was VERY helpful. This makes perfect sense because the post card that I saw "Floyds Fruit Grove" has the address (521 sw 42 ave.) Also, my house is directly behind the dealership & was built in 1939! The living room & kitchen is on solid ground but the 2 bedrooms & the bathroom are elevated with a crawl space under it of about 2 feet. How did you find this info? I would love to look into this further. P.S. The house located at 3901 sw 7 st (1 block east & 1 block south of my house) was built in 1910 & it is a 2 story house. It is the oldest house in this squared section with Flagler st to the north, sw 8 st to the south, Le Jeune to the west & sw 37 ave to the eats. Thanks again. Great info. Petros

LARGO		28-Jun-2008 01:42
ROBERTA.....MY NOSTALGIC, CYBER, SURVIVOR FRIEND...THIS IS FOR YOU. MY MOST MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS (AS A CHILD) WAS A MIAMI CHRISTMAS EVE ..AT OUR LITTLE HOME ON NW 6th ST...(near Flagler Dog track..&7th st near..LeJeune)....AND MY BIG SISTER... FALLING INTO THE CHRISTMAS TREE... WHILE CAROLERS WERE OUTSIDE OUR FRONT WINDOWS JUST SINGING UP A STORM...THINK I WAS ABOUT 9 OR SO...MY LITTLE SISTER & AND I... (IN OUR MATCHING RED & GREEN, DROP SEAT, FOOTIE PJ's ) (sniff...a regular Rockwell scene)...WERE CRYING AND SCREAMING FOR MOM & DAD... WHO WERE ON THE FRONT PORCH NODDING AND SMILING SWEETLY AT THE CHOIR....WHILE NUMBER ONE CHILD WAS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE....UN HURT ...TRYING TO REASSURE WE WEE ONES...AND LAUGHING UPROARIOUSLY AT THE WHOLE CRAZY SCENE...BING CROSBY SINGING ON THE "VICTROLA"...WE STILL LAUGH ABOUT IT TODAY...MY SISTER TURNED 70 LAST MARCH...WENT ON TO BECOME A PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGIST...AND BREAST CANCER RESEARCHER...AND IRONICALLY SURVIVED A VERY AGGRESSIVE FORM OF BREAST AND OVARIAN CANCER HERSELF...SHE IS BENT...BUT NOT BROKEN...AS MANY OF US ARE. THAT CHRISTMAS MORNING THERE WERE 2 COCKER PUPPIES IN OUR CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS...IT WAS THE BEST ALL 'ROUND...CHRISTMAS DINNER & ALL THE TRIMMINGS...AND FAMILY. MY FAVORITE DOLLS WERE RAGGEDY ANN AND HER BROTHER ANDY...AND ALL THE BOOKS....AND A VELVETEEN RABBIT MY MOTHER MADE...I WISH I STILL HAD THEM...MY GIRLS STILL HAVE THE RAGGEDY ONES I GAVE THEM..I LOVED THE SOFT DOLLS ..THEY DIDN'T POKE YOU WHILE SLEEPING......THANKS FOR PROMPTING SOME WONDERFUL FAMILY MEMORIES.....I NOW HAVE AN UNQUENCHABLE DESIRE FOR A TURKEY LEG...WITH GIBLET GRAVY, CORNBREAD DRESSING...AND PIE..ANY PUMPKIN WILL DO.....WHAT ABOUT YOU ROBERTA???..................LARGO

Jackie- Gables 57		27-Jun-2008 12:37
Oops! That should have been Vera Fascell.

Jackie- Gables 57		27-Jun-2008 12:36
Parks, those teachers weren't at Gables in 57. Some of the teachers that might have styed until your time are Janet Carvelli, English and Ver Fascell, social studies. Petros, I don't remember the fruit market on LeJeune Rd, but I found a tract in that area called Floyd's Groves Estates that ran from Le Jeune east to 36th Ave. between Sw.5th Terrace and SW 5th St. Home there were built in the late 40's and 50"s. The homes directly behind the car dealership were in Le Jeune Place, and the homes there date from the late 30's and 40's. Hope that info is helpful.

Parks		27-Jun-2008 04:52
Jackie- Gables 57, I'll have to check with Mike to be sure I've got the right year. The only teachers I really remember are Andy Masamino who taught biology with a South Florida slant and Dean Thomas the metal shop teacher.

Jackie- Gables 57		27-Jun-2008 03:27
Sorry, Parks, the name doesn't ring a bell. He's not in the 57 yearbook. Who were some of your teachers in 68?

Parks, Gables 68		27-Jun-2008 02:35
Jackie-Gables 57 Do you remember a guy named Mike Stoic? He's a friend of mine who graduated from Gables High in 1957.

Parks		27-Jun-2008 02:23
Hi Bud, Sorry I don't have any information on Flynn's Dixie Ribs except that I enjoyed the ribs. If my memory is still working, your Grand Dad would usually be near the front door so he could greet people as they came in. Do you have the sauce formula?

BUD		27-Jun-2008 01:40
I am the grandson of Bill Flynn... he worked for the Florida East Coast Railway, past owner of Flynn's Dixie Ribs, and a member of the Florida House of Representatives. I didn't know my grandfather because I was adopted as a small child. Does anyone have any old photos of him, Flynn's Dixie Ribs or any other information. Thank you in advance, BUD

Bud		27-Jun-2008 01:39
MM ... Flynn's Dixie Ribs was at 152nd st and US1.

charlis		26-Jun-2008 22:31
Roberta... best xmas memories... so many. In OH going to a relatives' on t-day and watching the Macy's Parade, then the next day to find all the stores with xmas decorations up. as if the elves were working off the turkey. Christmas Eve alternating at different relatives homes with Christmas Day dinners also alternating. One year we had the Christmas Eve at our house. Santa always showed up. My daddy always disappeared... beer run. I was probably 8 years old when I told my older cousin that I knew that my daddy was Santa. That year the party was at our house... Santa arrived. I ran up to Santa and gave him a big hug... then Daddy came in the door with the beer. I found out years later that my oldest cousin had gotten a college friend to do the Santa that year. Tthere was the 1983 "In search of snow" gift my hubby and I gave our 10 year old daughter. She had been given a box of cotten balls as a xmas gift. The next morning, with below freezing temps in Tampa, and having to use the hair dryer to warm up the engine on our motor home, we headed north. Made it to Mammoth Cave in KY. Woke up that morning to find snow falling. Played in the snow for a few hours until they announced an ice storm coming. Got stranded on the side of the road in TN over night. Took us 2 days to get home to Tampa!

charlis		26-Jun-2008 22:09
Roberta.... sorry for the typos.... I meant "did not appear until..." my fingers and this laptop to not get along! Took me over an hour to type up a letter earlier today... it had less than 100 words. Stupid cursor kept moving on its own.

Jackie-Gables 57		26-Jun-2008 21:43
Roberta: I still have my favorite dolls from childhood, and boy, do they ever look like they were my favorites. I played with them ALL the time. Sue and Susannah were each 18 inches tall, with light hair (now matted)and long, flowing dresses. I don't remember what the brand names were, but both have eyes that shut, and one has teeth. The others were Nancy Ann Storybook dolls that were meant to be "shelf dolls", but not to me. From Alice down to Susie, they were the most loved dolls of all time (and probably the most bedraggled, too). The Christmas that stands out was our first in FL when I was six. We had moved from IN during the summer, and weren't quite sure about a Christmas in shorts and no snow. Well, we were so thrilled with the swing set that Santa brought that we soon forgot all about the lack of snow. But the BEST present I remember getting was my blue Columbia bike when I was 10. As many on this site have already said, a bike meant freedom.

charlis		26-Jun-2008 21:37
Roberta! xmas! It's bad enough that the papers are aready talking about a slow xmas purchasing season based on our economy... and that stores start selling xmas stuff during the summer when, in the old days they dis not appear unti after Santa Claus made his appearance at the Macy's T-Day parade... My favorite doll, pre Barbie, was the Miss America doll. I got one at Macy's during a summer trip to NYC in the late 50's. She was about 15 inches tall, dressed in a white dress with a red velvet, fur collared cape. I had an original Barbie doll, lots of clothes, the special "suit case", and a Ken doll, whose hair had fallen off by the time he was 5 years old. I had kept it for when, if I had a daughter when I grew up. Darned if my daughter, when we had a community "garage sale", when she was about 10 years of age, put the whole collection out... Barbie woud have been around 20 years old at the time.

Miami Girl		26-Jun-2008 12:07
Roberta, did you HAVE TO remind us about Christmas? Summer is just arriving here in upstate NY and Christmas brings that "s" word I don't want to think about!! My doll was a "Little Miss Revlon" in the mid '50's - the precursor to Barbie and one of those relics I wish I still had! On second thought, when we bought our 1907 house up here in '98 I went a little crazy with antiques and now I'm considering calling a dealer who will come and take them away for a paltry few cents on the dollar just because we don't want to move them to our retirement house and e-bay is too much like work. Favorite present - the transister radio my Dad got me and which I still have although it requires a battery size we can't find anymore so don't know if it works, but I'm keepin' it!

Roberta Perry Hughes		26-Jun-2008 05:50
Arizona Al...I would love to see an image of your vintage 1920's Woodstock typewriter! How lucky for you, to own such a relic! WOW. Largo...Haven't been feeling well, lately, & that always makes me supersensitive, & even a bit weepy, so, I am an overreactor (?) You just have to overlook me, is all, whenever I go on the defensive. It's the way I am. I've recently learned of tragic news, regarding former schoolmates, & I am very keenly aware of how short life is, believe me. Shorter for some than for others. Broken Arrow accepted, however, none was really needed. I moved on, to vintage "3-ring ale," & vintage typewriters. Girls...Tell me the marketed name of your favorite doll, in the early '50's. Was it "Tiny Tears," by American Character? "Saucy Walker," by Ideal? "Ginny," by Vogue Doll Company? Or some other popular doll on the market? Tell me about your favorite Christmas Day, in Miami. The weather, the dinner, family from out-of-state, etc., & your very favorite Christmas present...or Hanakkah gift. Speaking of Christmas...YIKES!!...it's now less than 6 months away!!

Petros		26-Jun-2008 05:31
Jackie- Gables57. I live behind the Chevrolet dealership on Tamiami Trail 2 blocks east of Le Jeune Rd. Was that Delership there when you lived here. It is called Maroone Chevrolet now & I beleive it was Anthony Abraham Chevrolet before that since the 50's. That land may have also been owned by Floyds Fruit Grove.

Jackie- Gables 57		26-Jun-2008 03:36
Petros: When we lived on the Trail in the late 40's-early 50's, our next door neighbor dug out under about half of his house (which was very small), lined most of it with concrete blocks, and called it a basement. He left the back wall unfinished (I suppose) so that he could access the crawl space under the house. No door- only stairs down to the lower level and a door-sized opening. Every time it rained, it flooded, sometimes enough that we could swim in it. (I never thought of it back then, but why did we not have snakes and other critters down there?) I have never heard of any other basements in Miami before.

Petros		26-Jun-2008 03:36
Arizona Al, You are correct, I lived about 3 miles east of that tower. Sw 152 ave heading south curved towards the west once it passed sw 307 st. and ended on Campbell Dr. (sw 312 st.) The Turnpike (Homestead Extension) which was completed, I beleive in 1975, ran parallel to the curve of 152 ave. My grandfather bought a meat market (Kiko's Meat Market in 1975 or 1976) located on sw 152 ave & 4 blocks north of Avocado Dr. (sw 296 st). from my memory (I was born in '73) it was a small quiet town.

Arizona Al		26-Jun-2008 03:24
Petros: I certainly rememberf Leisure City from the 1950s and early 1960s. It was between Cutler Ridge and Homestead and was inhabitited mainly of retired people and Air ForcePersonnel from Homested Air Force Base. It was somewhat in the Naranja area as I do recall. There was a big water tower in the area that had "Leisure City" painted on it. Alan Ogus, Ph.D.

Petros		26-Jun-2008 03:18
Thanks for the feedback regarding Ballentine Beer. I hope to be as lucky with info regarding Floyds Fruit Grove. By the way, anyone here remember Leisure City? My Grandparents bought their house new in 1975 on 154 ave & sw 308 st. Back then I could ride my big wheel DOWN 308 ST & barely see a car. Now that is unheard of today! Sometimes when I drive by an old house I will note the address just so that I may pull it up on the property website to see when it was built. Especially the flat roof houses in Hialeah with stairs on the outside wall leading to the roof which were made that way because the roof had an actual sundeck on it. Unique for Miami. Also, even more unique, the houses on the west side of N.W. 7 ave between nw 183 st & nw 199 st. They have basements! Never seen that anywhere else in Miami. This a beautiful website. As time permits I will view & read every section of it. Makes me feel that I am not alone in this historical interest. Thanks to ALL OF YOU!

Arizona Al		26-Jun-2008 02:57
And speaking of typewriters...I have a 1920s model Woodstock Manual Typewriter that works as good as if it were brand new! However, I have relegated it to a display item along with all of the other antiques I collect. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and noticing the odor of antiquity related decay in Phoenix, Arizona. P.S. If anyone wants to see a picture of this bad boy typewriter please let me know.

LARGO		26-Jun-2008 00:12
ROBERTA...TRUCE !!!....I THINK FOR WW3 WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE LARGER SHOULDER CHIPS TO KNOCK OFF... AND THINNER SKIN... FOR DEEPER NEEDLING...I WAS JUST SHUCKIN' WITH YOU ANYWAY...YOU ARE STILL A CUTIE PIE...LIGHTEN UP!...TIME IS TOO SHORT TO LET MY LITTLE QUIPS AFFECT YOU ...I BELIEVE THIS WAS FRIENDLY BANTER...THAT IS MY WAY...SO TAKE NO OFFENSE...AS NONE WAS INTENDED..... PEACE OUT........LARGO

Roberta Perry Hughes		26-Jun-2008 00:04
Charlis...What happened to all of the upright Standard Royal typewriters that were in our Typing Class in high school? Would love to have one of those, but even more than that model, would love to have an old upright black Underwood typewriter, like my mother had, with the yellow paper discs with black letters & numerals that were covered by see-through celluloid. They were the ones you'd see in old movies, in the news rooms, or offices/publishing houses. I think that Suzy MacNamara (Ann Sothern) used one in early 1950's TV series, "Private Secretary."

charlis		25-Jun-2008 23:30
Roberta... old type writer... Evie still uses a manual one to write her scripts. The ribbons cost a fortune! Wish I'd kept my old, and I mean OLD Royal (black keys with white letters inset into the keys)... but when I HAD TO MOVE out of my house, I left it behind. As I mentioned before, the story I am writing mentions the use of old typewriters, calculators, etc., .... a "non-computer" future. I'll send you the story... after I recover from my visit with the grandsons tomorrow!

charlis		25-Jun-2008 23:22
Ballantine Beer! Yuck! When we moved to FL in 62 we could not find Burger Beer. My parents settled for Ballantine... well, my mother did, my father drank another beer. Ballentine was cheap. I couldn't stand the stuff. Okay, a bit of history... Ballentine is one of the oldest beers sold in the US, having established itself here in the early 1800's. It was bought out by Falstaff (another horrible, cheap tasting beer) in the 1960's, and again by Pabst (Yuck, again.) in 2005. The rings had been the symbol forever...Purity, Body, Flavor. As to the Olympic Ring problem... isn't the symbol 5 rings... for the 5 continents?

Roberta Perry Hughes		25-Jun-2008 21:01
I remember Ballantine having been called "Three Ring Ale," in ads on TV. Might have even been printed on the cans, or bottle labels, in small letter, under the logo?If the Olympics took issue with Ballantine's 3 rings, I wouldn't think it would have held up, as the Olympics' rings total more than 3 rings, in two interlocking rows. Can hardly call that "identical" to Ballantine's which formed a sort of triangle, of the 3 interlocking circles. Kudos for another of our "resident historians" also goes to Parks, for his input on here, of places in Old Miami's history, & for his wonderful updates, regarding the current "go, see, & do" places in today's Miami, & most especially, for his knowledge on the USCG & USN, wartime, & present day. Thanks so very much, Parks!!

Jeff		25-Jun-2008 20:28
Gee, Al... you've gotr me on both of those points. I'm afraid I'm of no help... Jeff...sitting here listening to Time-Life's "The Rock and Roll Era - 1963" while replying...

Arizona Al		25-Jun-2008 16:30
Jeff and Petros: I remotely recall some type of bruhaha regarding the 3 Rings on the Ballentine Ale Cans and the 1964 Olympics because the Olympic 3 Rings and the Ballentine Ale 3 Rings were almost identical. Does anyone else recall the controversy? Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and dusting the memory cobwebs in Phoenix, Arizona

Arizona Al		25-Jun-2008 16:22
Does anyone remember the Merry-Go-Round Restaurant? I believe it was in South Miami or Coral Gables. During the 1950s my family went there on my birthday each year. It was a round building and the floor and the tables turned slowly in a circle while you sat and ate. I am certain it no longer exists. Jeff, resident historian..do you have any information? Alan Ogus, Ph.D.

Roberta Perry Hughes		25-Jun-2008 05:54
Charlis...Dr. Ogus...I most humbly thank you, for your support, Charlis, re: my point of view, & AZ.AL, for the sentiments expressed over missing my Posts should my computer crash, & in hoping that it never does. Thank you both. I appreciate it. I have a Smith Corona electric typewriter, but I would be ecstatic for a manually operated one. They are still available, by the way, as well as the dual red/black ribbons. Who knows? We may live to see the day when we are forced to revert to using them, once again, & adding machines, or cash registers, & our groceries & dry goods, etc., to be without bar codes. I think of all those homes that have been lost, to the recent flooding, & to the fires, too, & I figure that, each home had at least one computer...maybe more...& I'm sure more than one home had a computer-based business, be it selling on eBay, or doing billing for a doctor's office, or insurance company, maybe. A loss for them, to be sure. I also reflect on how some people lose their files, due to a computer virus, & I remember the widespread "Y2K panic," that most feared would make their computers see the date as 1900, instead of 2000, & how such a glitch would really ruin banks, & well, every business, so dependent on a computer to even be in existence. That's more than a little scarey. When I stated that my world would not end, were my computer to crash, I meant that, I can take it...or leave it...& feel the same as I did before one came into my life. I DO absolutely ADORE this Site, & Posting on here, & reading Postings, from the "regulars," as well as from the "newbies," & of course, those amazing Galleries, filled with priceless images, that are so very meaningful to everyone who ever called Miami "home," in whatever era in time. We are multigenerational, on here. Jeff's knowledge, of the history of Old Miami, & of the long gone businesses, & who owned them, the year they opened, & how they changed hands, over-the-years, & how they met their end, & when, is a most wonderful contribution, & in knowing exactly where a building was located, too, & we'd all be lost, without his expertise in this field, & the very former existence of a demolished & built-over building, lost forever, like it was never ever even there. All of the wonderful contributions that have been added to the Galleries, for all to see & enjoy, are so very appreciated, by everyone who learns of this Site, & we pass it on to others, every chance we get, to share & share alike. Should anyone take issue, with my input, please, just think of me as a sort of "female Andy Rooney-type": just an old curmudgeon, liking life prior to the onset of so much gadgetry & high tech stuff, that becomes outdated as soon as you leave the store with it, & with appliances that are not built to last, anymore. You can't even find a "simple" cell phone, anymore. They all seem to be geared to the younger set, with the texting capacity, camera phone/video, access to e-mails, & so many scrolling buttons & screens, & itty-bitty print, that they are NOT senior citizen friendly...& of that I DO take issue, & I resent it, for those whose vision has dimmed, & whose manual dexterity is compromised by the painof arthritis. I do not like anyone thinking that someone's age is fair game, to be a source for mockery, ridicule, or part of some late night comedian's monolog. I was reared to respect the "elderly," & to view senior citizens as a source of wisdom, & sage advice. But never, someone to laugh at, & openly jeer, & push aside. WHEN did it become acceptable, to be disrespectful? Old Miami, I love you, with all of my heart, & I miss you, but at least, here, on this Site, I can return, ad lib...as long as I have an up-and-running computer!! Roberta, bidding you all a Good Night, cool & benign weather, wherever you are, & good times. Until we meet again, be well.

Jeff		25-Jun-2008 04:09
Petros... I can't help you with the home's history, but Ballentine was - and possibly still is - a beer brand that was most popular in the Northeast part of the country, although it was sold nationwide. It's logo is three interlocking rings, and their old ads used to say "The three ring sign means Ballantine"... Keep that can for a keepsake... especially if it's one that was opened by a can opener and not a pull ring... Alan - Liberty granted - just be back on base by 1100 hours! LOL!

Arizona Al		25-Jun-2008 04:06
Roberta: I for one would be very distresses if your computer crashed and you no longer had access to or the ability to post on this site. I certainly respect your pontifications of "not feeling (sic) lost without it"but I for one would certainly feel and experience a distinct loss if your personna and specific points of view were no longer available for those of us who have developed a certain "affection" for same!! I take undeserved liberty for identifying "us" as Jeff, Charlis, Largo, Mo John, Largo and myself and trust they will afford me deserved liberty status. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and sincerely hoping that Roberta's computer never crashes.

Petros		25-Jun-2008 02:34
Hello fellow history buffs & memory lane travelers. Does anyone out there remember Floyd's Fruit Grove? It was located at 521 sw 42 ave in Miami. I am a history buff (American history & especially South Florida history) and I beleive my house is located on land that was once owned by Mr. C.V. Floyd. My house was built in 1939. I am looking for any information (pictures, maps, literature, stories, peoples recollections) regarding this fruit farm. I would truly appreciate any information regarding this Fruit grove. I bought a postcard on E-bay which reads "Fancy Florida Oranges" from Floyds Fruit Farm so I know it existed. Also, while redoing the kitchen I found a can of beer named "Valentine" or "Balentine" beer and it was distributed or canned in Hialeah. Any one remember this? I was born in New Jersey in 1973 & have lived in Miami since 1978 Thanks again, Petros

charlis		24-Jun-2008 23:26
Roberta... I am on your side about people using shortcuts instead of spelling out words. I have written a few chapters of a book about the future, based on the present... It involves weather situations in FL where computers are useless, and where peope have to work out problems and can not because everyone had become used to using calculators and computers to solve problems. I actually asked someone how to computer wind chill and heat index factors as I was trying to make an Excel program and had an "old fart" moment with the math. I needed the break down of a formula. A young coworker immediately went to the calculator on her computer. The son of a co-worker went to his teacher... an advance math teacher... she couldn't give him the break down of the formula! Another friend said she had gotten into a fight with her daughter's teacher because the teacher insisted that all students use calculators, in order to speed up the time for tests. The friend insistent that her daughter do the work manually. Another friend was upset with her child's English teacher who insisted that al written submissions be done on computers. They did not have one at the time a lesson was needed... the computer had crashed. The teacher refused the paper... not enough time to check for grammatical and spelling errors that the computer would have pointed out to the child... the child couldn't spell but the computer could!

Jeff		24-Jun-2008 23:13
You're a FUNNY fella, Don... I KNEW what BFF stands for, along with OMG, LOL, BRB, ROLF and a number of other texting "shorthand terms"... I simply opted out of diving into this "situation", IMHO.

Roberta Perry Hughes		24-Jun-2008 22:50
LARGO...I can't seem to (Carlin expletive) win, can I? You were, indeed, addressing an adult, not a kid, one who is, (obviously), set in her ways. So, shoot me, that I'm not up-to-date on "gadgets" & such, & am "techno-challenged," as some would put it, or the fact that I have no desire to be anything other than how I am. Were this computer not a gift, I'd have never opted to own one, & should it crash, to me, it wouldn't be the end of the world. I wouldn't feel "lost" without it. If "they" try to force folks, after say, a year, of having the "digital converter box," into having to subscribe to some Dish Network, or Direct TV, in order to have service, I'll opt for NO TV, as I refuse to PAY for TV viewing. I'll just resume reading, as I do during the Summer reruns, anyway. In fact, I'm over half way through my 6th novel, in a week's time, & have more lined up. I am aware of shorthand. Remember the little ads in match books, or magazines, that said "Gt a gd jb wi mo pa"? My sister took Gregg's shorthand in school, & I'm aware of courtroom stenographers. These are tools for good paying jobs, to be sure. If you'll check the ending of my Post, I DID thank you, for what the BFF stood for, & that I had figured, coming from you, it was, as you put it, "a good thing." Personally, for communication, I prefer writing & receiving letters, or getting a phone call, or calling friends & family, to hear their voice. It just seems more personal. But...! That's just my opinion, & my personal preference. I didn't mean to start WWIII over what I said. But I will not apologize for having said it. I said nothing wrong.

Arizona Al		24-Jun-2008 17:53
I am afraid that texting, body piercing, wearing pants well below the waist and so many of the activities of youth today had their iconic predecessors in our (1950s-1960) generation such as D.A. hairstyles, long sideburns, portable transistor radios, princess push button phones and color television. Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny so said Sir Francis Galton. The icons of today will be the predecessors of the icons of tomorrow..and so it goes..Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and musing poetically in Phoenix Arizona

LARGO		24-Jun-2008 15:43
I JUST KNEW THERE WAS NOT AN EASY WAY OUT OF THAT ONE...EVEN THOUGH MY INTENTIONS WERE OF THE MOST WELL INTENDED.....LECTURES ASIDE...I ASSUMED I WAS ADDRESSING AN "ADULT"...NOT A KID. WELL YOU KNOW... YEARS AGO ACTUAL SHORT HAND ENGLISH WAS HOW YOU TOOK DICTATION....YOU COULD LEARN IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES...THERE IS EVEN SHORT HAND BRAILLE FOR THE BLIND....THERE ARE SCHOOLS THAT TEACH THIS "WONDERFUL" TIME SAVING WAY OF NOTE TAKING...FROM EITHER THE... IN PERSON SPOKEN WORD...OR RECORDED WORD...WHERE WOULD THE MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST OF DAYS PAST BE ...IF SHORTER WAYS OF MESSAGING WERE NOT TAUGHT...NOT HOME IN A TIMELY MANNER CARING FOR HER OR HIS FAMILY. COURT STENOGRAPHERS MAKE A DECENT LIVING ALSO WITH THEIR SHORT TYPING........MY FEELING IS THAT, OF COURSE IT IS GREAT TO WANDER AROUND IN A EUPHORIC STATE LOVING ALL THE THINGS OF THE PAST...BUT FOR ME "PERSONALLY"...I ALSO EMBRACE SOME OF THE NEW AND EXCITING TECHNOLOGY OF THE PRESENT...LIKE TEXTING MY FRIENDS...MY DAUGHTERS..SISTERS...IT SAVES ME TIME FOR MUCH MORE IMPORTANT "POSITIVE" ACTIVITIES...LIKE HANGING OUT WITH THEM ALL...IN A TIMELY MANNER.............HDNG 2 TH BCH W/ DGTR # 1..........................LARGO ;-)

Don Boyd		24-Jun-2008 06:36
Darn, I didn't know what BFF was either. I had a totally different mental interpretation of it with the last F standing for a word that rhymes with trucker. I'm glad you clarified it, Largo. : ) One can only imagine what Jeff thought it was, haha. Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		24-Jun-2008 05:13
Largo...No, I didn't know what BFF stood for. I'm not into text messaging. To me, it sends young people the message that they do not have to learn how to spell, just as calculators, allowed in today's math classes, tells them they don't have to learn multiplication tables, or long division, square roots, percentages, decimals, etc. However, coming from you, I knew it had to be "a good thing." And, thanks so much! I'm honored.

LARGO		24-Jun-2008 00:51
ROBERTA..PLEASE TELL ME YOU KNOW WHAT "BFF" IS ?...SOME PEOPLE DON'T...IT'S "BEST FRIENDS FOREVER" IN TEXTING SHORTHAND....JUST BACK TRACKING TO BE SURE YOU KNEW IT WAS.... "A GOOD THING" ( to quote Ms Martha Stewart )....NOT WANTING TO OFFEND......LARGO

Jackie- Gables 57		23-Jun-2008 02:59
Hi everyone. Kenny Blanton set me looking for something with his grandfather's signature. I looked through some old documents to no avail. Then I remembered My grandfather's wallet. BUT, what I had thought was his driver's license turned out to be an ID card issued to him in 1942 by Intercontinent Aircraft Corp. A search on the internet didn't pan out. My grandfather lived in Miami in the 40's, but had worked mostly as a carpenter. Does anyone have any information on this company? Thanks in advance. Jackie

Arizona Al		23-Jun-2008 00:44
Miami Girl and Don: Rather than taking up valuable website space I offer that anyone who would like to see my 1964 Palmetto High Senior Class Picture and a couple of current ones, please email me at alan.ogus@ahccms.org and I will send them right to you. Thanks for thinking of me Miami Girl! Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive and well in Phoenix, Arizona

Miami Girl		22-Jun-2008 15:10
Alan and Don: Just scanned and e-mailed the page from the '64 Palmetto yearbook with that senior picture of Alan to both of you. Sorry if I said it was '63 because it ain't there! Thought Don would like to post it in a picture gallery. Al you sure cleaned up well for the picture, never would have guessed who the real Alan was under that pristine white grad gown hiding his switchblade, boots and leather jacket!

Arizona Al		22-Jun-2008 00:59
Largo: Miami Girl has advised me that my Jr. Class (1963) picture is in the 1963 Palmetto Year Book. I do not have the 1963 edition but if you do give me a "hit" There was a song out a few years ago by a new country group named Saywer Brown entitled "Most Girls Don't Like Boys Like Me but Then Some Girls Do"When I heard it itso reminded me of myself and my "J.D." cohorts at Palmetto High.... Rebels on the outside and not wanting to get on the inside..Funny thing though, we that are still alive are quite successful in life's endeavors. Glad you and your girlfriend found us intriguing. ......"But Then Some Girls Do" Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and looking for his switchblade and motorcycle boots in Phoenix, Arizona

MO John		21-Jun-2008 22:50
Guest, I grew up in what is now called Pinecrest. I lived three blocks south of the Serpentarium, on the other side of Suniland Park, a few blocks off of U.S. 1 (Dixie Hwy). We moved to Miami in 61. I left in 72, for the Army, but I consider Miami as home.....Bama is a close second.

Guest		21-Jun-2008 18:58
MO John--what a small world! Where and when did you live in the Miami area? We've probably seen each other at WalMart--it's my second home. Thanks for the double posting explanation. Saint James MO

LARGO		21-Jun-2008 18:38
HEY...AL...NO NEED TO BOTHER MR. VALENTINE...PALMETTO" 1963 REUNION IN SORT OF SCHEDULED FOR THIS NOV...WAS FOR MAY.....(BUT EVERY ONE WAS TOO BUSY AND IT WAS SHORT NOTICE) >....IN ISLAMORADA (SP)...WHY NOT THE FRENCH RIVERIA ?...IF HE IS IN THE LOOP (or cares)...THEY WILL HAVE A DIRECTORY OUT WITH ALL THE PERTINENT INFO....NOVEMBER IN THE KEYS IS PERFECT...TAIL END OF HURRICANE SEASON AND ALL......YIKES !!!...NOT SURE I'LL ATTEND AS YET...EMILIO MAZA SOUNDS FAMILIAR.....BOBBIE UPCHURCH ...NOPE!....BUT I DO RECALL HOW WE GIRLS (my close friends) THOUGHT THE WHOLE "JAMES DEAN...MARLON BRANDO" TOUGH GUY IMAGE WAS INTRIGUING...AND MOST OF YOU GUYS WERE VERY INTELLIGENT...ENOUGH TO "NOT" FOLLOW THE CROWD...AND DO THE WHOLE COOKIE CUTTER THING.......AS I LOOK BACK, I REMEMBER SOME OF THE BRAVER GALS THAT DATED THE ..."JD's" ...(or HOODS) AS YOU REFER TO YOURSELF....THEY WOULD HAVE MOTORCYCLE MUFFLER BURNS ON THEIR LOWER LEGS....OOPS!....AHHHH.....THE WILD ONES......... ROBERTA !!!...HOW KIND...YOU ARE MY NEW CYBER BFF!!!!!.................IN STORMY ST. AUGUSTINE.......... LARGO

Ron		21-Jun-2008 18:15
Hello all!! I have loved seeing and reading about all these old memories of my childhood in Miami. Born 1954 at 8th Street clinic. Schools-Fairlawn 60-66, Kinloch 66-69, Miami Coral Park 69-71, then moved away. Have only been back 2-3 times. It is true we all went every where on bike,walking or city bus and never a thought of danger. Times have changed. Peace to all.

Joanne		21-Jun-2008 17:05
Hola everyone!! Just came in from my garage sale, did not go as well as I hoped. Theres still tomorrow! Next week I'll be moving to N.Carolina so I'll be incomunicado for a few days. I'm hoping to find work there, Florida is taking a hit economically. So, I'm still reading your posts here but have been too busy to add my 2 cents worth. Hopefully will be back in fine form the first of July. Take care !!

Parks		21-Jun-2008 04:22
Dade County still hasa mosquito control division. They use both trucks and airplanes to spray. The current aircraft is a King Air. If you call them and complain about mosquitos, in a day or two a spray truck will drive through your neighborhood about dusk. If they get a lot of complaints over a large area, they send the plane. There is also a big effort to kill them in the larval stage so we actually have few mosquito problems any more.

MO John		21-Jun-2008 04:16
Guest, I am in Rolla.....right down the street from you. Maybe we can meet at Walmart some day. Let me know. The reason you got that double post is that you probably "refreshed" your browser after you made posted your comments. It's best to exit out, then come back. Just about everyone who is new at posting here does the same, so don't sweat it. Occasionally Don, the boss-man of this site, will come in and clean up the double posts. Hi all! Joanne.......what's up? Hey LARGO and Jo-Anne K.

Guest		21-Jun-2008 01:53
Sorry for the double post--don't know how that happened!

Guest		21-Jun-2008 01:41
Love this site. Grew up in North Miami --attended Ben Franklin Elem, Westview Jr. High and North Miami High. Graduated in 1964. Just attended a '10 Years of Pioneers" reunion for the classes of the 60's. Also had a reunion for those of us who attended Ben Franklin. So many memories. Hard to believe my sister and I would ride the bus to downtown Miami alone to spend the day. She was 10 and I was 12. Always will remember Burdine's at Christmas with the Santa and the carnival rides on the roof. Anyone remember the Frank's 5 & 10 on NW 119th street?We had it all and didn't know it. Maybe that's how it always is. Saint James, MO

Jackie- Gables 57		21-Jun-2008 01:24
Roberta: Looking back , it's surprising that we were even allowed in. I don't remember if we had to have our parents' permission. I don't know what would have happened if a parent had objected. Everything was so different in the schools back then. All the talk about Palmetto High reminded me of something I had forgotten. (and not something that students would be likely to remember) My aunt, Margaret McGinnis, was the cafeteria manager at Palmetto when the school opened. From there she went on to be the food service coordinator for Dade County Schools. I don't know what years she was at Palmetto, but this all happened before 1963.

Roberta Perry Hughes		20-Jun-2008 23:04
MiamiGirl...The mosquito sprayer truck slowly went through each row of the Tropicaire Drive-In Theater. You got sprayed, wherever you were, but most especially on the way to the Concessions Building. It was not pleasant, & if you had a soft drink on ice, there were no plastic tops for them, so, that mist would get in your drinks, I'm sure. Jackie-Gables 57...So...! The stories I heard, re: the Kendall Home were true, & it was not unlike a "reform school"?? I trembled at the mere mention of their name...I cannot begin to imagine what it was like for your service club to have actually BEEN inside, to see it first hand! Wow. Largo...Just today, I got finally got around to seeing the photo of you with Troy Donahue. You could have been a beauty pageant winner...did you ever enter?? A LOT prettier (in my opinion) than the girl in the Galleries who was Miss Florida!

Arizona Al		20-Jun-2008 23:00
Largo: Dementia in the presenium must explain my forgetting our previous conversation. Speaking of Don (MacDonald) Valentine..I keep in contact with his brother Ronnie (Roy Ronald) Valentine on a regular basis and would have no problem obtaining Donnie's email address if you so desire. If you and I were both at Palmetto in 1963 I surmise we exchanged glances and possible salutations. I was a "hood" and was constantly going to Mr Paskewicz's (Boys Dean)Office for violating the "preppy dress code" and wearing levis, cycle boots and a garrison belt. I drove an Indian Cycle to Palmetto in my Senior Year and a Triumph Cycle in my Junior Year. For some unfathomable reason I graduated with Honors..Go Figgure!Do you remember Emilio Maza from the Class of 1963 or Barbara (Bobbie) Upchurch from the Class of 1962? Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and searching for the Alicerpt in Phoenix, Arizona

LARGO		20-Jun-2008 19:13
OH MY DOG !........LOTSA INTERESTING BANTER....."AL."...PAY ATTENTION...THIS IS A REFRESHER...WE HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE...I GRADUATED PHS IN "63 " a year ahead of you..."WE'RE THE BEST YET TO BE..SR. CLASS OF '63." YADA YADA..TRA LA LA..( I ACTUALLY GET TO SING IT AGAIN...I'M A SR. ... & JUST TURNED 63) LOL! .....REMEMBER...I QUERIED YOU REGARDING "DON VALENTINE"?..THERE IS A PHOTO OF ME IN THE 60's GALLERY @ 16.......ANYWAY WENT THERE FROM 8th gr. to 12th.........SOUTHWEST IN 7th..(they were building PHS)...THEN THEY BUILT PALMETTO JR. HIGH NEAR BY....THOSE WERE THE DAYS OF HUGE FIELDS FULL OF BRAHMAN CATTLE AND OTHER HEAT TOLORENT BOVINE...HORSES...IT WAS SAFE TO WALK OR RIDE A BIKE TO SCHOOL...DID YOU KNOW STEVIE GLASGOW, MIKE SONTAG, JIM RUSH, TONY O'DONNEL..THEY KNEW DON VALENTINE (funny how I remember the guys)ALLISON WEBBER WAS IN YOUR GRADE...TALL, GORGEOUS...MY BEST FRIEND FOREVER !!! PASSED AWAY IN '69 OF LEUKEMIA...I STILL MISS HER. ......."MIAMI GAL"...I BET YOU ARE RECALLING THE WONDERFUL "MR. WILLIAM BODDINGTON"...ENGLISH LIT....HE WAS A RIOT!...YOUNG AND FULL OF IT WHEN HE ARRIVED...A GRADUATE OF WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE.....HE WOULD SIT ON HIS DESK AND SING & PLAY HIS UKULELE...HE WAS SO ENCOURAGING AND SPONTANEOUS....."ANIMATED" IS THE PERFECT DESCRIPTION.....HE LOOKED THE PART OF AN ENG. LIT. PROF. & REALLY PREPARED ME FOR COLLEGE...HE SAID IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT "WHEN YOU ATTEND A COLLEGE..UNIVERSITY OR WHATEVER......THE PROFESSORS, FOR THE MOST PART, DO NOT CARE WHETHER YOU ATTEND CLASS OR NOT...THEY GET PAID ANYWAY...YOU ARE THERE FOR 'YOURSELF'...SO IF YOU DO NOT WANT THE EDUCATION...DO NOT WASTE YOUR PARENTS MONEY..OR YOURS ! "...I WENT TO CLASS..HAD A LITTLE SIDE JOB.....AND PARTIED TOO !!... WOO HOO !!!.......LARGO

Arizona Al		20-Jun-2008 15:09
Largo: What years were you at Palmetto? I attended 1962-1964 and graduated with the Class of 1964. Alan Ogus, Ph.D.

Arizona Al		20-Jun-2008 15:06
The mosquito spray trucks ran regularly through Cutler Ridge as far back as I can remember which would have been 1955 which was the year we moved in. It was quite an adventure for neighboord kids to follow the truck on bikes and even to grab the back end area and catch a ride as it emitted its noxious chemical mist. Much less frequently the area was sprayed from above by crop duster type of airplanes. When this happened we neighborhood kids would run ouitside and wave and cheer at the low flying spray planes and receive a misting of noxious chemicals. I cogitate on how many brain cells were damaged/destroyed or chromosomal anomalys were passed on to subsequent generations as a result. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive and surprisingly well in Phoenix, Arizona

Jackie- Gables 57		20-Jun-2008 14:34
Roberta: I know what you mean about being in fear of the Kendall Home. When I was at Gables - my jr or sr year- some of members of the Anchor service club visited the girl's section of the Home as a service project. I remember the sound of the iron gate closing behind us as we entered the area where the girls were. It was terrifying to us. We spent a couple of hours with them, serving refreshments and talking with them. I remember how tough they seemed. How they must have seen us as "little miss innocent do-gooders". I was really relieved when it was time to leave. Just thinking about that experience still makes me shaky- after more than 50 years! Enough of that! On a lighter note, I have very fond memories of the Colliseum. My aunt took me there many times to the roller derby and ice shows there. When I was in the 6th grade at CG Elem we had an ice skating club. On Friday afternoons, we would walk from school to the Colliseum for a session of ice skating. If we were going skating, the girls were allowed to wear blue jeans to school that day instead of our ususal dresses or skirts. When I was in jr & sr high they had youth nights during the summer, and we skated all evening. Kids came from all over, not just the Gables. It was a blast.

Kenny Blanton		20-Jun-2008 13:59
Roberta: Those planes might have not started by the time you left because if they went over your house or anywhere near it you would have known !! I think they were DC-3s. I'm not sure. All I know is that they were prop planes & they were L O U D !! About Kendall: Where you are talking about was on sw 107th ave between Sunset Dr & Kendall Dr. on the west side of the street. There was the hospital & the boys home & a school for retarded kids called I think the Haven School or something like that. One of my best friend's sister worked there. Her last name was Goff. Al, you might have known her. They lived close to Southwest, on 87th ave at 64th st. Anyway, the youth fair was on Kendall about 99th ave by the railroad tracks. In fact, the tracks sat just west of K-land. Then the fair got too big & they moved it to FIU on the Trail.

Miami Girl		20-Jun-2008 13:13
Largo: Was Mr. Blanton at Palmetto a tall skinny guy with big glasses? Or am I mixing him up with someone else? Don't have my yearbook available to check.

Miami Girl		20-Jun-2008 13:11
Roberta: I don't remember being sprayed with DDT at the drive-in but we did have those coils you'd light and put on the dashboard to keep the "skeeters" away. Along with running behind those trucks how did we ever live this long? I was also a tantrum thrower when I had to get shots... until the Dr. threatened to give it in my butt, that stopped it! The needles then were sterilized and reused which eventually made them DULL - kids these days have no idea!

Roberta Perry Hughes		20-Jun-2008 06:43
Kenny..I don't remember the planes that sprayed insecticide, but everyone who ever went to the Drive-in movies got sprayed with DDT, on their way to the Concessions building. It was part of going to the movies. I can remember the way that spray smelled, & the sound it made coming out the back of the sprayer. Ptoooi! Ack! Ack! The 'skeeters still were out there, & bit you, though maybe, not as bad, were it not for the spray? Did y'all find it effective? Re: Kendall. I remember the light green painted Hospital & clinics, before we started going to Dr. Burley, up on Bird Road. Went to Kendall around 1953? I was an occasional (BAD) tantrum-thrower, as a child, what some would term as a real hellion, & my mother would threaten to send me to the Kendall Home. It would stop my acting-out in its tracks, & would stone cold sober-me-up, from misbehaving & being sassy. Those words struck fear in my heart, due to the rumors about the place that I'd heard, whether true or a myth, & my mother used it to her advantage, to keep me in line. I had NO idea, that there was anything to be ENJOYED, at Kendall, like the Youth Fair you mentioned! I always associated Kendall with their green Hospital (my first ever penicillin shot, that they finally gave me, after prying my fingers off of the stool I was sitting on, & after I ripped the front of the nurse's uniform, to her waist) & the notorious Kendall Home, where I'd been told they sent "bad" children to live. It scared me more that any thoughts of a Boogey Man under the bed, believe me! To the point of trembling all over, with mouth agape, & emitting a silent scream. Everyone has childhood fears. For me, it was the threat of being sent to the Kendall Home.

Kenny Blanton		20-Jun-2008 03:14
I remember those planes !! They would come over the house (sw 59th st & 92 ave) real early in the morning & about scare us kids of of our beds. We used to run behind the "skeeter" trucks that belched that "skeeter" spray, DDT ! I'm 52 & STILL KICKIN' ! Does anybody remember Khuory leagur baseball across Bird Rd. from the race track & next to the Copa Lounge ? How 'bout the "Youth Fair" when it was at Kendall Dr. & about 99th ave at K-Land ? I used tro play football there. The director was named Wayne (no relation) Blanton..... or the Museum Of Science "Around The World Fair" ? It started out on the grounds of the Museum & ended up at Tropical Park where the racetrack used to be. My Mom was the Treasurer when it was at the Museum & we got to go in the counting room & watch 'em bring all the money in there ! We, my younger brother & I, even got to work the counting machines that counted the chenge. It must have been about '66 or '67 beacuse I remember trading the "sliver" quarters & dimes we found for the "new" quarters & dimes.

Pike Rowley		20-Jun-2008 02:24
I just found this site. I was born in Doctors Hospital in 54, went to Merrick Demonstration School (have no clue what we were demonstrating), then Ponce Jr. High then Gables (72). Played tennis all day at Salvadore, football at the YC, swam at Venetian, bowled at the Coliseum and horseback rode at CG Riding Academy. Anyone remember Docs? Actually called Moore's Sundries near Granada and the Trail? My Dad used to fly the spray planes that used to spray for mosquitos and fruit flies at very low altitude. In 1957 some guy shot at him and actually struck him through the cockpit. Who remembers the "kitchen sink" at Jahns? Hot Shoppes?

Kenny Blanton		19-Jun-2008 23:26
I am the "guest" & I post & then 5 hours later, I refreshed & it posted AGAIN !! I read where you have to geclose the browser & then get back on & i THOUGHT I did ! Al: I was born in Doctors Hospital in '56 so I woulda graduated in '74. Roberta: I went to Blue Lakes from '62 through '67. Mrs. Bonner was my 1st grade teacher, & some the other teachers I remember were Miss Ulmer, Miss Burkhardt, & Mrs. Curry, the principal. I never got to have a class in the "portables" but always wanted to. Oh, & the Phys-Ed teacher was Mrs. McClain. Largo: it was REAl fun growing up a Blanton ! I'm GLAD my dad was a Judge (he was Judge John R. Blanton) & NOT a teacher !!! I think that woulda been WORSE ! I got to go to oevr 300 weddings when I was a kid because my dad had the people come to the house on the weekends & pick up their marriage licenses & get married ritght there ! My little brother & I didn't even have to get "dressed up" to go.

Guest		19-Jun-2008 23:09
Arizona Al: Eventually, 2 other Judges, Judge Dowling & Judge Clark, joined Granddaddy on the bench as County Judges. My father, John R. Blanton, started judging in 1955, on the Civil court of record. Then, in 1969, when his dad passed away, Gov. Kirk appointed my Dad to take his dad's place. BTW, my Grandfather was a Judge for 50 years & only had 2 opponents'; in all that time. One, in 1932, I believe a Black lady, & Meyer Brilliant in 1968. He won that race by a landslide. I remember passing out flyers for him at Blue Lakes !

LARGO		19-Jun-2008 23:05
KENNY...WOW!...THINGS MUST HAVE BEEN INTERESTING FOR YOU GROWING UP "BLANTON"....WHEN I TURNED 16 AND GOT MY FDL.....AND OF COURSE "W.F. BLANTON" WAS ON IT...AND WHY DO I REMEMBER..YOU MAY CHANCE TO PONDER......WELL I HAD A DEAR MATH TEACHER AT PALMETTO HIGH NAMED..."MR.BLANTON"...DO NOT REMEMBER HIS FIRST NAME...BUT WHEN I PROUDLY SHOWED HIM MY LICENSE...WITH YOUR GRANDFATHERS NAME ON IT...AND ASKED IF THEY WERE RELATED...HE SAID NO...BUT HE WAS PROUD THAT I PASSED THE TEST BECAUSE I STRUGGLED WITH MATH...HE WAS A MOST PATIENT TEACHER. WELCOME TO THIS FUN SITE...WE HAVE GREAT INFORMATIVE AND FUN CHATS...NEVER KNOW WHAT KIND OF RIP & TEAR WE'LL GET OFF ON...IT CAN GO FOR DAYS........................... PEACE OUT ! LARGO ;~)

Roberta Perry Hughes		19-Jun-2008 21:34
Kenneth...I'm sure that my parent's marriage license bear your grandfather's signature, & quite possibly, my sister's (1961??), as well as aunts & uncles, all of whom married in the 1940's, via Dade County Court House. I, too, attended Blue Lakes Elementary, when it was a new school. In fact, we were in the wonderful portables, first, while the building was being completed. Glades Junior High was built after our family move back to Georgia, & my former neighborhood's kids had to go there, as it was closer than Riviera Junior High. I had to go to Blue Lakes, for 6th grade, because it was closer than Tropical Elementary, & I had to go to Tropical, for the 3rd grade, because it was closer than Olympia Heights Elementary. This was a testament on how rapid our area was growing, with new houses, & families, to have to build new schools to accomodate them, without overcrowding the first ones that were built. This, of course, was in the S.W. section, located from Bird Road to Miller Road. I'm sure it was occuring all over Miami, simultaneously, & probably, has been ongoing, with the population explosion, via Cuba, & other areas.

Arizona Al		19-Jun-2008 18:31
Kenny Blanton: What years would you have attended Southwest? I had several close friends that graduated in 1964 and 1965. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive and well in Phoenix, Arizona

Guest		19-Jun-2008 17:58
Arizona Al: Eventually, 2 other Judges, Judge Dowling & Judge Clark, joined Granddaddy on the bench as County Judges. My father, John R. Blanton, started judging in 1955, on the Civil court of record. Then, in 1969, when his dad passed away, Gov. Kirk appointed my Dad to take his dad's place. BTW, my Grandfather was a Judge for 50 years & only had 2 opponents'; in all that time. One, in 1932, I believe a Black lady, & Meyer Brilliant in 1968. He won that race by a landslide. I remember passing out flyers for him at Blue Lakes !

Arizona Al		19-Jun-2008 16:35
Kenny Blanton: I must have had your Grandfather's name on my Drivers License from 1962-1965 but please forgive me for not recalling this fact after all these years gone past. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and obviously suffering from a "Senior Moment" in Phoenix, Arizona

Guest 755		19-Jun-2008 16:20
Thanks everyone for the response to my mini soda query. I too remember the candy counter at Sears throughout Miami and how surprised I was when they were removed. I think around the early eighties. Of course there seem to be no true department stores anymore. You were once able to shop for clothing, linens, furniture, housewares, tools, toys, records, large and small appliances, record players, tvs, fabric and notions all in one amazing store. If you didn't find what you were looking for a courteous, helpful sales person might go check the stockroom to see if your item might be found there. No more stockrooms, just overcrowded floors and very few sales people of any kind.

Kenny Blanton		19-Jun-2008 15:23
From what I've heard on the Neil Rogers Show, ( I know, I know, I'm a HEATHEN !!) the Royal Castle is either open or close to it because he has been bringing Neil food for years. I grew up near S.W. 92nd ave. & Miller Rd. Went to Blue Lakes Elem., Glades Jr. High & would have gone to Southwest but didn't go to school because I was out doing stuff I have read people doing on here !! I DID get a GED the week before I was supposed to graduate. I left in '78 & settled in Lakeland in '83. I tell people all the time about how the Miami I grew up in was PARADISE & they look at me like I'm crazy. NOW I have this place to show them ! So, no one had my Granddaddy's name on the licenses ?

Jeff		19-Jun-2008 14:15
Don - You're correct about the 125rh Street Royal Castle being closed due to a fire. They are [from what I understand] due to receive some Community Redevelopment funds from North Maimi for renovation and reopening... I saw the article in the Herald about the 79th Street store... (That's the one built in the early 1960's where the Frank 'n' Bun once stood from the late 40's until 1960.) Both owners wer long-time employees of Royal Castle Systems, but Wayne Patrick (owner of the 125th Street store) ended up with the rights to the name...

Jackie -Gables 57		19-Jun-2008 12:52
Roberta and Interested Reader: I graduated from Gables in 1957. We were the last class to spend 4 years there, so Ponce became a 7-9 school at that time. I don't know if other high schools went to 10-12 at the same time, but if they did, that would explain why Roberta and I took Home Ec in different grades. They don"t even have "Home Ec" in schools any more. It's now "Consumer "something or other, and they do more than just cook and sew, like I remember doing.

Interested Reader		19-Jun-2008 11:50
Roberta: I reading the recent threads I believe that the "57" in Jackie Gables 57 refers to the year she graduated high school sic. 1957 and not the year she was born which would make her approxinately 10 years older than you. This would explain the disconnect regarding the mentioned teachers and faculty members. An Interested Reader

Roberta Perry Hughes		19-Jun-2008 06:02
Jackie...You must be a lot younger than me! The teachers I named were among the original faculty of Riviera Junior High. The school opened its doors around 1958. Re: Home Ec.: in Georgia, I had it for 4 years, grades 9-12; Riviera was grades 7-9, so, 9th grade was the onset for Home Ec. in Miami, too. I am so glad that I had those 4 years, to learn to cook, sew, decorate, & "economize," in the home setting. I lucked-up on a vintage 1957 Home Ec. textbook, a couple of years ago, & it is quite the relic! It is a time capsule, in itself, & a trip down Memory Lane, to be sure! If the "57" is the year you were born, then I'm 10 years older. Enough years for a staff turnover, among the faculty in a school, obviously! However, the name Mr. Shipp seems familiar. I'll have to ask my brother about him.

Jackie Gables 57		19-Jun-2008 05:41
Roberta, thanks for the info, but those names do not ring a bell. Another name came to me- Mr. Murphy- but I don't know what subject he taught. Interesting that you didn't have Home Ec- we did at Ponce in the mid 50s. I guess each school did its own thing back then

Don Boyd		19-Jun-2008 05:34
Welcome Kenny! I think all Sears stores back in the 50's and 60's and part of the 70's had candy counters. Other Sears in Dade that I can remember, in addition to the Gables store you mentioned, were Biscayne, Northside and Cutler Ridge, and Westland opened in the early 70's. I thought the Royal Castle on NW 7th Avenue and 125th Street had a fire a couple of years ago and hasn't been open since then? That leaves the one at 79th Street and 27th Avenue that is still operational. The Herald did a nice article about it a couple of months ago. Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		19-Jun-2008 05:19
Jackie Gables 57...I attended Riviera Junior High 1959-1961. Home Ec. wasn't offered until the 9th grade. English teacher I remember was Mr. Porter; Music was Miss Janie Rowlands; Art was Mr. Ralph Woodmansee; Graphics was Mr. Allen; My P.E. teacher was Miss Fairchild; My brother's Band teacher was Mr. Turner; Dean of Boys was Mr. Davis; Math was Mr. Tekkerman, & Mr. Stamos; Science was Mr. Papalardo, classroom, & Mr. Evans, on TV; I remember a Mr. Waizenhoffer (sic). We moved back to Georgia, in 1961, where I graduated in 1966. Did you know any of these teachers?? Charlis...Thanks for the recipe! I will have to try it!! The fruit-flavored sodas I remember were by Suncrest. They had more flavors than Nehi offered. Also, remember Orange Crush, which was heavenly, ice cold!! And I remember when Pepsi Cola changed its bottle design, to the spirals. I like the old bottles the best. They were more colorful. Y'all remember Upper 10, Squirt, & Bubbleup??

Jackie Gables 57		19-Jun-2008 04:54
I remember Grapette and Orangette drinks in the 6 oz bottles. The orange flavor was my favorite. Haven't seen them in years. Roberta, did you attend Riviera Junior High? If so, do you remember Mr. Shipp, an English teacher, or Miss Jarvis who taught Home Ec?

Jeff		19-Jun-2008 04:11
That's an easy one, Kenny... Those terrazzo floors with the inlaid letters said "Royal Castle - Fit for A King"!

Kenny Blanton		19-Jun-2008 02:07
1st of all, my name is Kenny Blanton. If any of you had a hunting, fishing, marriage or driver's license between 1930 & 1965, when they changed the system, it had my Grandfathers name on it. W.F.Blanton. He was the County Judge for 50 years. There was a Sears on the corner of Douglas Rd. & Coral Way with a candy counter in it. But the real reason I am on here is there is 1 Royal Castle left in Dade County & it's at N.W.125th st> & N.W.7th Ave. It still has the original floor right outside the front door. It says Royal Castle. And under it says ???? ??? ??? ???? THAT'S what I'm trying to find out !!! Does ANYBODY remember ?? Oh, Roberta, I know you lived on 55th st. & if it was in between 97th & 102nd. ave. you can type in your old address on google maps. Click on street view & you can see it like you are standing there ! That's ANYWHERE in Miami !!

Parks		19-Jun-2008 01:37
Hi Roberta, Thanks for your kind words concerning my posts. I hadn't thought about putting peanuts in cola for years. I think the really southern way to do it is with Tom's Peanuts and RC Cola. I drove through Coconut Grove the other day and the poinciana trees are stunning this year.

Guest 755		18-Jun-2008 23:49
Diamonds for many of my childhood years was linked to Christmas for me. My grandmother made a yearly trip to Diamonds for her Christmas corsage making supplies. We loved to go with her and check out all the beautiful things there. She would buy silver and green leaves to form the backs of the corsages. Shiny red, green, blue, and silver balls on wires that could be inserted into the corsages. There would be bells with glitter and shimmery things she used as centers. Somestimes she would find little reindeer or Santa's or snowmen for the little girl corsages. Then there was lots and lots of ribbon that she made into gorgeous bows. I loved to sit and watch her as she turned seven or eight pieces of these materials into something beautiful that would give such joy to the wearer. I still have one she made for me when I was six or seven, too small for me to wear now, but I keep it any way. Does anyone remember buying small bottles of soda called Pee-Wee soda or something like that? I think they came in fruit flavors such as grape, orange or strawberry. Were they a Miami thing or did anyone see them any where else? I think they may have cost a dime. Boiled peanuts sounds great about now. I prefer to use the big fat ones, but havn't seen any in the store.

charlis		18-Jun-2008 22:18
Peanuts... yummmmmmm! When I went to NYC every summer, my great uncle would buy 10 pounds... for me to feed the elephants at the zoo. The elephants were lucky to get 5 lbs spread out over a 2 week trip! Tried putting them in Pepsi (can't drink Coke products... won't drink something that will remove battery acid off car batteries) Didn't like the mix. Roberta.... get out your pen... great recipe for boiled peanuts... (smells as good as the Bott Boi!)... for each pound of raw peanuts... put into pot, add 1/2 pound of ham hocks, 2 tablespoons of salt (I use Sea Salt), 1 tablespoon of pepper (preferably fresh ground)... cover with water plus 2 inches. Do not cover pot. Boil until water just covers peanuts. Using a straining spoon, remove peanuts and let cool. (Dump the rest into a strainer, rinse, and enjoy the ham while the peanuts cool!) Peanuts are best tasting when warm.

charlis		18-Jun-2008 21:55
Roberta and Jackie... ironic that you mentioned the buses. I was in the area in the 60's and thought that riding the buses was great! I could get anywhere... when my parents let me. More ironic... I was talking to a young man at work yesterday who was doing a college thesis on government operations. His father is a strong advocate for the "light rail" system... 4 miles of road costs over $7M! 90 miles of light rail will cost less. I told him how great Miami and Miami Beach was for transportation for people who do not drive, or, now, want to use buses to save on gas. Well... more ironic... Evie called me last night. Seems that, due to all the budget cuts, Miami has cut bus routes! Sure, Miami built the extended Amtrack for people to get to and from South Miami... but, for instance, the "L" route we used to get from the Beach to Miami... ran several times an hour. As part of the budget cuts they changed the schedule so the bus only arrives at the train station on the train's schedule. If the train is late, especially the last run of the day... forget finding a bus! You get stranded at the station! Which the cabbies have found out and there are plenty waiting... they take whatever you offer them! No more "over lapping" bus routes to help you get somewhere to catch the bus to get you to the bus that will get you where you want if you missed it at its other stop... ie: if you missed the "L" bus, you could catch the "C" bus that would take you to another stop where the "L" bus went on its route to Miami.

Arizona Al		18-Jun-2008 15:35
Roberta and Miami Girl: I discovered peanuts with PepsiCola when I left Miami in 1969 and moved to North Carolina to attend college. I also was enlightened to a Nehi Grape or Nehi Orange Soda with a Big Moon Pie. Must be a "Southern" thing. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive and well in Phoenix, Arizona and regretting the tons of Nehi Sodas and Moon Pies he consumed while in college.

Miami Girl		18-Jun-2008 11:48
Roberta, there was a Sears (I'm thinking it was in Coral Gables back in 1954) my older sister worked at the candy counter there for a few months when I was 8 yrs old -- what a great place for a sister to work!! The idea of peanuts in a bottle of Coke is something I could never develop a taste for although my husband from Tennessee loved the combination. It's on par with banana and peanut butter sandwichs - no longer just a southern thing. Boiled peanuts are yummy but hubby thinks it's like eating slugs!

Roberta Perry Hughes		18-Jun-2008 06:12
Parks...Jeff...Now, y'all done made me want some HOT roasted & salted peanuts, & where would I find them, at nearly 2 a.m., except in my vivid imagination??? I DO remember that Sears had a candy counter, & had salted cashews...but that was in Albany (Georgia). Don't remember a Sears in Miami...(?) Shucks, folks! I'm wanting a clear cello bag full of Tom's salted peanuts, & an ice cold Coca-Cola, in the king size bottle, to pour them in! Did y'all ever do this, with peanuts & a bottle of Coke? Or, is it just a Southern thing? Oh, & did that Peanut Vendor also offer BOILED peanuts? Have y'all ever eaten 'em boiled??? YUM!! I cannot eat nuts, anymore, so just thinking about them is painful. I'll have to settle for Jif, I guess...boo hoo. Parks...I wish I could come down there & take that tour of the Miami River you had described. You always find the neatest places, down there, & things to do, for anyone who comes down for a visit, to today's Miami. I love reading your Posts!!

Parks		18-Jun-2008 04:34
Hi Jeff, Yes the peanut factory was owned by the family that started Gardener's Market in South Miami. I didn't know Gardener's Market was originally called Gardener's Buy-Rite. That is something that hasn't changed much, my wife still shops there often. It's the locally owned small businesses that give an area character. I hate to see them pushed out by national chains.

Jeff		18-Jun-2008 04:16
Parks!!!! NE 5th Street... That MUST be the same place... because Gardner's By-Rite (in South Miami) was the evolution of the 1920's era Tip-Top Markets... Next to the peanut vendor WAS a vacant lot, then the old warehouse where the wonderful-but-faded hand-painted sign from years gone by saying "Tip Top"...

LARGO		18-Jun-2008 01:56
WELL..........I GUESS DIAMONDS ARE NOT FOREVER !.........SIGH..............THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO GANG.............. LARGO

Parks		18-Jun-2008 01:45
In the early 70's I drove a delivery truck and often made deliveries to the Port of Miami. After leaving the port I'd head west on NE 5th street to R.C. Gardener's Peanut Factory. I'd always buy a bag of peanuts hot out of the big cast iron roasters. Next door in a vacant lot was an artesian well. It was a pipe stuck in the ground from which water flowed continuously. The water was very sulfur tasting. People would come there and fill bottles with water to take home. They thought the high mineral content was good for them.

Leighton		17-Jun-2008 23:10
Diamond's was a Fantasyland for kids - we lived in the adjacent Fairlawn area, and it was only a five-minute drive to the Red Road location. I've never seen another place like it.

Guest		17-Jun-2008 19:15
Just discovered this: Anyone who wants to see some great pictures of Miami go to www.wunderground.com, click on the "wonder photos" button then in the search field type in miamilady and in the drop down go to Handle. She has over 100 pictures - you can also make them your screen background.

Arizona Al		17-Jun-2008 14:36
Hello All: In the early 1960s we would literally "flag down" the Greyhound Bus at the Cutler Ridge Shopping Center and Highway 1 and take the 20 mile trip to Downtown Miami where we 14 and 15 year olds were mesmerized by the novelty shops, an open air game arcade near the bus station, all day movie theatres and of course the second story snack bar at Walgreens Drugstore on Flagler Street. I am not sure if it was our young age or the zeitgeist but Downtown Miami circa 1960-1962 sure seemed like the magic kingdom when compared to the Cutler Ridge Shopping Center. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and waxing poetically in Phoenix, Arizona

Jackie Gables 57		17-Jun-2008 12:11
Thanks for the memory boost, Jeff. I had forgotten that Byron's was not the original name of the drug store.

Jeff		17-Jun-2008 05:47
Byron's was originally known as the Red Cross Drug Store... They probably merged with Jackson's in the late 50's or early 60's...

Jackie Gables 57		17-Jun-2008 04:53
In the 40's or early 50's Jackson's and Byrons were two different stores. Byron's was a drugstore and was one of the first air conditioned stores, if I remember correctly. Jackson's was a department store that sold mostly clothing, I think.

Jeff		17-Jun-2008 04:32
Back in the 1960's, there was a vendor that sold hot roasted peanuts on North Miami Avenue just East of the old Tip-Top Grocers warehouse. Does anyone remember that stand besides me? I used to love the downtown (or nearby) office supply and art supply stores... Mr. Foster's Store on NE 3rd Avenue by Drug City on Flagler Street, Long's Office Supplies on North Miami Avenue and about 12th Street, The Palette Art Supply on NE 2nd Ave. by Lindsey Hopkins... Associated Artist's Supply on Biscayne Blvd. and about 18th Street... I also miss the lunch counter on the second floor of the downtown Walgreen store... McCrory's, Grant's, Woolworth's 5&10's... the many theaters... Town, Miami, Olympia, Paramount, Rio... The department stores...Burdine's, Richards, Jackson's-Byron's... Grable's Bakery... the M&M Cafeteria... all of the little specialty shops... Downtown really had life and vibrancy back then...

Jackie Gables 57		17-Jun-2008 04:15
It was a real treat to go to Diamonds. We could walk up and down the many, many aisles, stacked so high with all kinds of crafty things. I can't remember ever leaving that store without finding the item(s) we had come for. Michael's is great nowadays, but I thought Diamonds was the best ever. Roberta, my mom and I would ride the #5 bus to downtown Miami on a Saturday morning, have lunch at the counter at the 5and 10, do our shopping , then stop at a nut shop in an arcade (I forget what building that was in) for a small bag of hot roasted cashews to eat on the way home. Now, THAT was a treat.

Roberta Perry Hughes		16-Jun-2008 23:33
Don't know about y'all, but I LOVED that Coral Gables Bus Terminal, & the buses that would take you anywhere, all day long! You only had to have a copy of their schedule, to be sure to NOT miss the last bus back that took you home, & city transportation, for the car-less, or the too-young-to-drive, was virtually unlimited!! I keenly remember the sound, of an idling Diesel engine, & the smell of Diesel exhaust in the air! The sound of that melodic "ding!", that indicated a passenger had pulled the swagcord on the side, overhead, that activated that bell, & alerted the driver to pull over @ the next stop, so that passenger could exit the bus. And, of course, that panoramic view, of all points in-between you & your destination. Going "downtown" on the bus with your mother, to shop for school clothes, or go to a movie, was such a wonderful adventure & treat! Years later, after I moved back to Miami, briefly, (following high school, in Georgia), those buses took me to & from work, & on trips to S.W. Miami, to visit former neighbors on S.W. 55th Street, on a Saturday, & to visit my cousins, who lived in the same area. I cannot even begin to imagine Miami without those wonderful buses!! They were like everyone's Magic Carpet!! Thanks, Jackie, for the memory jog!!

Parks		16-Jun-2008 23:26
Do you guys remember Diamond's slogan? It was "A Woman's Paradise". Diamonds was on 27 avenue and about NW 12 Street. The building was taken when they built the 836 expressway. They moved to a much larger building on the corner of Red Road (57 ave) and NW 7 th Street. A few years ago they sold the property to Eckard Drugs (now CVS) or maybe it was Walgreens. Diamonds moved into a near by shopping center in the space formerly occupied by Eckards. Diamonds closed about a year after moving to this last location.

Jackie Gables 57		16-Jun-2008 19:13
LOVE this site! It brings back so many memories. I remember Diamonds on (I think) NW 27th Ave. We always found what we needed for whatever project it was. We moved to Miami in 1945, and first lived on the corner of the Trail and Sylvania Blvd. I remember how far out in the boonies we thought we were. At the corner of Red Rd and the trail there were the Wildcat Grocery, the Wildcat Drugstore, and across the street there may have been a filling station (Don't know for sure), the Teepee, and George Brothers Hardware where my aunt worked. Just south of the Trail on Red Rd. was the Black Cat . Just east of Red Rd. was where I caught the bus that took us straight to Coral Gables Elem. When I went to Ponce for Jr. High, we went to the CG bus terminal and transferred to another bus. Same for Gables High. In 1955 we moved to 7000 Miller Dr. (SW 56th St.). Again, we thought we had moved to the end of the earth. From there, I took the yellow county school bus to Gables, where I graduated in 57. By the time I left Miami for good in 1965, my two childhood homes were far from the outskirts of town! Miami had really grown up and out. Like most of you, I thought it was a great place to grow up, and miss the way it used to be.

Miami Girl		16-Jun-2008 14:17
Largo: I remember back in the 80's when visiting my Mom there was a Diamonds near the Cutler Ridge Mall. Kind of like the Big Lots for crafters. Since I'm not crafty I only went in once.

MO John		16-Jun-2008 06:15
Hey LARGO. Your caps lock is your signature. I like individuality. I had nice calls from my kids today and received a nice card from all. Other than that I watched Tiger and Rocco duke it out on U.S. Open golf and I DVR'd the NASCAR race........which Dale Junior won! Both my guys did good today (Tiger and Jr.), so it was a great day for me. I expect things are starting to settle down for you a bit. I hope so. Thanks for the note. J

LARGO		16-Jun-2008 00:52
MO JOHN !!!....I ROLLED BACK TO JUNE 11 AND THERE YOU WERE...WITH YOUR INCONSPICUOUS..GREETING....GOOD TO KNOW YOUR AROUND AND WELL I TRUST??...MY GRANDS TELL ME THAT WRITING IN ALL CAPITOLS MEANS THAT I AM SHOUTING...I AM REALLY NOT...I AM JUST TOO LAZY TO DO ALL THE HIT & SHIFT KEYS...AND GET ON A SPREE TO TEAR THRU A THOUGHT AND GET IT SAID...BEFORE I FORGET WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY !!.......BY THE WAY...HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL OF YOU FATHERS, DADDY'S & PAPAWS OUT THERE....I PRAY YOU HAD A BLESSED DAY.................LARGO

LARGO		16-Jun-2008 00:39
HI ALL !...ROBERTA YOUR LAST POST REMINDED ME OF A HUGE STORE CALLED "DIAMONDS"...WHERE YOU COULD FIND ALL SORTS OF CRAFT ITEMS...AND MORE!!! AS THE ADS READ. I BELIEVE IN WAS IN NORTH MIAMI..BUT I CANNOT REMEMBER WHERE...I WONDER IF IT IS STILL AROUND ?...ANY OF YOU LOCALS KNOW....IT WAS SORT OF THE "MICHAELS" OF THE DAY...BUT LESS ORGANIZED AND PUT TOGETHER IT SEEMED..NO OFFENSE TO ANY ONE AFFILIATED WITH THE STORE.....QUITE FRANKLY... I LOVED IT !!...LARGO

Miami River Rat		15-Jun-2008 04:32
Hi everybody! Great site, great photos and great forum. I'll add more about myself later. For now, I'll say I really enjoyed Snowden's in the period 1960 through '62. They used to have a band there on Friday and Saturday nights, with dancing. I was 17 in 1960 and that was one of the few places I could take a girl and both of us get served beer or drinks. You didn't even need a fake ID at Snowden's. I think if you were tall enough to reach the bar with your 40 cents, a beer was coming your way. I had a lot of good times at Snowden's. Someone posted about getting stopped while trying to climb that fence around the Deering Estate. I tried to climb it once, and got most of the way up. The builders had embedded broken glass bottles in concrete on top of the wall. When you got up there, it was go back or get cut to ribbons! Oh, well.... Later.

Parks		14-Jun-2008 23:48
Arizona Al, The board and batten building you remember as Snowden's must be the same building I remember from a few years ago as The Old Cutler Inn. Your description fits it to a tee. It was bought a few years ago by a fellow who was going to renovate it but discovered too much damage so the building was torn down. For all you Miami history buffs, I recommend that you try to take one of the Miami history tours led by Dr. Paul George. I just came home from one of his tours of the Miami River. It was great. I thought I new a lot about the river before the tour. Boy was I wrong! For about forty bucks you get a three hour boat ride and a continuous narrative of the history of the river. Prostitution, drug smuggling, rum running, shipping steel to the Japanese before the war, building PT boats to kill the Japanese durring the war, it all happened on our river.

Roberta Perry Hughes		14-Jun-2008 21:50
The hole-in-the-wall type toy stores, located in so-called strip shopping centers, up on Bird Road, were childhood favorites. And any Five and Dime, of course! Large bins filled with colorfully painted spongy rubber balls; shelves filled with paddleballs, bottles of bubbles with attached bubble wand; tall cardboard containers of kits to construct; balsa wood gliders to be assembled; carry-over Made in Hong Kong blister celluloid dolls with strung on limbs, & colorful lithographed tin toys & buildings; Whitman card games & BIG jigsaw puzzles; hula hoops; sealed in package jackstones sets, & marbles; jumpropes; doll clothes & accessories to fit every popular doll on the market...WOW!! Get a dollar in your birthday card, hop on your Schwinn, & head for the Five and Dime, or the local drugstore! You could buy so much, with that dollar, what with comic books a mere dime, & so many other items, too, or even less!! Remember when bubblegum was 2 for a penny, & a HUGE Baby Ruth candy bar was only a nickel?? Don't we wish we could time travel, & take the grands back there, for just one day's shopping spree??? My sister, & her (teenaged) peer group enjoyed "cheap" cosmetics prices...Cutex nail polish & lipstick, or Tangee, or Revlon. The pricier Coty brand was usually geared toward adults, & were sold in department stores. But the 'teens hit the drugstores, & the Five and Dime, for their "war paint," as my father used to call it. The early '50's seemed to be a carry-over, of the '40's styles, in fashions, & color choices in lipstick: red, orange, red, "Windsor", red, red, red, red, red...! But, I remember, back when I was in Junior High, in 1960, Cutex nail polish & lipstick did a color explosion, & suddenly, there was Hot Pink, Frosted Pink Lightning, Bikini Beach Peach, Tangerine, Frosted Grape, Lilac, Orchid, even stark white, pearl, & metallic blue!! And every shade & tint of pink you could think of!!

Joanne		14-Jun-2008 20:17
Arizona Al...you are correct about Snowden's, it was very much a "fish camp" style of building. Sometimes I wondered how it even stayed erect! Considering it's proximity to the bay, I figured Hurricane Andrew had taken it out. There was also a plant grower (nursery) on the south side of the bridge. My brother worked there for a time.

Joanne		14-Jun-2008 20:07
Buster Browns and Red Goose shoes!! Keds for the weekends. For my 12th birthday I got a pair of red patent leather Mary Jane style shoes with a small heel. Bought them on Miracle Mile which made them even more special to me. I loved to visit Miracle Mile and window shop. My Dad's office was on the east end of the street and I'd sometimes pop in on him. There was a head shop I'd go into because of the smell of incense and the Indian fabrics. Another fad I recall from my preteen time was colored wax and a personal stamp to decorate an envelope. Got all our stamping supplies as well as the neon posters at Spencer Gifts.

Arizona Al		14-Jun-2008 14:23
I remember Snowdens a a sort of ramshackle board and batten bar and restaurant. My family would go there of Friday Nights for a fish fry. This was probably 1957 or 1958. I vividly recall that the fish fry was outdoors and we sat at long wooden tables. The flys and gnats were a nuisance. Does my memory serve me correctly or is it obfuscated by age and decay? Alan LOgus, Ph.D. Alive , well and looking for the tartar sauce in Phoenix, Arizona.

Roberta Perry Hughes		14-Jun-2008 06:00
Oooops!! My family legend/story, re: the smoke/fire damaged bureau, more than likely did not originate with the Royal Palm Hotel. I looked up the hotel's history, & it stated that the 1926 hurricane ruined it, & that afterwards, it was so termite-infested that it had to be torn down. So...!! The piece of heavy oak furniture had to have survived some other hotel fire, obviously! I do know that, back-in-the-day, so-called "fire sales" were common. Don't know if they do that, anymore...do they?? I keenly remember one such "fire sale," when I was a child, that Richard's Bargain Basement held. We got some twin size light weight sheet blankets from that sale, that only needed to be laundered. Even then, they still retained a little smokey scent. Do y'all remember Red Goose Shoes, & the little token "prize egg" they gave you, when you bought a new pair of shoes? Another popular brand with children was Buster Brown. They, too, had a token "prize." Golly, come to think of it, "prizes" were common, back then. I don't think they give anything away, today, with a purchase! A vivid "food memory," for me, is my very first Burger King Whopper, up on Bird Road, near the area of Bird Bowl & Sunland Skating Rink. Paid extra for cheese. I remember its freshness, & warmth, & delicious aroma. And the size just blew us away!! It was big enough to cut in half, & share with a sibling or a friend!! Also in that same area was a "new" pizza place. They were called Pizza Parlors, then, & the product was "pizza pie." They consisted only of a thin crust, tomato sauce & cheese. In the beginning, it was an acquired taste, for some of us, as we weren't used to the scent of mozarella cheese, & we found that we had to get past that, to bravely take that tentative first bite. After that eye-opening taste, pizza pie was addictive, & for a while, burgers took a back seat.

Parks		14-Jun-2008 03:42
Hi Joanne and Miami Girl, The empty lot you see on Google Earth,next to the Farm Store, is where The Old Cutler Inn was located until recently. I think Old Cutler Inn was the same as Snowden's. Either Snowden's sold out and the name changed or Mr. Snowden called it The Old Cutler Inn and all of his customers just called it Snowdens. My personal memory of it doesn't go back as far as yours. I do miss it's good food. The building across the street, on the west end of the block was a small expensive grocery store that went out of business after about a year. It sat empty for a long time. Now there is a Starbucks in part of it. The building on the south east corner, nearest the Deering Estate, is actually the park headquarters. It is a very beautiful building made of wood. It has a large meeting room with stained glass windows depicting wild life found in the Deering Estate Park. There is a beautiful and colorful tree snail found only in that area. One of the windows has an image of this snail. One day after seeing the window, I walked out and there was one of the snails stuck to the wall. If you guys ever get back to Miami, the Deering Estate is worth a visit. I think the ship that went aground in Andrew did it just south of the bridge that you all jumped off. I jumped off the Rickenbacker Causeway.

Joanne		13-Jun-2008 23:39
All the UFO talk reminded me of a trick we tried many times one summer in the mid 60's. I had instructions for a small hot air balloon that was made of 2 balsa wood sticks or long popsicle sticks, form them in an "X" and secure the spot where they meet so they don't move. To each of the 4 stick corners tie the end of an open plastic bag such as a dry cleaning bag. Attach 4 birthday candles to each arm of the sticks, light them and your hot air balloon should take off. We thought if we could get them airborn, people might think they were UFO's. Of course, they never got off the ground, much to our chagrin. LOL

charlis		13-Jun-2008 23:11
Don.... update on site loading... had problems on 3 different computers, 2 different connections... the past few days everything has been running great! Go figure...

charlis		13-Jun-2008 23:08
Gang... your memories of South Miami are great. The snobs on Miami Beach kept the fun down, except one story that I know of... you guys were "hicks/renecks"... During the UFO era of the mid-late 60's there was an article in the Herald and the Beach paper about the siting of a UFO in a canal on MB. There was a strange glow under a bridge, and a lot of dead fish floating. A bunch of people were standing on the bridge when a "being" was seen walking toward them. They ran. Okay, the true story... I found this out about 10 years ago when meeting up with an old classmate... 3 classmates, including the guy who told me the story, had been out scuba diving and came across a group of people standing on the bridge looking at the strange glow in the water and the dead fish. They pulled over and 2 of them got out of the car and walked toward the group on the bridge. The 3rd guy put on his scuba gear. The 2 guys talked to the people on the bridge and mentioned the reports of UFO's. On cue, the other kid came out of the dark and started walking toward the group... the other two gus screamed, pointing at the other guy... "What is that?" Everyone ran away, including the two guys! Someone called the papers to report the story of aliens in Miami Beach.

James		13-Jun-2008 23:05
James A Hadden Born Aug. 23rd 1965 in South Miami. Raised in Kendal. Lived in 'Pine Acres'. Ate at Shorty's Bar-B-Que on Dixie.Went to 'Pirates World', 'The Miami Serpentarium', Parot Jungle (old Location) The Miami Serpentarium, Viscaya, Micheles Cartway (Go-carts). Our neighborhood consisted of some pretty noteable people; 'Casey and the Sunshine Band' rented the house across the street were I lived off 115 st. and 104 ave. (era @ 1971-1973) Which is off Killian. Some of the '72 Dolphins lived in our neighborhood. The owner of Green Thumb Nursery lived next door and the owner of 'Gamble Plumbing and irigation 'lived on the other side of me. The Owner of Allied Glass co. lived behind me.I was on The Skipper Chuck show @ 5 times. We watched " Weaver the weatherman" on Channel 4 WTVJ. We shopped at 'The Gold Triangle' and 'Lindsey Lumber' near Dadeland. We ate at 'Grants? Cafeteria (correct if I'm wrong with the name) We also shopped at 'Jefferson Ward', 'Quik Check' (now Winn Dixie) . Remember the "Snow" we had in January 19, 1977? I still have the front page from the Miami Herald! For those of you that are a little older, I remember being 4 y/o and seeing a " U.F.O." of some sort that made big news in South Miami. I hold neighborhood (Carol City at the time) Was looking up at the sky in Fright. people were crying and freekin' out. I remember some sort of colorful, maybe orange-green cloud of swirling gas in the night sky.Does anyone have an article on this?

Roberta Perry Hughes		13-Jun-2008 21:25
EUREKA!! Georgia-grown tomatoes are in stores now, & are safe!! HOORAY!!! There's a right-smart breeze kickin' up, outside, but a bit warm. Can't complain too loudly, though. Just need a gentle rain, is all, to cool things down a mite. Don...my mother's aunt ran a boarding house, "eons" ago, & lots of her furnishings were from smoke/heat damaged items that survived the fire that struck the Royal Palm Hotel. Mama "inherited" one of the golden oak bureaus, with framed mirror & brass fitments, including key-locking drawers, that the aunt had given to my grandmother. It was a curious site, that bureau, as the heat had melted & bubbled-up the varnish on it, to where it appeared to be covered in round black watermelon seeds. It emitted a pungent sort of scorched scent. I ended up with it, many years later, & prior to a move, I sold it to a friend, who loved vintage oak pieces. I had been dreading the thought of moving it, as it was beyond heavy, & everyone knows how hard it is to find help with moving, when you're single, & everyone else is, too, & have active weekend plans. I could be mistaken, of course, about the Royal Palm Hotel's fire, but this is what I was told, regarding that oak bureau, & its origin, when told about how those widespread black spots came to cover it, overall. The mention of that grand dame of hotels triggered the memory of this nearly forgotten piece of furniture.

Don Boyd		13-Jun-2008 19:56
New uploads: Alvin Lederer contributed a 1900's image of a short railway in the Everglades near Miami (1883-1919 gallery). I added three images of the Royal Palm Hotel (1883-1919 and the 1920's galleries). Also from the Myrna and Seth Bramson Collection, I added a 1940's image of NE 2nd Avenue, including the Rosetta Theatre, in Little River (40's gallery), a 1954 image of Flagler Street downtown (50's gallery), two 50's images of the Carib Theatre (50's and movie theatres galleries), and a 1960's image of the new Loew's 170th Street Theatre sign (movie theatres gallery). Don

Miami Girl		13-Jun-2008 17:58
Joanne: I know that my memory can sometimes be inaccurate so you may be totally correct. When looking at that Google street view, there's a place that looks recently demolished next to that Farm Store (there's a big truck sitting there in the picture) and I wonder if that was the old Snowdens (it also appears maybe there was a road there) maybe they reconfigured Old Cutler over to the West a little bit. I could swear Snowdens was on the NE corner. I don't remember Old Cutler Inn at all. Parks: It's possible Snowdens sold out and the name was changed. Anybody else know??? I do know first hand a person could get a massive infection from those nasty coral rock cuts!

Joanne		13-Jun-2008 17:12
Parks, Miami Girl...I used to ride my bike to the Deering Estate grounds and have a picnic lunch. I know exactly the driveway you're talking about at the south end of the property where you were fishing. I too went on Google maps and saw the Farm Stores on the corner of 168th but I think Snowden's was next door to the east. Looks like the Old Cutler Inn is across the street from Snowden's. Whenever we went swimming there my feet would get torn up by the coral rock. Also, wasn't that the spot where the big tanker ship was grounded after Hurricane Andrew? I saw photos of that on the NOAA website.

Miami Girl		13-Jun-2008 12:28
Roberta: A quick digression from Miami.(sorry folks), have you ever visited FDR's former home in Hyde Park, NY on the Hudson River? Since I'm 61 he was before my time and my OLDER sister dragged me to visit the place about 4 years ago. I have to admit I did enjoy it tremendously because it seems to be exactly as it was when they lived there, I do like this "time travel" thing - one of his wheelchairs (I'm assuming he had more than one, but maybe not) is still sitting there. Eleanor's bedroom looks almost like a jail cell it's so austere and humble and his isn't much better, very surprising.

Roberta Perry Hughes		13-Jun-2008 05:08
Hello, again, folks...It seems that I have (more) DJD (degenerative joint disease) in the ol' backbone, the worst of it, that's been giving me conniptions, is the sacral vertebrae. Oh, well...could have been a helluva lot worse. This business of growing older is not so much fun. I'll muddle through it, the best I can, & just take even longer, with tasks that need to be done. At least, I'm vertical!! LOL Wow. You folks sure did have the adventures, back in the day, in Our Town!! As I've stated before, I was 13 years old, when our family left S.W. Miami, so, I didn't even get to wet my feet, as a 'teen, nor experience going to my sister's alma mater, Southwest High School...let alone date, have that first beer, sneak a smoke, nor "grow up." I was still a child...not like TODAY's 13 year olds!!...& I was in no big hurry to "mature." At going-on-61, I am now in my "second childhood," back to collecting dolls (vintage & antique), which help me to travel back in time, at the very sight of them, as does this amazingly nostalgic Site that Don has provided for us. Not everyone has these resources, to call up such images of long-gone places, from the towns or cities that they recall from their own youth. I know of no other Site, where, say, someone could see their former hometown, as it was, decades & decades ago, in some other state...do y'all?? How lucky are we???? This Site is a priceless treasure!!!! God, y'all. I am soooooo much in tomato withdrawal!! Is there a time-release patch I can wear, 'til I can find me some homegrown ones that I KNOW will be safe to eat?? This is cruel & inhumane!!!! Might as well deprive us of our fresh butterbeans!!!! Roberta, up again, past the ol' Witching Hour, ready to resume reading about Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of my very favorite former President, the colorfully adventurous T.R., namesake of the American Teddy Bear...(oh, yeah, I have vintage teddy bears, too!)

Parks		13-Jun-2008 01:59
Miami Girl, The Deering Estate is now a wonderful county park. You can wander through the house and see the wonderful art collection and the secret wine cellar. The wine cellar door is disguised as book shelves that have a hidden latch. This was built during Prohibition. Didn't want them Revenuers finding it. The little road just to the south now leads to a fishing pier and canoe/kayak launch site. I've been fishing in the shallow water behind the Deering Estate and around Chicken Key recently. Caught a nice mangrove snapper. Was Snowden's the same as the Old Cutler Inn? It was located about half a block west of the Deering Estate?

Miami Girl		12-Jun-2008 23:29
Joanne: I do remember Snowden's Bar but that's not where the sports bar where the reunion was - it was at a small little shopping center up closer to Cutler Ridge on the opposite side of Old Cutler from Snowdens (this was in '89 so it may not even be there anymore). I've been on Google maps and looking at that whole area that they now have on their "street views" -- looks like a Farm Store (remember them?) is now on the corner of Richmond Dr. and Old Cutler where Snowden's was. Then you can continue on down Richmond towards the Bay and see one of the entrances to the Old Deering Estate -- we'd take that little road off to the right and drive around the side of the estates fence down to the water and park......Once four of us decided we'd climb over the fence to check it all out until someone yelled "STOP OR I'LL SHOOT" - needless to say we changed our minds. Ahhh, those were the days!!

Jo-Anne K		12-Jun-2008 23:15
Three of the guys I used to surf with were notorious for jumping off the the bridge at Haulover, used to scare the heck out of me. Hehehe......I just had to barge in here to say hell-o to all!!!

Joanne		12-Jun-2008 21:31
Miami Girl ...If you're talking about Snowdens (AKA Centurians) just about everyone on that side of town went there. I remember spending "skip day" there in '74. Didn't actually jump from the bridge but did swim there. Then went over to Snowdens Bar for snacks, etc. Fun place!!

Arizona Al		12-Jun-2008 15:03
Miami Girl: Jumped/dove the bridge into the canal on Old Cutler Road many times in my youth. Sometimes there were african-american people fishing with cane poles along the canal banks and we would harass them and taunt them. An act that I am thouroughly ashamed of now but this took place in the late 1950's and early 1960's and was considered appropriate at the time. Times have changed and for the better. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive ,well and frequently regretting the sins of his past in Phoenix, Arizona

Miami Girl		12-Jun-2008 12:12
AZ Al: Boy was I out of the loop. The first time I heard the term "Ridge Rats" was when we went to the '89 Ridge Rat Reunion (held appropriately at a sports bar on Old Cutler -- is there anyone else in this Gallery that was there). I thought the term was given to us by those Gant Shirt and Weejan Loafer boys, thanks for setting me straight. Also the news of the rumble is new to me, but certainly not a surprise! I was one of "those girls" who dated a few guys at "the base" (Homestead AFB), it started with my girlfriends brother with whom I had a pen pal relationship during his Basic Training and AIT then when he dumped me, I moved on to his friend - the guy I've been married to for 42 years. BTW, I loved The Hot Shoppes, now it makes sense why I like all the Marriott Hotels so much! How many of ya'll jumped off the Old Cutler bridge into the canal? Then if you were a guy and had that upper body strength you could use the rope to pull yourself up the steep bank -- us girls had to swim down aways to get out. Roberta: Nuts, something came up Sunday and I missed Part 2!!! Maybe someday I'll buy the whole thing on DVD's. I know they say we shouldn't live in the past, but this is so much damn fun! Thanks Don.

Don Boyd		12-Jun-2008 07:05
New uploads: I added a 1950's (?) image of Maurice's Steak House (restaurants gallery). Parks Masterson of Hopkins-Carter Marine Supply contributed a mid-1920's image of 12th Street (now Flagler Street) and Biscayne Bay depicting Dunn's Pier, Elser's Pier and a billboard for Hopkins-Carter Marine Supply (20's gallery and the attractions gallery). Don

Arizona Al		12-Jun-2008 03:22
Jeff: Thanks for the G-2 on Paleys. Does anyone recall the infamous rumble between the Ridge Rats and the Bird Road Stompers (BRS) in 1964 at the Rock Quarry in Belaire Heights? It was a classic with fists, boards and a few tire irons. History shows that both "social clubs" were mutally defeated resulting in a fragile peace between the rival clubs. BRS was represented by Southwest High delinquentsand the Ridge Rats was comprised of Cutler Ridge delinquents attending Palmetto High.

charlis		11-Jun-2008 22:13
Florida tomatoes?!?!? Are there still any? Central FL used to be known as the Strawberry and Tomato Capital. Strawberries are still being grown, althought the fields are disappearing. The Strawberry King, Roy Park, died last week. But the tomatoes, the famous Ruskin tomatoes, are almost completely gone. The fields bieng covered with houses. Most of them, according to a friend in the agri finance business, most Ruskin tomatoes are now being grown elsewhere... soo.... if you think that buying Ruskin tomatoes, because you think they were grown here. ... stick with cherry tomatoes for a while.

Jeff		11-Jun-2008 19:26
CORRECTION: It was Bernie Paley who ran the KFC franchises... Seymour had broken away from the partnership with his brother and opened Corky's in North Miami Beach (originally opened as the Deep South Bar-B-Q)... Too many Paley's...too little proofreading! LOL!

Jeff		11-Jun-2008 19:24
Al... Paley's Big Wheel and their second location on West Flagler (formerly the Car Hop Drive-In) became part of a small chain of Kentucky Friend Chicken franchises operated by Seymour Paley until he eventually sold them all back to KFC Corp. It seems (according to legend) that the Kentucky Colonel was less than thrilled with the name "Paley's" being larger than "Kentucky Fried Chicken" part on the signs... and that everybody around these parts were referring to the locales as "Paley's Fried Chicken"... The original location of KFC's regional office was right here in good old North Miami... way back in the day... Jeff... undeterred by his "faint-and-fall incident" of last Saturday and still kicking up dust while listening to a John Lee Hooker CD in North Miami...

Arizona Al		11-Jun-2008 17:00
All You Ever Wanted to Know About the Ridge Rats But Were Afraid to Ask: Growing up in Cutler Ridge in the 1950s and 1960s one became accoustom to being refered to as a Ridge Rat. The term was either complimentary or derogatory depending upon who was using it. In 1962 while attending Palmetto High School a group of youths living in Cutler Ridge formed a "social culb" (euphenism for gang) as a result of being systematically exculded from the Gant Shirt and Weejun Loafer clubs at Palmetto such as the Trojans and the Saxons. The name chosen for the social club was of course The Ridge Rats. The original members from 1962 included Nathan Levy, Terry Stewart, Butch Childers, Paul Atwood (deceased), David Congdon (deceased), Ron Valentine, John Buckley, John Parano, Joe Loeffredo and not surprisingly Alan Ogus. The formal club lasted until 1965 when the last of the founding members graduated. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Ridge Rat Emeritus. Alive and well in Phoenix, Arizona

Arizona Al		11-Jun-2008 16:40
Well from what I can determine the Hot Shoppes in South Miami met an ignoble fate and is no longer in existance. Another icon from my delinquent youth is now but a mere memory. I am afraid to inquire about Paleys Big Wheel and Jimmys Hurricane which during the early 1960s were also subject to an occasional invasion by the unruly Ridge Rats with mischief and mayhem foremost on their disturbed minds. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and still considered disturbed by many in Phoenix, Arizona

MO John		11-Jun-2008 13:10
LARGO, Present for duty ma'am:)

LARGO		11-Jun-2008 11:49
YOU KNOW I HAD THIS STRONG URGE...(funny how the "urge" factor takes on new meaning)...TO PUT OUT MY PATIO TOMATOES EARLY THIS YEAR...EVEN AS FRAIL AS HE WAS...DAD ALWAYS PUT THOSE TOMATOES OUT ON HIS DECK...THE EASY LITTLE CHERRIE ONES ...MOM ALWAYS SAVED THE SEEDS YEAR AFTER YEAR....THATS HOW HE KEPT HER GOING IN HIS HEART...AND TUMMY...AND MY SISTERS AND I ALL HAVE LITTLE PACKETS OF SEEDS...WHICH I STARTED AFTER CHRISTMAS WHEN I RETURNED HOME...SO THERE WILL BE "MOM & DAD" TOMATOES FOR AS LONG AS I AM ON THIS EARTH...AND MY GIRLS HAVE THEM AS WELL...THEY ALWAYS HAD THE BIG BEEFSTEAKS WHEN WE LIVED IN WHAT IS NOW "PINECREST".(S. MIAMI AREA) ...MOM WHIPPED UP A CUBED TOMATOE & AVACADO WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR & OLIVE OIL. (gentle on the balsamic..can overpower the natural flavors)...OH YUM...sometimes I ADD SLIVERED ALMONDS TO HER PERFECT SNACK....TRY IT.........FLORIDA GOT THE ALL CLEAR ON THE BELOVED FRUIT....OUR PARENTS ESTATE AUCTION WAS LAST SATURDAY..DIFFICULT AND SOOOO HOT...98 HUMID...NO TRADEWINDS ...... THEIR LOVELY CAPE COD IS NOW EMPTY AND ON THE MARKET...ANYONE MOVING TO JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE..???..QUITE THE DEAL.....GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD ...CUL DE SAC..GREATER NEIGHBORS....THEY WERE BELOVED IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.............LARGO

Roberta Perry Hughes		11-Jun-2008 03:36
Largo...One of my favorite sellers on eBay just sent me an e-mail that the latest recall/food scare is...(drum roll, please!)...ground beef...(AGAIN!)...somewhere in N.J. I look for it to make the news, soon. DAMn!! First tomatoes, & NOW, burgers again? Like she said, if chicken & corn are next, there goes our Summer cookouts!! I already miss my tomatoes, & I use a lot of ground beef, in recipes, for a fast supper, where preparation is easy, & with minimal standing at the stovetop to get it cooked. Getting to where you are at a loss, in the stores, as to what is "safe" to eat, anymore. It's bad, to have to toss food out that you paid for, & worked into your budget for a week's menu planning. This is beyond problematic. BTW...been meaning to ask how you & your sister are, since having lost your dear father. I know that you will both celebrate his life, on Father's Day, in tribute. MiamiGirl...did your watch "Pride and Prejudice," Part 2, on PBS, this past Sunday? I thought about you, especially on sight of Pemberly Estate, the home of the hero, Mark Darcy. Reminds me of the image you sent me, of your ancestral home across-the-pond! Be sure to watch Part 3, the conclusion of this particular Jane Austen novel/movie...& don't miss any of the others in this series, & also, "Cranford," starring Dame Judi Dench. Sooooooo wonderful to see, & I ADORE those tea sets!! Roberta, always hoping for better days & happier endings, escaping via novels, & movies based on novels, of a more genteel time & place.

LARGO		11-Jun-2008 03:13
NOW THIS IS THE KIND OF SILLY CYBER- SHENANIGANS WE'VE ALL BEEN MISSING.................SO TOMATOES ARE NOW THE NEW MAD COW ???...HUMMMMM...DID JA EVER NOTICE...SEEMS LIKE THERE IS ALWAYS A FOOD CRISIS WHEN THE GAS PRICES GO UP...AND UP... AND UP......GOOD LUCK TOMORROW ROBERTA...................HEY!..."MO JOHN"...YOU OUT THERE...AND DOING OK ??

Roberta Perry Hughes		11-Jun-2008 02:51
Jeff...Oh. Well. Tell me how you REALLY feel. Boy! Am I GULLIBLE, or what????? Should have known better, & well, I guess I've been "punked," via our Web Site host, huh? Thanks, Jeff, for having set the record straight. Re: tomatoes. The ones I threw out had split skins, & hubby & I have chosen not to gamble with our health. Mine is too precarious, to risk a "preventable" illness. Better to be safe, than sorry. Locally grown tomatoes will be at the Farmer's Markets, soon, where folks in the area go to sell their produce to the public. These growers are well-known, in the community, & their produce is not subjected to some contaminated packing house, & trucked across the country. Roberta, looking forward to Thursday, because my clinic appointment will be behind me, then. Cool your heels, y'all!!

Jeff		10-Jun-2008 23:53
Thanks, Roberta, but I can't HONESTLY take credit for what Don reported as being attributed to me... It was actually HE who verbalized that as such; using me as a "cupid-by-proxy"... or, as some better examples - Cyrano de Bergerac, Miles Standish and/or anyone else who needs to express their words through the name of another... Of course I consider the usual gang of posters my cyber-friends in here and wish everyone nothing but good health and happiness... but "speak for yourself Don Boyd when professioning your love for the fair maiden Roberta"... A word of warning - Don's is a cyber-imp... He LOVES to raise a bit of well-meant ruckus... still, all in good fun... just to try and get a blush out of someone... I'm too jaded by Miami living to blush at anything... LOL! BTW - Florida tomatos were [today] declared safe... and if you have any "suspect ones", the experts advise to rinse them under hot (145 degree) water for 15 seconds, and to not use the same knife used to slice them in preparation of other foods...

Roberta Perry Hughes		10-Jun-2008 23:14
To quote Sally Field, via Jeff..."You love me!! Your REALLY REALLY love me!!" Thanks, Largo, for declaring that you miss me on here; have been overwhelmed by both hubby & myself being physically "down," & therefore, we're the blind-leading-the-blind, around here. Listen tomorrow, as you may well here a scream to rival that of a Banshee, when I have to lie flat on an x-ray table. (help me). I am sooooo dreading it. Have taken enough steroids (12 days worth) that, if I were able to bat a ball, I could beat Mark Maguire's distance for home runs, or be in the next sequel to a "Rocky" flick. HA!! Don...You're correct: I AM baddd, to-the-bone! They probably had me in mind when those 2 songs were written, truth be known! LOL Thanks, for releasing me, as Largo put it, from "my time out". Jeff...I am most appreciative that you e-mailed Don to tell him that you love me, anyway. Thanks! It means a lot, to have cyber-friends, such as we all seem to have become, on here, though we've never met in person. Soon as I get my back straightened out, I have some WONDERFUL photos to send, along with early 1950's newspaper articles, that my first cousin, Mary Perry Johnson, (sister of Joe Perry), sent me last week. Believe me when I tell y'all, they are a real treat!! I can hardly wait to share them with everyone!! Toss out all those store-bought tomatoes, y'all!! Don't play roulette with your health!! Salmonella is one ugly microorganism, & much as I LOVE tomatoes, NOTHING is worth the risk, of such an awful illness!! Roberta, keepin' on keepin'on, in the Central Savannah River Area, in the Peach State

Don Boyd		10-Jun-2008 19:44
New uploads: John Tomasetti contributed two images of fire crews at MIA, one from 1963 and one from 1986. Both are in the Aviation gallery and the Individuals/Small Groups gallery. Don

Guest 755		10-Jun-2008 15:09
Thanks Don, you're the grooviest.

LARGO		10-Jun-2008 11:06
UH OH...SPEAKING OF CHRISTMAS...THE "GUEST GRINCH" HAS DONE ANOTHER DRIVE BY.. BUT HEY...KEEP DRIVING!..............DON ..YOU ARE SO FUNNY....HEY... JEFF HURRY AND RECOVER SO WE CAN HERE WHAT FUNNY STORIES DON AND PARKS HAVE TO SAY... AND PLEASE LET ROBERTA OUT OF TIME OUT...I MISS HER ;~) ....I ALSO REMEMBER HOT SHOPPES...IT WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF 60'S SPEED DATING...OR CRUISING....IT "WAS" HAPPY DAYS...........LARGO

Guest		10-Jun-2008 06:10
This is turning into Christmas newsletter hell. Let me guess, you people actually send those things.

Jeff		10-Jun-2008 05:46
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain...!!! Mr. Boyd has used my temporarily debilitating circumstances to assume that just because I stopped a moving floor with my head, I cannot [or would not] be able to keep up with his ascerbic [or was it septic] wit... LOL! Actually, I really don't mind being the butt of Don's jokes and comments for a while... it's a reverse form of flattery... the fact that he's taken the time to rake me over the coals is merely a "Sally Field moment" for me... "He likes me... he really LIKES me..." Just remember, friends and neighbors... consider the source! Hehehehehehehe!!!

Don Boyd		10-Jun-2008 04:07
Roberta, you're baddd, baddd baddd, but Jeff told me in e-mails that he loves you anyhow so all is forgiven. Just practice some restraint when posting here. Janet: no problem with plugging your product if it works for people. If Evie tells Jeff or Charlis that her arm fell off then I'll delete your comment. : ) I had a great visit at Parks Masterson's store (Hopkins Carter Marine) this afternoon and saw some old treasures that he has of Old Miami. We told some great Jeff Jokes for a while which I can not share because of Jeff's fainting recuperation and rehabilitation period. Don

Jeff		10-Jun-2008 03:22
Hi, Parks... Thanks for your kind words. Thanks also for the corrections on Hot Shoppes and A&W. Over the years, I've received conflicting information... and some of it is still kind of muddy... No doubt that Marriott is not the owner of the A&W root beer brand, but they DID own the drive-in franchises and the rights to the name in those restaurants, and they exerted their corporate muscle as such. Remember the A&W on NW 27th Avenue by Miami-Dade? The owners were told some time in the 70's to tear down the original building and upgrade or they would lose their franchise. They refused, and lost the right to use the A&W name, the ability to purchase syrup for the soda taps and subsequently had to rename themselves "The Root Beer Place". They WERE allowed to sell A&W root beer... but only if they purchased bottles and poured it out from them - with NO advertising of the brand... Years ago I wrote to Marriott about the Hot Shoppes Drive-In on S. Dixie Highway, but was summarily ignored...

Parks		10-Jun-2008 03:00
Hi Jeff, Sorry to hear of your medical problems. On the subject of Hot Shoppes, it wasn't bought by Marriot, it was Marriott. Hot Shoppes was started as an A&W Root Beer stand in 1927 by Willard Marriott. He called the root beer stand Hot Shoppe. Hot Shoppes was incorporated in 1929. In 1967 they changed the name to honor the founder. I don't think they ever actually owned the A&W brand.

Guest 755		10-Jun-2008 01:39
Charlis, Roberta, Have been debating with myself for months trying to decide if I should post this comment in this forum, but after hearing about Evie (friend of Charlis & Jeff) and the suffering she and others have endured from fibro and other similar ills I just have to hope that Don will forgive my use of this space in this way. I don't know of another way to get the following website info to ya'll. Visit www.golden-creme.com and then give me a call at the 800 number listed, we'll talk. Don, if you feel this posting is inappropriate, please feel free to delete, I will totally understand.

Linda Shipley Rompot		09-Jun-2008 22:33
Don, The Class of 1958 Hialeah High School is planning our 50th Year Reunion and would like permission to use some of the photos of old Miami Springs, Miami and Hialeah in our slide show and reunion news. Please respond to my email at retdon@gmail.com. Our reunion plans are for the weekend of 10/31 or 10/24/2008 in Orlando, Fl. Class mates can contact us at our class email address: hhs58reunion@gmail.com Linda Shipley Rompot

Arizona Al		09-Jun-2008 16:01
Jeff: Absolutely no offense taken. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery! I do not recall a Kathleen Brunner but that does not rule that I do not know her. It is possible that our paths crossed but without further details I am clueless. I did go to Palmetto High (1962-1964) with a fellow named Don Brunner...Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive and well in Phoenix, Arizona

LARGO		09-Jun-2008 04:32
YOU NEVER KNOW JEFF...STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED..AND KINDER WORDS SEEM TO APPEAR AROUND THE MAGIC WITCHING HOUR............LARGO...SMILING WITH GOOD THOUGHTS AND FOND MEMORIES OF THE SULTRY TRADEWINDS OFF THE FLORIDA COAST

Jeff		09-Jun-2008 04:01
Thank you, Largo... you are more than kind and complimentary! I HAD a thought floating in my head... but I knocked it out with that fall... LOL! By the way, if I ever get a time machine I'm going to meet the 16-year-old you back there on Surfside 6... what was the hip term at the time for an attractive girl? You were a solid sender... a real gone chick... the livin' end! LOL!

LARGO		09-Jun-2008 03:44
JEFF...GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE OK...YOUR PRESENCE AND VALUABLE INFO IS ALWAYS MISSED WHEN YOU ARE AWAY...TAKE CARE OF THAT NOGGIN...NOT BEING AN MD (what do they know??? GASP !)..I WILL NOT ASSUME A DIAGNOSIS...ALTHOUGH I HAVE A THOUGHT FLOATING IN MY HEAD.......BE WELL.............LARGO

Jeff		09-Jun-2008 03:41
Al... I was just on the phone with my police officer friend whom I had gone to see at her off-duty job at Publix when I had my "incident"... I had mentioned you and your comments - and she thinks there's a chance that she may know you... she said your name sounded so familiar. Way back in the day she was known as Kathleen Brunner. She went through the foster system, and for a while was held by the system when no one offered to be a foster parent to her... Does that name sound familiar? She's been a North Miami police officer for over 20 years, currently as a detective in the Domestic Crimes Division. Previous to this, she was one of the first female state troopers in Florida, and even farther back she and her [late] first husband enlisted and served in the Marine Corps. in Vietman - Kathy was in the medical unit. Kathy has also been a foster parent to over 100 kids - and she and her [second] husband adopted ten of them. She's also birthed thirteen children of her own, but lost some to disease. She's also one of the most honored officers here in North Miami, and her charitable activities are more than I can recount here. To me she is the big sister I never had. Don - forgive me from straying from the focal point of this blog - but the wrap-up here is that there's a remote chance Kathy and Al might be former acquaintances...

Jeff		09-Jun-2008 02:48
Thanks Al... And although my conversational verbage is miniscule in diametric opposition to your advanced matriculative achievements, it behooves me to pay hommage to the educational and social skills you have promulgated... LOL! Al, please forgive me... but I HAD to respond in a way that at least "sounded" as if I possessed something more than my barely-achieved high school diploma! I'm by now means showing disrespect to the original "Ridge Rat", musical "compatriot in arms" and overall good guy... I simply had a box of four-dollar words I wanted to use up! LOL!

Arizona Al		09-Jun-2008 02:33
Jeff: You are correct that there are countless reasons for losing conciousness and in absence of difinative medical test outcomes a parsimonious explanation could simply be an artifact of getting older. If the tests rule out hypertension, cerebral vascular involvement, cardiac arrythmia, cochlear involvement, and the myriad of other causes perhaps (and I hope) it is just a natural artifact of the aging process. Wishing my musical kindered spirit only the best. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and in surprisingly good health in Phoenix, Arizona

Jeff		09-Jun-2008 01:31
Thanks for wishing me well, Roberta. No, the doctor did not make any mention of postural hypotension... As I'd noted, there's countless reasons for fainting - and the hospital checked out the reasons that were most likely to be problematic by taking a chest x-ray, EKG and Catscan. Having been blessed as having those tests show nothing serious, he asked me to apprise my own physician, in case he may with to run a stress test to see if there's an occasional arrythmia. Whatever it was, I hope it doesn't happen again... 'cause I sure don't want to stop another moving floor with my head! LOL! [my own joke about the incident]

Roberta Perry Hughes		08-Jun-2008 23:56
Don...Ruh! Roh! and 'Scusi! In all (red-faced) seriousness, I sincerely apologize, for my offensive comments, re: ethnicity. This election has really gotten under my skin, & I acted-out. You are totally correct, that this wonderful memories Site is not the place for airing such as I posted...Are we still friends????? Jeff...Has you doctor mentioned anything about possible postural hypotension, where the B/P drops, with postural changes?? I have it, & if I rise too quickly, from a seated posion, or a reclining position, my B/P drops, I get extremely dizzy, & plop back down, unceremoniously, onto the chair or bed. Luckily, have yet to hit the floor. Of course, the heat & humidity of Miami (& Georgia) is enough to make any of us "fall out." I do hope that you don't have another spell, with this syndrome. I wish you well...and I thank you, too, for not having taken issue with my "politically incorrect" ramblings on here, when I posted them. Chalk it up to cabin fever, chronic pain, mood swings that come with the territory of being basically housebound, or whatever. Admittedly, I should not have gotten carried away, & I hope everyone who read my postings, prior to Don having (rightfully) deleted them, & who were offended by them, will please accept my apology. I will read, & reread, before I click on "Add Comment," so I won't be guilty of this in the future. Roberta, wishing everyone cool, comfortable environments, & well-being, & kind, gentle weather, wherever y'all are. Take care of your precious selves. Talk at ya later!

Jeff		08-Jun-2008 23:04
Don... thank you for the well-wishes! I agree with you about NOT leaving ethnocentric comments here that might be construed by others as offensive. I spotted something else in another post and said nothing - in order to avoid a free-for-all about the First Amendment... Parks - you are partially right... Marriott BOUGHT Hot Shoppes years ago, as well as A&W Root Beer...

Parks		08-Jun-2008 22:29
Arizona Al brought up the subject of Hot Shoppes. I seemed to remember that Hot Shoppes provided food to the airlines in the fifties and sixties. A Google search found the following: 1945: The 1st Hot Shoppes cafeteria is established at McLean Gardens, Washington DC; Hot Shoppes lands its first government feeding contract; In-Flite lands its first airport terminal food-service contract at Miami International Airport. Hot Shoppes is now Marriott Corp.!

Miami Girl		08-Jun-2008 20:04
Roberta: Thanks for the reminder of the show tonight, I'll be sure to tune in. Don: No problems here with the 1 second this site takes to load. You've done a great job with separate subject folders. I love organization - as long as someone else is doing it! AZ Al: I have fond memories of the Hot Shoppes, where everyone went on Friday and Saturday night to see and be seen. I think it was Miami's version of driving up and down small town Main Street. I'd love to see a picture of it since it's probably gone now.

Don Boyd		08-Jun-2008 19:43
Jeff, sorry to hear about your stay at the hospital. Charlis, if you think the problem is the server for the site then how do you explain that it doesn't seem to be a problem for anyone else? Surely they don't assign their slowest server to your connection whenever they see you coming to look at the page? : ) I stand by my previous statements because if it was indeed a server problem then everyone would be complaining instead of just you. Roberta: you had a comment omitted because it was offensive to others. As stated at the top of this page, offensive comments will be deleted and I don't care if you have five paragraphs of non-offensive Old Miami historical stuff in the same message it will all get deleted because I can't delete part of a message. Can you, and anyone else involved, please take your ethnicity issues, such as hyphenated whatevers, to some site where people argue about that stuff all day long? It doesn't belong here. Thank you. Don

Jeff		08-Jun-2008 19:27
CHarlis - I don't have any class reunion info - sorry... I've avoided that stuff liken the plague...

charlis		08-Jun-2008 19:08
arizona... as they say here in FL... "it ain't the heat... it's the humidity!" 106 in AZ is like 150 in FL! I remember being in Vegas one summer and playing golf with a guy from New England. Temp was 116, very low humidity. The guy quit after 9 holes... my hubby and I kept playing.

charlis		08-Jun-2008 19:03
Don... I am a computer geek... I did all the correct things to make for fast loading of sites. Today things are working fine. Had nothing to do with my server, temps, or cache. Had to do with your URL. A few years ago, while investigating a stock fraud, the site would take forever to load. It was the problem of the server the site was using.

charlis		08-Jun-2008 18:56
Roberta... I hate the politically correct hyphenated heritage. When it first came out I wrote an sort essay on it that published in the local paper. If you were born here, then you are a Native, an American... the hell with the hyphen! Worked our Household Chemical Collection... it made it up to, officially at the airport, a few miles south of our collection site, to 97 degrees. 3 days straight of tying record highs.... from years ago! We should be weeks into our regular afternoon, "time cocktail hour", showers! As to Evie and Fibro... she is due to call me in about 45 minutes and I will pass on what you said. Me? I just live with it. I am not a meds taking person. The fact that I only had one child is because of my hubby... I couldn't remember to take the "pill" all the time. I tried to use a routine... OJ evey mornng with the "pill". My ony regular "med" is my afternoon vodka!

jeff		08-Jun-2008 18:48
It's funny as to how our priorities at any given moment can make big issues out of very small things... such as a web page loading... Not to worry folks... at least you CAN load this page - even if slowly... Just to keep things in perspective (but NOT seeking any sympathy or such from what I'm simply telling as an anecdote)... I had another fainting spell while waiting for a friend at my local Publix Market – similar to the one I had back in November of 2007. This time around, I received a laceration to the back of my head due to the fall. I was subsequently transported by EMT to North Shore Hospital and was taken directly to the Emergency Room. This was approximately 1:15 PM. The ER doctor used five stitches to close the wound, and ordered an EKG, chest x-ray and Catscan; also suggesting that I should be kept overnight for observation. Although I wasn’t admitted to a room until about 9:50 PM, I did spend the night at North Shore – with a small monitor [similar to the one you had me wear] attached around 10:40 PM. I received no pain medication, and fortunately had nothing more than mild neuralgia from the injury itself. At 9:00 AM in the morning, the attending physician came in to tell me that I could go home shortly. The EKG, chest x-ray and Catscan showed nothing to raise their concerns. He also noted that sometimes it’s almost impossible to determine why a person faints, but they like to rule out the obvious, life-threatening [possible] causes. Before releasing me, the doctor ordered a follow-up blood sample and EKG – both showing nothing to raise any concerns. I returned home virtually 24 hours after the incident! Let's not sweat the small stuff! Jeff - thankful for the little blessings in life - alive and somewhat well - and home... resting in good old North Miami...

Arizona Al		08-Jun-2008 14:13
Hello Ya All in the Cool South: It was between 102 degrees F and 106 degrees F in the Valley of the Sun yesterday and a bit warmer is predicted for today. I stress the word warmer as it does not get hot until July when the temperature averages 110 degrees F each day...oh how I miss the 90 degree days in Miami. I know it is a dry heat but simply turn your oven on and set it to 110 degrees and climb inside..that is also a dry heat and it really is hot! I have been searching the Web for references/information on the Hot Shoppes Drive-In that was located in South Miami during my reign of terror in the mid 1960s. I have not been able to find anything. Do any of you all remember the "Shoppes" and/or have any information as to its demise? Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and looking for an overcoat in Phoenix, Arizona

Roberta Perry Hughes		08-Jun-2008 00:59
Largo...I have icons in my toolbar to click on, ad lib. They are: a red pennant flag titled "Hamp," which is the 1930's Gallery where my Lighthouse Keeper grandfather is; an "admit" ticket stub, which I titled "Comments;" & a house, which I titled "Ol Miami." I can click on any of the 3, & boom! Usually I'm there, in about a minute, unless there's a temporary hold-up, that makes it slow to access, or, it "locks" where I can't scroll down beyond what is showing. Whenever that happens, & usually just shut 'er down, & when I go back on-line again, everything seems to be working without a problem...other than my usually slow dial-up. MiamiGirl...Sunday @ 9 PM is the 2nd of 3 parts of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," starring that dishy Colin Firth. Be sure to watch, to see his AMAZING home, as well as the other stately 15th 16th century Manor houses, English countryside, & to-die-for tea services. You won't be disappointed! Roberta, doing all I can to stay cool. The Georgia heat is murderous, due to the humidity making the temps in the 90's feel like triple digits. Take care, y'all.

LARGO		07-Jun-2008 22:12
I AM NOT A GEEK RE COMPUTERS (other things perhaps...maybe freak ??) HOWEVER I HAVE A LITTLE MAC BOOK ...AND TRY TO KEEP EVERYTHING SIMPLE ...SO I "BOOKMARK" ALL THINGS I HAVE A CONTINUING INTEREST IN. BOOKMARKS ARE AT THE VERY TOP OF MY SCREEN...SO I JUST CLICK THAT AND SCROLL DOWN TO DONS MAIN PAGE "MEMORIES OF OLD HIALEAH,MIAMI..ETC " CLICK...AND SCROLL DOWN THRU DON'S NEWLY ORGANIZED PHOTO GALLERIES (Lovely by the way Don) TO THE VERY BOTTOM & CLICK ON "COMMENTS"....AND BAM !! I'M THERE...TAKES A FEW SECONDS......THERE IS PROBABLY AN EVEN EASIER WAY BUT THIS WORKS FOR ME..................LARGO

Don Boyd		07-Jun-2008 06:25
Thank you Roberta. There are a lot of variables here that will affect the speed of the site loading and very few people out there are using exactly the same variables (dial-up vs. DSL vs. cable, the speed in the neighborhood served by DSL and cable, the PC differences - processor speed, RAM installed, how much other stuff you have open, etc.; browser differences - IE vs. Firefox vs. Opera, etc. and each of those have different settings). Add the loads on the PBase servers at the time of day you're using it and you could have a million or two variables affecting the speed of the site loading. And all of it is out of my control except that I recently organized the main page in a manner to speed it up for everyone. Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		07-Jun-2008 04:45
Don...Only occasionally do I find the Site slow to come up, but then, I'm on dial-up, & I have yet to get help to undo some "quick fixes," or "fix it for mes" that I clicked on to when I did the computer checkup, & it has caused me some problems with accessing e-mail, & sending a few of them to my Spam folder. Everything I do, on here...or, rather, most of what I do...I have learned by trial & error. For the most part, everything works fine, on this Site, more often than not.

Don Boyd		07-Jun-2008 04:33
Is anyone other than Charlis having a problem with this page loading as slowly as it does for her? No one else has complained about the problem to my knowledge and it loads reasonably fast for me on my primary desktop, my laptop, and other computers at other locations. Please speak up if you're having slowness problems with this page. Charlis: I replied yesterday to your message sent to PBase and asked you to ask others in this gallery if they're having the same problems but I haven't seen you do that. I also explained AGAIN that PBase is a photo hosting site where photo display is the primary purpose and the comments section was never designed to be a forum hosting site with limited or no photos. I surmise that is the reason due to all the text messages it has to retrieve but I'm certainly not a computer guru to give you an authoritative answer. I assure you that I have no control over how the site responds and sometimes it is slow for me but I think that's because of my crappy DSL service. In any event, repeatedly posting your complaints about the slowness is absolutely pointless if I have no control over it. You mention that you are dumping your cache, temps and cookies every day - perhaps that is the problem? If this page was in your cache it would speed things up, from what I understand about computers, but you're dumping your cache which is probably the exact opposite of what you should be doing. Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		07-Jun-2008 03:55
Charlis...Anyone who was born here is, technically, a native American. Those whom WE call "Native Americans," or the even MORE erroneous "American Indians," all referred to themselves as "The People." The incompetent Italian sailor, Christopher Columbus, never set foot on North American soil. He landed in the Carribean, & thought (duh!) that he had discovered the passage to India, & therefore, referred to the native Caribes as "Indians." Technically, "American Indians," today, would be those who have made America their home, either by birth, or by paperwork citizenship, who hail from the country, India. I merely came up with my multi-cultural moniker to point our how utterly ridiculous it is to not just refer to ourselves as "Americans," provided we QUALIFY for that distinction, i.e., via American citizenship, via paperwork, or birth. To put anything in front of "American" is to further separate us. "United we stand...DIVIDED we fall." Benjamin Franklin. Flexeril is also a very good muscle relaxant, & can be taken with Naprosyn. But, according to TV ads, Lyrica is currently being touted to lessen the severity of Fibromyalgia. But the bottom line, is the person with M.D. behind their name, holding a pen & Rx pad. I sincerely hope Evie will finally be prescribed that "magic bullet," to grant her some ease, & a more physically able-bodied life, as pain-free as possible. Roberta...it was 99 degrees, today, with a HHI of 112. What will it be like, in July & August?? I fear, another drought, with dangerously low water tables, grid locks, blackouts, & life-threatening heat. Y'all be mindful, of the dangers of hyperthermia & dehydration. Replace fluids, & be keenly aware if you are not perspiring. Death is swift, under these dangerous conditions. Be well...& stay COOL, wherever you may be.

charlis		06-Jun-2008 23:50
Don...still taking nearly 2 minutes for this site to load, post comments, etc. My cache, temps, and cookies are empty. No problems with other sites I visit. Any idea what is the problem?

charlis		06-Jun-2008 23:46
jeff and roberta... I am posting to both of you as this site is taking nearly 2 minutes to load and to go from reading a post to posting a reply. As I also have fibro, I know what Evie is going through. I suggested that she ask her doc for Soma, which is recommended as a muscle relaxant. Evie is pretty much addicted to Vicodan that was prescribed for "over all "pain many years ago... it does not help Fibro. She has many problems awaiting her because you can not take Vicodan and Soma at the same time. Jeff... I was the Martin to her Lewis. We often did the routines for special skits at MDJC. Roberta... getting the diabetis (sic) under control is important. My ex had "adult onset"... runs in his family. Luckily it does not even show up in mine. As to the heritage thing... I can't claim anything from N America in mine... father's family came over form Ireland and Germany back in the days of the Mayflower. My sister is first born American on my mother's French side of the family. My grandfather, on my mother's Hungarian side of the family, is first generation American born.

Roberta Perry Hughes		06-Jun-2008 09:18
Charlis...So glad that your friend received a good report from her second opinion! That's truly great!! I"m back on steroids, this time around, for 12 days. I hate taking them, as they raise my blood sugar levels to the mid-300's, & I have to add more Regular insulin, to get it to come down. Geesh, Louise...diabetes is a real witch!! I wouldn't wish it off on my worst enemy. It's a very sneaky & underhanded disease, & costly, believe me. Do everything you can, to not cross over & into this disease. It messes up every system in the human body. I'm glad Evie had the opportunity to shine, with her impersonations of J.L., but I remember what you said, about how he treated her. Personally, I always thought that he was irritatingly moronic, & more than a little manic, & I didn't like the way both he & Dean Martin...(& Jackie Gleason, et. alia)....dumped their wives, who were with them from the start, when they were unknowns, & had children by them, & who kept the home fires burning. I have no respect for men who are 'ho's, & that includes politicians, as well as celebrities, & unknowns, too. However, as for as comic genius goes, (in my opinion, of course) Jim Carrey has Jerry Lewis beat by a country mile, & he is multi-talented, also, as he can sing & dance, & can perform a serious role. I loved him in "The Majestic." Do give Evie my best wishes, & I hope that she can be put on medicine that diminishes the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. (Lyrica). Here's y'all a tongue-in-cheek food-for-thought "moniker" I thought up...since there's no country called "Caucasia," I am, Most Sincerely, Roberta, Anglo-Saxon-Celtic-Gaelic-Native American (whew!!), up in the wee hours, once again, after a super humid 96 degree day, here in the Empire State of the South.

Jeff		06-Jun-2008 01:04
Oh, LAAAAAADY!!!! Freunlaven! Mrs. Shmellllding!!!! Charlis - tell Jerry - er - Evie that I'm glad for her. A friend of mine (who happens to be a nurse practitioner) also suffers from fibromyalgia. It's painful - sometimes debilitating - but it CAN be controlled. If Evie is not adverse to taking some medicine, there's one that supposedly supresses the symptoms... Sitting here - as if by some master plan - listening to some Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis old-time radio shows...

charlis		05-Jun-2008 23:40
gang... update on Miami Beach's Evie... she just called. Went to a neurosurgeon who said that she does not need the surgeries the other docs said. It would not help what was wrong with her... might make it worse. His diagnosis agrees with her regular doc's. She does have all the syptoms of Fibromyalgia, a few for MD... She does have some hip problems that he wants to look at, but these might also be from the injures she got back in the early 70's... which also caused the fibromylagia. I know, as I also have it. She said the doctor visit was a riot. She discussed with him her symptoms, mention the MD. The doc said he loved Jerry Lewis and what he has done. At that point she did a few Lewis jokes, impersonating him. The next thing she knew, doc was telling the whole office staff to come into the room... she did 20 minutes of Lewis! I'll keep you up on the news. She sees the other docs on the 11th and can't wait t o see the looks on their faces. I told her that she didn't need to go back... she wants to just so that she can get her revenge... telling a doc that he is wrong about money making, but useless, surgery.

Don Boyd		05-Jun-2008 21:52
New upload: an image from May after the Orange Bowl was demolished and hauled away is now in the 70's and later gallery. Don

Don Boyd		05-Jun-2008 21:17
New upload: Fred Darwick contributed a 1946 photo of his 6th grade class at Shenandoah Elementary School (schools gallery). Don

Don Boyd		05-Jun-2008 18:44
New upload: Alvin Lederer contributed an early 60's tourist brochure for the Voyager Motel on Biscayne Boulevard at 123rd Street (hotels gallery). Don

Don Boyd		04-Jun-2008 05:36
New uploads 6/3: Alvin Lederer contributed a 1960's image of a City of Miami tourist brochure on the Japanese Garden (attractions gallery), a 1947 image of the new Rickenbacker Causeway (40's gallery), a 1940's image of Tropical Hobbyland Indian Village on NW 27th Avenue (attractions gallery), a 1940's image of The Whip Inn Barbecue restaurant on Dixie Highway (restaurants gallery), a 1950's interior image of the Bottle Cap Inn (restaurants gallery), and a 1950's image of the Casa Loma Motel on Biscayne Boulevard (hotels gallery). Robert Bowman contributed a 1960's image of a tourist brochure for the Miami Wax Museum in North Miami (attractions gallery). Don

Don Boyd		04-Jun-2008 04:30
In an effort to have the main memories page load even faster, most new photo additions will only be listed here from now on instead of having them on the main page too. These are the additions that were listed on the main page until I just took them off. 5/18 Cecil Curry sent me a 1952 30th Anniversary Thanksgiving football program (Edison vs. Miami High) and I scanned 37 old local advertisements out of it (Ads > Local Ads gallery). There are also 12 photos from the program cover, Edison's and Miami High's team, cheerleaders, band, cadettes, etc., (schools gallery). He also contributed a 1935 image of his family's home on NE 66 Street (30's gallery) and a 1952, 53 or 54 image of Edison's football team (schools gallery). 5/18: my buddy George W. Young contributed a 1960's aerial photo, which I copied into three different zoom levels, of his beloved Pizza Palace at 3099 SW 8 Street (restaurants gallery). All restaurants, burger joints, bars, lounges, liquor stores, drive-ins, etc. were moved into a new separate restaurants gallery. All car images, car rental agencies, car repair places, car clubs, drag races, etc. were moved into a new separate cars gallery. Most images of individuals and small groups were moved into a new separate individuals and small groups gallery. 5/24: Alvin Lederer contributed the first 1984 scheduled service Concorde flight to MIA postal cachet (Aviation directory), a 1928 postal cachet for the first flight from Havana to Miami (aviation gallery), a 1938 Amelia Earhart postal cachet (aviation > other airports > Miami Municipal gallery), a 1939 Miami Beach dog track post card (30's gallery), a 1940's post card of fishing boats headed for sea in Government Cut (40's gallery), a 1945 State of Florida 100th Anniversary cachet (40's gallery), a 1947 Crandon Park and Rickenbacker Causeway Dedication postal cachet (40's gallery), and a 1949 17th Annual All American Air Maneuvers postal cachet (Aviation > other airports > Miami Municipal/Master's Field). Linda Bernat contributed a 1963 3rd grade class photo from Sylvania Heights Elementary (schools gallery). John Holland contributed a 1942 residents' directory for the Town of Miami Springs and an early map of the Town of Miami Springs (the new Miami Springs gallery). 5/25: Alvin Lederer contributed an unknown year photo of Bill Haast with a cobra (attractions gallery), an unknown year Zippy Chocolate Beverage bottle (Do You Remember? gallery), a 1920's or 30's image of Chalk's Airlines on Biscayne Boulevard (aviation gallery), a 1930's? image of the North Miami Trailer Park on Biscayne Boulevard (30's gallery), a 1930's image of the Coliseum in Coral Gables (30's gallery), and a 1930's? image of Villa Augusta on NE 14th Street (30's gallery). 5/26: Jeff Levine contributed a 1953 image of Billy's Drive-in (restaurants gallery), a 1958 WINZ "top 40's" list (music gallery), and a 1959 image of Steve Alaimo and the Redcoats (music gallery). 5/31: several images of the Miami Springs Historical Museum were added (Miami Springs gallery and aviation gallery and other airports gallery). 6/1: Kelley W. Barrigar contributed a 1961 image of actor Troy Donahue with her mom Sheila Poland (Largo) onboard "Surfside 6" on Miami Beach (individuals and small groups gallery). 6/2: Ted Crownover contributed a 1968 image of some fine Miami High ladies at Paradise 25 (schools gallery). All hotel/motel photos were moved into a new Hotels and Motels gallery, all school-related photos were moved into a new Schools gallery, all grocery store photos were moved into a new Grocery Store gallery, all drive-in theatre photos were moved into a new Drive-In theatre gallery, all department store, shopping center and mall photos were moved into a new Shopping Centers gallery, all tourist attractions were moved into a new Attractions gallery, all downtown, Bayfront Park and Port of Miami photos were moved into a new Downtown gallery, and all 1960's photos were moved into a new 1960's gallery. Don

robertbowman		04-Jun-2008 03:22
Hi Jeff and Charlis I went to "Beach High" and managed to graduate in 74. Grew up on Commerce street. We were the poor working class. Almost lived on the pier and surrounding beach. How about Schraegers drug store(1st and ocean)......I can almost taste the IceCream soda.

Jeff		04-Jun-2008 02:19
Not a problem, Charlis... I just wanted to clarify your thoughts on the subject, because they sounded so unlike our previous exchanges. I used to have a running joke... "Did you go to Beach High?"... "No, I went to Beach straight!"

charlis		03-Jun-2008 23:41
Jeff... I was talking about the rich ones who flaunted it. I was actually told by a few of the girls the reason I did not fit it... those are the words I used in my earlier post. The only thing I had over them was that my parents' house was paid for... paid in cash, while their parents were working hard to keep up the payments. Remember that Evie was also treated cruelly by the "crowd". You were a "geek" back then... just like my ex... we had our friendship with Kope to help us make it through. And, roberta... jeff and I were "free thinkers" back then... that still gets me into trouble at work with some people... but a lot of people like it. Tomorrow is to be a tough day at work... the budget cuts are going to be announced, thanks to the people who voted for Amendment 1 without really looking into it. I am safe, but a lot of people with the county are holding their breathes.

Jo-Anne K		03-Jun-2008 14:23
Since I don't get to this site everyday I have to read the posts I missed to catch up. So.....let's mention Marcella's again. The Marcellas's on 183rd St. (Miami Gardens Dr.) was the hang-out for the students from Miami-Norland High and it is funny that when I was looking at some posts on classmates.com there were all kinds of posts about how excellent the garlic rolls were and there was even a recipe for them. Marcella taught me how to eat spagetti (it wasn't pasta back then) when I was four years old and I'll never forget her and thanks to this site I can just live in the past. Don, I do remember the Marcella's in Hollywood as I was living just north of Sheridan Street and 36th Ave. at the time and I think it was the early 70's. Good Morning Everyone!!!!!

Roberta Perry Hughes		03-Jun-2008 08:21
So...Was Tropical Elementary the only school that put on a Minstrel Show?? The one to which I am referring was held in the school's cafetorium, in 1956. Two of the male faculty members who performed in "black face" were Mr. Fistel, who taught one of the 5th grade classes, & Mr. Ed Borkowski, who was the boys' P.E. teacher. Our principal, Mr. Robert F. Hudson, served as the Emcee, but not in "black face" makeup. They played to a packed house, I believe, for two performances. Our entire family attended. Students of Mr. Fistel's class, including my brother, sold tickets, to this fund raiser show. I think they used the money to buy visual aids equipment, & P.E. equipment. As I stated, in an earlier post, I had all but forgotten this event, until a PBS special, about the antebellum South, brought it all back to me. Even my sister had forgotten it, until I called & asked her about our family having attended the first night's performance. At the time, it was considered merely to be "all in good fun," & I recall a LOT of laughter, that night, & a standing ovation, for the performers. Oh, my...! How times have changed. Roberta, up late...(again)...trying to cope with back pain, while reflecting on a long gone era in time, which was long before the onset of being "politically incorrect," which has made life in these United States more than a little bit tense, & testy, to boot.

Jeff		03-Jun-2008 05:05
Al, Roberta... so glad you understood from whence I came... sometimes "your own people" can treat you the worst... not just those you are an "outsider" to... Don, the front page of the galleries loads in a flash! Great job! By the way... regarding our "Lucians battle of wits"... I hate to fight with you... you've come unarmed! LOL!!! (For those of you who are clueless to what that last remark meant--- Don and I have been having a little good-natured fun online with some sarcastic retorts regarding one particular picture...)

Ariuzona Al		03-Jun-2008 03:50
Roberta, Jeff, Charlis et. alli.: I can personally relate to the angst of "not fitting in" during my tenure at Palmetto High School.During 1962-1964. I was considered an undesireable hood because I was a free thinker type who questioned authority, rode an Indian Motorcycle, and constantly violated the preppie dress code. As a result, several of us like minded free spirits formed the Ridge Rats and spin off Tyrants "social clubs" which validated our collective hoodlum image at every opportunity. Funny thing, though..I graduated with Honors and turned down a full ride scholarship to Florida State and volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1964 so as not to have to continue an association with the college preppies. Gordon Allport, Ph.D. published several seminal articles and manuscripts on the nature of prejudice in the late 1940s and early 1950s which may bear perusal. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and still a free thinker, questioner of authority and clearly a violater of professional dress decorum in Phoenix, Arizona

Don Boyd		03-Jun-2008 03:41
And continuing along with Jeff's summer of love, all tourist attraction photos were moved into a new Tourist Attractions gallery, all downtown - Bayfront Park - Port of Miami photos were moved into a new Downtown gallery, and most of the 60's images were moved into a new 1960-1969 gallery. Unfortunately the idea of the 60's gallery came after I moved a pile of 60's photos into the new subject matter galleries so it'll take some time to get photos back into the 60's gallery. You may notice that a lot of photos are duplicated, once in the subject matter gallery and again in the appropriate time frame gallery. That was intentional - some people like to search by years and some by subject and it will make it easier to find a specific photo one way or the other. Robertah, thank you for your comments on the reorganization and having the site up. The main page should load a lot more quickly, which will save me a ton of time in the future when working on the site, and it will also save time for those viewers accessing the site via dial-up and slow DSL. Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		03-Jun-2008 01:20
Jeff...Charlis...It was those others, who didn't "fit in," with wholesome, good kids, like the two of you are, & as Jeff pointed out, they are the ones who are the true "losers," for they lost out on the character-building of fairness, & non-prejudicial acceptance, of those who were, in some manner of speaking, "different" from those who spun in their own circles. We all know...NOW...that such behavior...most especially "snobbery...was borne out of innate (sic) immaturity. Dr. Ogus...? What say you, on this subject? Have I hit it on-the-mark?

Jeff		03-Jun-2008 00:14
Charlis... Your comments about "the old farts and Jews" puzzled me... especially since Evie is your best friend... and SHE is Jewish... You also know that I went to Beach High... and that I also am Jewish (although I DO NOT practice religion and actually have a distate for it). I was neither rich, nor fit in as well... so I certainly hope you don't lump us all into the same pile as the "privileged kids" who lived North of 41st Street... I'm definitely not trying to stir up any controversy with you - for as you know,we've had NO issues or arguments at all (so those who read this post will understand that you and I agree more than disagree on things)... Yet I really don't think that the "elitist snobbery" that was present from the privileged kids at Beach could be relegated to only those of the Jewish faith... From my own experience, I received just as much snobbery from the privileged non-Jews as my Jewish classmates. Truth be told, the Beach High of the Mid-60's was very much a school of snobbery and self-centered behavior than many DO NOT care to admit existed... This is why I went through three years of emotional hell. I spent many lonely nights at home wondering what it was about "me" that people hated [not realizing that the critics were the real losers - NOT myself]... I dropped out in my senior year - then eventually busted my ass to complete high school during summer school and because of that I chose not to attend graduation ceremonies (whcih I now regret)... There were a number of painful years of low self-esteem and self doubt until I finally had the courage (and encouragement) to change all that. I worked hard to overcome my issues, and now look back on my high school years for the GOOD things I can remember... Sweetie, NO school years are perfect - kids can and WILL be cruel... even as far back as in elementary school... but it's just a tad unfair to pigeonhole those of ANY race, religion, creed or national original as "the cause" of a particular problem. True, at the time Beach High had a higher percentage of Jewish students than now... True, many of those students were annoyingly spoiled, rude, shallow and egotistacal... but I sincerely don't believe that you didn't fit in because your WEREN'T Jewish... You just didn't fit in...like so many others didn't... because you didn't fit in... and neither did I!

Roberta Perry Hughes		02-Jun-2008 22:22
Don...I LOVE the new & efficient compact-edition of the Main Galleries!! Such a great idea, to compartmentalize the photos into their own click-on-it Gallery!! Makes viewing a lot easier, to have all of the "like kinds" photos all together in one place! Keep up the good work! I'm willing to bet that this is THE best, & most organized Site out there!! I am truly grateful, for what you have done, for all of us former, & current, Miamians. Without your wonderful Site, we'd have to rely on some semblance of recall, to remember our favorite places, that no longer exist. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart! You're the best!!

charlis		02-Jun-2008 22:20
"Thanks for the memories..." (Sorry Bob....) I don't really tremember that much about the period... 1967-68. Too busy getting ready for college and working the teen club with Evie. (No. I was not smoking the funny stuff.) I was also, the fall of '67, dating a Beach High senior/nerd who was stuck in the 40's! Miami Beach was not exactly a place for the "love generation"... all the old farts and jews... They were all stuck in the '40's... or too rich to be hippies... except for one person who came down from Ohio and went to Beach for one year. She wasn't a hippie... just looked like one... long hair, free flowing outfits... Funny thing... I ran into her a few years ago up here in Tampa... I work for the county's Solid Waste dept... she works for the City's dept. She still has the long hair, although a lot of gray in it. She did not fit in at Beach because everyone thought she was a hippie. She didn't fit in because she was from Ohio... I went through the same thing... I never fit in... not jewish, not rich. You guys on the "mainland", aka, west of Biscayne Bay... you had it great, from what I can see in the posts.

Don Boyd		02-Jun-2008 19:51
Breaking away from the summer of love 40 or 41 years ago, Ted Crownover contributed a 1968 image of some fine Miami High ladies at Paradise 25 (new Schools gallery). Where have all the images in the main gallery gone? Here's where: all hotel/motel photos were moved into a new Hotels and Motels gallery, all school-related photos were moved into a new Schools gallery, all grocery store photos were moved into a new Grocery Store gallery, all drive-in theatre photos were moved into a new Drive-In theatre gallery, and all department store, shopping center and mall photos were moved into a new Shopping Centers gallery. Don

Jeff		02-Jun-2008 18:43
Hello all... I very well may be off-target. I THOUGHT the Summer of Love was 1968... but your collective response says 1967, so I defer... Al... I have the last surviving 20 minutes of Hendrix at Miami Pop... he sounded good to me... but what do I know? I though the Summer of Love was 1968! LOL!

Guest		02-Jun-2008 16:48
I saw a documentary on the Summer of Love not too long ago, and it was in '67.

Arizona Al		02-Jun-2008 16:33
Hello Again Jeff: On previously admitting to cognitive declination ,does my memory serve me correctly or incorrectly that the San Francisco Summer of Love took place in 1967? Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and wondering just how close to dementia in the presenium he really is in Phoenix, Arizona

Arizona Al		02-Jun-2008 16:28
Hello Jeff: I do recall attending the Miami Pop Festival at Hallandale Park in 1968. I recollect that Jimi Hendrix did not put on a great performance. However my cognitive acquisition, storage and recall skills may have been influenced by whatever substances I consumed during the event and the normal declination due to the passage of time. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and currently limiting his concert activities to Diet Coke and whatever is on HDTV in Phoenix, Arizona

Jeff		02-Jun-2008 05:38
It was 40 years ago that the Miami Pop Festival was held - of all places - at Gulfstream Race Track in Hallandale. Featured acts included The Crazy World of Arthur Brown ("Fire"), the Chambers Brothers ("Time Has Come Today") and Jimi Hendrix! A short time after, one of the producers went on to arrange a little gathering in a small town in upstate New York. You might have heard of the event... it was called "Woodstock"... This is also the 40th Anniversary of what has come be known as "The Summer of Love"... Wouldn't it be nice to turn back the clock - when so many young people dreamed of a world free of war, ignorance, bigotry, racism and political divide... "If you're going to San-Francisco...be sure to wear some flowers in your hair..."

charlis		01-Jun-2008 20:16
Roberta and Jeff... thought you would get a big kick out of this... The new "password" game show... Evie is submitting an entry... she has to submit a pic. She has underlined... "NO! I am not Barbera Streisand trying to get on the show!" Hmmmm... maybe I should contact Regis and suggest a "celebrity look alike" show. Site still loading very slow...

charlis		01-Jun-2008 19:39
Roberta... got your email... I'm just afraid to open it... darn it, just mentioning it has the song playing in my head. Trying, unsuccessfully, to stay off the computer this weekend. Strained my eyes reading a great Robert Ludlam book. Good thing I can "touch type"! I'll get back to you on your emails. Evie is due to call any minute and I will relay your best wishes to her. I am also going to forward a pic I just found of her to Don, afterall, she is a Miami memory. See next post...

LARGO		01-Jun-2008 16:05
HEY DON...THANKS...WE ALL WERE CUTE AT 16....NOT DOING TOO BAD AT GOING ON "63" THIS JUNE (FRIDAY "YIKES!"...THE 13th)...WOW...TIME REALLY FLIES...AND I DEFINATELY WILL BE CELEBRATING, AS I AND MY POSSEE ALWAYS DO......STILL TWISTIN'.......LARGO

Don Boyd		01-Jun-2008 15:46
Kelley W. Barrigar contributed a 1961 image of actor Troy Donahue with her mom Sheila Poland (Largo) - aka "Largo" in this comments gallery - onboard "Surfside 6" on Miami Beach (Individuals & Small Groups gallery). (Largo was mighty fine looking back in 1961!) Robert Bowman contributed a 1973 image of a souvenir coin from Fun Fair that says "Bambi loves Robert" (Individuals & Small Groups gallery). Don

Ted Crownover		01-Jun-2008 14:23
Check out pandora.com to listen to music on your computer.

Don Boyd		01-Jun-2008 13:45
Nan, it was moved into the "Individuals and Small Groups" gallery to free up space in the main gallery. Don

Nan		01-Jun-2008 13:31
Don, What happened to the pix of the St. John Boy Scouts? Wanted to show an ole' classmate but was unable to locate it?

Roberta Perry Hughes		31-May-2008 20:27
A distant ("politically incorrect") Miami memory came to-the-fore when I was watching a special on PBS last night. When I was in the 4th grade, at Tropical Elementary, the male teachers, along with the male members of the PTA, had the students sell tickets for a show they put on, at the school, & our family bought tickets, through my brother, who was in Mr. Fistel's 5th grade class. Mr. Fistel was one of the players. It was a Minstrel Show, where they were all in "black face," & they performed the now-infamous "Jim Crow" skits, complete with banjo music, straw boater hats, & canes, & shuffled along, like the characters that actor Steppin Fetchit played in the movies, in type-cast roles of servitude, & uneducated demeanors. I had forgotten all about that show, but I remembered how the audience must have deemed it hilarious, as there was a LOT of laughter, & it evidently was well received, as the players got a standing ovation. Were Minstrel Shows performed in anyone else's schools, in the early-to-mid-fifties, or beyond, that you recall? I had all but blocked it from memory, until I saw such as that played out, in old footage, on PBS, in a special about the antebellum South. It also covered pre-Civil War, & of course, slavery. PBS specials are real eye-openers. What had seemed to be humorous, when I was in the 4th grade, was actually quite demeaning, to an entire race of People. But, at the time, it was considered as "innocent fun." Roberta, waxing nostalgic, & sharing a childhood memory, in the Peach State.

Roberta Perry Hughes		31-May-2008 20:04
Charlis...Did you get the link for Kyu Sakamoto that I sent you? Also, the link for the words to the song, in both Japanese & in English? Wish I could hear you singing it, in Japanese! Wish I could learn to sing it, in Japanese! I DO so love that song! The link I sent you shows a B&W photo of Kyu, his wife, & 2 beautiful children, which look to be a boy & a girl. Arizona Alan...Amazon.com has the Billboard Hits for 1963, on a CD, & also, a CD of the Greatest Hits album by Kyu Sakamoto, in case you want to order a "playable" version. I am going to order them, you can count on it! Roberta, grateful for the invention of A/C, oh a HOT 90 degree day in the Deep South.

charlis		31-May-2008 17:43
Roberta... may not have been your computer... it's taking over a minute and a half to load the site, post messages, etc. That's even after cleaning my temps, cache, and cookies. No problem with other sites I visit.

charlis		31-May-2008 17:33
Sukiyaki... thanks guys... that song will not stop playing in my head. It's as bad as "It's a Small World" at Disney.. !!!!!! Great! Now IT'S playing in my head! No Sukiyaki. !!!!! Great! Now Sukiyaki is back in my head. ;-0~ Thanks for your wishes for Evie. I'll tell her tomorrow when she checks in.

Don Boyd		31-May-2008 15:01
A bunch of images from the Miami Springs Historical Museum were added to the Miami Springs gallery, the aviation gallery and the other airports sub-gallery. Don

Arizona Al		31-May-2008 14:40
Roberta: I have a rather extensive collection of recorded music from the 1950's and 1960's on vinyl disks (45rpm records and 33rpm albums), cassette tape, video tape, CD and DVD formats. The song Sukiyaki is on a rather worn and scratched vinyl disk album by Kyu Sakamoto titled "Sukiyaki and Other Japanese Hits" pressed and distributed by Capitol Records circa 1963. It really does damage to my turn table stylus so I do not often play it. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and listening to "Oldies Music" most often in Phoenix, Arizona

Roberta Perry Hughes		31-May-2008 04:49
Howdy, Arizona Alan...!...How are you listening to Kyo Sakamoto's "Sukiyaki" in "real time?" Do you have a recording of it? On a CD? What is the title of the CD, if so? Where can I get this original song, for myself? I would love to be able to play it, ad lib. Any help you can give me in tracking down this song would be appreciated. Many thanks, Pal! Roberta, up late, as is the "norm," here in the Empire State of the South.

Arizona Al		31-May-2008 03:25
Hello All: I certainly remember Kyo Sakamotos' Sukiyaki circa 1963. It played on all of the Miami "AM" stations during the Summer of 1963 (WQDR, WCKR, WFUN). When I was in the U.S. Army in Vietnam 1966-1967 this song was frequently played on the Armed Forces Radio Network. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well, and listening to Suyiyaki in real time as I type this blog from Phoenix, Arizona

Roberta Perry Hughes		30-May-2008 23:46
Charlis...I am so very sorry to learn about your friend Evie's medical condition. It's terrible to be so ill, & even worse when you are alone. Please tell her that she is in my thoughts, though I don't know her, personally. I wish her the best.

Roberta Perry Hughes		30-May-2008 23:39
Charlis...I didn't "refresh" my posting. For some reason, my computer seized up, & I couldn't close the screen, by the red "X," in the upper right hand corner of the screen, nor do the "Ctrl/Alt/Delete," to cancel the program, & then reboot. All I could do was to unplug my computer, & give it a rest. Back on here, now, after I fed hubby his supper, & I was surprised to see that my post was even on here, & beyond shocked, to see the multiplicity of it all. Geesh. Believe me when I tell you that it wasn't an intentional thing, & I didn't do a thing, save for what I just told you, to have caused it...that I know of! I just tried to get to heck out of the screen, & off of the computer, & ended up taking the last ditch effort, borne of desperation...!! Roberta, UNPLUGGED, in the CSRA, in the Peach State, on a hot & muggy day.

Jeff		30-May-2008 23:01
Charlis... Sorry to hear about Evie... please send her my best... Strange... but I just sent off a donation to MDA yesterday... and as I type I'm listening to a MP3 of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis from their 1949 radio broadcast... I promise NOT to refresh the browser... NOT to refresh the browser... NOT to refresh the browser... LOL!

charlis		30-May-2008 22:47
jeff... the Marcella's location, across form the West Dixie Towers was the last store int the "wedge" of the building... that was 1973. Evie update... not good. Doctors want to open her up... neck and lower spine... without doing any "blood test" for MD (ironic that she might have MD)... she might be n a wheel chair within the year. She is refusing the surgery until the blood test are done, and the doctors are questioning her questions! Let's see... Evie and Jerry Lewis... Jerry Lewis and MD... mmmmm

charlis		30-May-2008 22:39
Roberta... 2 things... multiple posts...Do not hit the "refresh" button if you do not se your post. Just close your browser and open it again, Don is aware of the problem... which is getting worse. As to the song.... Ironic that it was played several times this week on the elevator... people were amazed at my pronounciation as I sang the song. I had learned Japanese as a child... neighbor... but all I can remember now, after 51 years, is that song, and how to say hello, good bye, and thank you. "hello" is "ohio gazimos" (sic) and I remember that because I lived in Ohio at the time. Even more ironic, today I was asked to do a special project for a party for two people that are retiring at the end of June... I was aksed to create a poster with "Goodbye" in many languages and Japanese was one of them!

Roberta Perry Hughes		30-May-2008 21:38
Hi, Gang...I hope I didn't confuse anyone, re: Kyo (pronounced "cue") Sakamoto, & his former #1 hit song, "Sukiyaki," & that many of you DO recall his original version of that song, & maybe, even remember having seen him perform it, on TV. I hope so, anyway. Please...if you remember the song, as performed by the late Japanese singer, & remember him, please, post on here, & let me know that you do, so I won't think that I'm the only one out here who does. It's very sad, when someone has been forgotten. I merely used the search I did on Kyo Sakamoto, as an example of how some searches can make us sad, whenever we learn the facts...not unlike having learned about a favorite restaurant, or other Miami landmark, that we were totally unaware of having gone into oblivion. Didn't mean to confuse anyone, by bringing up this late, & wonderfully talented singer, from our youth. I thought he was adorable, & all these years later, his song plays in my mind. (Never heard the "English version" by A Taste of Honey. It wouldn't be the same, as the original).

Jeff		30-May-2008 04:31
Don... Truthfully... I didn't know of the Hollywood location. I just learned something! For those of you mildly confused as to who was Kyu Sakamoto and his hit "Sukiyaki"... his Japanese language song [based on a traditional melody] went to #1 on the Billboard chart in May of 1963... 45 years ago. Yes, he was a passenger on a Japan airliner that crashed into a mountainside a few years back. During the 1970's the female duo called "A Taste of Honey" re-did the song with English lyrics. Interestingly enough, both releases were on Capitol Records... Kanichiwa!

Roberta Perry Hughes		30-May-2008 04:03
Jeff...Parks...Don...That's just sad, the way some of our favorite eating places cease to exist, & favorite places get eradicated to make way for apartments. Nothing every stays the same, does it? I did a search, on a "one hit wonder" singer that everyone seemed to love...especially his one song, which no one understood a word of, as it was in a foreign language...only to learn he had been killed in a plane crash when he was 41 years old. The singer was Kyo Sakamoto, from Japan, & the song was entitled "Sukiyaki," for American audiences. I had been hearing his song in my mind, & had been wondering what ever became of him, so did a search to find out. Sometimes, the results of a search can be sad, indeed. I'd have been better off remembering Kyo Sakamoto the way he was, the last time I saw him, performing his popular song on TV. Can't recall if it was on "American Bandstand," or on "The Ed Sullivan Show." I'm sure everyone remembers him, & that unforgettable melody.

Don Boyd		30-May-2008 02:35
Maybe you're not counting Broward on purpose or not, but there used to be a Marcella's on the west side of US 441 (60th Avenue) in a strip shopping center in Hollywood, just south of Hollywood Boulevard and across from where the Hollywood Fashion Center opened in the early 70's. I think Marcella's was there all through the 70's and possibly earlier and later. She used to appear in late night TV commercials in the early 70's as I recall and the 441 restaurant was always listed along with the original. I saw her in her Hollywood restaurant at least two or three times while dining there. Don

Jeff		30-May-2008 01:08
TX Jeff: The story of Marcella's restaurant is a bit of North Miami history... She first opened her restaurant in the original building that stood across the street from her on the Northwest side of 139th Street and West Dixie Hwy. - next to the Rex Pharmacy. [This building burned down a number of years back, and a two-story shopping/office building replaced it.] Soon after, she bought the building on that oppositive corner and eventually [as her business and catering service grew] expanded into the two adjacent buildings. Sometime in the 1960's she took on a young partner, and they opened a second Marcella's on Miami Gardens Drive. Eventually, this young, inexperienced partner ran her almost out of business with his mismanagement. She divested of the three buildings, and in the late 1970's-early 1980's moved to yet a third corner of that intersection in a small strip center alongside a convenience store. This was on the Northeast corner, across from where Charlis was living (West Dixie Towers). By the way, West Dixie Towers was built on the old site of the pony rides in North Miami... In between all this, Marcella opened up a restaurant at the Aventura mall, but this did not pan out. Failing health forced her to close her restaurant and she eventually sold the house she had lived in for years behind the famailar Marcella's location... Marcella Aitkin passed away a couple of years ago.

Parks		29-May-2008 23:42
TX Jeff, I'm afraid Marcella's is gone. I've lived all my life in Miami and have never had a Frankie's pizza. Everyone raves about them. I guess this weekend I'll have to get one. I had lunch at Arbetter's Hot Dogs today. That's just a couple of blocks from Frankie's. It's still great. I had two MOs, a CO, fries and a birch beer. Arbetter's does every thing wrong. They boil their dogs instead of grilling them. They steam their buns instead of toasting them. Don't know why I love them so much.

charlis		29-May-2008 23:06
TX.... I lived across the street from Marcellas in 1972-73... The aroma was wonderful.... I got pregnant at that time and they knew my regular order... pizza with double pepperoni and cheese, easy on the tomato sauce, the wonderful garlic rolls with extra "dip"...

charlis		29-May-2008 22:50
jo... I am lucky that I work for the Solid Waste Mgmt Dept... a few jobs are always needed... coroners, funeral parlors, and garbage collection. Good luck in your pursuits. I just heard today that they are trying to go after our state pension plan... not paying into it, or reducing the contributions to them... the stock funds. I got talked itno going with that idea when I went to work for the county 8 years ago. Luckily I was good friends with the rep for the company and he got me into a good plan.

MO John		29-May-2008 16:38
TX Jeff, On that pizza site. I grew up in the now Pinecrest area, but I never heard of Frankies Pizza. Wish I had. I love pizza. In the late 60s, we used to ride our bikes south toward Perrine to a place called Momma's Pizza. It was home-owned. Other than Momma's, there was a little stand-up pizza stand (around summer 1969) at the Staten Island and Governor's Island Ferry point in NYC. Along w/ Momma's, those two places had the best pizza I've ever eaten to date. Franks Pizza in Edgewood and Aberdeen, MD, is good too.

TX Jeff		29-May-2008 15:52
Thanks MO John. I changed it (and of course, will log out now so this one doesn't post a zillion times.

MO John		29-May-2008 15:07
TX Jeff, When you post a message, and this sites remains open, and you then refresh your browser, you will get a repeat of that post. BLUF: write a post, then log out of the site, then come back and refresh your browser all you want. To avoid confusion on this board, you might want to re-name yourself to "TX Jeff". There's already a Jeff on this board and he is one of the main charcters here (an icon, so to speak)......I mean that in a good way. I did the same when several "Johns" (lol) started popping here up like weeds.

MO John		29-May-2008 14:06
TX Jeff, Do a google search for "Marcella's Restaurant in North Miami" and you should find all the info you need. Good luck!

TX Jeff		29-May-2008 13:44
Great site. Moved to Miami in 1957 (to a small house on LeJeune Rd across the street from the Red Diamond). Went to Kinloch Park Elem for one year, moved to Westchester (brand new neighborhood), and went to Coral Park Elem, Rockway Jr Hi, and Coral Park HS...Class of 69. Best pizza IMHO was Frankies on Bird Rd. Still open and selling pizza online too, for those of us half a country away (in Texas since graduating college). Site ishttp://www.graphink.com/frankies/index.html and they have some great old pix from the 50s. Anyway, my reason for posting is that I proposed to my wife (in 1970) at Marcella's Restaurant in North Miami (the BEST little rolls w/garlic butter), and was wondering if they were still open, since we're coming back to Miami this summer for vacation and a cruise. Thought it would be fun to eat there if it's still around. Any help from readers would be appreciated.

Don Boyd		29-May-2008 02:37
Sorry Chad, I don't know of such a site. When I started this I intended on including Broward too in a separate gallery but I'm now overwhelmed with Dade stuff and I see no end in sight for the foreseeable future. There also seems to be a scarcity of old Broward photos on the net. Don

Chad Zurko		28-May-2008 21:17
This is a great site, but does anyone know of a site that focuses more on the landmarks of Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County? Like Castle Park, Pantry Pride, J. Byrons, etc...

Joanne		28-May-2008 01:26
Charlis...Amen to that. It's part of the reason I've been without work the last 4 months. So many city, county and state services have gone under the knife and there are very few positions available. I've applied to more than 60 jobs and have had only 4 interviews. The economy is rotten here in Tallahassee.

Don Boyd		27-May-2008 23:23
Jo-Anne K: no word yet on the ABC Good Morning America website. The latest video is from the 18th athttp://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4879997 and it is mentioned that viewers have until Sunday (2 days ago?) to vote online. Watching the video makes me want to drive up to Jaxson's for a treat despite the gas prices. Stay tuned. Don

charlis		27-May-2008 22:52
Jo... Bravo for rescuing Paper. Thanks to the stupidity of many Florida residents who did not look into the Property Tax amendent before voting... thinking they would save hundreds of dollars many of the county, Hillsborough County/Tampa area Services are being slashed everywhere... (lucky for me that there is always a need to get rid of garbage...) , the word has gone out for us "safe" employees to see if we want to volunteer for other services as people are being "let go". Lucky for me that I live in a condo with pet restrictions... otherwise, if I should volunteer... I'd be bringing home a lot of animals!

Jo-Anne K		27-May-2008 21:28
Roberta, funny you mentioned African Grey Parrots. About four years ago my Mom, who is now 86 wanted to get a parrot to keep her company but she changed her mind when she found out how long they lived for, she got a Yorkie instead. I didn't go to the pound over the holiday weekend, I kinda don't feel like I'm ready just yet for a new pup, but I'm still looking on line for English Setters (I've had three of 'em so I'm partial) I like Clumber Spaniels also. Actually I have an American Foxhound at home in NC, she was a rescue dog but she doesn't travel well. She was so terribly abused when I got her that it took about six months for her to know that no one was going to hurt her, now she is a GREAT dog and I've had her for about six years now but she is not willing to leave her home in the mountains. Her name is PAPER, since she was resued from the Union Camp (now International Paper) papermill in Franklin, VA. Don......is there a follow up to who won the best ice cream shop in America????

Don Boyd		26-May-2008 06:08
Jeff Levine contributed a 1953 image of Billy's Drive-in (restaurants gallery), a 1958 WINZ "top 40's" list (music gallery), and a 1959 image of Steve Alaimo and the Redcoats (music gallery). Don

Don Boyd		25-May-2008 17:16
Alvin Lederer contributed an unknown year photo of Bill Haast with a cobra (main gallery), an unknown year Zippy Chocolate Beverage bottle (Do You Remember? gallery), a 1920's or 30's image of Chalk's Airlines on Biscayne Boulevard (30's gallery), a 1930's? image of the North Miami Trailer Park on Biscayne Boulevard (30's gallery), a 1930's image of the Coliseum in Coral Gables (30's gallery), and a 1930's? image of Villa Augusta on NE 14th Street (30's gallery). All photos from Miami Springs have been moved into a new separate Miami Springs gallery. Don

Don Boyd		25-May-2008 17:04
Tina posted in the wrong place: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tina Dixon (McLeod) vauito@comcast.net hide \| delete 25-May-2008 16:00 What an amazing website and flash from the past this website is. I recognize the page from the yearbook from Miami Palmetto Jr. High 1969-70, as I was there. I also remember being on the Skipper Chuck "popeye playhouse" TV show as a young girl. When the cameras were off-he was rather hateful to the kids. I remembered feeling a little "let down" when I left as I watched this show every morning before school. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Roberta Perry Hughes		24-May-2008 23:35
Don...This latest link made me weep, most especially the "recent" photos. Why weren't there more people there, on the day of the very last race held at the Hialeah Race Course? The entire city of Hialeah should have attended! You'd have thought they would have, anyway. The lack of support, by the "locals," on that historic & somber occasion, was blatantly remiss, in civic duty. And now, the city of Hialeah is gnashing its teeth, over the demise of the treasure they once had in their midst. ..."Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got, 'til it's gone? They've paved Paradise and put up a parking lot..." ---from "Big Yellow Taxi."

Don Boyd		24-May-2008 21:19
And here's a link to some Palm Beach Post historical and current photos of Hialeah Park: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/slideshows/hialeahpark08/ Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		24-May-2008 20:53
Years ago, my first cousin told me that, when she was a young girl...(maybe, 14?)...the President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, visited Miami. She spent the night with a girlfriend, so she could go to the parade with her the next day, which featured Truman's motorcade. Her friend told her, the night before, that she had to shave her legs, when she took her shower to get ready to go to the parade, & asked my cousin if she was going to shave her legs, too. Well, my cousin said she would never admit to her friend that she had never shaved her legs before, so she said "Sure! But I forgot to bring my razor." Her friend volunteered the use of her razor. My poor cousin! Her legs were so badly nicked, over her shin, that the bleeding was hard to stop. The solution? They applied cobwebs (they got from under the bed) to the multiple nicks, which stemmed the flow. My cousin said she forgot all about her cobweb-covered shins, when the President passed by, waving to the crowd from the window of his limousine, she was so excited, to be seeing the President of the United States, in person! It was a memory that she would never forget...& colored brightly, by her "premier" leg-shaving incident! I'm sure this story will remind allthe ladies of their own mishaps from shaving with a so-called "safety razor," back in the day! I can't count the times when I, too, had deep nicks over my shins, & "razor burn" around my knees & ankles, & underarms, while in junior high & high school. Often, such events occured while getting ready to go to some milestone event, like a date, or the prom, or even just to the beach, or to the pool. It was all a part of growing up. Personal hygiene has come a long way, in today's world, as compared to the late '50's & early '60's. Ads for "sanitary napkins" were in the very back, of "True Story," & "Modern Romance" magazines, & they were very small, & indiscreet. Remember "Modess...because." ?? We used to ask, "Because...what??" Nowadays, it's in-your-face..."Have a happy period!" (Help me). Today's commercials would have had us fleeing from the living room, in the presence of "mixed" company, to be sure! I'm sure you've all-but-forgotten such as this, as part of your "growing pains!" We all recall seeing girls with their sweaters tied around their waist, by the sleeves, & even having done this practice ourselves. (I know I have). Arizona Al...great to hear from you again! Can hardly wait for you to relate The Florida City Nudist Colony Incident of 1962!!! Dish!!! LOL. Delighted to learn that Cousin Alec turned out to be successful, too! Don...Thanks so much, for that wonderful link about Hialeah Park. I do so hope that it will become a city park, at least, to be enjoyed by the public once again, & to showcase the gorgeous big pink birds. If only someone, like "The Donald," would pitch in, with their megabucks, on behalf of this once-glorious place, & invest in its future. Wouldn't that be fantastic!!??

Don Boyd		24-May-2008 20:04
Alvin Lederer contributed the first 1984 scheduled service Concorde flight to MIA postal cachet (Aviation directory), a 1928 postal cachet for the first flight from Havana to Miami (20's gallery), a 1938 Amelia Earhart postal cachet (Aviation gallery), a 1939 Miami Beach dog track post card (30's gallery), a 1940's post card of fishing boats headed for sea in Government Cut (40's gallery), a 1945 State of Florida 100th Anniversary cachet (40's gallery), a 1947 Crandon Park and Rickenbacker Causeway Dedication postal cachet (40's gallery), and a 1949 17th Annual All American Air Maneuvers postal cachet (Aviation > other airports > Miami Municipal/Master's Field gallery). Linda Bernat contributed a 1963 3rd grade class photo from Sylvania Heights Elementary (main gallery). John Holland contributed a 1942 residents' directory for the Town of Miami Springs (40's gallery). Charlis: patience my dear, the site is slow sometimes. In fact, it was totally down earlier today. Don

Joanne		24-May-2008 20:02
I have one very fond memory of flamingos. While at the Seaquarium in the mid 60's I got a flamingo from the machine that had several animals to choose from. Drop your money in, choose the animal and it would form from wax or plastic while you watch. I'll bet most of you have one or two of these figurines.

charlis		24-May-2008 19:52
Don... if this is a double post... something is wrong with the site. Takes a long time to load. Other sites I visit do not take as long. What I was commenting on was the post about Hiiiii-aleah, Hiiiiiii-aleah (song from "Guys and Dolls" runs through my mind every time I think of the greatest race track in the south.) What a shame that so-called progress is taking over even more of the "wild" areas. When I first moved to FL, W Hollywood area, we were on the edge of the Everglades. When I went down south a few years ago... there were communities in the area that used to burn where the Everglades were.

charlis		24-May-2008 19:44
Don... thanks for the Hialeah link. It was a beautiful race track. Every time I see the name of the track I hear the line from "Guys and Dolls".... "Hiiiiia-leah, Hiiiiiia-leah!" The "running" of the flamingos was a beautiful site.

Don Boyd		24-May-2008 18:08
The Thursday edition of The Palm Beach Post had a wonderful article about Hialeah Park and what once was greatness in our community. The article is posted in the Save Hialeah Park gallery on top of the older articles and you can read it online at: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2008/05/22/0522hialeah_park.html Don

Arizona Al		24-May-2008 14:56
Roberta: I wrote in erratum. The infamous Mayflower Incident took place in 1958. I had it temporarily confused with the equally infamous Florida City Nudist Colony Incident of 1962 but that is another story in its entirety. Film at eleven! Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and so very glad that his juvenile delinquency legal record was automatically expunged by the Court when he turned 18 and coincidentally joined the U.S. Army.

charlis		23-May-2008 21:57
Roberta... will get to your emails this weekend. Ewok... has Star Wars been around that long! I am getting old! PS: is anyone else having problems with this page loading slow? I am not having probems with other "pages".

Bad Boy Arizona Al		23-May-2008 14:40
Roberta: Not dodging you..been in North Carolina on business last 2 weeks. I took no offense at your reply to the infamous Mayflower II incident of 1962. The events reported were but a mere soundbight of my misanthropic and malfeasant behaviors during my youth. Cousin Alec is a highly successfull cinematographer in N.Y.C. and you all know of my present life situation. alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and basking in the glory of his delinquent ways of youth whilecurrently living in and enjoying Phoenix, Arizona

Roberta Perry Hughes		23-May-2008 05:04
MANO...LARGO...Charlis...& the rest of the Gang, old & new...I'm baaaa-aaackk!!! Mano, I bought the vintage flamingo statue for my sister Audrey, who collects flamingos; the Prize that I won for myself is a vintage 1957 commemorative plate of Miami, transferware blue on white, featuring the Dade County Court House in the center, & sold only at Burdines. It is fantastic!! There are flamingos on my 12 different vintage Florida souvenir scarves, featuring the state in the center & many pre-Disney tourist attractions, including Miami Jai-Alai, Theater of the Sea, Hialeah Race Course, etc. they are either silk or a silk & rayon blend, & were sold at Stuckey's, & other souvenir shops, like Frenchys, downtown Miami. Frenchys also had the big plaster flamingo lawn ornaments. LARGO...glad you appreciated my take on Arizona Al's Mayflower II adventure. I've been waiting for him to reply, but he's been quite laconic. Hope he didn't take what I said the wrong way; I was merely razzing him...or rather, the child he USED to be. Charlis...sent you some darling pictures in a FWD e-mail. Pass them on to all the folks you know who are pet lovers. I, too, lost my very best friend, Ewok, just 3 months shy of his 16th year. He came to me when he was 4 months old, & already, he was the size of a grown cat! We were together 24/7, & could read each other's mind. His green grape eyes spoke volumes. He was a black & tan long-haired Siberian, which is an offshoot of the Maine Coon, only with a much prettier face. His underbelly was tawny, with 19 dark spots, like a wildcat. He's been gone two years, now, & I miss him each & every day. Won't replace him. I am no longer physically able to care for an indoor pet. It would seem that our pets are only with us long enough to break our hearts...unless of course, you own an African Grey parrot, which can live to be 80+ years old! People have to make provisions in their will, for the bird's continued care. Thanks, JoAnne, for evoking memories of our dear friends, who gave us unconditional love. I remember each & every kitten, cat, puppy, dog, & parakeet that our family owned, when we lived in Miami, so long ago. We always adopted, mutts & alley cats, from the Pound. Never had a pedigreed animal. Talk at y'all later, with another Posting, about an Old Miami Memory, as told to me by my first cousin, Cecilia Perry Bridges.

charlis		22-May-2008 22:27
mano... flamingo... I've told this story before. I had a teacher at Beach Hi who started every year with this speech... "We will have an interesting year of learning about art. We will discuss the history of art. We will practice (copy) the history of art. We will do real life, still life... but, be warned... the first student to have a flamingo or "Sleeping Mexican" (both popular lawn ornaments in the 60's) will be given an "F"." Of course we all snuck the things into our art work. I had this teacher for 3 years at Beach, then 1 term at Miami Dade. The MD story is funny. He didn't make his usual speech. Looked up and saw me and started making jokes. I stood up and made his speech for him... "Class...." Of course my submission for the day was a huge pink flamingo cuddling with a Sleeping Mexican! I snuck them in every chance I could. Did a "landscape" and had the flamingo's head in place of a rose bud. Did a "redo" of a famous Picasso... the one with faces... the Sleeping Mexican. Yes. I passed the class... with flying colors!

charlis		22-May-2008 22:13
JO... good choice with the English Setters. I understand that they are almost as loving and lovable as beagles. Nothing beats a beagle, though. They stay puppies for years.

Jo-Anne K		22-May-2008 21:42
Thanks for the giggles charlis. I'm actually doing a bunch better than I thought I would. I've already been on line looking at some english setters and I am going to check out the pound over the weekend.

Guest		22-May-2008 14:53
Roberta: Where are you? Did the flamingo you bought on ebay ever arrive? Where did you display it. Every time I see mine on top of my refrigerator, I wonder if you are enjoying your new one as much as I enjoy mine. Of course it makes me remember Hialeah too. Its' doing its' job.

charlis		21-May-2008 21:30
Jo... when Rinty died, just before my marriage, my fiance cried... we all did. When Csonka died... he punched a hole in the wall... and the vet was crying when he gave us the news. I also have to mention my mother's dobie... Savage. I took her to the vet and was with her when she died at 14. We had one very special vet. In-laws wire haired lived to 16. Same vet... same reaction. Gee... I've had 6 dogs in my life... 6 best friends... and one cockatiel... and these 2 old cats... They were all the best friends I had in my life... the human ones turned out to not be "best freinds". Some memories to make you laugh... Rinty got a bad cough when he was 6. The vet recommend a "hot tottie" at bed time. No drink was safe after that! Rinty got drunk at my engagement party after everyone had left and we waited until morning to clean up. Fell down the stairs when the newspaper arrived in the morning. He had sucvh a hang over. Csonka? Loved a sip of B&B after a soak in the hot tub! He always jumped in when I was in the tub and sat in a spot that would massage his hip, that he had hurt as a puppy when trying to jump into bed with me. Jo... think of the great times with your best friend. You made me think about all the good times in my life. Thank you.

charlis		21-May-2008 21:09
Largo... Rinty was given to me as a 6th b-day present. Csonka was my daughter's xmas gift. The mixed was a pound puppy. We also had a Shar Pei given to my daughter as a wedding gift, and was dumber than dirt but so lovable. The mixed moved in with my daughter when I HAD to go to work for a living. He was used to having a yard to play in. The Shar Pei died because he refused to get his feet wet... we were having heavy daiy rains and flooding... his kidneys burst. There was also a 3rd dog at my daughter's... named Nala. All 3 got along great. The Shar Pei was replaced with a Rott... and a new hubby for daughter (#3)! Mixed died while playing with Nala and the Rott... fell on a piece of wood that was sticking out of the fence that workers had left. As to adopting... I really want a dog but I live in a condo complex and work. Dogs should not be "penned in" all day. All my dogs were in and out when they wanted. (The mixed had a tan that the Coppertone models would kill for. He'd go out in the yard and lie on his back!) If my situation should change... aka "win the lottery", you can rest assured that I will sell the condo, buy a house with a yard... and adopt a beagle... maybe 2.

Jo-Anne K		21-May-2008 14:34
I appreciate everyone's thoughts for BeeBee, yesterday was a tough day but my son did call from the room at the vet's office and I was there at the end. I keep saying that I'm not getting another one but I'm willing to bet money I'll be at the LaPlata County animal shelter some time this weekend.

LARGO		21-May-2008 02:36
HI ALL...JUST CHECKING IN..."MO JOHN"..THANKS AGAIN FOR THE KIND MENTION OF MY DAD...AND GOOD TO KNOW YOU ARE DOING BETTER..."JO-ANNE K"....SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR BF "BEE BEE".... PETS MAKE SUCH GREAT BEST FRIENDS...I LOST MY LITTLE PUG "CHLOE" @ 16...AND I SWEAR I CAN STILL HEAR HER LITTLE SNORTING & SNORING SOUNDS..(could just be me..yikes!!)...."CHARLIS"...YOU CAN ALWAYS ADOPT...WE CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH OF THAT UNCONDITIONAL LOVE THAT THOSE FUR ANGEL BABIES LAVISH ON US.......ROBERTA..WHERE ARE YOU?? ...LOVED YOUR LAST VERY DESCRIPTIVE MAY 8th POST...YOU RACY THANG..................LARGO !!

Guest		21-May-2008 02:04
I posted this on Google blogger as I was searching for Skipper Chuck Show and an episode I was on, so I thought I would post it here as well. I was born and raised here in Miami, still here, 41 years old now. I remember alot of those places. Not sure if I saw Godfather's pizza on US1 next to the Zayers (however it was spelled)?? Midway skating rink I loved, always there. How about the Pit out on 8th street way out close to Krome when it was actually a decent place to eat?? The food places next to South Miami Sr high before they closed them all up our Senior year (84). Key Biscayne and the beaches that were covered in trees not the way it is now, Ft. Lauderdale strip when it was a 2 way lane highway?? I think I saw the flea market off of bird road and the highway, like 50 cents or something to get in, doing it every sunday with the family, Tamiami airport where FIU is now, where I learned to drive when I was 15 and there was no school there. I was also on the Skipper Chuck show, I wish I knew how to get a copy of when I was on there cause I won the big show, Disney on Ice, a HUGE Sugar Daddy candy bar and some other stuff! How about the park and pool off flagler and i think between 8th street and 67th avenue maybe near the elementary school? cant remember the name of it, how about Venetian POOL? HOw about the Biltmore hotel when it was empty & falling apart? The girlscout camp ground off Miller and 87th I think, Kinloch Jr High and the icecream man who was there every morning/afternoon, how about split time school schedules, morning or afternoon shifts?? How about Lums? I loved the Velvet Kreme on 8th street, anyone remember the HIaleah Speedway with Saturday races?? HOw about the go-cart track around there as well I can still hear "Bring em in slow, one more lap, put your left foot on the brake, bring em slow"! SO many memories! Thanks for sharing, Peggy in Miami

charlis		20-May-2008 22:24
Jo... sorry to hear about your best friend. My first dog, Rin Tin Tin, (a cocker) spent 16 wonderful years with me. Next dog, a beagle name Csonka (my, at the time 2 year old daughter , was a big Dolphs fan and loved Larry.) lived to be 10. The Next beagle mix made it to 12. I now have 2 cats that I inherited. Dogs are your best friends... knowing when to cuddle. Cats own you. When they go (both are about 14 years old) I will not replace them with a dog. There comes a time in your life to not own pets... I keep telling myself that... other wise I will rush out and get a beagle! Take care.

Guest		20-May-2008 03:39
Peer pressure? That explains a lot.

MO John		20-May-2008 02:50
Jo-Anne K, Yea, this state ain't New Joisey for sure. Good synopsis. Hopefully we'll get out of here and move to Central or North FL within about 5 years. The weather here takes a toll on us. We'll see. My condolences on BeeBee LeStrange. I am surrounded by my two best friends, Little (Shi-zu; 9) and Sha Sha (Shepard mut; 8), both females. They are the love of my life. I often tell my wife that when they die, just throw me in the coffin w/ them. I understand what you're going through. Hang tough.

Jo-Anne K		19-May-2008 23:16
I found the Marcellas picture.

Jo-Anne K		19-May-2008 22:42
Hi Don! I couldn't find Marcellas with the little truck outside and I couldn't find the pic of the Newport Hotel in Sunny Isles. There is always the possibility that my memory is shot and I'm now paying for past sins. MO John, I do not miss Missouri at all and no job will ever pay me enough money to go back. I was thinking about you when I was driving down 63 to get on to 70 East one last time. One last thing to add........I'm having my best friend and companion put to sleep tomorrow at home in NC, I was hoping to see my bird dog one last time but I'm not going to make it. RIP BeeBee LeStrange 09/02/92-05/20/08. This is the first job she has missed going to in 15 years, I'll miss her.

Don Boyd		19-May-2008 17:26
My buddy George W. Young contributed a 1960's aerial photo, which I copied into three different zoom levels, of his beloved Pizza Palace at 3099 SW 8 Street (restaurants gallery). All restaurants, burger joints, bars, lounges, liquor stores, drive-ins, etc. were moved into a new separate restaurants gallery below. Exception: all restaurant-related images in Hialeah remain in the Hialeah gallery. All car images, car rental agencies, car repair places, car clubs, drag races, etc. were moved into a new separate cars gallery (below). Most images of individuals and small groups were moved into a new separate individuals and small groups gallery (below) to free up space in the 50's and main memories gallery. Don

Don Boyd		18-May-2008 15:28
Jo-Anne K: you noticed that some photos are gone? Do you remember which ones? I'm not aware of any missing photos except that I rearrange things from time to time, such as putting all the gorgeous gas stations into one gallery, and I may move all the restaurants and individuals into separate galleries in the future to free up room. Don

Don Boyd		18-May-2008 15:19
Fred posted this in the gallery where it says not to post things: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fred Daughtry Elvistlc@aol.com 18-May-2008 14:17 I sent some photos of Biscayne Park police Dept. from 1968 for people to see and I was just wondering just what ever happon to them. F.D. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fred, where did you send them? I never received them. Please resend to my e-mail address (OldMiamiMemories@gmail.com) and I will gladly add them. Don

Don Boyd		18-May-2008 15:16
Cecil Curry sent me the 30th Anniversary Thanksgiving Day Football Program (Edison vs. Miami High in the Orange Bowl) from 1952 and I scanned 37 old local ads out of it. They are located in the Advertisements > Local Ads gallery. There are also 12 photos of the program cover, Edison's and Miami High's teams, cheerleaders, band, cadettes, etc., all in the 50's gallery. He also contributed a 1935 image of his family's home on NE 66 Street (30's gallery) and a 1952, 53 or 54 image of Edison's football team (50's gallery). Don

MO John		18-May-2008 15:07
Joanne (and all). I goofed. Joanne's son's wedding plans are for a year from now. Not this year. My apology for goofing that up.

MO John		16-May-2008 02:36
Jo-Anne K, Hi Jo-K! I had a name change as you can see. Too many "Johns" on the board. Get it? Hope all is well. MO's been too wet. Ugh. That said, my Azlaeas look like the one's on Augusta National. Dogwoods too. I agree on the NC over the CO mountains. Welcome back. LARGO's Dad passed away a few weeks ago. I have been down, but I'm not out. I am sure the "regulars" will welcome you back. All, By the way, as of today, board member Joanne (from FL) should be a new "Mother in Law". She should be marrying off her baby boy as we speak. Congratulations Joanne!!

Jo-Anne K		15-May-2008 23:06
Just dropped in to see how things were going, noticed some new pics and also noticed some other pics had been removed (for my sake I hope I'm right....Don???) Finally made the transition from Missouri (Hi John) to Durango, Colorado by way of Houston, TX for eight weeks. I think my mountains at home in NC are much prettier than the ones in southern CO but I can deal with it for the next year or two. Hoping all is well with everyone.

Don Boyd		15-May-2008 04:25
Alvin Lederer contributed an undated photo postcard of the flamingos at Hialeah Park (Hialeah > Hialeah Park gallery), a 1910 image of the Bay View Hotel in Miami (1883-1919 gallery), a 1920's image of Carl Fisher's Casino on Miami Beach (20's gallery), two 1920's image of Opa-locka's City Hall (20's gallery), and a 1950's image of a tourist decal from the Miami Serpentarium (main gallery). Don

Nan		14-May-2008 17:32
Hi Jeff, Thanks for the update on Bell Haven. I remember when Mrs. Bell passed away the family took over the park and later sold it to the FCC railroad. Yes, I knew it was gone, sad day in my life since the park had stood there over 50 years. We had so many good times in that community and many great summers in the olympic sized pool. We had a big birthday party every year for the park and a grand water show always came with it. I still live here, Hollywood, since 1978. Don, I'll let you know when I have something together to send. Haven't gotten the scanner yet.

Don Boyd		14-May-2008 12:33
Nan, thanks for joining us here and for your memories. Please send me an e-mail before you send anything that you would like to see added. I can restore most things to new condition so don't worry about the writing on the program. Thanks. Don

Jeff		14-May-2008 05:11
Hi, Nan... I don't know if you're still in South Florida... but they vacated and tore down the Bell Haven Trailer Park last year for development...

Nan		14-May-2008 00:51
Just paged through most of these comments and astounded myself that I remembered most of the places mentioned. I too grew up in Miami. Moved to Bell Haven Trailer Park April 1959 from Biscayne and 127 Street across from Keystone Point. Went to Holy Family and later to St. John the Apostle in Hialeah and then to Nortre Dame Academy by Miami Edison graduated in 1968. My father worked the "hotel" scene from the early 50's through the 1970's as a bass player. Latest "gig" was the Fountainbleau -"Tiny" Mazza. Great Musician!! As soon as I can get a scanner, Don I have a few items that you had given intrest in like a very old program from Hialeah Speedway. Sorry, I wrote on it some but it is still in pretty good shape. My dad would stop at the Royal Castle 79th & 27th Ave.and bring home some of their pies after work. I believe they were open 24 hours. I spent countless Saturdays at the Hialeah roller rink. My childhood friend and I would walk to Madison Jr. High and take their bus to the rink. The owner and bus driver was Roy and his wife would maintain the concession stand. The majority of photo's I have are family and I sure people are not interested in those but I do have the class photo from St. John's 1964 that I could send along. Thanks for this trip down memory lane as I am still proud to be a South Floridian. I remember running into people as I grew up and they remembered Bell Haven's monkeys. There was a Monkey jungle west on 79th that had burned down and all the monkeys came to live with us. There was a fish hatchery right next to the park on the west but had been abandoned by the time we lived there. I was forbidden to go there (but we did anyway). Nan Mazza Kelly

Don Boyd		13-May-2008 23:21
Sandra Stringer Ahmad posted in the gallery where it says not to post things: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SANDRA STRINGER AHMAD SANSTRINGAH@BELLSOUTHBETH.NET 13-May-2008 21:54 Hey, how about adding some photos which include the the historical sites and prominent people of the Black Community and other people of color. Thanks! Sandra Sstringer Ahmad ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well Sandra, send me some photos and I'll be glad to add them. Don

Don Boyd		13-May-2008 14:54
George Masek and Ken Eckert contributed a 1944 postcard depicting an aerial view of Venetian Way, Miami, Miami Beach. Both side of the postcard are in the 40's gallery. Don

Don Boyd		12-May-2008 16:41
Thanks to Fred Darwick tipping me off, here is a great website showing the Orange Bowl being demolished accompanied by a Frank Sinatra (?) song: http://www.schiavonephoto.com/ORANGEBOWL.html Don

Parks		12-May-2008 04:46
Hi Helene, I would love to read your history of the Kampong when it is finished. I don't know much about the early history but I can tell you that in the late seventies or early eighties, when the house was owned by the Sweeny family, Ed Sweeny used to fly ultralight airplanes on floats out of the back yard. I think it drove his mother nuts. Ed loved aviation and had started a company to produce an ultralight called the Hum Bug. He would test fly them at the Kampong. I was lucky enough to get to fly with him sometimes. Are you Lester Pancoast's wife?

Don Boyd		12-May-2008 01:58
Helene, where was it posted? Which gallery? What date? I just don't have the time to go searching the entire site looking for it. If it is only signed "guest" then I don't think I know who it was. Don

Helene Muller Pancoast		11-May-2008 22:57
Did you ever find out who posted the "memories of tales from early Coconut Grove" I would like to contact the person who wrote that as I'm working on the early history of The Kampong. I'm a descendant of David Fairchild and am really interested in anybody who has early memories of the Grove in the 30's and 40's. Thanks you for doing this site, it brings back floods of memories.

Don Boyd		11-May-2008 07:25
Gene Lanham contributed four late 1930's images of an Armstrong twin-engine molded plywood starter aircraft at Miami Municipal Airport (aviation gallery - other airports - Miami Municipal sub-gallery) and Jon Proctor contributed a 1971 image of a National Airlines DC8-21 (aviation gallery - National Airlines sub-gallery). Don

Don Boyd		10-May-2008 05:18
I added a bunch of very old news clippings about Miami Municipal Airport, All-American Airport, the Miami Seaplane Base and Sunny South Airport, all in the Aviation galleries. Don

charlis		08-May-2008 21:47
Roberta... one side of my family did come over on the real Mayflower. When I was very young, and still living in OH, I was told the story... said that some place in Indiana is a "crypt" were the "suitcase" is stored. In the mid '80's when I went back k to see some family I was shown a family bible... the first entries were of births dated back to the late 1600's. The places of birth were in this country! As to your ark... have you looked up stories of the "Flood" in other cultures? My favorite is one that says 2 men gathered up animals. The women were left at home! Sending out the doves to say that land was in site? They used crows!

charlis		08-May-2008 21:38
Jeff.... I can't believe that Lichter and RamRam are that old... but, then again... I can't believe that I'm getting old... last "young" b-day on Monday.... next year I get to use a zero! Glad to hear they are still with us. You missed out on one of the best principles ever... Mr. Moore.

Roberta Perry Hughes		08-May-2008 03:58
ALAN...!!!!! And I thought Lenny was mischievous, with his paper plane, launched from port side...!!! (Gasp!) You & "Cuz Alec" decided to do an..."I christen Thee..." from port side, with "yellow champagne," spewing forth from your "weiner whistles!!???" And while on deck??!! Was that a spur-of-the-moment idea, or an "I dare you?" Or an "I will if you will!" Or a "You first!"...??? Just curious!! I know how guys are, & once "The Yellow Stream," by I.P. Freely begins, it's impossible to shut it off!! Pray tell, did it cause you to wet your trousers?? Or, were you "just finishing up," when caught-in-the-act?? What did the Mayflower II personnel do about it?? And...what was your punishment, from your folks?? I'll bet your mother was mortified!! BTW...do you have any siblings?? If so, did they get in Dutch, too, like you did?? I think it's rich, that you became a Psychologist!! LOL!! At least, we all know, that, in your adulthood, you're a "changed man." Wow. And what became of Cousin Alec?? Makes me wonder how Lenny turned out! Jeepers, Ogus!! You were quite an unforgettable character!! In any event, you are very, very entertaining!! I can't wait to read about more of your escapades!! I can just imagine!! LOL!!

Jeff		08-May-2008 03:28
For any Miami Beach High Alumni from 1966, onward through the mid-to-late 1970's... The other day I had the pleasure of speaking with both former principal Dr. Solomon Lichter... he's soon to be 87... and former assistant principal Joe Marmar... he's soon to be 90! They both remembered me (I was class of 1970) and we spent some nice time reminiscing. For a guy who let peer pressure cause me to drop out during my senior year (only to return to summer school to earn my diploma), I hold a lot of fond memories of Miami Beach Senior High School. This was a generation of teachers that really, really cared... and a time when Miami Beach was still in the last of its "Golden Years"...

Arizona Al		08-May-2008 02:36
Yes I do recall the Mayflower II. It was harbored next to Chalks Airlines. Sometme circa 1957 or 1958 me and my cousin Alec got busted for urinating off the port side during a family excursion to th Mayflower II. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and constantantly suffering for his delinquent indiscretrions while growing up im Miami 1946-1964.

Roberta Perry Hughes		08-May-2008 00:39
MiamiGirl...No, dear, we didn't all come from the passengers on the Mayflower, but rather instead, from the passengers on that OTHER, older "boat," known as Noah's Ark, for the rest of the world entire, drowned, save for Mr. & Mrs. Noah, their 3 sons, & their 3 daughters-in-law. I've always wondered what that family looked like, seeing as how we are ALL direct descendants of them, & are, therefore, one & all, a part of the Family of Man, as a result. This makes any war a fratracide, as we are killing our brothers/sisters, when you think about it. I'll get off of MY soapbox, now. LOL! Isn't there a replica Noah's Ark somewhere?? I DO love ships. especially masted vessels. Fore, main, mizzen, jigger, spanker, pusher, & driver, are the 7 sails. Anyone out there remember my 5th grade class' resident mischief-maker, Lenny Noone?? He just couldn't resist a prank! Our class clown was Ronald Miller. Class brainiac was Norman Berlin. Class Romeo was Corey Coughlin. Resident artist was Lee Williams. They would all be alumni from Southwest High's Class of 1965. I think about the kids in my 5th grade class a lot, more so than any other class, & I wonder where they all are, today, how they turned out, who they married, etc. Fondest memories are from the carefree days of elementary school, when we enjoyed recess, still used crayons, safety scissors, paste, construction paper, & Muselage glue, & the paper towels were coarse & brown, & the liquid soap was green, & had a pungent odor to it...& it made the BIGGEST soap bubbles!! We took home "permission slips," for a parent to sign, so we could go on field trips, & we had to bring in our fees, for those trips, before a certain day, or we didn't get to go. The Mayflower II was made memorable for me, in part, due to Lenny's antics. But I was impressed with the ship, too.

Guest		07-May-2008 22:32
Roberta, Gypsies have a worldwide reputation for lifting things. One of the traits that has endeared them to so many different cultures they had taken up residence within. In Turkey where I was stationed there were always Gypsy women with babies inquiring of tourists around the hotels if they had any money to spare so they could feed their babies. Evidently there were some kind souls in Turkey that delivered them to their stations every morning, and picked them up later in Mercedes vehicles, thus helping them to feed their families. It was odd though how one child could have so many mothers.

charlis		07-May-2008 22:29
Don... thanks for the info. The info you need on the pics in the doc is included in the doc. Have to work this weekend so it will probably be in the next 2 weeks that I'll send you the doc.

Don Boyd		07-May-2008 16:14
Robert Bowman contributed a 1950's image of the Fun Fair on the 79th Street Causeway (50's gallery). Thanks Robert! Don

Miami Girl		07-May-2008 16:14
Roberta....thanks for bringing back that memory of the Mayflower replica. I had forgotten all about it. Don't remember when I went or even if it was a field trip or a family outing but I remember wondering how people survived living below decks for the whole journey. Survival of the fitest...that's who we all come from no matter when our ancestors arrived - from the first Indians to the most recent immigrants. It's no wonder we're such a great country! Okay, I'll get off the soap box now.

Don Boyd		07-May-2008 13:35
George Masek and Ken Eckert sent three 1930 images from Ken's grandfather, two of homes on Miami Beach and one of a church on Miami Beach (30's gallery). Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		07-May-2008 05:04
Does anyone remember going on a school field trip, ca. 1957, to visit the docked Mayflower II...? My 5th grade class went, from Tropical Elementary, & our resident mischief-maker, Lenny Noone, had fashioned a paper aircraft, & was in the process of launching it overboard, when the guide, a Pilgrim-attired woman interrupted her rehearsed speech to icily declare, "There will be no paper planes flown from the Mayflower II while I am talking!" Silence fell. Lenny reddened, & his boy pals gasped, as the principal, Robert F. Hudson...(sooooooo good-looking!) bore down toward poor Lenny, whose big blue eyes looked like Frisbees in his face. In a split second, Lenny whirled about...& launched his paper plane! As Mr. Hudson was dragging him away, by his upper arm (they don't do that, anymore, but should, in some circumstances) Lenny cried out, defensively, "But Mr. Hudson! She wasn't talking! She said not to fly a paper plane while she was talking! I didn't! I didn't!" The boys cheered, & the girl tittered. We had yet to explore the cabins of the replica ship, nor stroll her deck. But we did, of course, although a bit somberly. In any event, the Mayflower II was a perfect replica. In preparation for the big day, we read about the original Mayflower in class, & saw a film, of the voyage of the Mayflower II. Once Lenny's disruptive behavior was behind us, we were enchanted, to be on board, & were eager for the guided tour. Poor Lenny missed out. Mr. Hudson took him home. Those field trips cost a student anywhere from .25 cents on up to as high as $1.50, for admission costs, & lunch, which the room mothers would prepare & bring, as they were chaperones for the trips, too. I was just wondering if anyone out there remembered when the Mayflower II sailed to Miami, for educational field trips.

Roberta Perry Hughes		07-May-2008 03:59
Guest...Thank you, for having clarified the mystery of the Gypsies for me. When I asked them where they were from, I must have mistook their reply, "Romani," for "Romania," as "Romani" was not a familiar word. I also recall that they had a penchant for "lifting" things..like, waitresses tips, off of the lunch counter, e.g....but I figure it was done out of necessity. They didn't look to be financially comfortable. As an adult, a Gypsy fortune teller, at a local fair, asked me if I had any "spare clothing," as we were about the same size. I went home, & returned with her some clothes, & she was very grateful for them, & offered to give me a free "fortune" reading, which I declined. I was always fascinated by these very different people, & their strange language. Were they speaking Sanskrit, then? Hungarian, maybe? Turkish? I haven't heard that language since.

Don Boyd		07-May-2008 01:55
Charlis: you send me an e-mail and attach the document full of pictures to the e-mail. I will extract the photos into Photoshop and post them after cleaning them up if necessary. Make sure you give me a year, or decade, that they were taken - I prefer not to put undated photos up. Don

Guest		06-May-2008 23:01
The gypsies used to go around neighborhoods selling flowers and things every year. We learned to keep an eye on the back yard when they knocked on the front. I was stationed in Turkey in the early 70's, which had a lot of Gypsies in it. They lived in the slums of the city mostly, but you could see them in caravans on the roads out of town. Brightly colored wagons and horses with beautiful women, men, and children walking behind. The women would flash big smiles at you, looking saucy as can be. They aren't Romanian. They call themselves the Romani. They originated in northern India from what I understand.

charlis		06-May-2008 22:51
Don... how do I send pics to you? I have the Viscaya pics in a word doc with comments. Will that do?... and then you can take them out and put them in your format. Still have a few more to add... when I get a few minutes and can find the other albums.

Miami Girl		06-May-2008 21:41
Al...thanks, I thought that was Ned standing by the window, but wasn't sure. Stands to reason he was such a bully - looks like he was the shortest one in the class and had to survive somehow.

Arizona Al		06-May-2008 20:18
Miami Girl: If my 62 year old memory serves me correctly the infamous Ned Reep is in the 1955 Perrine Elementary 3rd Grade Class sitting in the back row next to Delbert Pinto Watters and in the 1956 Perrine Elementary 4th Grade Class standing by the window. I wonder he he lived to be a responsible adult? Thanks for the postings. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and waiting for the 120 degree summer weather in Phoenix, Arizona

Don Boyd		06-May-2008 05:28
"Miami Girl", aka Jean Hale Lawson, contributed a 1955 image of Barbara Booher's 3rd grade class and a 1956 image of Clara Hood's 4th grade class, both at Perrine Elementary School. Sylvia Hitchcock, 1967 Miss Universe, is in the 3rd grade class photo. Both photos are in the 50's gallery. Thanks Miami Girl! Don

Miami Girl		06-May-2008 00:13
Largo...thanks for that info on the VA hospital, we drove around the area last year and saw it, a beautiful place and glad to hear it's great inside too! We all have both Miami and E. Tenn in common, maybe someday we can have a reunion! Leighton... that Eastman smell is the reason I'd rather live in JC (or Jonesborough). However, it's funny my son likes it (during quick visits only) because of the memories of visiting grandparents and cousins - go figure! We have noticed the smell isn't as bad as it used to be. Happy Spring to all...it's beautiful up here in upstate NY.

LARGO		05-May-2008 23:57
WOW!! LEIGHTON, MIAMI GIRL, AZ AL......IT'S LIKE THIS.........RE: E.TN.....STARTED OUT IN KINGSPORT IN '65...(A TOUR NEAR MIAMI ...FT LAUD.) FROM '69 'TIL '76...BOUGHT 30 ACRES UP IN STONEY CREEK (ELIZABETHTON)..OFF ..YEP ! "PANHANDLE RD."...'TIL '81....THEN SEATTLE, WA. AND THEN BACK TO JOHNSON CITY TN....WHERE MY PARENTS RETIRED TOO. THEN I SETTLED IN JONESBOROUGH, TN.....THE OLDEST TOWN IN TN. (NEAR JOHNSON CITY) ...MIAMI GIRL..THE MOUNTAIN HOME VETERANS HOSPITAL IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE NATION IN MY BOOK.....EVERY VET IS TREATED WITH GREAT RESPECT, DIGNITY, AND KINDNESS..FROM THE OLDEST TO THE YOUNGEST...AS ARE THE FAMILIES OF THE VETS.....THAT IS WHERE MY DAD PASSED AWAY....THANKS FOR THE KIND THOUGHT MO JOHN...YEAH, I LOVE TREES AND PLANTS TOO !...TRY THE RESTAURANT..."COOTIE BROWNS" IN JC.......SOOO..I'VE LIVED IN EVERY TRI CITY ..EXCEPT BRISTOL......I GO BACK AND FORTH OFTEN................BACK IN LATE JUNE ACTUALLY.....................LARGO

Don Boyd		05-May-2008 18:33
Robert Bowman contributed numerous items for the Do You Remember? gallery. Linda Adleman Bolinger contributed an image of Ault's gift shop in Hialeah (Hialeah gallery), George Masek contributed a WFUN Club card, a WCKR Wacker Backer card (both in main gallery), and a biz card for Stanley's Cash Store in Edison Center (50's gallery). I added a 1957 image of the Carol City Town Center (50's gallery).

Leighton		05-May-2008 18:29
AZ Al, The area has really grown - unfortunate hillsides of McMansions, but the downtowns are pretty quiet. They haven't jumped on the "revitalize downtown bandwagon" so prevalent in Western NC, and SC. JC is trying, but far behind. Boone has a lot of development, on the Blowing Rock side. Asheville is really expensive, with lots of interesting shops and restaurants. Biggest change is the I-26 four-lane blasted through the mtns between JC and Asheville - provides some spectacular views, even if they did take out some mtns in the process. Abingdon, VA has great little shops, and the Martha Washington Inn is great. M Girl, House prices have shot up - well before this mortgage crisis. Coming from NY, it'll seem cheap, I guess. Everybody seems to be moving into the area - especially JC. Peerless Steakhouse is as popular as ever, and there's a great "new" restaurant in Elizabethton - "Carter on Main" - in the old Carter house. Visit ET often, now? With family, I'd guess so. I always look forward to a short visit each year - three weeks at Christmas was a bit long. I'm pretty sure I'll end up there in 20 years, if I make it. I always pass through the antique stores in downtown K-sport, but I just can't stand the Eastman smell. Can't wait to get on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and explore those mountains.

MO John		05-May-2008 17:05
Guest, Perfect. Not exact, but very close enough for govt purposes. Can you go over to the spot where I provided the info on MH and leave me a message when you get there? Then I'll get back to you. Thanks LARGO, Good to hear your voice again. The dogwoods, redbuds, Kwanzan Cherry, and red/white flowering crabs were the best in MO since I've been here. I liked them so much I went to Lowes and bought some white, pink and red dogwoods, along with a redbud and a kwanzan cherry. I suffer from an acute case of biophilia.

Miami Girl		05-May-2008 16:50
Al....back in the late 60's I said I never wanted to live in the E. TN area - it was way too depressed, but it's MUCHO better now.

Guest		05-May-2008 15:17
MO John - Thanks for replying and the info on MH. My name is Mike and I remember your family. I think you lived across from the Kloos. I remember your sister and I think but I'm not sure you have a brother.

Arizona Al		05-May-2008 14:22
Miami Girl and Leighton: I had the good fortune to live in the "Heavenly Highland Triad" of Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol when I attended Graduate School at Appalachian State University 1972-1974. I have not been back since 1974 and assume that there have been the usual and customary civilization progress changes. When I lived in the area the landscape was truly spectacular. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and living in another spectacular landscape area in the Sonoran Mountains East of Phoenix, Arizona.

Miami Girl		05-May-2008 11:55
Hey Leighton and Largo...it is a small world. My hubby and I are planning to retire to Johnson City in a few years (2012 if I make it that long), currently we're in NY due to his job. His whole family is in the Kingsport area and we want someplace near a big VA Hospital (there's a sign we're gettin' old). Although the 50's and 60's Old Miami is alive and well in my heart (I dream of palm trees and the beach). I only have a desire to visit again sometime in the future. Last time I was there was for my 30 yr Palmetto HS Reunion in '95 and never want to live there again. Anyway, enjoy JC!!

Leighton		05-May-2008 04:08
Largo, where in Upper East TN?? Just getting ready to attend my parents' 50th in Johnson City. They've been there 25 years, and my dad is from the area. Our family once had a cabin near Roan Mtn. We lived in Miami from 67 - 73, and I went back to UM in the mid-80s. Twenty years THIS month since I've seen Miami (that was a vacation) - can't believe it. I drive to TN in two weeks - I may just detour (big one), on my way back. I must sit on Crandon Park Beach, again. Dragged my college reading there every Sat. morning, at 8A, before the boom boxes and crowds descended. Oh, read that earlier post - somebody mentioning riding bikes behind the DDT trucks - YES! It was a late 60s tradition. Last month, I was at some stupid "organic" restaurant (not my choice), and the menu mentioned "organic maple syrup" - I asked the waitress how that worked, since it's from a TREE. "No DDT!" was the response. I said, "Listen, if riding my bike behind a spewing DDT waterfall hasn't killed me, I'm not too worried about the damn trees."

Joanne		05-May-2008 02:54
Roberta...The type of surgery I think you're talking about freezes the tumor and kills it. If it is the same one, I considered the same procedure for my breast cancer, a hospital in Alabama was testing the procedure. It is approved for liver cancer now and soon will be aproved for other types of cancer. My father is currently being treated for prostate cancer and "knock on wood" is doing quite well.

Roberta Perry Hughes		04-May-2008 22:41
Oh!! BTW, just wanted to say how very much I enjoyed reading the Coral Gables Memories in the Main Galleries!! If you have gone there, yet, you're in for a real treat! I laughed my head off, at the story about the land crabs turned loose in the movie theater, & the one about the seagull on Ex-Lax, that flew from the balcony of the theater!! Wasn't amused, however, about the use of cherry bombs. Never thought fireworks were funny, when used in a prankish & irresponsible manner. There were kids who lost fingers, or even a hand, from the misuse of cherry bombs. In rural areas, years ago, kids blew up mailboxes...which is a Federal offense...but when they were found out, all they got was a slap on the wrist! Didn't even have to buy new mailboxes, for the ones they mangled! They also used baseball bats, to whack mailboxes off of their posts, while hanging out the window of the passengers side of a vehicle, while their accomplice drove. Pranks are one thing, but vandalism is a different story.

Roberta Perry Hughes		04-May-2008 22:31
Largo...Welcome home, both to this Site, where all of your "extended family" have been watching, awaiting your return, & also, to your beloved St. Augustine. I can empathize with your family, re: going through a lifetime of keepsakes & mementos, left behind by one so dear, who has passed on, & it is, indeed, a bittersweet task. Know that you are cared about, & respected, on this Site. Thanks, for the well wishes for my sister, & her son, Travis & family. He will be going for chryo-type surgery, in the Bahamas, soon. It isn't sanctioned by the FDA, in the U.S., yet, evidently. They are always coming up with new ways to battle cancer, it seems, & some of the newest treatments are in other countries. I hope that, when he does go, that he & wife Kathy can enjoy the trip, as a sort of getaway vacation, & that he is feeling well enough to do so. That would surely help a lot, to offset the real purpose for the trip.

LARGO		04-May-2008 08:16
HELLO ALL...AND THANKS FOR ALL YOUR KIND WORDS...I RETURNED YESTERDAY...(FRIDAY)............IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK IN FLORIDA...ALTHOUGH THIS SPRING IN UPPER EAST TENNESSEE...WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THEY HAVE HAD IN YEARS...DOGWOODS, REDBUDS..ETC...MY DAD WOULD APPROVE. THERE WILL BE MANY MORE TRIPS BACK IN THE COMING MONTHS TO HANDLE ALL OF MY PARENTS WISHES....IT IS, AS I AM SURE MANY OF YOU KNOW, BITTERSWEET TO GO THROUGH THE MOMENTOS OF A FAMILY'S LIFE TOGETHER....THIS WILL TAKE SOME TIME............BUT !! THIS SITE IS LIKE WALKING INTO THE FRONT DOOR...AND INTO A COMMONS ROOM...WHERE THERE ARE FAMILIAR FOLKS, HANGING AROUND HAVING WONDERFULLY SPIRITED CONVERSATIONS...I FEEL THAT WE "ARE" THE VOICES OLD SOUTH FLORIDA...IN THE FLESH !!...AND WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY IN PART, REFLECTS THAT COUNTENANCE....HAVING THIS SHARED FORUM FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO..AND KNOWING THERE ARE SO MANY CARING SOULS OUT THERE..IS TRULY A BLESSING...IN AN OTHERWISE COLD AND UNFRIENDLY WORLD....HOW BORING IT WOULD BE IF WE ALL AGREED ON EVERYTHING...HAPPY TO BE BACK...MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR NEPHEW AND FAMILY ROBERTA ....JEFF...TAKE HEART..YOU ARE SUCH A GREAT TEDDY BEAR.( I MEAN THAT IN A GOOD WAY)..AND SO HELPFUL WITH ALL YOUR SHARING INFORMATION.........CARRY ON GANG.............LARGO.

Roberta Perry Hughes		04-May-2008 02:00
Charlis...Don't recall the Latter Day Saints coming around, but I DO recall the Jehovah's Witnesses, all years, & locales, when I lived in "Our Town," & once-in-a-while, they come around, here in rural Georgia. I let Lewis deal with them, as I don't answer the door, whether Lewis is home, or not, unless someone called to say they were coming over (like, my neighbor). When I returned to Miami (North Miami) to live with my aunt, Gypsies would come into Burn's Bar & Grill, & just monopolize the horseshoe-shaped lunch counter. There would be bunches of them, in town, for a wake & funeral, & the funeral home was in the same area as the restaurant. They looked sort of like Spaniards...(not Cubans, nor Mexicans)...but their language was not Hispanic. That's how I learned that they were Romanian, & that they were with a travelling carnaval. For the most part, they were quite attractive, & their children were just beautiful. Do they still show up, from time-to-time, I wonder? It may be difficult to tell, in today's world, however, since Miami has become so diverse, with many & varied Ethnic groups. No one probably even pays any attention, to anyone that "stands out" from the crowd. But...! All those years ago, it was quite striking, & noticeable.

charlis		03-May-2008 17:28
Roberta... your gypsies predate my Miami years. .. although I am part Gypsy on one side of the family. In the 60's we had the LDS going thru the neighborhood trying to convert the Jews! I was a teenager then and gave them a hard time. My father was Lutheren, mother was Catholic (neice of several priests and nuns!) and I was dating a jewish boy (eventually married him). Just because we had a messusa (sic) on the front door (put there by the original owners), the LDS just kept coming back always starting off the conversation with "Jesus wants to save you, even if you are Jewish..." PS: Sorry I haven't responded to your emails... trying to stay off the computer as much as possible until the new lenses arrive.

MO John		03-May-2008 14:15
The Guest in question asked a question about Mark Hagaman (MH), Black John (BJ), and John McCowan. In any event, I'm looking for the guest who knew these folks listed above. Thanks

Roberta Perry Hughes		03-May-2008 07:02
Does anyone remember, in the early-to-mid-fifties, beautiful, dark Gypsy children, peddling large handcrafted brightly-colored wax flowers, mounted on long stems, making their rounds door-to-door, while an adult or two waited, in a late-model car, out on the neighborhood street? I vividly remember them, & my mother always bought at least two wax flowers from them. I remember one was a bright fuschia color, & one was lavender. They looked like huge chrysanthemums, & were very beautiful. Mama put them down inside one of those tall free-form glass vases, that were popular back then. I think that the Gypsies were Romanian, & travelled with a carnival, or fair. You'd see them, although infrequently, but when you did, they left an impression, as they were so "different" from everyone else, living in our area, at the time. Saw a bunch of them in Virginia, once, next door to a Day Care Center where my sister would put her kids, while she shopped. They had a fire pit, in their yard, & were roasting a whole suckling pig, on a spit, mounted above it. It smelled delicious! The "chef," a Gypsy Rom, looked like he stepped right out of a swashbuckling pirate movie! The Gypsies I used to see in Miami, when I was a child, & later, when I returned after high school, to work for a couple of years, were very similar. I just was wondering, if anyone remembers seeing them, from time-to-time.

Guest		03-May-2008 05:45
Sorry MO John. Different guest...I don't know what, um, "BJ" refers to.

Guest		03-May-2008 03:56
Smart move. Finally.

Jeff		03-May-2008 01:28
Miami Girl... I agree... but it's so hard to not want to throw a well-aimed wisecrack in that direction... LOL! But, OK... we'll start to ignore.... uh.... start to ignore... mmm...er...uh....hmmmm!!!!! There WAS someone to ignore...wasn't there????????????

MO John		02-May-2008 23:54
Hi all, Nothing like a good spat to get the old juices flowing. Since I am a good Christian, I will not take sides here.....at all!! I love all (even Don). That said, you might care to know that I changed my handle and added MO to it. Too many "Johns" on the board (get it?); therefore, in the spirit of A.AL, I made the requisite changes. Guest, I read a few of your earlier posts before the big spat. Go to one of your other postings on another photo page ref your question if anyone knew "BJ" and we can talk Miami Memories from our neck of the woods. You'll recognize my post when you see it. LARGO, How are you doing?? Is all A-OK? Joanne, I dropped you a line and thanks to you and Roberta for well wishes. Peace.

Miami Girl		02-May-2008 21:42
Guest.... how extremely rude. Everyone else....I suggest we just ignore this ignoramus from here on out.

Guest		02-May-2008 15:47
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Jeff		02-May-2008 03:51
Thank you, one and all... for your support and encouragement that's (probably) not totally deserved, but certainly much appreciated. Even Don - in our personal email exchanges - assured me that he found nothing out of line with my postings. What our anonymous "guest" fails to understand - is that... What come off as pompous to you is simply my own personal point of view... I'm NOT all-knowing, or 100% correct... but it's sometimes necessary to "round up" our fellow bloggers who [by either intent or accident] will sometime stray far from the subject of this site and get a bit carried away. I call it a voice of reason... you call it pompous, etc., etc. I've even strayed off-course myself back in the past... and when Don politely asked for a curtailing of that activity I respected his wishes. What's your problem??????? You still hide behind a curtain of anonymity and cite that "this is the Internet".... RIDICULOUS!!!!! You could have assumed a nom-de-plume such as "Casual Observer", "Miami Jim", "Closet Queen" or WHATEVER... I would have had more respect for your point of view if you HAD a nom-de-plum, for one thing... and had addressed me in a direct and courteous manner , but instead you chose to do a hit-and-run snipe at me. Should I just stand idly by and let you use a poison pen [so-to-speak] without reacting? I think not! As I said before, I'm more than capable of continuing this back-and-forth for a LONG time... and I could say many things with acidly biting rhetoric... but you and I both know that this would do nothing to change your assumption of who and what I am... and you KNOW what they say about assuming... Do I come off as pompous now? YOU BETCHA... because you STILL need to pick at me in hiding... Roberta, Charlis, Arizona Al, Don and Miami Girl seem to have picked up on my intent... none of them chastised me for my words... but if they HAD, they would have held more sway and credibility than you... for you still want to do things from behind your safe-curtain. That's fine... enjoy yourself. Life is too short to worry about things that YOU wish to make a problem... and to all my fellow bloggers I reiterate... I respect YOUR opinions over "guest's" any old time... and we STILL don't have to agree on everything! Roberta... I owe you one correction in my PSA post... I mentioned Lutein as one of the preventative supplements... I meant Lycopene, which is present in tomatos, etc. Lutein helps the eyes... sorry for the error...

Arizona Al		02-May-2008 00:16
Jeff: You are most welcome. I feel free to speak for the "Band of Bloggers" to wit; Miami Girl, Roberta, Manocarz, Charlis et. alli. and encourage you to continue with your Role as the Devil's Advocate. I for one have always found your postings to be articulate, factual and spiced withe the personna of Master Jeff which I totally enjoy and eagerly anticipate. You Go Jeff! Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive and well in Phoenix, Arizona but not to distant to support his " Blogging Buddy" Jeff.

Roberta Perry Hughes		02-May-2008 00:14
MiamiGirl...Not in Georgia, after I got my M.R.S. degree from the Hughes Institute of Wifery. (heh. heh. heh.)

Miami Girl		02-May-2008 00:08
Roberta... the mango's and champagne sounds like something for a hot tub on a cool night overlooking a moonlit lake. Is that what ya'll do in the Peach State?

Roberta Perry Hughes		01-May-2008 23:54
Jeff...Bite you...??? Really...??? Is that an invitation...??? Do you require registration, or an appointment, or is it a "first come, first served buffet"...??? Do you provide spices and/or flavorings...??? Watch it, "Mr. Hottie"...!! One of my favorite new TV shows is "Moonlight!" ("I vant to bite your neck!") ("Uh...! Beevis...! (heh! heh! heh!) I don't think he was talking about his neck...!") "Oh." (sigh) MiamiGirl...Charlis...Manocarz...Mangoes are scrumptious, chilled & sliced, & dipped in ice cold champagne. I love cubed avocado, tossed with minced onion & key lime juice (Conch Salad) & served with fried red snapper, grouper, or any seafood of choice. But you can have papayas, & though I love guava jelly & guava paste, didn't care for the raw fruit itself. Mama made loquat preserves, & Florida cherry jelly, & we loved to eat those cute little citrus fruits, called kumquats, skin & all!! Roberta, missing our tropical fruits, & the Miami of our youth...& having fun on here, with Jeff, re: his "Bite me!" expletive. : -)

charlis		01-May-2008 23:26
miami girl and mangos... personally I don't like them but up here in Tampa there is a town called Mango... Central FL is where you can find the most mango trees... everyone has one in their back yard... !!!!! I have been told that when you pick them, you should set them out in the hot sun to continue ripening... when "mushy" they are ready to eat! If another fruit, you would throw it out!

charlis		01-May-2008 23:21
guest.... re: Jeff. I am the only one on this board who actually knows Jeff. We went to the same high schoo;, worked for the same boss at the printing/sign shop... had the same best friend/teacher mentor. He was in my sister's class. This board has become a "personal" board for friends to get together and discuss things not really related to the main pages. Join the board, make a name... or go away.

charlis		01-May-2008 23:08
roberta and gang/family... men should also be screened for breast cancer.

Guest		01-May-2008 22:30
Hit a nerve...obviously. Didn't post a name, because it's the INTERNET, and folks give out WAY too much personal information in here. I was commenting on your tone, Jeff, which can be pompous. I'll leave these discussions to you folks - back to the photos...

Miami Girl		01-May-2008 12:29
BRAVO Jeff, Roberta and Al..... I couldn't have said it better. Sure wish we could grow mango tree's in NY, those from the store just lack something - although I do occasionally buy one or two. Next time I'm going to let them sit in a sunny spot for a day or two before eating, maybe that'll do the trick. I always felt so sorry for those who are allergic to them. They should be named Miami's official fruit - or are they already?

Guest		01-May-2008 09:48
Back to Miami.....I had a great mango the other day and it sure reminded me of our treees in Hialeah while growing up.

Jeff		01-May-2008 07:27
PS: Roberta... I hope that you will have found my information on PSA/DRE tests a helpful addition that might alleviate some folks' trepidations about getting tested... Now can we PLEASE put this to rest? We are only empowring our nemesis...

Jeff		01-May-2008 07:24
See? Roberta makes some valid points - and whether you or I agree or disagree, she signs her name and speaks her mind, as do I. Roberta may notbe in accord with everything I have said about the use of this site, but she DIDN'T hide in the shadows of the unsigned "Guest" - who could be ANYONE... from a recent newcomer to an old standby who lacked the courage to 'fess up as to who they are... While her intent was to do right, she couldn't have forseen this little bend in the road... Are you happy now "GUEST"?????????? That's what got me pissed off before... not that Roberta and I have different perspectives about this blog spot, but that some unsigned miscreant throws out sarcasm knowing full well I WILL respond to his or her cowardly, unsigned assault on me. To wit, The King HAS spoken... and in my self-aggrandizing, and pompous proclamations that seem so tiring to a certain menial subject of my realm, I offer THIS proclamation: "BITE ME!" LOL!!!!!!!

Roberta Perry Hughes		01-May-2008 05:30
Indirectly, my prior posting DOES involve Miami, as my sister, Audrey Perry Lane, is a 1961 graduate of Southwest High, & my nephew, Travis, is her #2 son. I thought that, maybe, there would be someone "out there," who would remember Audrey...? My brother, Willie, aka "Bill" Perry, & I both, are cancer survivors, & of course, we are former Miamians. It has been posted on here, about other Miamians, who have had cancer, & posted about some, who, unfortunately, succumbed to it. People more widely known than my family members. I did mention that I knew I was digressing, from the "usual postings" on here. But I did so out of the concern that, prostate cancer is, indeed, on the rise, & that there are many, many men out there, who have not been tested, & I just wanted to encourage everyone, who hasn't been tested, to do so, is all. I DO care, about our fellow Posters. I didn't mean for this to become a soapbox, or anything like what has happened on here, & become a free-for-all melee. Jeff...you know me well enough to know that I would have signed my name, in all capital letters, had I been the one who posted that criticism of you. Don can see who we all are, via our e-mail addresses, whether we sign our names, or not. I, personally, see no harm, to once-in-a-while, for one, or more of us, to open a small window into our lives, on here, for "tea & sympathy, among friends, even though the posting ISN'T regarding a defunct edifice, business, who founded the business, or a sea-going vessel, or the foods we used to love, or trees that were in our yards, back in the day, or any item of trivia, or historical data, or statistics. To announce the serious illness, or death, of a loved one, or to post a link to the obituary of a once-popular D.J., TV host, former teacher, business owner, or restaurateur, merely makes us human, with a desire to share a little bit of life, with the others who post on here, & for us to respond, in turn, one-by-one, by offering up our condolences, or support, to me, is NOT a waste of space, here. This Site, to me, is as much about the PEOPLE, who lived the life, in the photos that are posted in the Main Galleries, as it is about the history of "Old Miami." In many photos, of buildings, there are no people to be seen. But...we are there!! And we are HERE, too! (Correct me, if I'm wrong, Don). I don't know what I expected, in response to my post. Certainly, not what followed it, by any means. 'Scusi!

Jeff		01-May-2008 03:38
Thank you, Al... Today I interrupted my schedule to monitor this site a few more times than I normally do as of late. I was curious as to who might actually find me offensive, and who might find my postings - although somewhat blunt in my [personal] truth, welcome. Again, I do not wish to open up any detailed debates about my merits or faults. There is more to be gained from this site by the reminiscences about "Old Miami" than any personal agendas. What angered me was the easy, cheap shot taken by someone who couldn't even take a moment to identify him or herself. If the comment had come from you, Roberta, Charlis, or any one of the "regulars" I would have taken it as "a light jab with constructive criticism". In truth, I was so angry that I typed faster than I proofread, so some of my comments sound a bit odd... but here's one more truth: People mean well. This is why Roberta made that post. However, I DO understand human nature [based on past postings here], and this will invariably works its way into a long dialogue. With that in mind, I decided to post the facts I received from my urologist - firstly in the hope of both educating and enlightening men who've not done such screening (and I'm a bit over-due for another PSA test), and secondly to nip the subject in the bud - to reduce speculation, woory fear and debate over what "might" be the right thing to do... you know how things sometimes get carried away in here. Our "guest" - in the loosest sense of the word - evidentally believes that to NOT follow as a sheep; to exercise [or exorcise] one's opinion or to stand firm in one's thought and belief is synonamous with having a control issue. The last time I recall, I never told anyone that my word was absolute and resolute. I could have played on his or her court and returned the insults ten fold - for I have a razor-sharp tongue - but this would have solved nothing. I'd prefer for this matter to just go away andlet our "regulars" either like me or hate me... THEY hold more import to me than a cowardly, anonymous, ethereal sniper...

Arizona Al		01-May-2008 02:58
Jeff: Although I do not know you personally I have become fond of and admire your postings both relavant to "Old Miami" the esoteric outliers. You certainly do not hide behind the cloak of anonymity as you have provided your complete name and email address on several previous postings. I thouroughly enjoy your postings and trust that you will continue with same.I have never found them to engender the slightest of offense!! Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive and Well in Phoenix, Arizona

Jeff		01-May-2008 00:17
No, "Guest"... I have NO delusions of grandeur, unlike yourself... at least I sign MY name... The PURPOSE of this forum is to discuss Miami memories, and it has slowly degenerated into a bulletin board for just about everything else. I'm even willing to have Don Boyd remove any or all of my postings if he finds them offensive or annoying. However, sir or madam... no one holds a gun to anyone's head to either agree or disagree with me (or anyone else for that matter) on this blog. Equally so, just because I vent my opinion - this does not mean I have the final say... for DON BOYD is the webmaster. He, and only he can make the judgement as to what should or should not be here. I, on the other hand am exercising my First Amendment right of free speech, which (despite your distate of it) DOES include my opinion. You DO NOT have to like me, my words or my point of view... but to take a "cheap shot" hidden behind the cloak of anonymity shows that it is you who has a problem with free spech. The door swings in both directions... you came in here freeley and can exit as such. I'm sure many of the bloggers who DO correspond with me regularly may also disagree with my position, but they will tell me openly without anonymous character association. I have contributed PLENTY of factual information and photos to the site. What have YOU contributed except for a cloak-and-dagger attack on me? I will NOT respond to any more of your sarcasm, for to do so will make me as guilty as anyone else who uses this blog for other than its intended purpose.

Guest		30-Apr-2008 23:27
Jeff, do you have delusions of grandeur? A king complex? Chill - your proclamations are tiresome.

Jeff		30-Apr-2008 19:44
Before this becomes "Doom and Gloom Central", here's the facts on men and prostate cancer so we can move on... Most men over 50 will get BPH, which in simple terms is an enlarging of the prostate. Saw Palmetto and Selenium supplements help keep this in check to a degree. We also need to get an annual screening in two ways: DRE and PSA. PSA mean Prostate Specific Antigen. Levels over 4.0 can indicate a possiblity of prostate cancer, but it can also mean the man has BPH. This is where the DRE (Digital Rectal Exam) comes into play. The doctor checks the "pliability" of the prostate. If it has too hard and rough of a feel, the doctor may then opt for a biopsy, which means a tiny nedle takes tissue samples to check for the possibility of a tumor. If found early enough, there's an over 90% cure/survival rate. Equally, the PSA test can also indicate "false positive results", so it should be taken first, then a DRE. If it's simply BPH, then a re-test of the PSA level may be required to continue checking the PSA levels. Avoiding red meat, dairy products, wheat products and processed sugar aids in lowering PSA levels. Additionally, eating foods high in Lutein (tomato products), watching your weight and adding antioxidants [especially red and green leafy vegetables], fish (brioled or baked - not fried)and spices to your foods will help as well. Some tests indicate that capsaicin [spelling?], the ingredient that makes hot peppers hot attacks prostate cancer cells - so as a "preventative" measure you could go and spice up your meals... How do I know all this? I have BPH, and I received this information from my urolgist. Now, that this subject has made you aware... be cautious, get tested, but don't panic or over-react. Fear is your worst enemy. A friend of mine just beat prostate cancer, and he recently turned 50. End of subject here on this blog. Case closed. Any further questions? DON'T post them here... consult your own physician for the best advise. He knows you. Rambling here about the "dos", "don'ts", "ifs" and "whys" will mean simply speculation...

Roberta Perry Hughes		30-Apr-2008 04:42
ALL of you guys out there, PLEASE!! Get screened for prostate cancer (PSA)! It is on the rise! In fact, my sister's #2 son, my 45 year old nephew, Travis Lane, was just diagnosed with prostate cancer, yesterday. He meets with an Oncologist, this week, to learn what course of action will be taken, to aggressively fight this disease. He is married, & has a 5 year old son. They live in Eustis, FL. I realize that I am digressing, from the usual threads, that are posted on here, but I feel that we have all come to know one another, on this Site, & that we even care about one another. Or, that is my hope, anyway. Just wanted to alert you guys, & encourage you to run...don't walk...& go for the simple blood test that screens you for prostate cancer. I pray that you will all be negative, for same. Please remember my sister, Audrey Perry Lane, 1961 graduate of Southwest High, in your prayers, & of course, her son, Travis, & his family, too. Thanks, in advance. Roberta, awake, as usual, on a chilly night in the Peach State, & reaching out to the guys in the Old Miami Memories peanut gallery, & wishing them well.

Arizona Al		29-Apr-2008 23:59
Guest: I am a few years older than you (62) and I agree that we are making reference to different people/different cohort time frame. We do have a common bond, however. I was at MMA 1960-1962. Refer to the MMA section on the main page. I Lived in Cutler Ridge 1955-1964 so it is possible we know some of the same people. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive and well on a 97 degree Tuesday in Phoenix, Arizona

Guest		29-Apr-2008 15:39
Al, thanks for the response, but we are talking about different people ( the McCowan's, etc.) I am from the Sunniland, Palmetto High area, although I did know some Ridge people. I get the impression you're a little older than me- I'm 55, but you may know them. The Goulds- Pat Gould and I forgot his brother's name , Mark Chile, Bud Leath are some of the ones I remember. I also remember hanging out at a park in Cutler Ridge on weekend nights and I think everyone in Cutler Ridge was there. Also, I was at MMA from 1966-67.

Jeff		29-Apr-2008 05:28
Hi, Parks... This is a "mini-mystery", isn't it? What deepens it is the quote from Paulette Carr: "On February 21, 1950, city orders to empty and demolish the ship were carried out..." If this is the case, the only two possibilities remain: 1. That WAS an earlier movie spliced onto the night shots (but the young boy looks to be the same age on the beach and in Downtown Miami), or... 2. That was a DIFFERENT vessel... I dunno...

Parks		29-Apr-2008 05:11
Hi Jeff, you might be right, it could be another vessel, but it is in the right spot to be the PV and it seems to have the dark canopy over the deck that shows in Don's photo of the PV. The stern is shapped correctly to be a sailing vessel and it has no masts. Despite my argument to the contrary, it sticks in my mind that the PV lasted until 52 or 53. I can't find any reference to that though. One of these days I might go to the library and look up the Miami Herald in February 1950 and see if I can find out anything for sure. I'm going fishing the rest of the week so I won't get a chance to play with this for awhile.

Jeff		28-Apr-2008 21:18
Hi, Parks... That very well could be, but I'm now more prone to believe that what "looked" like the Prins Valdemar was actually another vessel... Remember, this was taken from grainy, shaky 8mm home movie film...

Parks		28-Apr-2008 01:45
Hi Jeff, This is getting confusing and fun! Following is a quote from Paulette Carr, the grand daughter of Samuel Stout, owner of the Miami Aquarium. "By February 9, 1950, the Miami Herald reported that the city took possession of the ship in a trade with R. J. Walters for the $7,500 bond he had posted in 1946. On February 21, 1950, city orders to empty and demolish the ship were carried out. Without the boat, there could be no aquarium. The Miami Herald reported that a sad Sam Stout watched as his tanks were torn up and the adult female manatee, Lady, along with many of Samuel Stout’s fish, were released into the bay or ocean to fend for themselves." Maybe the film was a compliation of several trips to Florida? More research is needed!

Miami Girl		27-Apr-2008 23:24
Arizona Al, I remember Ned Reep from either 3rd or 4th grade at Perrine Elementary. It's hard to forget the bully who bent my arm behind my back and walked me all the way to the end of the playground that way! Don't remember seeing him after moving to the new Cutler Ridge school -- thank God.

Jeff		27-Apr-2008 21:30
Parks... This should answer your question about the Prins Valdemar: It WAS still in downtown Miami in 1952! I looked up the release date for "With A Song in My Heart" (The Jane Froman Story) - the movie listed on the marquee in the close-up of the Carib Theater... it was released in 1952! Judging from the mode of dress, this was the winter "season" on Miami Beach... so I was between 3 and 5 months old in Brooklyn, NY at the time that footage was taken!

Arizona Al		27-Apr-2008 13:17
Dear Guest: I remember Black John, the McQuen (not McCowan) brothers, Ned Reep and Burgin Reep, Jim Brecht , Rusty Wickline the Mackinelly berothers. They were the contemporary gang bangers circa 1958-1964. I actually worked with Robert McQuen and Tim Mackinelly 1963-1964 at the Grand Union in Perrine, Florida. I heard that Robert Mackinelley passed away several years ago from liver cancer . Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive and well in Phoenix, Arizona

Parks		27-Apr-2008 03:36
Jeff, A freind of mine, Jack Wirt, could have told us when the PrinsV. was broken up. He bought the anchor and gave it to the Miami Yacht Club where it still is. Unfortunately Jack died a few months ago. He was well into his nineties, still sharp. I miss him. He owned a gas station on the corner of SW 8th Street and Miami Avenue in the fifties. He was also very involved, behind the scenes, in Dade County politics. He ran Hardy Matheson's campain for county commissioner.

Jeff		27-Apr-2008 03:27
Parks... I had a lull in my activities, so I made what will be one of my infrequent sojourns back here... and I'll take a minute to try and respond to your queries... I have no knowledge about who owned the boat docks, and you have eyes like an eagle to spot the Prins Valdemar. Good going. As to WHEN it was removed... only something found in print could settle that mystery and "carbon date" more accurately that home movie. As a graphic artist with a love for well-crafted neon, I was both thrilled and a bit saddened to see what is now a "lost art" down here. Due to ever-increasing regulations, what little neon we still have seldom compares to the beauty - and yes, there IS a beauty to a well made sign - of the 1950's Carib marquee, the Wolfie's sign, the Dubrow's frontage and those wonderful "spectaulars" on the bay... such as the Pepsi bottle caps and the Jantzen swimmer... I was born WAY too late... Postwar America (despite any of its social or political problems) seemed to me more classy, more sensible, more promising... Anyway, I'm NOT trying to start any long discussionsthat will end up being a can of worms about the merits or shortcoming of neon signs on our landscape... I was just having an nostalgic appreciation for the Lincoln Road that (according to the website) was photographed the year I was born...

Parks		27-Apr-2008 02:31
Jeff thanks for the link to the video. I recognized lots of places now gone and at least one still here, the Venetian Pool. Also in the movie was the main library in Bayfront Park with the band shell in the background. It looked to me that a lot of the film, near the end, was shot from the Columbus Hotel. Did you spot the Everglades Hotel? The ship docks where the American Airlines Arena now is, were they owned by the FEC railroad? Pier 5 and the Auditorium where Bayside Shopping Center is now. Some of the film may actually be eariler than 1950 as I spotted the Prins Valdemar. I tried to find out when the Prins Valdemar was removed and the best I can find is February of 1950. While researching that I came across a web site similar to this where people were talking about a manatee that was born in the Miami Aquarium aboard the Prins V. in 1948. He is still alive and living in Bradenton! His name is Snooty. Goggle him.

MM		27-Apr-2008 00:44
Bud,I'm from South Miami, was Flynn's Dixie Ribs at 152nd st and US1?

Guest		26-Apr-2008 22:46
Yeah, I used to go to Merry Christmas a lot, also the grove ( coconut) of course and how about the concerts on Sunday's at Greynolds Park?

Jeff		26-Apr-2008 18:34
Thanks for posting the full link, Don... Anyone who does download the file please note: You'll need Apple QuickTime on your computer to run the movie offline. If it's not already on your computer, Apple's site offers a free download...

Guest		26-Apr-2008 14:26
I remember black john! he lived behind the weinkles liquor store and would chase us if we hung out near royal castle. how about Merry Christmas Park?

Guest		26-Apr-2008 14:01
I remember when 132nd st. was a dirt road going to US1. Does anyone remember Mark Hagaman, or the McCowan brothers ( who were always in trouble)? How about "black john" who lived behind the 7-11 and royal castle?

Leighton		26-Apr-2008 09:43
Great footage. Wish I had a time machine.

Don Boyd		26-Apr-2008 06:12
In other words, Jeff's link is: http://revver.com/video/509832/miami-beach-florida-vacation-home-movie/ Don

Jeff		26-Apr-2008 04:13
PS: The first space is before revver.com/ and the last space is before video/

Jeff		26-Apr-2008 04:11
This site does not always allow posters to add web links, but if you put all the parts together (without the spaces), you'll find a site with a wonderful piece of nostalgia... some 1952 home movies of Miami Beach and Miami... http:// revver.com/ video/509832/miami-beach-florida-vacation-home-movie/ (Remember to delete the spaces!) Yo'll see some great shots of Downtown Miami by day, Lincoln Road between Washington and Collins Avenues by night (including images of Pickin' Chicken, Dubrow's, Carib Theater, Whelan's Drugs, Wolfie's)... along with the usual obligatory footage of family members frolicking beachside... and a special treat... the billboards with neon "spectaculars" that lit up Biscayne Bay at night from the site that's now The Miami Herald!

Don Boyd		25-Apr-2008 02:08
I added longtime popular radio announcer Arnie Warren's photo, newspaper article and obituary about his death last Saturday in Wellington (main gallery). RIP Arnie, thank you for the good memories! Arnie's website is located athttp://www.greatconnection.com His guestbook is located athttp://www.legacy.com/herald/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=108199725 Don

Guest		24-Apr-2008 15:57
Arizona Al, that hanging onto the back of the truck had to be a "guy thing" - I sure wasn't that brave! Have fun in Montreal, "Old Town" is fantastic!

Arizona Al		24-Apr-2008 10:38
Largo..belated condolences. Miami Girl..I chased the same mosquito spray trucks in Cutler Ridge circa mid to late 1950's. The grand prize was to hang on to the back of the truck and have your bicycle pulled along as the truck emitted noxious and probably brain damaging pesticide. No wonder I am twisted and disturbed to this day!! Heading to Montreal tomorrow for a wedding and will return next week. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and wishing you all good tidings from Phoenix, Arizona

Don Boyd		23-Apr-2008 15:08
4/23: Linda Adleman Bolinger contributed a 1940's image of her grandfather Howard Hubbard inside Hubbard's Kubbard in Hialeah (Hialeah gallery). Parks Masterson contributed a 1940's image of a Navy sub-chaser in Government Cut (1940's gallery). Robert Bowman contributed several items in the "Do You Remember?" gallery. Don

Jeff		22-Apr-2008 23:36
Largo... My heartfelt sympathy on your loss... Take joy in the fact that you had your father all those years, and could celebrate a long, wonderful life with him!

charlis		22-Apr-2008 22:08
largo... my love and thoughts to you and yours. I was always taught to "Forget the death, remember the life!" Sounds like everyone had a great life together and many fond memories.

Joanne		21-Apr-2008 01:58
Largo...my heartfelt sympathy to you and yours. Another one of the pages of life closed, but the stories continue still. It's all part of Gods green earth, life and death. Sounds as if his life was lived well and he passed that wonderful knowledge on to you. Peace to you!!!

MO John		20-Apr-2008 17:27
LARGO, My sincere condolences to you and your family. Your parents molded you much like mine. Hang in there. Gob bless you. J

LARGO		20-Apr-2008 12:48
THANKS YOU GUYS...MY SISTERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS WILL BE HAVING A LIFE CELEBRATION/MEMORIAL..APPROPRIATELY ON EARTH DAY APR 22 (our home in S. Miami looked like the Garden of Eden..fruit trees and exotic plants & flowers everywhere.)....AND MY BABY SISTER TURNS 60 THE 23...MOM AND DAD TAUGHT US HOW TO LIVE, LOVE AND LAUGH..AND NOT TO BE AFRAID TO DIG IN THE EARTH..AND GET A LITTLE MESSY...AND IN THEIR HONOR, AND WITH THEM IN OUR HEARTS.....THIS IS HOW WE WILL ALL CARRY ON......LARGO

Guest		20-Apr-2008 11:17
Largo: I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I've been there and understand how you feel. Better days are coming. Please accept our sympathy. John 5:28,29

Roberta Perry Hughes		20-Apr-2008 04:53
Largo...May the wonderful & cherished memories you have of your father be of comfort to you & yours in the days ahead. Through your postings on here, that related to your colorful father's life, I feel as though I met him, & oh! How I wish I had had such a privilege as that would have been. Your mother, also, sounded like she enjoyed a rich & very colorful life, & I know that you & your siblings were lucky, indeed, to have had such parents. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you & yours, during this time. Know that you have many many friends on here, who care about you. Take care of your precious self. Hugs, Roberta

LARGO		20-Apr-2008 03:24
MY FATHER...CLIFFORD H. POLAND JR....91 & 8 MTHS...AN EARLY PIONEER IN THE S. FLORIDA FILM INDUSTRY...FELL ASLEEP AND WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD AND MOMMA...APRIL 17th ..THE 18TH WAS THEIR 71st WEDDING ANNIVERSARY...I MISS THEM TERRIBLY................LARGO

MP		20-Apr-2008 01:08
Hole in the Head's hotel was the Cardoza Hotel 1300 Ocean Dr.

Gables_Miami Beach		20-Apr-2008 00:16
Thanks for the Fontainebleau memories, particualrly to Charlis. The "Hole in the Head" discussion also dovetailed nicely with my Fontainebleau topic. The lagoon pool that replaced the original Fontainebleau pool when Hilton Hotels took over in 1978 was replaced last year by a new pool. It seems that was what was so new and exciting in 1978 had been duplicated and the trend ran its course. Hilton left in 2005 and now the place is being renovated yet again. It is interesting to hear the south wall mural mentioned, as it often is in discussions like this, but the funny thing is that the wall had a fairly brief history. It was painted in 1985 and that building demolished c. 2001, a small slice of the hotel's history.

BUD		19-Apr-2008 23:37
I am the grandson of Bill Flynn... he worked for the Florida East Coast Railway, past owner of Flynn's Dixie Ribs, and a member of the Florida House of Representatives. I didn't know my grandfather because I was adopted as a small child. Does anyone have any old photos of him, Flynn's Dixie Ribs or any other information. Thank you in advance, BUD

miami girl		19-Apr-2008 22:34
Roberta: My friends and I also rode our bikes behind the mosquito spray trucks - it's a wonder we have any lungs left! In the early days of Cutler Ridge (mid to late 50's) they used to burn off the underbrush in the woods before building new houses so maybe that smoke overpowered the Everglades burning which I don't remember for some reason.

robertbowman		19-Apr-2008 01:02
I was born ('56) and raised on Miami Beach and remember when the Glades burned every year. They usually blamed lightning or hunters for starting it. Sometimes the wind would carry the thich blue smoke over our part of town (south Beach) and the ash would come down like snow and cover everything with a good dusting. Probably was terrible for you, but what did we know we also rode our bikes behind the mosquito spray trucks. I think that they used DDT then. I don't think i'm any worse for the wear.

charlis		18-Apr-2008 21:42
roberta... I moved to FL in 1962 and lived in W Hollywood that fall... before moving to MB that Dec. We lived just a few blocks from the canal that separated W Hollywood from the Everglades... and civilization. (Now civilization goes miles west of that canal! The one fire reached to the canal! Looks to be that this year will be another bad fire year... according to predictions. But, they have been wrong on a lot of things this year... for the good. No hurricanes, no damaging cold fronts, etc.

Roberta Perry Hughes		18-Apr-2008 04:39
A most definite childhood memory of mine, of Miami, in the early 1950's, on up to 1961, which was the year my family moved away, was when the Everglades was a VAST area, & in the sweltering heat of the Miami sun, spontaneous combustion would ignite the smouldering vegetation, & the onset of the swamp fires would begin. Thick blue smoke would hover low over the neighborhood, & some days, I swear, it seemed you could hear the crackling of the flames. With the way "they" have drained the 'Glades, over-the-years, & have built upon it, to accomodate more & more transplanted "snow birds," or "whomever," are the swamp fires anything like they used to be? How have these extreme changes, in the size of the acerage of the 'Glades, affected the intensity, & the duration, of the swamp fires/swamp/smoke? Those who came along after the Everglades were drained, & her size diminished, have no idea what it was like, back in the day, when the hazy blue smoke was a part of daily life, annually. I remember how it would burn my eyes, & my throat. It was quite acrid, & seemed to have a different scent, & feel, from a forest fire's smoke. It had a pungent aroma to it. The swamp fires were as much a part of our lives as hurricane season was, & I'm sure, this is a part of every Poster's memory, of those days of yore.

robertbowman		18-Apr-2008 03:41
"The Happening" 1967 filmed in and around Miami Beach, Also some good shots of Miami Baseball Statium.With Anthony Quinn,Faye Dunaway ,Milton Berle and more. Here is a link for more info. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F04E3D71E3CE63ABC4052DFB366838C679EDE

charlis		17-Apr-2008 21:45
"Hole in the Head"... my favorite Sinatra movie. I used to drive everyone crazy with the "ooops, there goes another rubber tree plant" when ever my sister was helping my mother with the gardening and dropped something. Sinatra seemed to like to film there. I remember one time going to a friends apartment on Pine Tree Dr. She lived across the street from a mansion on Indian Creek and we often used the pool... with the absent owner's permission. We had a party one Saturday afternoon and headed across the street to use the pool. Guards stopped us... Frank was filming there. Then you've all heard the story of Evie and I trying to get to work at the Teen Dance Club only to have Evie have a fight with Frank because he was filming in the alley where the entrance to her apartment was... we had to get to work and she needed to change clothes! I "lost my love" for Frank that evening... but the movie was great. I think it was "Lady in Cement", or the one after that.

charlis		17-Apr-2008 21:36
Jeff, I asked Evie about the Grand Union last night when she called go check in... she said the same thing you did. How have you been? I was getting worried. Your expertise is needed here. Hope things are going well with you... and what is keeping you away from this board is good.

charlis		17-Apr-2008 21:32
John... filmed in Miami and Italy... Did anyone catch the CSI Miami last year, or maybe the year before. It had to do with some computer geeks from UM killing people. One scene was at the ice hockey rink, which clearly said "Miami University". I do not know if UM has an ice hockey rink... but MU is in OH!

John		17-Apr-2008 13:41
Jeff you've made my day - finally I found the locations :D You really know your stuff. Roberta No, I don't know Gus personally, but got a friend who knows him. By the way Terence Hill & Bud Spencer made another film in Miami for those of you who like to see Miami locations. The movie is called "Odds And Evens" and was made in 1978. Thank you Don for helping me out :D

Roberta Perry Hughes		17-Apr-2008 06:32
Parks...(AND Jeff)...Thanks, for confirming that "A Hole in the Head" was filmed in Miami. I saw the movie, eons ago, but cannot remember too much about it, except what I had speculated. I'm considering buying a DVD of it. I apologize that my postings sometimes don't pertain to Miami Memories, but I only commit that faux pas, here lately, whenever it has become like a ghost town on here, for weeks on end...& mainly, to see if anyone is paying attention, as I know that it will eventually evoke a comment. : ) Roberta, loving each & every memory shared on here, & all of the facts, as well.

Jeff		17-Apr-2008 05:50
CORRECTION: That scene by the Grand Union by the rear could is actuallyfacing the other direction - TOWARD 125th Street... NOT Southeast to West Dixie Hwy... the Shopping Center actually is divided by that cross street...

Jeff		17-Apr-2008 05:45
PS: I forgot to comment on "A Hole in the Head". It opens with an areial shot over the Fontainebleau Hotel showing the Goodyear Blimp "Ranger". The hotel exterior was a real hotel on Ocean Drive (around 13th or 14th Street), and the hotel's sign was removed to put the the name of the fictitious hotel during the filming. A scene shot outside of Hoffman's Cafeteria (Collins Avenue and Espanola Way) was deleted from the film. This was according to the late dance teacher Bernie Sager, who told me he had appeared in that scene. Gotta go........

Jeff		17-Apr-2008 05:41
The Grand Union in question was located at 450 NE 125th Street in North Miami. It was built around 1955, and the surrounding Colonial Shopping Plaza was added in the early 1960's. This was after a failed attempt by Zegarra Construction [located at the time at 12345 West Dixie Hwy.] to build what would have been known as "The Griffing Plaza"on the same site in 1955. Another Zegarra Construction plan for a shopping center on NE 125th Street at NE 9th Avenue was also rejected by the city, and the Friedland Family (who showed interest in that project) subsequently built the 163rd Street Shopping Center the same year in North Miami Beach. After Grand Union closed and pulled out of Florida in the 1980's, Winn-Dixie took over the location for a number of years, then vacated the premises. Currently, it is a President Super Market. The Colonial Apartments are located directly across the street on the North side on NE 125th Street and may now be known by another name. The side view of the building looks Southeast toward West Dixie Hwy. IMPORTANT NOTE: I will only post here on the rare occasion I have the time - and then, ONLY to respond with any reasonable and thoughtful comments I hope to contribute about a particular Miami Memorabilia subject in question. ALL OTHER COMMENTS directed to me, for me, against me, about me, etc. will not be answered, so kindly save the valuable blog space for better topics of discussion, thank you. (In other words, there is nothing to speculate about as to "why" I'm not yakking my head off here... Simply put, I have other priorities at this point in time...)

Parks		17-Apr-2008 05:29
Hi Roberta, I had forgotten about A Hole In The Head. Yes it was filmed in Miami. As I recall there was a scene at Flagler Dog Track and lots of good South Beach shots. Didn't Edward G. Robinson play his older brother in it?

Roberta Perry Hughes		17-Apr-2008 05:07
Ooooops! I meant THINKING, not "thing"! Sorry. It's past the witching hour!

Roberta Perry Hughes		17-Apr-2008 05:05
Parks...Wasn't Sinatra's movie "A Hole in the Head" also filmed in Miami? I think the song "High Hopes" is from that movie, & that the movie was something about his character's hotel, that he was in danger of losing it, or something like that...?? It was filmed in either the late '50's or the early '60's, but I'm thing that it was filmed in Miami...? Was it???

Don Boyd		17-Apr-2008 04:05
I added four more images from John in his search to find the location of the Grand Union in the 1977 movie "Crime Busters." The images are in the 70's Gallery and specifically at: http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/image/95743099 - check out the reflections in the window http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/image/95743101 - some background visible http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/image/95743103 - Continental Apts. in background http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/image/95743106 - side and back of Grand Union Thanks for your help everyone. Don

Parks		17-Apr-2008 04:03
I love watching films and TV shows that were made in Miami and trying to spot locations I recognize. Tony Rome with Frank Sinatra and The Happening with Anthony Quinn are two good Miami movies. The TV show Burn Notice is filming here now. They have rented the Dinner Key Convention Center to use as a studio and base of opperations. It really annoys me when TV shows use Miami as a back drop but actually film elsewhere. Have you noticed that almost every movie or TV show filmed in Miami has a scene in which a car drives across the McArthur Causeway?

Roberta Perry Hughes		17-Apr-2008 01:21
John...Hope you find the locations that you seek, for that movie. Isn't it fun, to search for things you want to know? I'm always amazed, at what you can find! So, you're a great Dane, huh? Do you happen to know poker player, Gus Hansen? I think he's from Denmark, too?? Great to see you posting on here! Looking forward to reading more from you. Don't apologize for your English...I find it very charming!

John		17-Apr-2008 00:28
Sorry Don, I don't know why my post shows up twice??? By the way, sorry for my poor english - I'm from Copenhagen, Denmark :)

John		17-Apr-2008 00:25
Hi Parks I have checked the address out on Google Earth and it doesen't looks like it's the right one. Hi Charlis Crime Busters was released in 1977 and problaby filmed 1976/77. It was an italian movie with the action-comedy stars Terence Hill and Bud Spencer and all the outdoors scenes were filmed in the Miami area and some of the indoor scenes were filmed in Italy. I've located a lot of the locations in the movie by looking on Google Earth but some of them were really hard to find because things has really changed in the last 30 years. I have send Don a few more pictures from the movie and hope he get some new ideas. :)

charlis		16-Apr-2008 22:32
Where is Jeff when we need him? I hope he is okay. I find conflicting info on the Crime Busters film... filmed in 1976 or 1979, filmed in FL or Italy.... My ex worked for a company located near the address given and I do not remember a grocery store on that block of Biscayne.

Don Boyd		16-Apr-2008 05:01
The Grand Union photo that John sent in seeking the location is now up in the 70's gallery - here's the direct link to it: http://www.pbase.com/image/95703709 The movie was "Crime Busters" and he needs to find the location of this Grand Union shot. Thanks! Don

Parks		16-Apr-2008 04:46
Hi John, There is a Continental Apts listed at 2601 Biscayne Blvd. I don't know if there was ever a Grand Union next door. What was the movie?

Bill Simons		16-Apr-2008 03:13
My name is Bill Simons and I was born at St Francis hospital in 1951. My grandfather Harold Lee Barnes was in real estate and worked with developing Surfside in the early days. We grew up on Sunset Island #3 and have a lot of great memories from Miami Beach. My father and "Red" Long started Long's Office Supplies in the forties which was located in downtown Miami. I have really enjoyed your pictures and have seen things that I had forgotten all about. I wish you had more pictures of Miami Beach. We used to ride our bikes from Sunset down Michigan to the beach and spend the day in front of the Cleavlandar. Bet you wouldn't let your seven year old do that now! I went to St. Patricks Catholic School when I was young. I have so many things that I remember but I don't want to keep going on. Thanks, Don

John		16-Apr-2008 01:48
I need some help from some of all the viewers in here. I like to find movie locations and I've been searching for a Grand Union store in the Miami area, so far without any luck. Don has promised to put a picture of the Grand Union sign from the store up in here, but it's not a very good picture. What I can tell about the store is that to the right of the store there were a little street with a dry clean storeon the corner. On the opposite side of the street there was a low brick building with the name Continental Apts on the wall. The movie where I saw it was from 1977. Any ideas for where this Grand Union was located? I know it ain't much, but give me some shots and I will check it out on Google Earth.

charlis		15-Apr-2008 23:19
miami girl... hurricanes... my favorite subject. My first 'cane experience was Donna. That does not really count as I was in NYC at the time on summer vacation, and being from OH, I didn't know what a hurricane was. My first FL experience was Cleo in '64. Cleo, and all hurricanes afterwards, meant my dad and I climbing up on the roofs of our house, an uncle's house, and freind's homes, and taking down the TV antennaes. Cleo hit in the middle of the night. The weather people had lost track of her. The eye went right over the house! We walked outside at the time. Water came through the jalousied windowed kitchen door. I suffered the only injury... a bad cut to my hand while trying to open a beer can for someone who was staying t our house... aka hurricane party. My mother hated the storm. We had moved to MB in Dec '62. Our 2 orange trees and 1 grape fruit tree were full of fruit that my mother was waiting to harvest in a few months. Of course we spent the next several days raking up all the lost fruit. After the 'cane passed my dad and I went around to all the family and friends and replace their antennaes... we saw all the damage... amazing not so bad for a direct hit... saw Surfside Six on its dock. To this day I am fascinated with 'canes. It's actually my "other duty" job at work. I have a 100% accuracy on tracking... predicted that Charlie would not hit Tampa when the locals where still saying it was headed our way a few hours before it hit to the south of here.

charlis		15-Apr-2008 23:04
arizona... love the dog place.... do they serve the dogs with raw onions, melted cheese and mayo? ...the only way I eat dogs.. in fact.... just had one... okay, the Oscar Meyer version... but it was good. Good luck to the family on their venture.

charlis		15-Apr-2008 23:01
gables... my memories of the Bleu go back to the '60's. My best friend's Uncle designed the place and is rolling over in his grave at what has happened to it. All the "basement" stores and restaurants are gone. The pool where you could watch people swim through a "basement" window is gone. The pool was replaced by a lagoon style pool. I was there the year that Hurricane Charlie hit for a HazMat conference and could not believe the changes. They were getting ready to tear down the famous wall at the south end of the property. I remember running into, literally, Sammy Davis Jr at the Bleu. Saw Troy Donahue there too. I remember when Surfside Six was blown up onto its dock during Hurricane Cleo. I pointed out the room where Goldfinger was filmed to a few convention attenders. Even showed them a few short cuts around the place. I even had to use the employee elevator one time and people were amazed at the fact that I knew where I was going and the stories I told them about the old Bleu. My memories of the Bleu are great... prior to my last visit there.

Joanne		15-Apr-2008 22:53
I'm baaaaack : ) a very large and warm HELLO to all. Had a Miami flashback on Sunday as I was mowing my yard. Thought about how Dad would have the push mower to do all the intricate moves around trees, bushes, etc and I was on the riding mower (we had about 3/4 of an acre) wearing my bathing suit to catch some rays while I mowed. Then off we'd go to Matheson, or some other wonderful place. We talked before about being on the "patrol" and our neon orange belts, well here's another...was anyone out there one of the "A/V" kids? You know, the kids that were in charge of projectors and screens and showing educational movies in class? I'll bet a lot of those people are now involved in computers. Whose high school played "The Horse" or "The Budwiser Song"? "When you say Bud, (bum bum) you've said a lot of things nobody else can say. When you say Bud (bum bum) you've said you care enough to only drink the king of beers." LOL!!!

Miami Girl		15-Apr-2008 22:05
Charlis, what a coincidence -- a couple weeks ago I met a fairly new employee where I work (in Upstate NY) who's also from Coral Gables! He came up to me since I was wearing my Miami Dolphins sweatshirt on a "casual Friday". I told him about this site but haven't had the chance yet to ask if he's visited yet. Gables-Miami Beach, my memory of the Fontainebleau is going there for lunch one day (approx 1962) with my Mom and lo and behold Bobby Darin was sitting at the next table. I didn't want to intrude so wouldn't go ask for his autograph. I have a picture of Surfside 6 I'm going to scan to Don - it was across the street from the hotel. Az Al, I'd love to sample those Chicago Style Hot Dogs. I used to frequent Chi-Town Dogs when we lived in Tennessee - never could have imagined a hot dog with cucumber, tomato and hot peppers but it was WONDERFUL - those peppers really cleared the sinuses! Best of luck to your wife and her sister on their new business! Roberta, thanks for getting these postings going again. We need new memories, I think all the "old people" have run out. Everybody: Give us a memory of one or more of the hurricanes you experienced. My Dad insisted on having a generator so much to my disgust we were the only family on the block with lights! Also, why did they always seem to hit at night? We couldn't see much.

Roberta Perry Hughes		15-Apr-2008 07:56
Hey, Arizona Al, whom I named! Wish I could fly out there to Gold Canyon, & patronize Hawgs 'N Dawgs...or is it Hogs 'n Dogs? However it's spelled, it sounds DELISH, & I extend my very best wishes, for it to be a huge success!! Brings to mind the memories we all have of such bistros, as this will be, I'm sure! Just the thought makes me want a flamed dog, all roasted & juicy, with sauerkraut & mustard!! MMMMMM-MMM!!! Sooooooo good, to see you posting again! Hope that everyone else will soon return. Their absence is practically tangible, & I am very thankful, indeed, for the new Posters on here, as well as the recent input from Charlis, Miami Girl, & Manocarz. Roberta...chilled to-the-bone, due to bare feet & nylon p.j.'s, as the temp continues to drop, & the winds pick up in velocity, threatening the beauty of flamboyant azaleas & delicate dogwoods, here, in the Peach State. I want to bring the horses in the house...& that stray black Tommer, too, that I named "Shadow," though he's wild as a buck. Should have named him Rhett Butler. Be warm 'n cozy, y'all...& stay well.

Arizona Al		15-Apr-2008 06:59
Hello Alll: Sorry I have not been contributing much lately. Have been involved with my wife and her sister in their opening of a sandwich shop in Gold Canyon, Arizona. It is called Hawgs and Dogs and serves Chicago Style Flame Broiled Hot Dogs and Gourmet Sandwiches. I never reralized all of the government-beaurocratic hoops that have to be navigated and negotiated to open and operate a small business. I guess the addage "anyone who owns and operates a business deserves it" has a ring of truth. In any event, now that the business is up and running I have much more time to contribute. Hello Roberta, Jeff, Manocars, Miami Girl, Charlis et. alli. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and recovering from opening a business in Gold Canyon, Arizona

Roberta Perry Hughes		15-Apr-2008 04:57
Guest of Apr. 15...I so enjoyed your posting! It was like I was there, seeing, hearing, & smelling, all that you described, & drinking in your memories, which are similar to my own, sans the religious denomination, & the location of your old haunts, for I am from S.W. Miami, & first, attended Southside (or was it Sunnyside?) Baptist Church, then Bird Road Baptist Church, & the year before we left the neighborhood, in 1961, I attended Olympia Baptist Church, with a few of the girls in my neighborshood. One of these girls came for a visit with me, in 1998, from Colorado,& another one will be here this month, from Oviedo, Florida. We all lived on S.W. 55th Street, back in the early 1950's. Our family was the first to leave the neighborhood. Now, everyone has scattered, all across the U.S., & our parents are all gone, & our aunts & uncle are, too. We are the "older generation," now, left with the memories of a place long ago & far away. Isn't this the most wonderful Site on the Web?? I have to go on here, daily, to be able to escape the way the world is, today, & to be in touch, too, with my "inner child," so-to-speak. It's a terrific stress-buster! Give us a monikker, so we'll get to know you, by name. It's great, to see new Posters on here. Our "regulars," mostly, have taken a holiday, it seems. Sure do miss them, too, & I'm anxious to learn how they all are doing, these days. Hope they are all well, & feeling good, & enjoying all that life has to offer. Charlis...I'll have to check out that Game, about Pompeii!! It sounds fantastic!! Roberta...up late...again...in the Empire State of the South, & in disbelief, that the wind chill factor will make it feel like 27 degrees, in the morning!...Brrrrrrr-rrrrr!!!

Guest		15-Apr-2008 04:08
Does anyone here remember Gladeview Elementary on NW 27th Ave and 62 St? Or the Army Surplus store across 62nd from it? The Stevens Market across 27th? Fredrich's Market on 62nd and 7th Ave? When I was small I remember the whole family driving down to Fredrich's every Friday night for groceries. Loved the magazine and comic book kiosk out front. My favorite memories of Miami was in the early and mid-fifties as a small child. The smells, the nights, the sky. I remember the pretty young mothers with the makeup and sweet smells at school functions. I remember the neat school carnivals held at Gladeview every year. Picking up pop bottles to cash in at Tu-Way Market for candy on the way to and from school. Amazing how much trash was thrown from cars back then. Until I was about 7 we used to go to the Church of God at NW 17th ave and 29th St on Sunday nights. When it got time for the fire and brimstone sermon my Dad would take me and my little sister for a walk around the block a few times. Was a neat adventure. There was a lumber yard and a hardware store on 28th st with pretty neon signs in the window. The smell of the night air back then was so rich. One of my memories of that time was of this bearded and grizzled old man setting in the last pew. We were in the pew before. He had a rifle or shotgun with him and said something about if that woman got up and sang he was going to shoot her. One of those older church ladies with those wavering voices. After my Dad heard that and saw the shotgun we got up and left. I remember the curve of the pistol-gripped stock on the gun. They had some characters back then. I remember dinner time then us all going out to the front porch and hear the stories the adults told as evening fell, then watching the moon and stars. This was before street lights. Never saw the night sky like that again until after Andrew. My Dad's family moved to Miami in 1922 and my mother was an old Florida Cracker. Lots of stories of the older days. We lived across the street from the old White Belt Dairy, part of which is now MLK Park and the rest are warehouses. It was called Hialeah Heights on the plat books. We had a 20 foot well that produced good water well past the time they put in city water. Miami was a wonderful place until the 60's.

Gables_Miami Beach		14-Apr-2008 23:10
Does anyone have memories of the Fontainebleau Hotel? If so, please share.

charlis		14-Apr-2008 22:17
roberta... I was just at my Volcano Google alert site and remembered something... a few years ago I bought a computer game that you might like... "The Last Days of Pompeii". Interesting game. Got it at Circuit City. It's fun as you go throughout the city searching for someone. We just got a new employee today. He is from Coral Gables. We didn't have much time to talk today as he was being "shown the ropes". Weather here is nice... cold for this time of the year... but I love going around the condo opening the windows and yelling... "Up yours TECO!"... I cleaned that up... did that many years ago... when the meter man was outside the window I was opening! He couldn't stop laughing!

Roberta Perry Hughes		14-Apr-2008 20:36
manocarz...Thanks for having responded to my posting. I appreciate it more than you know. Don't know what it's like, weather-wise, in Our Town, but here, it's turned off flat-out COLD, overcast, & windy, to boot! Thought we were done with the heating system, but I guess not! Even grateful for the ol' electric blanket, let me tell you! This cold front is making these 60 year old bones ache, like it's Winter, again! What's it like, where y'all are? My brother, in MI, says he got snow! UGH! Glad we don't live THAT far north! For real. Oh, what I'd give, for just one 24-hour visit to the tropical weather of my former hometown of Miami! To see the hibiscus in bloom, pick the ripe tropical fruits that everyone had in their yards, & to just go out wading, in the warm Atlantic...the way it was back-in-the-day, of course, pre-pollution & debris. Memory is a priceless treasure, isn't it? We can be kids again, & time travel, mentally, to our former neighborhoods, & it can seem so very real! It's a comfort to me, after all these years! Through this amazingly nostalgic Site, we can go back there any time we want to! Roberta, coping with a freak cold front, hovering over the Peach State, & waxing nostalgic, for sand & surf, tropical foliage, & long ago friends & neighbors.

Guest		14-Apr-2008 19:46
Roberta: You think this is a ghost town! You should see the Hialeah section! That's where I'm usually hanging out since that's my hometown. Seems like only on a rare occasion does anyone ever drop in on that section anymore. anyway, I don't say much to you Miamian's, but I have fun keeping an eye on you guys while I still enjoy Hialeah.

Roberta Perry Hughes		12-Apr-2008 20:53
What's going on, here? This Site is like a Ghost Town, lately! Where'd everybody go? Hubby & I are watching the Masters. Got our fingers crossed, for Tiger or Phil to win. Just hope Tiger makes the cut, today. Supper is in the crock pot...Boston Butt with vegetables...y'all come on in, & have a bite to eat with us! Supper will be served, when Lewis comes in from feeding the horses. You're all welcome at my table. Roberta, in the cool & breezy Peach State, home of The Masters, & missing old friends from my former home town, & fellow Posters, whom I've come to know ...& care about, very much.

Gary Pales		10-Apr-2008 18:30
what a great web sight. I viewed photos that are in my head. I never thought I would burger kingor grand union and the gold star deli on sw 8th st ever again. And you can't forget georges super sub shop. Any photo's of the blue gotto?Thanks for taking me back in time, a fun ride.

Gables_Miami Beach		10-Apr-2008 15:05
WhenI go to log in, it tells me that my user name or pasword are invalid. But when I type the comment and manually enter the same info below, it accepts the info and posts the comment.

Tami		09-Apr-2008 16:32
Love it! What a great collection. I remember seeing photos like these in my Dad's albums, and also remember a lot of "Old Miami" from visiting my Grandma in the 70's and 80's. Neat nostalgic trip. Thanks for the gallery!

Roberta Perry Hughes		06-Apr-2008 22:18
Miami Girl...Charlis...Many thanks, for sharing your wonderful images with me!! Can hardly wait, for the Vizcaya images, & EVERY image of Our Town that Don includes in the Galleries!!

charlis		06-Apr-2008 16:51
Don... scanned some of the Viscaya pics, including a brochure they gave out. I have other pics from an earlier visit that I still have to scan in. Will probably be next weekend.

charlis		06-Apr-2008 16:49
Roberta... sent the pics of Pompeii to you. The one pic you asked for is included. Being that the pic was taken while visiting the "Forbidden" area (Red Light District) I guess "pimps" were very wealthy. '-)

Don Boyd		06-Apr-2008 02:30
Cecil Curry contributed a 1941-1942 photo of his first grade class at Morningside Elementary (40's gallery) and two mid 1950's postcard images of the Columbus Hotel/Top O' The Columbus (50's gallery). Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		05-Apr-2008 21:04
Miami Girl...Got the email, but no attachments were there...??! (sigh) Try again...? Thanks, Roberta

Don Boyd		05-Apr-2008 16:57
TV producer Chuck Stewart sent in a comment to the Rick Shaw gallery which is worthy of repeating here for better exposure to our visitors: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hey everybody, Chuck Stewart here, director of Saturday Hop and The Rick Shaw Show. I'm still doing TV after all these years. Check out my you tube channel:http://www.youtube.com/conkyjoe . There are over 60 music videos there, most from the 2 shows. I saved everything I could back then. Only wished I had saved more. These clips are priceless now. If you have any pictures or films, tapes of the show, email me and I'll get them digitized and post on YouTube. I have a full blown edit system. I also have a 1 hour documentary of Rick's last day at Magic 102.7 along with the party at Gulfstream. If you wish a copy, email me and I'll give you the details. Chuck Stewart roomtone@msn.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I added a bunch of still shots from Chuck's videos to Rick's gallery, along with links to the video that the image came from. I particularly love this video featuring the Linda Rogers Dancers dancing to "Green Grass" by Gary Lewis and the Playboys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgemSYV2tRg Don

Miami Girl		05-Apr-2008 00:24
Roberta, just sent you an e-mail. I've also scanned in a bunch of old Miami pictures but can't figure out how to forward them to Don. I did it once before with a shot of Matheson Hammock but now it's just not working. I'll "get it done" one of these days.

Roberta Perry Hughes		04-Apr-2008 21:37
Miami Girl...Just sent you the one photo I could find of my family's former ancestral home, in England. I have other, better views, but have yet to find where I put them! This one was in my stamps box! Will send the others your way whenever I locate them. It's warmed up, here, but overcast, & quite on the windy side. Hope the weather is kind, wherever everyone calls home. My best to all of y'all.

Miami Girl		04-Apr-2008 00:47
Roberta, send it to Miami.grl1954@yahoo.com - the earlier one I gave you is no longer good. I'm either an idiot or it was a senior moment, I forgot I changed it a couple months ago.

Roberta Perry Hughes		04-Apr-2008 00:16
Miami Girl...It will be tomorrow before I can scan pictures of Slaughter Manor, as I only found one, & it isn't the best view. A "scent/odor" memory of mine, is the fragrance of clipped hedge trimmings, smoldering in the heat, waiting for me to load them up on my wagon, & take to the curb for pick up. Daddy clipped the hedges faster than I could gather the trimmings. Also, the odor of rotting guavas, under someone's guava tree, is yet another memory, not-so-pleasant. But there were the pleasant "smells," too, like roses in bloom, orange blossoms, ripe Florida cherries, & other tropical fruits & flowers, that everyone had in their yards. Oh! The ripened mangos, & avocados! Wow. In my heart, & mind, I can still smell them, & how it takes me back!! Gotta go park somewhere, so I can watch "Survivor." Talk at ya later, Pal!

Miami Girl		03-Apr-2008 23:38
Roberta and Charlis, it's so very true - you can never go home again. No matter where it is, even if all outward appearances are the same -- you've changed and so have all the old friends and relatives. So, we're lucky to have this wonderful place here that Don has established where we can go to reminisce and dream of a much simpler time and place. Thanks so much Don Boyd! Roberta, I'm looking forward to your e-mail where we can discuss the "old country" to our hearts content and swap those pictures.... I don't want to irritate the others if we do it too much on this site!! Here's another memory from my early Cutler Ridge days --- the smell of those leftover tomatoes rotting in the fields after the pickers left. It's really not a good smell, but still nostalgic to me and takes me back.

charlis		03-Apr-2008 23:01
Roberta and Miami Girl... to show you how upset I was with my last visit there... I work for the county's (Hillsborough/Tampa) Solid Waste Management Dept. Conferences are held all over the country for both HazMat and Solid Waste Management. For some reason I only get to go to the ones held in Florida... I took my name off the list for any future conferences in Miami... and I really want to go to the conferences!

charlis		03-Apr-2008 22:53
Roberta... keep you fond memories of old Miami... I was there a few years ago and the place had changed so much... it was depressing! My previous visit was a year after Andrew hit... That was really depressing. You don't want to go back!

Roberta Perry Hughes		03-Apr-2008 18:22
Miami Girl...Sometime today, I will be sending you a color picture of Slaughter Manor, "our" ancestral home, located either in Upper Slaughter, or Lower Slaughter, which, as you know, are Shires, sort of like our counties, over here. Both were named for the Slaughter family. I would like to see a picture of your ancestral home, too! Do you have the "coffee table book," COUNTRY HOUSES OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND, by tom Quinn?? You would love it, I'm sure!! If you're like me, you watch the BBC productions on PBS, to see the English countryside, & the manor houses that they use, in their movies that bring their novels to life...especially the recent Jane Austen series (God, is Mr. Darcy a dish, or what??). Roberta...longing for high tea, taken in an English country garden, fragrant with beds of lavendar, double daisies, & tea roses, while having to settle for life in rural Georgia (sigh) BUT!! I DO have a tea set, & we do a tea tray, now & then, with savories, biscuits, & scones...Earl Gray is my very favorite tea. Soon will be time to make a batch of cucumber sandwiches...! C'mon over, y'all!!

Miami Girl		03-Apr-2008 15:11
Roberta, I returned to Miami in 1995 for my 30 year Palmetto HS reunion and only felt good about (1) the residential area of Coral Gables that never seems to change and (2) the upper keys where "at that time" still had a lot of "OLD FLORIDA" feel to it if you could ignore some of the newer resorts. I didn't get all the way down to Key West. Of course I'm sure there's mucho changes in the last 13 years. On one small branch of my family tree I also have some ancestors from the "nobility" class of old England, can you e-mail me at jlawinrome@yahoo.com to let me know where your's are from exactly (mine were in Cambridgshire and part of the huge estate home is still there also).

Roberta Perry Hughes		03-Apr-2008 06:17
Miami Girl...How goes it? Charlis...Really looking forward to your Pompeii photos!! My "dream" vacation? To travel to Upper & Lower Slaughter, England, to visit "our" once-ancestral home, Slaughter Manor, which was in my maternal grandfather's family (Robert Newton Slaughter), who were members of the Gentry. However, the sons who chose to migrate, to the so-called New World, relinquished all rights & title, to the estate, while the ones who remained left no heirs. (sigh) A huge 4-story dwelling, with many shared chimneys & back-to-back fireplaces, I cannot imagine having lived in so vast a place! I have several color photos of it. Still, I long to return to Miami, once more, before I leave this world, though many have told me that it would only break my heart, as nothing is the same, as I remember it from my childhood days. It's best that I go "home" right here, on Don's amazing, & very comforting, Web Site. Roberta, truly thankful, for the gentle rain that is falling outside, & hoping it will be cooler, tomorrow, than it feels tonight...up all night, again, in the Empire State of the South, & dreaming of faraway places.

Miami Girl		03-Apr-2008 03:32
Hey ya'll, glad to see everyone's back in the groove! I do remember Coral Castle but don't think I ever went there. It's amazing that one man carved all those rocks by hand and yes, for the love of a woman. That's all I remember, did she ever see it or had she died before he started?? Guess I'll have to Google it one day. Keep those memories coming....I found some pictures I hope to scan to Don soon.

Roberta Perry Hughes		02-Apr-2008 23:09
Joanne...Alan...Howdy!! Glad to see you on here again! John...Heartfelt well-wishes, for a speedy recovery! Believe me when I tell you, that it will all be a dim memory of the past, one day! (the pain, inconvenience, & rude discomfort, associated with moving about, etc., etc., etc.). I'll talk to y'all, later...!

charlis		02-Apr-2008 23:07
Roberta... yes, I did see that particular "art work".... even have a pic of it... The look on the kids' faces was worth a million... the looks on some of the mother's on the trip was worth a billion $!!!!!! This was only topped by the looks on the mothers' faces when we got to Aegana, an island off Greece that had topless bathing as a natural thing. Have a cute pic of that that I will include in the email.

charlis		02-Apr-2008 23:03
joanne and al... yes, the Coral Castle was done "by hand"...

Joanne		02-Apr-2008 17:44
Roberta...Still here, been using my computer so much for job search that I had taken a leave from posting. Not only that but my son has become engaged and the wedding plans are commencing. My dream vacation would inclide the British Isles. The Blarney Stone calls me. (of course I don't know what it calls me, but I digress) ATTN ALL POSTERS !!! Our friend John has recently had back surgery and I for one would like to send my wishes for a speedy recovery. Al...Coral Castle, I just saw a segment on TV about it recently. What I remember most about the site is the man who owns it fashioned it ALL by hand.

Guest		02-Apr-2008 15:36
Roberta et. alli.: I am still here in the void of cyberspace. Have not had much to say as of late so I am enjoying perusing the musings from other bloggers on this site. Does anyone recall the "tourist attraction" named The Coral Castle.? If my memory serves me correctly it was located off of South Dixie Highway just before entering Homestead. It had a sign on the front that said "Created for the Love of a Woman". I went there on an elementary school class outing circa 1955 or 1956. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and enjoying the cool mid 80 degree temperature in Phoenix, Arizona.

Roberta Perry Hughes		02-Apr-2008 04:22
Charlis...As Scarlet O'Hara would say..."I'm so jealous!! I'm just pea-green with envy!!..." We have a lot in common, my friend! I, too have always been fascinated with Pompeii, & it was the very first thing I typed in, & hit enter, when I got my computer! One of those choices, shows a fresco, of a Roman(?) soldier, standing at a libra-type balance scales, & he's weighing his "member!" Did you get to see that particular fresco, in person?? It was on the wall of some rich Pompeiian's villa. I like the image you can click on, that shows what it might have been like, when Vesuvius erupted. Neat! So, yes, ma'am!! I would LOVE to see your photos, taken when you got to go over there, in person!! ( robertah47@aol.com ). Sorry about that, those of you who frown on any sort of communication on here, that isn't related to this Site! However, due to the unexplained absence of the "regular" Posters on here, I figure it's o.k., for Charlis & I to take this little "liberty!" I have no idea, where everyone got off to, nor why, but the "silence" is so obvious on here, lately. I can only hope that you will all come back "Home," & post, once again. I truly miss you. Joanne? Largo? Jeff? Alan? Stephen? & any others I haven't mentioned....where are y'all hiding??

charlis		01-Apr-2008 23:19
Roberta... Thanks for the info on DST.... 1966 was my jr/sr year and I seriously do not remember the change.... Virtual tour of Pompeii... it is nice, but not as nice as the real thing. As a child I had read a book called "The Last Days Of Pompeii". It was written in the late 1800/early 1900's. I was fascinated with the story. I was only 10, at most, at the time I read the book. I still have the book. In the late 80's I got to visit Pompeii... a life long dream that came true. I freaked out the guide and my daughter. Certain areas were not really open to the pubic but I kept turning towards them. Finally the guide relented and took us in the area. Everyone who knew me knew of my fascination with the place. Guess what... the area I kept wanting to see was the "Hooker Zone"!!!! I could even explain things the guide could not! To this day I am fascinated with volcanoes. Was I there at the time? Was I a hooker? If you want to see my pics, let me know your email and I'll send them to you... have to work a Household Chemical and Electronics drop off site this weekend... but, the good news is... the trip to Pompeii pics/album, I have found that!

Don Boyd		01-Apr-2008 17:44
I added two late 1950's images of Jordan Marsh on Biscayne Boulevard (50's gallery), a 1939 postcard image of Howard Johnson's on Biscayne Boulevard (30's gallery) and a 1940's image of Tyler's Restaurant on NW 36 Street (40's gallery). Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		01-Apr-2008 06:44
Charlis...I think you're looking for the year 1966, for when the U.S. went to DST, on a regular basis...then, Reagan changed it up a bit, in the '80's, & it varies, the world over, & isn't even observed, in certain States, in the U.S. ! Type in "History of Daylight Savings Time," & click enter, or search, & you will find more than you ever wanted to know, about this subject! It's mind-boggling, what you can learn, about any subject, just by typing in a few words, or a phrase, & click enter, or search. Some days, that's all I do, is think of "stuff" to look up, or even places to visit, like, a virtual tour, of Pompeii, for example. When I first got my computer (a gift, from the Class of '66) I nearly put my eyes out, searching anything & everything, including "old" movie & TV stars, to see if they were still around. Now that my husband has retired, I will resume that practice, as my days of enjoying the non-stop "yard sale," known as eBay, are going to be less. (sigh). Enjoy searching!! It's awesome fun!!

Roberta Perry Hughes		01-Apr-2008 06:12
Charlis...I cannot take credit, for that last line. It is a paraphrasing of my favorite quote, by Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, who said..."No one can intimidate you without your permission...". Over the years, I have quoted her often, & gave her credit. In my Post-A-Comment, I took liberties; but now, I am giving credit, where credit is due. As far as Daylight Savings Time...wasn't it first instituted by FDR?? Seems to me there was a song about it, that came out in the '40's...?? Can anyone shed light on this? Perhaps Mrs. Spon?? It is so very wonderful, to see new Posters on here, who have contributed "new" images, which, to all of us, are the very best, of any "eye candy" offered, anywhere!! Truly, images to soothe our nostalgic hearts, to bid time to return, & to bring our wonderful Town back to us, wherever we are, today, with a mere click of the mouse!! Thank you, so much, Newbies, & we all welcome you, to our Favorite Place, & we all hope to read your future Comments, & every memory you can give us!! And, as always, thank you, Don Boyd!!

Don Boyd		01-Apr-2008 04:10
New photos posted today: Dorothy Mendelson Spon, 85 years young, contributed a 1938 image of her Hialeah Junior High graduating class and the front page of their school newspaper (Hialeah gallery), and 1940 images of Edison Senior High's marching band in Washington, DC in front of the U. S. Capitol (40's gallery). And George Bluhm contributed a great postcard image of Shell's Super Store on NW 7th Avenue in the 50's I think (50's gallery). I've been dying to see a photo of Shell's since I started this oldies section on my site and now there's a great image of it. Thank you Dorothy and George! Don

charlis		31-Mar-2008 23:38
gang... need a favor. Can anyone remember when FL went on Daylight Savings Time? Someone said mid 60's but I don't remember it back then. We didn't have it in OH when I lived there. I moved to FL in '62 and I know we didn't have it here at that time. The only time I experienced it was during my summer trips to NYC in the 50's. TIA

BUD		31-Mar-2008 14:51
John, thank you so much

BUD		31-Mar-2008 14:50
BUD 31-Mar-2008 00:21 I am the grandson of Bill Flynn... he worked for the Florida East Coast Railway, past owner of Flynn's Dixie Ribs, and a member of the Florida House of Representatives. I didn't know my grandfather because I was adopted as a small child. Does anyone have any old photos of him, Flynn's Dixie Ribs or any other information. Thank you in advance, BUD

Ray		31-Mar-2008 14:22
About The Rascal House... my last memory of it was about a year ago. I went in for lunch. Being a landmark I wanted to check it out. The place was nearly empty for lunch, which I thought was odd for an area that's so busy. I ordered something I thought would be a classic.. A Ruben. Shame on me for not checking the menu. It was $14.99. That's even more expensive than airport food! The service was slow and boring. Nothing like the fast paced diner with an attitude you would like to expect. Needless to say, I didn't go back. So today I don't feel quite so bad they're closing. It's hard to say that because I like traditional, historic places. But when the owners decide to rip off the public, they're asking to close.

John		31-Mar-2008 03:33
Bud, I have no photos, but I knew Mr. Flynn vaguely. I believe he lived in a beautiful colonial style two story home on or near SW 84th Ave just barely north of SW 136th St. At one time I'm pretty sure (90% sure) he owned the Shell Gas Station at US 1 and 132nd St. He ran for a FL state congressional rep seat. I wasn't sure if he won or not, but you confirmed that. I was barely a teenager when he owned the Shell station and he would show up on occasion. It must have been the late sixties. I remember him as a "Jock Ewing" type guy. Very likeable; a good man. Please let me know if my math is correct on this info. I'm working off a 40 year memory here.

BUD		31-Mar-2008 00:21
I am the grandson of Bill Flynn... he worked for the Florida East Coast Railway, past owner of Flynn's Dixie Ribs, and a member of the Florida House of Representatives. I didn't know my grandfather because I was adopted as a small child. Does anyone have any old photos of him, Flynn's Dixie Ribs or any other information. Thank you in advance, BUD

charlis		30-Mar-2008 21:35
Roberta, your last sentence was the best... and so very true!

Ralph West		30-Mar-2008 04:22
Man, this has been a trip down memory lane. I grew up in Miami. Graduated from Southwest High in 1965, lived in Village Green at Bird Rd & 117th. I'll try to post some of my old pics also.

Don Boyd		29-Mar-2008 22:51
One of our fans, Ray, noticed what a pain it is to tell someone about how to get to this site due to the length of the URL, etc. Ray now has the URLhttp://www.MiamiMemories.com pointed to the main memories page of this site. So if you tell someone about the site you can just tell them MiamiMemories.com and it'll take you right to the memories page. Or, just tell them to type "old Miami Memories" into the Google search engine and our main page should be the #1 result on the first page. Thanks again Ray! Don

Don Boyd		29-Mar-2008 22:46
John posted this in the wrong gallery but thanks for telling us of this and for your comment! John spiderman2000s@yahoo.com 28-Mar-2008 13:45 Wow!, I grew up in Dade County (North Miami) in the 70's and boy, I love all the pictures. Lots of memories especially The Rascal House in Sunny Isles. Did you know they are closing it this Sunday, March 30, 2008? I had my last meal there this past week. Great photos, thank you! The Rascal House was built by Wolfie Cohen in 1954. The Miami Herald link to the article is at: http://www.miamiherald.com/548/story/474623.html - a nice story about another Dade landmark gone for good. Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		29-Mar-2008 01:37
Charlis...I endured the very same, when we moved BACK to Georgia, the State of my birth, from Miami. I was..."the only white girl in the State of Georgia with pierced ears (..."if God had wanted holes in your ears you'd have been born with them"...) & my brother's hair was long, & Brylcreme'd, a la Fabian, when the Georgia boys all had crewcuts with Butch wax. He was called "Hollywood,"& I was given the monikker "GMC," which stood for "Georgia Milk Cow," due to my 34D cup boobs, at age 14. We had not even a trace of a Southern accent, of course, so, that, too, was a source of ridicule, & derisive laughter, & most kids felt that we were "putting on airs." For us, the move from Miami to rural Georgia felt as though we had died & gone to Hell, to be sure. We sorely missed our former neighborhood, best friends, familiar surroundings, & the beach, walking to school, or riding our bikes, etc. Suddenly, we were having to catch the school bus in the pre-dawn hours, & the only friends we had were the "unacceptable misfits," like ourselves. I did a lot better than Willie did. I got my revenge by winning a spot in girl's trio, over girls who had "trained" voices; by being the champion speller, in the entire school, & 4th in State; by always making A+'s, on my English themes, compositions, & term papers; & by my in-your-face aggressive-but-gregarious personality. I championed the underdog, always, & no one got "picked on," on my watch. Back then, in the '50's, no one dreamed of returning to school with their father's handgun, & taking care of tormentors through an act of permanent violence. There were fisticuffs on the playground, of course, & the usual name-calling, etc., but that's all. The cruelest people on the face of the earth, are our Peers, while we are minors. With age, comes maturity, & with maturity comes grace, & with grace comes redemption, & forgiveness. My class reunions are filled with the love of each & everyone of us, for one another, as it should have been, in our teens, but our immaturity prevented it, unfortunately, & a genuine happiness, to see each other, once again. The class of '66 has lost so many alumni, in such a brief time, & many have had cancer, heart disease, & other life-threatening illnesses, & none of us is getting any younger. Reunions have become a celebration of life, for our class, & many times, a place for healing old wounds. It's true, that "...Time heals all wounds," & "...time wounds all heels," too. (Isn't it rich, to see the boys who made fun of you, because you were chubby, are now FAT, themselves? And the class "Romeo" is as BALD as a peeled egg? While the "nerd" got good-looking, or at least, is the one driving a Lexus?) In spite of it all, we miss those salad days, of our youth! Not everyone gets to win a popularity contest. You have to learn to be "number one," with yourself. Then, no one has the power to demean you, or belittle you. Not without your permission.

charlis		28-Mar-2008 22:02
Roberta... the Viscaya pics will be sent to Don this weekend... I promise. As to the apology issue... on all the blogs on the local TV station, everyone agrees... bad thing, bad timing, and that the Native Americans should have come first with the Official apology. You had a great teacher, to allow the jewish students to tell about their religion. I experienced discrimation when I moved to Miami Beach. I was not Jewish or Cuban... just a little old white girl from OH.

Roberta Perry Hughes		27-Mar-2008 23:45
Ted...I was wondering about that, myself! Alan...Thanks, for the response to my posting, re: if anyone remembers my first cousin, Carroll Williams, aka, Mr. Lawrence Williams, or Mr. Larry Williams, who was a school teacher in the area "back when." Charlis...looking forward to your pictures of Vizcaya. I didn't get to go there. Our 2nd grade class was scheduled to go, but, for some reason, it was cancelled...perhaps due to our young ages?? Re: the apology for slavery...I think that the Seminole Indians...(& ALL Native Americans, for that matter)...should be Number One on the list, of folks standing in line, awaiting an apology. It should go something like..."We, the People of the United States, do hereby apologize to You, for (1) having killed a gazillion of You, with European diseases; (2) having enslaved You (Columbus enslaved the Caribe Indians, & took some back with him to Italy); (3) having stolen every square inch of this continent from You; & (4) having broken every treaty ever drawn up, for Your so-called benefit, or for Your compensation (e.g., the gold stolen from the Black Hills, which is now the gold buillion ingots in Ft. Knox, which backs up the American dollar). I had a very "fair" 5th grade teacher, Miss Margaret Braun, at Tropical Elementary. Because we were the majority, in the classroom (Christians), & we only had a few Jewish students, after our morning devotionals, which included the Lord's Prayer, Miss Braun had one of the Jewish students, Norman Berlin, come up, & read a devotional & prayer, in fluent Hebrew. I, for one, was very fascinated, by this unfamiliar language, & very impressed, by Norman's total mastery of it. It's too bad that there weren't more teachers like Miss Braun, who granted equal time, to the Jewish students, & never let them feel left out, or embarrased, for who they were. We even had a question & answer session, where we could ask Norman questions, about his Faith, & learn from him, about the holidays. They put up Hanukkah decor in December, & taught us about their foods, customs, & gift-giving, & even sang songs for us. I was impressed that we all had the first five books of the Old Testament in common. Had it not been for Miss Braun...(& Norman Berlin)...I would still be in-the-dark, re: Jewish customs, months, holidays, etc. I LOVE knishes, matzoh balls, latkes, & gaviltefish (spell?), but only got it when my Jewish friend, Ann Schlossman, would visit me, from Atlanta.

Ted Crownover		27-Mar-2008 23:12
HEY!!! What happened to everybody. Ted Crownover, Not a PHD.....former JD. Alive, well, and enjoying the 75 degree weather in Hobe Sound, Florida

charlis		27-Mar-2008 22:55
so, gang... what do you feel about the state's apology for slavery? Everyone that I know was upset... black, white, male or female. The women said that the state should make an apology to us first. Evie was very upset... said that the Jews should be apologized to. she arrived in Miami in the late 50's. She told me a story about her and another Jewish student in N Miami Elementary who were made to sit at the back of the classroom, and were always ignored by the teachers when they had questions to ask. Life in Miami must have been really strange before I got there in '62. I did not grow up with any kind of prejudice in OH.

Guest		23-Mar-2008 07:53
Roberta: My younger brother attended Cutler Ridge Jr. High 1962-1964. I will ask him if he remembers Mr. Larry Williams. I was at Palmetto Sr. High during this time period. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and enjoying the 90 degree weather in Phoenix, Arizona

Don Boyd		22-Mar-2008 17:32
Thanks for the link, Robert. Robert Bowman contributed a 1938 image of the Calvert Club at Stiltsville and a 30's image of the streetcar on Washington Avenue (30's gallery), two 60's images of the real South Beach between the jetty and the pier (main gallery), two 60's images of the Goodyear Blimp (aviation gallery), two 70's images of stores on Washington Avenue and a shot of the Miami Beach Kennel Club (70's and later gallery), and the 1984 Herald article on the South Pier Pier about to be torn down (70's and later gallery). Don

robertbowman		22-Mar-2008 13:40
I dont know if it has been posted before ,But here is a little history of Miami Beach... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Beach

Don Boyd		21-Mar-2008 17:04
Robert Bowman contributed a 1950 image of the South Beach fishing pier, a 1950's image of the entrance to the Chamber of Commerce docks at 5th and Alton (both in the 50's gallery) and a 1960's image of South Beach - the beach between the jetty and the fishing pier (main gallery). Tom De Lello contributed a late 1950's image of Harry Steele's Cabriolets Road Club with numerous drag racers and their cars (Hialeah gallery). Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		21-Mar-2008 04:51
For the school years 1961-1964, my first cousin (our mother's were sisters) taught English & Geography at Cutler Ridge Junior High. He was known as Mr. Larry Williams. Do any of you "Ridge Rats" remember him? For the years 1964-1966, he taught 11th grade American History & 12th grade American Government, at Miami Springs Senior High, where he was also known as Mr. Larry Williams. Do any alumni from those years remember him? For the years 1966-1967, he taught those same grades & subjects, & 'broke the color barrier" as the first white faculty member in an all-black school, which was Miami Northwestern Senior High, where he was known as Mr. Lawrence Williams. If there are any alumni from this school, for those years, do you remember him? My cousin's full name is Lawrence Carroll Williams. He had to go by his first name when he was in the Service, & chose to go by it when he taught school, even though his family has always called him by his middle name. His wife, Mary Lee Williams, taught 7th grade Science, from 1958-1960, at Miami Edison Junior High, & in 1961, she taught Science, at Westview Junior High, in Opa Locka, & from 1962-1967, she was that same school's Librarian. Carroll's mother, my late aunt, Maurine Williams, also taught school in Miami, but I forgot to ask Carroll the names of the schools where she taught. She was also briefly known as Maurine Nixon, but went back to the name Williams. Carroll, & wife Mary, now live in Conway, Arkansas, blissfully retired, long ago, from their teaching careers, which also included Texas & Colorado, in both High School & colleges settings. We stay in touch, via email & telephone, & he said he would "look for," & if found, "send" me photos, of the schools where he taught, & any group classroom photos, too, of same, which of course, I will share. Looking on this Site, I'm wondering where everyone has gotten off to...? Watching March Madness on CBS?? (We watch, every year...tonight's Duke victory, by 1 point, was a real nail-biter!) Don't be a stranger, y'all...! I wanna read some new posts, ASAP!!

charlis		17-Mar-2008 22:06
Don, found one set of pics Of Viscaya, circa 1970. Even includes the tour guide. Still have to find the pics from 1967... scanner wasn't working.... this coming weekend, I promise!

Don Boyd		14-Mar-2008 05:42
Ted Crownover contributed 3 1950 images of his dad's 1934 Ford stock car, a 1951 image of him with his dad's stock car plus a pedal car, a 1953 image of the Whitmarsh Pre-School, and a 1957/1958 image of Mrs. Eleanore Irwin's second grade class at Citrus Grove Elementary School (all in the 50's Gallery). Gay Guyer Crownover, Ted's wife, contributed a 1967/1968 image of the Miami High Lucians Club (main gallery). Robert Bowman contributed a 1955 image of his Mom "Fish Mary" Bowman on the South Beach Pier. (50's gallery) Thanks Ted, Gay, Robert and other contributors! Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		13-Mar-2008 10:43
MiamiGirl...That's quite exciting...and impressive, too...about Cpt. Dominic Gorie being the Commander of the Space Shuttle!! Viya con Dios, Capitan...& crew.

Joanne		12-Mar-2008 23:44
I remember him!!! Very intelligent, but also athletic. Played football and was a wrestler. Tall, blonde, very nice looking. He was considered quite a catch. What a wonderful thing to find out about, THANKS Miami Girl!!!

Don Boyd		12-Mar-2008 22:19
Thanks for posting that, Miami Girl, that's very interesting about Captain Gorie and the Endeavor. Don

Miami Girl		12-Mar-2008 22:10
Hi all.... in case anybody's interested - a 1975 Palmetto High Grad is commanding the Shuttle Endeavor currently on it's way to the space station. Dominic Gorie, Captain, US Navy, Retired.

charlis		12-Mar-2008 21:51
Parks... that is good news. Haven't been back to Viscaya in more years than I care to count. Co-worker was there just before Andrew hit for a special function. Catered dinner, string quartet, a tour. He had spent a year in Miami in the early 60's... part of the first wave of Cuban immigrants (who was lucky to get a sponsor to move his family out to CA) so, as a youth, he had never been there. He loved it.

Joanne		12-Mar-2008 16:56
Parks...Glad to hear that. Haven't been there in a few years Has there also been work on Old Cutler Rd. for the canopy of trees that used to make the road so wonderful?

Parks		12-Mar-2008 03:20
Viscaya is still beautiful. The hurricane damage is repaired. The house has been unobtrusively hardened against future huricanes. The gardens look great and are being restored to their 1916 configuration. I was there a few months ago to hear historian Dr. Paul George give a talk.

Joanne		12-Mar-2008 00:51
Charlis...Viscaya, what a beautiful place it was. I once entered a "Little Miss" competition there. I was probably 7 or 8 and we all dressed up in Mom's clothes and did a pageant. I know Andrew did a lot of damage to Viscaya but also heard that work was being done to bring it back to the incredible garden it used to be.

charlis		11-Mar-2008 22:52
Don, I was speaking to a coworker today about the Hialeah Flamingos problem. He was upset. Then we talked about Viscaya. I didn't see anything about it on the main page. If I can get my dsl modem on the other computer working this weekend, I will send you some pics. Yes, I found a few albums this past weekend. ;-) I was told that the Viscaya we knew in the 60's had gotten run down but was taken over by the county's parks and recreation dept. They had been working on restoring the restoration for the past few years. The parts of Viscaya that I remember most, from the late 60's, was the indoor pool, the gardens, and that weird boat dock.

Don Boyd		11-Mar-2008 05:51
Jon Proctor contributed two 1960s images of a National Air Lines DC-7 and an Electra (Aviation-National gallery). David Schulman contributed several 1964 images of an Embry-Riddle Beech 18 (Aviation-Other Airports gallery), a Braniff B707 (Aviation gallery), a Pan Am B720 image (Aviation-Pan Am gallery), and three Eastern images (Aviation-Eastern gallery). Ted Crownover contributed a 1960 sixth grade class photo from Kensington Park Elementary (main memories gallery). Thanks everyone. Don

Don Boyd		11-Mar-2008 01:41
The below comments were moved from under the "Comments" image where it says not to post comments: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Vikki Burke MsWolf49 @aol.come 10-Mar-2008 23:25 Hi! Vikki Burke, class of 63 or 64 at North Miami Jr High. Looking desperately for the yearbooks! The name of that restaurant was Latta's. NMJH was near a Caravel & a place we just called "Eats." What about the A & W Drive In? Let me know if you have a book, PLEASE!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bob B 10-Mar-2008 05:13 Roberta and all the rest: My apologies on the subs. I spoke about what I remembered but didn't figure in the roughly 4 years I was away in the Navy during WWII and I guess I wasn't aware of the other stuff. However, I am correct and do remember the tar in the 30s...it was hell to scrape off. Has anyone been around long enough to remember "Burdine"s Book"? It was a huge ledger type book just inside the main entrance door on Flagler Street where everybody left messasages, such as " I was here, meet you at Woolworths at noon: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Craig Stevenson craig.stevenson@med.ge.com 02-Mar-2008 17:05 What about HOT SHOPS Drive Inn at the corner of US1 and LeJune? I remember that was the hang out for anybody and everybody that could drive. The place to be seen, driving around in circles for hours just to be "seen" and of course to Pick-Up the girls! Then the night that started its demise when Maddog (Doug Rebhand) had the famous gross-out contest, that led to the cash register being thrown to the floor, police dogs let loose, ending with one of the dogs dead! and Maddog visiting the Gables Police Dept. (or was it Miami Police?) And what about Matteson Hammock and the "private" swim enclosure with Tim McShane pranking the locals with his "Shark Attack" (and plenty of ketchup that took his leg! ( he only had 1 to begin with) We left before the police got there laughing like crazy!. Then of course Fairchild Gardens charging $1. entrance fee to try and keep the "hippies" out. Culminating with the sight seeing trains watching more hippies than its beautiful gardens. How about more on (locals: Frisbees Park) the Coconut Grove Park at Dinner Key putting the library out of business when all that dollar LSD/4ways caught on and families started staying away.! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rich Maniscalco		10-Mar-2008 22:26
I arrived in Miami in April 1954 when the terminal was on 36st. Went to work at Eastern Airlines in Dec 1955 and drove a Taxi when the airline went on strike. I have seen practically all of the Miami Area and it was great to reminice. I didn't realize what a small town it was at the time and I would not change a thing. My Dad was in the Air Force during WWII and had his basic training on Miami Beach. That is how I ended up in North Miami Beach......RAM

Roberta Perry Hughes		10-Mar-2008 07:38
Oh, Parks! I would just love to see that photo you have, of your Dad's ship, in the Government Cut, with the Causeway in the background! Can you scan it, & send it to Don's email address (as designated above the blue "Comments" square)? Anyone who has photos of the USCG Cutters, the sub chasers, etc., I would love to see them posted on this sight, somewhere. By typing in various phrases, re: Uboats, their close proximity to the U.S. waters, & the torpedo attacks, I read some hair-raising accounts, by Merchant Marines, who were on the freighters, & even accounts written by the German Uboat captains! Sometimes, they would surface, & blink their lights at a ship. Then, they'd come aboard, & give the U.S. crew cigarettes & French cakes, & a German captain even gave his cover (hat) to a Merchant Marine, who still has it. (read a recent article, about this incident, & it had a photo of the M.M. with that German captain's cover!) It was a lucky encounter, & the German spoke fluent "American." Of course, not all encounters with Uboats were good. They began their Uboat assaults pre-Pearl Harbor. Seems that they loved to sink oilers & tankers. Did you click on the image of that map, & see how widespread the torpedo attacks were? To see all those black dots, that represent sunken ships, just gave me a chill, borne out of a sense of the total helpless vulnerability, of how it must have felt, to witness such a sight, from the shore...from Florida's lovely beaches. Wow.

Bob B		10-Mar-2008 05:37
My apologies to all re u-boats. I said what I remembered but forgot to figure in I was away in thre Navy almost 4 years during that period and missed a lot. Parks, thanks for confirming that there was plenty of tar before the war years. Are any of you guys familiar with the "Burdine's Book"? It was a huge ledger type book that was on a stand just inside th main Flagler street entrance that you could write in and leave messages, such as "I'll meet you at Woolworths at noon" or stuff like that. You could see where all your friends were going or had been. I've had a lot of fun reading what everyone has said about "old Miami" from the 50s on, except I get lost when you talk about the "new" high schools. In the 30s and 40s there were only 5: the big 2, Miami High and Edison and the little 3, Ponce, Jackson and the Beach. If anyone has any questions about the 30s and 40s I'd be glad to answer if I can. No trick ones, tho. LOL. I have seen lots of changes. For instance, I learned to drive on Flagler St just west of 27th avenue because it just a quiet country road.

Parks		10-Mar-2008 04:38
Roberta, Thanks for the tip on the Museum web site. They had a photo of the Sub Chasser school that brought my Dad to Miami.

Parks		10-Mar-2008 04:28
On the subject of beach tar, my understanding is that is formed when crude oil is released into the water. Lighter distillates evaporate before they form tar. While I'm sure that ships sunk during WWII did contribute to the tar, a lot of that oil was pretty light and would have evaporated. A lot of the oil would have burned also. The major source of tar was from ballast water discharged by crude oil tankers. When a tanker empties its tanks it must fill them with water or it will float too high and be unstable. That water has to be pumped overboard before the tanks can be filled with oil. A lot of oil goes over with the water and forms tar. This was a standard practice until the sixties (I think) when it was outlawed. Modern ships are built with separate ballast tanks so the water never gets dirty. Older ships are required to clean the water before it is discharged. Unfortunately this is expensive and some unscrupulous ships captains will still discharge oily water. This is happening less as the Coast Guard is getting pretty good at figuring out which ship discharged the oil. Clean ballast water has caused another problem. The waters of the great lakes are now infested with Zebra Mussels brought to the USA in the ballast tanks of ships. These mussels are clogging water intakes of power plants and causing a great deal of trouble. There certainly were sinkings of ships by U-Boats all up and down the East coast. There was even a battle between a blimp and a Sub off the coast of Florida. The blimp lost but damaged the sub enough that some days later it was sunk by our ships. The US built a series of small ships called Sub Chassers to defend the coast from U-Boats. The school where crews were taught to run and fight the ships was located in Miami. That's how my father ended up in Miami. I have a photo of his ship in Government Cut with the County Causeway (now MacArthur Causeway) in the back ground.

Roberta Perry Hughes		09-Mar-2008 19:58
MiamiGirl...Charlis...Thank you both, for the support. Having to defend my father is really getting old. All anyone has to do, is to research the subject matter, & be informed, (re: any subject), prior to posting a comment on here. I hope that more than one poster typed in that Web Site, & read what was there, & clicked on the image of the map, on the left, to see WHERE ships were sunk by the German Uboats, especially in relation to Miami/Miami Beach. Every black dot on that map represents a sunken ship...& it doesn't picture on up the eastern seaboard, where there were even more sunken vessels...165, total, in U.S. waters. The Site also goes into detail, about the CAP (Civil Air Patrol) & the USCG Auxilliary, & the role they played in dealing with the German Uboats. I read everything I can get my hands on, about WWI & WWII, & watch every PBS special that is devoted to the subject...every time they air...because the Veterans of these wars rarely talked about what happened, what they saw, & had to do, to ward off an invasion by these Empires, to U.S. soil. Ken Burns was able to get a few of the still-living WWII vets to open up to him, & tell their stories, along with siblings & spouses, in his series entitled "The War." Before that, they aired "A Fighter Pilot's Story," & there have been many others, all worthy of us "Baby Boomers" to watch...& learn...with our jaws dropped, & a box of Kleenex close-at-hand.

charlis		09-Mar-2008 17:51
Bob, Roberta and Miami Girl... we are correct about the oil... but the massive amounts in the 60's were from the sunken boats. There is always oil floating to the sandy beaches along all the coasts, but it was at its worst during the 60's as the old boats broke up.

Miami Girl		09-Mar-2008 17:11
Roberta, I have to agree with you in that there were ships sunk by German U-boats all along the east coast. In January 1942 my mother and three older siblings were being transported back to NY from Puerto Rico where my Dad was stationed. On the last night they arrived outside NYC harbor after "the net" had gone up (to stop those U-boats from gaining access to the city). Mom happened to be out on deck talking to the Captain who told her another ship had been torpedoed close to them on the way up the coast and he opted not to stop and pick up any survivors because he had a ship full of women and children. He was extremely nervous during the whole trip but especially that last night having to wait before going into the port. I'm not sure where along the coast that particular ship was torpedoed, but she said they could see the city lights of Miami as they traveled North.

Roberta Perry Hughes		09-Mar-2008 07:11
Bob B...First of all, welcome!! Now...please type in Historical Museum of Southern Florida, Part 1 Miami 1941-1945. On there you will find a picture of a map, depicting the locations where ships were torpedoed by the German U-boats, in the Atlantic, & in the Gulf of Mexico. Click the image of the map, on the left, to enlarge. Ships were, indeed, sunk by German uboats. "On May 19, 1942, The Portero del Llano, attacked by a German submarine, burned & sank within sight of Miami Beach. Debris from those freighters and other unfortunate ships began washing up on the Gold Coast beaches." Uboats sank 165 ships, in U.S. waters, many in full view of people on the shore. My father wasn't misinformed. He was a Coastie. I had uncles, who were also Coasties, during that time, & a couple who were in the Navy, & all were in Miami, in the beginning.

Bob B		09-Mar-2008 06:08
I don't get on this site often but when I do it's great fun to read. I have been in the area long before most of you guys -1934 - so it's real interesting to read what you have to say about "old Miami" in the 60's and later. Back in mid February there was a discussion about tar on the beaches. With all due respect, someone's Dad was misinformed. There was tar on the beach in the 30s, long before WWII. It came from freighters plying there way up and down the coast. This was verified at the time by the Coast Guard and the Miam Herald and there was always a furor when it showed up. It is also true that there were U-boats sighted but I don't recall that there were any ships actually sunk off the beach. The sea lanes there were not really carrying anything the u-boats would be interested in sinking.There was an incident near, I think Daytona, when 4 or 5 Germans were dropped off on the beach as spies or sabateurs (?), but were soon arrested. Miami was a great, small town back then.

Roberta Perry Hughes		07-Mar-2008 06:40
Dear Don...Thank you, so very much. for having posted the "Save Hialeah Park" Gallery, on the Main Page of this Web Site. I just got through reading all of the articles from the newspapers on there, & if you can, please post a link we can click on, so we can purchase the CD of the song that the Hialeah Latino group has written & performed, to appeal to the public to help save the Park from demolition & overdevelopment. I would buy one, if I knew where, & I'm sure many other Posters would, too. I wish someone like The Donald would buy it from its current owner, & finance its preservation. What about Miami's rich & famous celebrities, like Gloria Estefan, et al? Can anyone approach them, to at least hold a fund-raising concert for the cause? Selling t-shirts, or CDs, & collecting nickels & dimes, hither & yon, just won't cut it, if the funds being generated, thus far, falls far short of the owner's annual taxes. What about the $100 a plate dinners, like socialites preside over? Surely, there's got to be a way, to tap into the deep pockets of all the flamingo-lovers, & horse lovers, out there, & those who are still around, who have a sense of historical preservation & prestige, for the area. Maybe this plight needs to go National? Get "Inside Edition" out there, or a widely read magazine. Something! Roberta, hoping & dreaming, that Hialeah's crowning glory can be saved, & restored to her former splendor.

Don Boyd		07-Mar-2008 05:45
Thank you Roberta! I'm getting back to normal day by day. A new "Save Hialeah Park" gallery is now on the main page with news stories under the photo. I also included the names, e-mail addresses, and website URL's for the Citizens to Save Hialeah Park which is trying to save Hialeah Park from development with even more buildings for businesses and residences in an already densely populated area. Steve McDonald contributed an image of the giant Lockheed Constitution that sat at Opa-locka Airport and on NW 135th Street for years before it was demolished (Aviation-Other Airports gallery). He also contributed an image of a National Air Lines Lockheed Lodestar (Aviation-National Air Lines gallery) and an image of an Eastern Air Lines Lockheed Constellation (Aviation-Eastern Air Lines gallery). Thanks Steve! Red Coach Grill Fan contributed a great image of the fine Red Coach Grill on Biscayne Boulevard in the 1960's (main gallery). Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		07-Mar-2008 05:14
Get well wishes go out to our Host, Don Boyd. May you be 100%, very soon, & stay well. It's difficult to get through a day, doing all you intend to do, when you're not feeling well. I think we all can empathize with that! To be sure! Roberta, sending only cheerful thoughts, to Hialeah's Native Son, from the Peach State

Leighton		04-Mar-2008 18:05
"Fire persons"????? Um, no. "Firefighters"

Parks		04-Mar-2008 04:08
Ray, I have to tell you that when I saw all those fire persons (politically correct term) I thought it might be a memorial service. I'm glad it was a much happier occasion. Was there food?

Parks		04-Mar-2008 04:04
Ray, Thanks for the update on the juice bar. Do you think Pinecrest will reopen it? It was a great place to stop if you were biking on Red Road. Parrot Jungle to Jungle Island, the owner is trying to let people know it isn't just parrots. I don't have a problem with that but he also wants to change the name of Watson Island to Jungle Island. I don't like that.

Ray		04-Mar-2008 02:48
Parks: I wish you had stopped for the event there when you saw all the trucks. We had a banner up, but now thinking about it, a ladder truck may have blocked the view of it. The construction just south of the Fire House is the old Juice bar. I think this was one of the first structures built there. The founder built that and lived in the loft while the Green house (where the Fire Station is now) was built. It appears there had been a fire in the structure they're working on now. I see soot on the walls. I remember the roof was caving in. The good news is they seem to be preserving the coral rock wall. I think all of this is being headed up by the Village of Pinecrest which now runs what used to be the Parrot Jungle. When I get the slide show about the fire station project posted on-line I'll mention it here. Did anyone notice that the new Parrot Jungle dropped the 'Parrot' in their name?

LARGO		04-Mar-2008 00:40
LEIGHTON....MAYBE I SHOULD RE-PHRASE THE WHOLE VINNIE D'ONOFRIO COMMENT THAT HE WAS "EDGY....HE IS OVER THE EDGE ?..MAYBE ?...NEVER MET HIM...BUT I THINK HE COMES ACROSS " LOCKED AND LOADED" THAT IS JUST HIS VIBE...PERHAPS "SOMEONE" KNEW TO PUT HIS TRAILER TOO FAR FROM THE SET.

Leighton		03-Mar-2008 23:13
Worked with D-Onofrio on "The Newton Boys" - he screamed the entire time. One poor PA actually handed him her radio, and D'Onofrio embarrassed himself by yelling at the entire crew, about his trailer being too far from the set. He was a handful. Didn't know he was from Miami.

Leighton		03-Mar-2008 23:07
Worked with D-Onofrio on "The Newton Boys" - he screamed the entire time. One poor PA actually handed him her radio, and D'Onofrio embarrassed himself by yelling at the entire crew, about his trailer being too far from the set. He was a handful. Didn't know he was from Miami.

Jeff		03-Mar-2008 00:58
This is sad news, Don. As I'd mentioned in an earlier post, I knew Ron from his days running the North Miami Arbetter's, and he was a sweet and friendly guy. I'd tried to reach him a number of times over the past few months with no luck - getting only the voice mail at the family home. I feared his health took a turn for the worst. God bless him, he will be missed by many, as was his dad, Bob Arbetter...

Don Boyd		02-Mar-2008 23:19
I am sad to report that Ronnie V. Arbetter, 52, of Arbetter's Hog Dogs passed away on Thursday, February 28th. He was a good guy from every account I've heard or read. The Miami Herald story about his death is at: http://www.miamiherald.com/512/story/440881.html and it will be there for a week before it is archived. I copied the story and put it under the photo of Arbetter's Hot Dogs in the 1970's and later gallery. http://www.pbase.com/image/91020730 RIP Ronnie! His obituary is also under the story. Don

charlis		02-Mar-2008 21:28
Don, I went to the "Do You Remember" page and saw "Sky King"... one of my favorite shows! Can you add a pic of Rin Tin Tin? I got my first dog when I was 6, a cocker spaniel. I named him Rin Tin Tin! He lived to be 16! I'll sent you a pic. I've just about found everything since the move so be forewarned... a lot of old pics will be on their way to you.

LARGO		02-Mar-2008 17:48
DON...I ALSO REMEMBER THE 2000 MOVIE "THE CELL" THAT FEATURED ...VINCENT D'ONOFRIO. (from Miami) AS CARL STARGER..the fictional ( I hope? ) serial killer with a VIVID WACKED OUT IMAGINATION. PROFILER J-LO TO THE RESCUE ! THE VISUAL FX WERE SPECTACULAR. THE CREEP FACTOR FOR ME WAS IN LINE WITH "SILENCE OF THE LAMBS"...(but then I watch the CSI"s) D'ORFINO WAS PERFECT FOR THE ROLL...HE PLAYS IT ON THE EDGE..EVEN IN LAW & ORDER. THERE ARE A FEW WHO ARE GIFTED AT PLAYING THESE UNEXPECTED & UNUSUALLY DARK ROLLS... SIR ANTHONY HOPKINS, ROBIN WILLIAMS, JIM CAREY & MARK HARMON... TO NAME A FEW...THANKS FOR THE NEW INFO SITES DON.............................I THOUGHT SO TOO JOHN... ;-) TOU~CHE` !

charlis		02-Mar-2008 17:34
Royal Castle gone!?!?! Say it isn't so! Such wonderful memories at the one on Arthur Godfrey Rd. The frosted root beer mugs, the 15 cent burgers, etc. A lot of northerners said they were a take off of White Castle but RC was a lot better.

Don Boyd		02-Mar-2008 13:09
The link to the Miami Herald story about the last Royal Castle is athttp://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/27avenue/partthree.html . That link should be good until next Thursday when the Herald will archive it. I also copied the story into the description of a photo of the last Royal Castle at: http://www.pbase.com/image/78481232 Regarding the topic of wopping, or skim boarding as we called it, I have a photo of it being done athttp://www.pbase.com/donboyd/image/92857786 - I wish I had another photo of someone else doing it but I don't. Regarding the topic of celebrities from Miami, Vincent Phillip D'Onofrio graduated from Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High in 1977 and plays Detective Robert Goren on NBC's Law and Order: Criminal Intent. He has also appeared on Broadway and in films. His biography is athttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_D%27Onofrio Don

Parks		02-Mar-2008 02:39
Ray, I drove past the house this morning. I wondered why there were so many fire trucks there. I didn't know that the house had been buiIt the founder of the Parrot Jungle. It looks like there is some construction going on at what used to be the little snack bar in the Parrot Jungle that had a walk up window on Red Road. Do you know what they are doing to that?

John		02-Mar-2008 02:20
Charlis/LARGO, Wopping was for us inlanders and I agree it probably evolved into boogie boarding and spread east to Miami Beach. Very funny LARGO! Al, Any other skeletons in your closet? I have a few myself, but lack the courage to reveal them. Officer Obie probably frequents the board here. We used to hitch-hike everywhere around Miami and even points north. The farthest I ever went was Gainesville at 15. Metro officers wrote me a couple of tickets for hitch-hiking. That's how we got around up until my 16th birthday. Ray, Are you in the fire-rescue business? If so what area and what time frame?

Ray		02-Mar-2008 02:07
It appears my account has been removed. So I'm posting this as a guest. Some of you my remember the old Parrot Jungle in what is now Pinecrest. This morning the re-dedication of Miami Dade Fire Rescue Station 49 took place. 10850 SW 57 Ave (Red Road). This 1930's era house was built by the founder of the Parrot Jungle and now serves the community as a fire station for a Rescue Unit. Over the last few months the house was renovated and a garage was added in the back so the truck can be kept indoors. They did a great job keeping the house as it was built. Even the original wood work remains. And the rumor is, the ghost still visits the second floor at night. If you get a chance, stop by and take a look. It came out really nice. I hope to have a slide show posted on the internet soon. If you happen to have any old pictures of this house, please let me know. Ray

Parks		01-Mar-2008 23:33
Hi Guys, I just got an email anouncement from Books and Books in Coral Gables. It seems that someone has written a book about Frankie's Pizza. The author will be speaking at B&B on the 29th. I've heard about that place all my life and I read a lot of your comments on it. I guess I'll have to try it.

Miami Girl		01-Mar-2008 22:07
Al: It would have been Richards Dept Store - of course you being a guy we wouldn't expect you to remember the specifics. I don't remember the flag incident in front of the school, probably because we arrived in the back on the bus and they took them all up before I could see them? I remember hearing that some kids had to clean the panther mascot emblem on the floor of the school lobby with a toothbrush because they walked on it --- were you one of them? I've always heard you mental health professionals are a little wacky, now we know why - you evolved from being JD's on the edge! Hey.... is there anyone out there who remembers those polar bear pictures on the doors of stores with air conditioning? Usually the first ones were drug stores. WOW it was wonderful to walk into those places on a steamy July day.

Arizona Al		01-Mar-2008 20:13
Miami Girl: Guilty as charged! A few years later myself and a few cohorts from PHS Butch Childers, Ron Valentine, Terry Stewart and Nathan Levy climbed on top of the Cutler Ridge Shopping Center and "appropriated" all of the flags from the Jordan Marsh (or was it Burdines?) store and took them to Palmetto High and planted them in the grass in front of the school building. What fun we all had on the next school day as the faculty tried to figgure that one out.Do you recall that incident from 1963? I shure hope the statute of limitiations has not expired!! Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and into his 45th year as a recovering juvenile delinquent currently credentrialed as Licensed Psychologist in Arizona and North Carolina. How Prophetic!!

LARGO		01-Mar-2008 19:37
CHARLIS...WE MUST HAVE BEEN ON THE SAME "WAVE" LENGTH ??...LOL

charlis		01-Mar-2008 19:31
john... you are correct with the "skimming". I remember that now. People not brave enough to surf would use them in the water/sand areas of the beach. Then they came up with the Boogie boards... to be used for skimming or for those not brave enough to surf... basically skateboard in water.

LARGO		01-Mar-2008 19:22
DID THAT MEDIEVAL "WOP BOARD" OF YORE... EVOLVE IN TO THE ...BODY"BOOGIE" BOARDS OF TODAY ?

John		01-Mar-2008 18:37
Charlis, I am not so sure that "wopping" wasn't a regional event in Miami during the 60s. Al, lived down south my way, was familiar with it, but Jeff, from the Beach area wasn't. I think some may have called it skimming. As for the recent "confessional" regarding the tower, how appalling!! These types of activities will not be tolerated :)

Miami Girl		01-Mar-2008 18:17
AZ Al, so you're the one who painted the water tower!!! That whole area is now Cutler Ridge Park and the pictures I've been able to find on line don't show the tower there anymore. There also was a huge tree right near the tower that had either a vine or rope that we used to swing on. By the way did you know "the Ridge" is now officially incorporated as Cutler Bay? Apparently after Andrew the area really went downhill so they wanted to distance themselves from the negative image.

charlis		01-Mar-2008 18:05
About the SnoBoarding.. we also used the lids off the garbage cans, then someone came up with a plastic version with handles. We would also use boxes... if there were no trees on the hills. My best sled ride was at a golf course. If you started at the top of the hill, where the club house was, you could sled 5 holes!

charlis		01-Mar-2008 18:01
john... wop boards... when I was a young child in OH in the 50's, we did the same thing for snow! We called them SnoBoards. Imagine my surprise to see that it's become a popular sport, but a take off of skate boarding and skiing.

John		01-Mar-2008 16:46
Arizona Al, Close enough for govt work. Fantastic. You're correct and winner of the "apple of the teacher's eye" award. Knowing you, you're probably throwing up right now! We wopped at Suniland Park mostly after a good rain when the puddles would go for yards upon yards. Deep water wasn't necessarily good. The best standing water was when the grass was just barely above the water level, cause then the boards wouldn't sink as in a deep line of puddles. Whenever we went to S. Beach (usually right there at 5th St.), we body surfed....never took out wop boards. When heavy rain clouds formed, it was "surf's up" at Suniland Park. Some of the boards were very elaborate, i.e., painted or laquered, rounded on the bow (the front corners), and even some had racing stripes painted on them. A few boards were round. Half-inch plywood seemed to work best. A few guys had 3/4 inch boards.

Arizona Al		01-Mar-2008 15:47
John: If I recall a Wop Board was a laminated piece of plywood 2x2 that we used while running along the beach by throwing in on incomming waves as they hit the beach and then jumping on top of the wop board for a mini surfing type of ride. Does my memory (aging and sinking) serve me correctly? Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and fondly recalling the joys of wopping at South Beach circa 1962-1964.

John		01-Mar-2008 13:25
Jeff, Nope, not even close, sort of. Nobody here from Miami has ever "wopped" or heard the expression, "Let's go woppin?" I will leave this out there for a while before I reveal the answer. Al, You naughty little non-conformist.

Jeff		01-Mar-2008 05:07
John... I presume a "wop board" was a long, flat wooden paddle used to tan the hides of unruly students?

Arizona Al		01-Mar-2008 05:02
One more for the "I remember when" category. There was a very tall water tower directly behind Cutler Ridge Elementary School. In the summer of 1958 myself and Hamilton Franklin(AKA Hambone) climbed to the top and with a can of spray paint proceeded to print vulgar (gasp!) words on the water tower. After the incident a Dade County Detective named Mr. Taddia questioned us but we denied any involvement. I wonder just how long our art work remained.; Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and not always proud of the ill spent actions of his youth.

Arizona Al		01-Mar-2008 04:52
And in reference to the Safety Patrol at Cutler Ridge Elementary (1955-1958) and the Hall Patrol at Palmetto Jr and Sr High(1959-1964)...Poppycock and Balderdash!! I was muct too antisocial and delinquent to ever consider or be considered by faculty for such accolades and endeavors. Alan Ogus, Ph.D.. Alive, well, and worked through his issues during his youth.

Arizona Al		01-Mar-2008 04:46
Red Rover..Red Rove..Send Miami Girl Over! I do recall those halcyon days at Cutler Ridge Elementary circa 1955-1958. I also have recollections of putting frogs down the girls' backs and dances on the blacktop with snow cones for the winners of the dance contest. On to Palmetto Jr. High where the PE Coaches took undue liberty to burn our arses with the lanyards that their whistles were attached on. Gadzooks how did we ever survive? Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and still recalling the welts on his buttocks!

jeff		01-Mar-2008 03:10
Thanks, Charlis!

John		01-Mar-2008 03:10
Leighton, I split time between Columbus HS (Catholic) and Palmetto HS. We got the livin "beep" beat out of us daily while at Columbus, i.e., books slammed against our heads for nodding in class, pull you out of your seat pulling your side-burns, and other corporal torture. All of it would be law-suit-type stuff today (I would think). Miami Girl, I never got a patrol belt. Did that leave a mark? Yes! They were so cool. Also, at Howard Drive Elementary we had a PE teacher (Mr. Drew) who took dodge ball, red whatever, flag football, and all else in between to a new level. Talk about a competitor. He played for blood (not literally of course). All, Does anyone (Joanne not included in this quiz) remember or know what a "wop-board" was and how it was employed? First to answer gets a big fat shiny star. LARGO, Did you say it was the "Old Crow" that made you do it or that you were an Old Crow and that's why you did it? Inquiring minds want to know :) Don, You've been awfully quiet lately. Working behind the scenes I suppose, and keeping folks off the main page.....not unlike a narly dog protecting his territory. Thanks for the time and effort you do on the site.

John		01-Mar-2008 02:40
Mr. Leach..............ouch!

Joanne		01-Mar-2008 01:25
Miami Girl...Lordy, you've hit on another one. I was on school patrol and we acted like mini-narcs. LOL We were so proud of that orange belt, had to roll it up just so the badge was showing. What a power trip that was. Who else had those gawd-awful gymsuits? White cotton, sleeveless, snapped in front with elastic in the hem of the shorts that made them look like bloomers!!! Whoever designed those things should be takken out back for 30 lashes. Back at Palmetto Jr High we had an assistant principle with a very big board to paddle unruly students. (John?????)

charlis		29-Feb-2008 23:20
jeff.... living up or down... You were what is considered nowadays a geek... so was my ex. You've done good as an adult with your font site. Our old boss would be proud of you.

Miami Girl		29-Feb-2008 22:04
Here's a few memories I don't think have been mentioned , forgive me if they're already here -- I'm old!! There's those sadistic games we played in elementary school: Dodge Ball and Red Rover, Red Rover (send ALAN on over) ---it's a miracle there weren't more broken bones on the playground with those boys throwin' that friggin ball about 80 mph and running into our arms tryin' to break 'em! They went the way of the see-saw's when the other person would jump off and you'd slam into the ground! Those would be a trial lawyer's dream today. Then how many lucky ones got to wear that oh so cool PATROL BELT with a badge! That ranks right up there with the pogo stick I always wanted and never got! We had a teacher in Jr. High that body slamed one of those JD hoods up against the fire extinguisher (he deserved it as I recall). The word was that teacher had a tattoo on his arm from his military days and the school system made him wear long sleeve shirts (in Miami pre-AC days). How did we all stand it down there without AC? Those people in South Miami after Andrew got a taste of it -- sure glad I wasn't there! And, last but not least for you early Ridge Rats --- remember Pete The Popsicle Man???? I'm not sure of how many years he was around but it seems like forever! Miami Girl -- freezin' here in upstate NY

Jer		29-Feb-2008 21:06
Add this one to your dance craze list, none would be complete without it. The Mess - Joe Banana & the Bunch

Leighton		29-Feb-2008 06:24
OK, I'll give you one bizarre memory. My sister and I attended Miami Christian School in the late 60s/early 70s. great education, but BOY, were they uptight. It was out Flagler, near Sweetwater, when it was still a swamp. Next to Pet Heaven (still there). One day, on the school bus, my sister was chewing gum. Apparently, that was a major crime. When the bus driver asked my sister if she was chewing gum, she lied, and said "No." He told her to come to the front of the bus, AND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING, he jerked her pony tail back and forth for a minute!!!!! Can you say "lawsuit" in 2008????????? This was the same school, that could demand that a girl get on her knees, and have her skirt measured. Good grief.

LARGO		29-Feb-2008 03:32
GEE...SHOT DOWN AGAIN...FORGOT TO MENTION ... "PINK FLAMINGOS & MIAMI" IN MY LAST POST...OH DARN...TO ALL THE HALL MONITORS OUT THERE KICKIN BUTT AND TAKING NAMES....SORRY...MUSTA BEEN THAT OLD CROW I HAD.....?.............LARGO.

Guest		29-Feb-2008 02:02
Roberta - I check in almost every day, but since I'm from Hialeah I usually hang out in the Hialeah section. I have posted many memories there and Don has graciously added many photo's I have contributed (mostly there}.

Roberta Perry Hughes		29-Feb-2008 00:52
NEWBIE POSTERS!! Quick!! Hurry!! Let us hear from you, ASAP, of your memories, of Old Miami!! Old Hialeah!! Old Cutler Ridge!! Old Coral Gables!! Old Kendall!! Old Perrine!! Old Naranja!! Old Miami Beach!! Old Miami Springs!! (Old Crow? Old Grandad? Old English Roses? Old Gold?) Make haste, before this "blog" becomes a "blah-gg!! (hee! hee!) ; ) Looking forward to MORE memories, from John, Joanne, Leighton, Tim of Orlando, et al!! Dave? Steve? Drew? Stephen? manocarz? Miami Girl? Phillip? Jan? Where'd y'all go?? Missing you, & wishing you were here!! C'mon back, y'all!!

John		29-Feb-2008 00:44
For the ladies of course......"the minute he walked in the place, I could tell he was a man of distinction, a real big spender...................hey big spender, spennnnnnnnnnnnnnd, a little dime on me."

LARGO		28-Feb-2008 15:55
N-E-S-T-L-E-S...NESTLES MAKES THE VERRRRRRRY BEST....CHOOOOOOOOOOCLATE !!!...que "FARFEL"...(HAND PUPPET PUP)...TO SLAP HIS JAWS SHUT !!!.......LAAAAAAAAAARGO !!!

O'Town Tim		28-Feb-2008 11:54
Thanks Joanne, I did drop by the A&W once in a while but lived in Cutler Ridge on Carribean Blvd. We rented a condo from a lady who had been married to the child actor 'Spanky' of Little Rascals fame, and @ the time was married to a gent who had played trombone on the score/record of West Side Story. More info than you were looking for probably ~ sorry! tlc

Jeff		28-Feb-2008 03:44
Right, John! By the Capitols on Karen Records... (Geez, I'm SO full of it... trivia, that is!) Next memory game? Favorite old-time commercial jingle... (Please, no local businesses)... Opening examples: You'll wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent... Brush-a, brush-a, brush-a... Brush-a with Ipana...it's the greatest toothpaste... Mabel! Black Label! Carling Black Label beer... Look sharp!... Feel sharp!... Be sharp!... Buy Gillette...it's the best shave you can get! It's so easy when you use Lestoil...

John		28-Feb-2008 02:22
The song of course.

John		28-Feb-2008 02:22
Cool Jerk?

Roberta Perry Hughes		28-Feb-2008 02:12
Jeff...'K. So...! What game shall we play, next???

Jeff		28-Feb-2008 02:01
Roberta-DAHLING! You're s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g here... What I was suggesting that songs that represented or started a dance craze... (ie: Do the Philly Dog or The Bounce - both by The Olympics)... If you just want to list songs that reference dancing we could shut down this blog space with the amount of text... Very short example of what DOES NOT count as "dance craze records": When You Dance, Dance with Me, Let's Dance, Dance with Me Henry, Last Dance, Do You Wanna Dance or ANY other song that just has "dance in the title"...or such variations on the mundane as Twistin' with Linda, At the Hop, Twistin' the Night Away... What DOES count are titles that [again] INSPIRED a dance craze or picked up one one - such as: Baby, Hully Gully - The Olympics Hully Gully, Baby - The Dovells The 81 - Candy and the Kisses Do the Bird - Dee Dee Sharp

Roberta Perry Hughes		28-Feb-2008 01:49
AHA!! Another dance song was "The Frug" (frooog)...! And...! "Slow Dancin' (Swayin' to the Music")

Roberta Perry Hughes		28-Feb-2008 01:44
Didn't Connie Francis do a "dance" song" I'm remembering something about her singing about the cha-cha...???

Jeff		28-Feb-2008 01:11
Who cares what other people think? After all, they don't pay your bills! I spent too many years trying to live up [down?] to others' expectations of me... that's why I was an insecure, lonely and [generally] unhappy teenager. Later with all that. Glad to have filled in that memory lapse for you - as you did for me...

charlis		28-Feb-2008 00:33
jeff... thanks on the Intercontinental... I couldn't think of it no matter how hard I tried. Thanks for helping my memory. Evie and I hated doing "The Freddie" at the Second Floor, but we loved doing a lot of the other dances. The bad thing is that while on the elevator at work and a song comes on, I start doing some of the old routines that Evie and I used to do. I have gotten some strange looks from people as they got on the elevator... but I can still do the James Brown slide that Wayne Cochran taught us!

Jeff		28-Feb-2008 00:12
Charlis... Great trivia, great dance tune... and it all comes back to me now.about Carner Bank... It became Intercontinental Bank when it was sold (I once had an account there at the office on 10th and Alton across from Pantry Pride)... The bank has changed hands numerous times since then... Thanks for jogging my memory!

charlis		27-Feb-2008 22:50
jeff... dance names... Do The Freddy....

charlis		27-Feb-2008 22:42
Jeff... here's some Miami Vice trivia you might not know... do you know where a lot of interior house shots were shot? Imagine my surprise to be visiting my great uncle one time to see a film crew across the street from his house. Seems the owner of Lums had bought two properties and combined them into one... extended the one house, tore down one. Great garden, pool, etc. on Normandy Isle across the street from the 1st hole at Normandy Shores Golf Course... about the 150 yrd marker (just outside my uncle's back door.) Uncle Charles said Don was a very nice guy.

charlis		27-Feb-2008 22:36
Jeff... thanks on the WKAT. The minute I read your post it hit me. As to Carner Bank, when Jack died, his son Steve took over. Some time in the mid to late 70's he sold it to some spanish banking group. Ed used to love to drive Jack around in the Rolls. When Jack died we met a few "nice" people at the funeral... as in the Mafia. We kept in touch with Steve for a few years, then lost touch.

Jeff		27-Feb-2008 22:23
Sorry, Roberta... I had my mind on other things... Glad you won the post card ,but no, I won't need a scan of it. Hannau was one of a small handful of postcard companies locally. I believe there was also Gulfstream and Florida Natural Color (along with Hannua)... There was one or two other maller companies, but their names ecape me right now...

Joanne		27-Feb-2008 21:04
OTown...I wasn't friendly with Pam, just knew who she was, especially since she was a cheerleader. We ran in different crowds. But I did know some of the other cheerleaders. Did you ever go to the A&W Drive In down near Naranja? I remember the record store you spoke of but never went in, just drove by.

Roberta Perry Hughes		27-Feb-2008 19:58
Jeff...You didn't comment about the vintage post card... I heard that "they" have "moved the Hialeah flamingo flock," " to the new zoo"...??? And that "they" are "going to go ahead & bulldoze the buildings," at the Race Course, "in preparation for the building of the condos & shopping center"...??? Is this true...??? Or, merely hearsay...??? Or, just someone's panic attack...??? Oh, please...!!! SAY IT ISN'T SO...!!! (please, God. Amen.) Roberta, STILL fretting over the big pink birds, & their future, & anxious, about the future of yet another historical landmark, succumbing to the will of greedy heartless people, who could care less, about such things

Jeff		27-Feb-2008 15:08
Roberta... Right as rain about Chubby Checker.. with "It's Pony Time"... same label group - wrong artist... but "At the Hop" is NOT a dance in itself, it's a song about dancing... neither was "Little Egypt" a dance in itself... Likewise "Rock-A-Hula-Baby"... just an insipid song forced on Elvis during one of his filmings... NOT a popular dance... Of course, we could add TONS of "twist" variants, but let's not... here's a few more songs that sparked dance crazes... The Monkey Time - Major Lance The Bunny Hop (pre-rock & roll) - Ray Anthony [OK, Roberta-we squeezed this in) Willie and the Hand Jive - Johnny Otis (boy, did that one catch on!) The Loco-Motion - Little Eva Let's Turkey Trot - Little Eva Bongo Stomp - Little Joey & The Flips

O'Town Tim		27-Feb-2008 11:51
Joanne ~ YES my talented wife's younger sister IS Pamela Whitney!!! Thanks!!

Roberta Perry Hughes		27-Feb-2008 06:24
Wee hours, callin' a bird a "bid." Dang! You'd think I got into the 'Shine! (Hic) Back to "dance records"... "Rock-A-Hula," by Elvis Presley...back when he was known by both names "The Hop," by Danny & The Juniors "The Monkey," by...?????? "The Hokey-Pokey," by...???? (VERY popular at Sunland Skating Rink, on Bird Rd.) "Everybody Do the Cha-Cha-Cha," by Sam Cooke (?) Roberta, trying to remember "dance music," from the fifty-plus years ago, when she should be elevating her tree trunk lower limbs

Roberta Perry Hughes		27-Feb-2008 06:03
Jeff, Dah-lin'...Chubby Checker did "The Pony," not Dee Dee Sharp. He also did "the Hucklebuck," & "The Fly." Little Anthony & The Imperials did "Shimmy-shimmy, Koko-Bop." Can we count "Little Egypt," by The Coasters? On a different subject...I just got a vintage postcard of two dark pink hibiscus blossoms, & on the back is a flamingo in silhouette which is the logo for NATURAL COLOR PUBLISHERS, 605 LINCOLN RD., MIAMI BEACH, FLA. PHONE 58-2912, beneath the body of the bid, & beneath his legs, & beneath a half circle of "water." Vertically, in the center of the card, it states...A MIKE ROBERTS COLOR PRODUCTION. Then, down at the bottom, it says...Colorphotography by H. W. Hannau. Thought, maybe this info would be of interest to you. Perhaps you know the business owners, or the 2 men mentioned, or are familiar with this particular logo, of the silhouetted flamingo? If you're interested, I can scan both sides & send it to you. Many of my vintage Florida postcards were printed in "Yankeeville" (the North) & this one stands out, because it is a "locally made" postcard. (Sorry, if I offended anyone, by referring to the North as "Yankeeville." It's a term that originates with yours truly...you should hear my term for white frozen precipitation!) Roberta, munchin' on a biscuit, 'cause the pill she's about to swallow says to take it with food. Shucks...wish I had a batch of Charlis' Bott Boi to eat with it...! (Now don't go a-fussin' 'bout our recipes!!) It's the wee hours, y'all...

Jeff		27-Feb-2008 04:51
Here's a mind-blowing trip down memory lane for you... to see just how many dances came out of the rock and roll era... [In no particular order] Limbo Rock - Chubby Checker/The Champs The Walk - Jimmy McCracklin The Stroll - The Diamonds The Twist - Chubby Checker The Mashed Potato - DeeDee Sharp The Pony - DeeDee Sharp The Horse - Cliff Nobles and Company Twine Time - Alvin Cash & The Crawlers Bristol Stomp - Dovells Let's Stomp - Bobby Comstock & The Counts Hully Gully Baby - Olympics Slow Walk - Sil Austin Watusi - The Vibrations The Jerk - The Larks C'mon and Swim - Bobby Freeman Pop-Pop-Pop-Eye - The Sherries Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett The Dog - Rugus Thomas The Funky Chicken - Rufus Thomas The Hustle - Van McCoy The Bird - DeeDee Sharp The Harlem Shuffle - Bob and Earl The Duck - Jackie Lee Peppermint Twist - Joey Dee & The Starlighters Hot Pastrami with Mashed Potatos - Joey Dee & The Starlighters The Madison - Al Brown's Tune-Toppers OK, kids... it's your turn to add a dance records to this list...

Roberta Perry Hughes		27-Feb-2008 04:47
Largo...Yes, 'Nita was the orange juice queen, with her family in the commercials, & she also sang a Coca-Cola jingle..."Zing! What a feeling with a Coke!" Roberta, chiming in, with her fat feet & swollen legs, from trying to catch up on a few chores, & making calls to M.D.s & pill rollers, while enduring stormy weather, in the Peach State

Jeff		27-Feb-2008 04:37
Yes, Largo... it's ironic that Anita Bryant was the "Orange Juice Queen" but that she railed against "queens" of alternative lifestyles. This is what cost her the job with the Florida Orange Juice Council and an eventual divorce from Bob Green... Bob was first heard on WINZ, then later on WQAM. He was close friends with my ex-employer, Steve Alaimo.

LARGO		27-Feb-2008 04:23
ANITA BRYANTS HUSBAND ....was it Bob Green ??....ANYWAY HE USED TO DJ AT SOME OF OUR PALMETTO HI SCHOOL DANCES IN THE GYM...IN OUR SOCKS...yeah....SOCK HOPS!!!...THE STROLL, THE HUCKLEBUCK...MASH POTATOES..THE TWIST...THE BOP!!!...GADS... WE WERE SO WILD AND WICKED!!!...HEH! HEH! HEH...ETC....I DO NOT RECALL IF ANITA BRYANT AND MR. GREEN WERE MARRIED AT THAT TIME....WAS'NT SHE THE BIG FLORIDA ORANGE JUICE...."QUEEN"...?..............................LARGO

Leighton		27-Feb-2008 04:09
Thanks for the suggestion of Delaware Punch, but it wasn't a brand name...something specially made at this location in South Miami - she couldn't find it anywhere else.

Jeff		27-Feb-2008 03:42
Leighton... From what I understand, Don Johnson (and/or "his people") really could try your patience... I worked for a photo lab that was stiffed by Johnson for processing, and the same happened to a professional photographer I know who did some work for him... On the flip side of the coin, I met Phillip Michael thomas a few times, and he was always a gentleman!

Leighton		27-Feb-2008 03:41
Thanks for the suggestion of Delaware Punch, but it wasn't a brand name...something specially made at this location in South Miami - she couldn't find it anywhere else.

Jeff		27-Feb-2008 03:38
Charlis... All we had in my part of town was a slight power flicker.... luckily for me... as I had a number of things to do today. The radio station you're thinking of "behind NuArt" was actually on North Bay Road off of Dade Boulevard... WKAT... (now in North Miami). I completely forgot about Carner Bank of Miami Beach! Jack Carner sold out to Barnett, didn't he? Jeez... that's a LONG time ago... the days of Miami Beach Federal, Chase Federal, Jefferson National Bank, Mercantile National Bank, Miami Beach First National Bank (a/k/a Flagship, Sun Bank, SunTrust), American Savings... Good Lord! That's 40+ years ago!!!!!!!!

Leighton		27-Feb-2008 03:33
And they can still screw you out of a credit...I have done a lot of location film work in South Texas the past ten years, and you never know when the producers are going to decide not to spend the $200 per name, for secondary positions. Worked three months on "Selena" - no credit as Asst Loc Mgr. Three months on "American Outlaws" - no credit as Loc Mgr/Second Unit....etc....it's really annoying, especially when you see some flicks where they credit everybody and his cross-eyed cousin. Right out of UM film school in 84/85, I was hired to be Don Johnson's assistant on "Miami Vice" - minutes before I arrived on the set that first day, they called to say the studio had cut the position. I heard, years later, that I should be thankful. He was apparently QUITE difficult. A film school buddy and I wandered onto the set of "Mean Season," at Joe's Stone Crabs, claiming our dad owned the place. We got away with it for about ten minutes.. Enjoyed shooting a student film at Place St. Michael in Coral Gables, and knocking out their electricity for an hour. Ouch.

Don Boyd		27-Feb-2008 02:06
These were posted in the wrong places and moved here: Don ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ bill johnson bjohnson@trilogybehc.org 21-Feb-2008 20:32 wonderful, love it, lived in coral gables 1958-65 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ron scott scott.ronald@gmail.com 26-Feb-2008 23:36 WOW! It really makes me feel old seeing all those pictures. Thanks so much for taking the time to post them. I have visited and shopped and eaten at so many of those places. My mother used to work at Wolfies on the beach for about ten years...Great memories...CapnRon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ G. Altman altm0@yahoo.com 26-Feb-2008 17:29 Re: My entry dated Feb. 2, 2008--I must have had a "senior moment", or it was written too late at night! The hospital I was born in, in Nov. of 1948, located off N.E. 2nd Ave. near Archbishop Curley , was Edgewater Hospital, not Edgemont Hospital. Please forgive me! I have enjoyed reading the comments on old Miami history! Thanks! Grace A. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joanne		26-Feb-2008 23:50
OTown...does your wife have a relative named Pam Whitney? Pam was in my class at Palmetto. (75)

charlis		26-Feb-2008 23:32
Johnny Tillotson was from Jacksonville. He was the nephew of my father's best friend and coworker at Monroe-Zeder Chrysler Plymouth. Got to meet him... my teenage girl's heart thumped a mile a minute!

charlis		26-Feb-2008 23:21
jeff... darn this laptop... it was 1968 when ex got to work with Larry.

charlis		26-Feb-2008 22:46
Jeff... Larry King worked at the radio station located behind Nu-Art back in the 60's. In 196 my ex hubby, then boyfriend, got to work with Larry for the Student/Professional Day. The weird thing is that, a year or 2 later, while working for Carner Bank, he, me, and another bank employee had to repo Larry's car! I think it was a Toyota... back when Toyotas first came to this country... not really sure. How did you get by with the massive power outage! Reminds me of the time when the whole East Coast went out! I was on my way to Miami Dade Jr. when that happened.... got to the north campus to find the guards turning us away. The trip back to MB was horrendous when off of 95 and Julia Tuttle. We weren't really affect by the problem today... sporadic outages as the grid took over.

Joanne		26-Feb-2008 20:21
Only celeb I can think of is a girl who graduated Palmetto the year before me. Valerie Lundeen became "Miss Florida, USA"In 1981. She ended up marrying Ron Eli (Tarzan) a few years later. Of course theres Sylvia Hitchcock. And I guy I knew in elementary school was on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" (Geez, I don't get around much.....)

Jeff		26-Feb-2008 15:24
I believe I have heard of Sandra wirth... and yes, Anita Bryant does count - although [to me] infamously because of her later political views...

O'Town Tim		26-Feb-2008 12:45
My wife Robin Whitney attended Miami U. School of Music where her grandmother Lena Maddaford taught vocal/opera one of her dear friends who loved Robin's grandmother was actress Gail Edwards, Full House, Touched by An Angel as well as Broadway and beyond. A talented lady and Miami celebrity!!! Daughter of June and Doctor Edwards.

John		26-Feb-2008 11:55
Does Anita Bryant count on this Miami celebrity remembrance?

Roberta Perry Hughes		26-Feb-2008 08:12
Shoot fire and save matches! I forgot to put my name on my entry! Chalk it up to yet another bout of insomia & my usual aches & pains. Roberta, in limbo...not asleep, but not awake, either, & starring in the late night movie, "Posting in a Coma," in the Peach State

Guest		26-Feb-2008 08:07
Leighton...I THINK that the "red punch" of which you speak was Delaware Punch. It was a concentrate, that you added water to. It tasted fantastic! Bird Road Baptist Church used it for Communion Sundays, in lieu of wine, & they used broken crackers, for the "body of Christ." My father used to buy it for us. I think they still make it, "up North." I did a search on it once, when I was looking for it. Largo...Our family also knows, first hand, about not getting screen credits, if you're a local. My late half-brother, Marshall E. Smith, was the sailor that the giant squid attacked, in the movie "20,000 Leagues under the Sea," starring Kirk Douglas. Jeff...Another possible celebrity, from the area, was a very pretty blond girl, who went to Gables High, & she was a flawless baton twirler, & a dancer as well, & later, she became an actress. Her name was Sandra Worth, or Wirth, I think. I remember seeing her in an episode of "Father Knows Best," where Eleanor Donahue's character was in a dance competition, at her high school, but she lost to Sandra Worth's character, who was the better dancer, of the two. Are you familiar with this person??

Guest		26-Feb-2008 08:07
Leighton...I THINK that the "red punch" of which you speak was Delaware Punch. It was a concentrate, that you added water to. It tasted fantastic! Bird Road Baptist Church used it for Communion Sundays, in lieu of wine, & they used broken crackers, for the "body of Christ." My father used to buy it for us. I think they still make it, "up North." I did a search on it once, when I was looking for it. Largo...Our family also knows, first hand, about not getting screen credits, if you're a local. My late half-brother, Marshall E. Smith, was the sailor that the giant squid attacked, in the movie "20,000 Leagues under the Sea," starring Kirk Douglas. Jeff...Another possible celebrity, from the area, was a very pretty blond girl, who went to Gables High, & she was a flawless baton twirler, & a dancer as well, & later, she became an actress. Her name was Sandra Worth, or Wirth, I think. I remember seeing her in an episode of "Father Knows Best," where Eleanor Donahue's character was in a dance competition, at her high school, but she lost to Sandra Worth's character, who was the better dancer, of the two. Are you familiar with this person??

Jeff		26-Feb-2008 04:52
Largo... ANY Humphrey Bogart movie is a good movie to watch or be associated with (as far as I'm concerned)! My favorite film of all time is Casablanca... However, I'm happy to know your dad worked on Bogie's Key Largo. My favorite bit of trivia from that film... when the hurricane hit, you see an external shot of the palm trees bending in the wind. If you look closely, you'll see the wire attached to the tree tugging it downward! LOL!

LARGO		26-Feb-2008 03:55
OMG JOHN...FROM MY EARLY POSTINGS, ONE WOULD SURMISE THAT I LIVED ON THE BANKS OF SNAPPER CREEK CANAL IN S. MIAMI......I WAS BIKING DISTANCE FROM MATHESON HAMMOCK, FAIRCHILD GARDENS (snuck in the back way)...THE BELOVED PARROT JUNGLE. AS FOR MY LAST NAME "LARGO"...IT IS A PROFESSIONAL NAME I ADOPTED AS A TRIBUTE TO A WONDERFUL OLD MOVIE...ONE THAT MY DAD WORKED ON WAY BEFORE THERE WAS CREDIT GIVEN TO "LOCAL SECOND UNIT FILM CREWS"...NOW EVERYONE FROM THE GRIP TO THE KEY GRIPS MOTHER GET "ROLLING SCREEN CREDIT"...THAT MOVIE WAS OF COURSE "KEY LARGO"........ MYSELF (NOT SO WELL KNOWN)...I SIGN OFF ON PAINTINGS AS ..."SHE LARGO"...FIRST NAME "SHEILA"........MY VERY SPRY 91 YEAR YOUNG DAD....LOVES IT!!!........NO LARGO RELATIVES....SORRY TO DISAPPOINT....................BUT I DO LOVE THE KEYS...LOTS OF GOOD MEMORIES THERE.............LARGO

John		26-Feb-2008 03:25
LARGO, Remember Matheson Hammock? The circular swimming hole right on the bay? Well, my folks used to take us kids down to either Key Largo or Tavenier Key to a similar swimming circumstance, i.e., a circular swimming hole on the edge of the ocean. Do you know of this place? I attribute my potential candidacy for skin cancer to all the sun burns I received at this place. As for other famous Miamians, I racked my brain and came up w/ nuttin honey.

LARGO		26-Feb-2008 03:12
THANKS JEFF..I KNEW YOU'D COME THRU.....BY THE BY...TOM PETTY'S EX GOT HIS BEACH HOUSE .......I WALK PAST IT ALMOST EVERY DAY ON MY A.M. CONSTITUTIONAL...IT'S LEASED OUT MOST OF THE TIME, AS ARE THE MAJORITY OF THE LARGE BEACH SIDE... HOMES...GOTTA PAY THOSE PROPERTY TAXES !!.....LARGO

Jeff		26-Feb-2008 02:48
Largo... Sally Jessie and Larry King were both on WIOD... but King actually started out on a small Miami Beach station in the late 50's... It was either WAHR, MET or WBAY... I can't recall what I'd read... Charlis... My God... you're absolutely right! When I read the IMDB bio of Jay Jensen, I thought it said February, 2008 - but it WAS 2007! Even with reading glasses, my eyes play tricks on me sometimes. Thanks for the correction! Roberta... Charlie McCoy has a single called "Cherry Berry Wine" on Cadence Records (#1360). It charted in 1961, only lasted one week on Billboard - and made it all the way up to 99 on their Hot 100 list! You know, we could expand this celebrity list to note stars from other points in Florida... Woody Woodbury from Fort Lauderdale, Johnny Tillotson (I think he was from the Tampa area). I think blues singer Billy (The Kid) emerson was from Tarpon Springs... Tom Petty was from upstate, and his first band (Mudcrutch) recorded at Criteria Studios... Then there's singer/actress Gloria Loring... come on people, we're on a roll here!

LARGO		26-Feb-2008 02:18
WELL THERE WAS ALSO MS. SALLY JESSE RAFAEL ...WHO STARTED IN MIAMI IN THE LATE 60"s I BELIEVE.........SHE BOUGHT A LITTLE PEN AND INK FROM ME IN '67 OR '68 AT THE COCONUT GROVE ART FESTIVAL. (WHEN IT WAS A REALLY FUN FESTIVAL)...I HAD A REGULAR DISPLAY PLACE IN FRONT OF A SHOP CALLED "THE ADAMS APPLE" FOR SEVERAL YEARS. SHE WAS SALLY JESSE THEN ON A LOCAL TV TALK SHOW..WTVJ ..MAYBE ?...AND ON RADIO AT NIGHT OUT OF MIAMI BEACH...CAN NOT RECALL THE STATION... "JEFF"....????......(OUR RESIDENT HISTORIAN.).............ALSO LARRY KING WAS IN MIAMI IN HIS EARLY CAREER....NO CLUE WHEN......BUT I LIKED MS. SALLY...AND SHE DID PRETTY WELL FOR HERSELF...HER MOTHER WAS AN ARTIST....AND I BELIEVE I READ SOMEWHERE THAT SALLY HAD TAKEN UP PAINTING IN RECENT YEARS...SHE ALSO MAINTAINS A B&B UP NORTH......ENOUGH ALREADY !!........LARGO OUT!

John		26-Feb-2008 02:14
Might as well add MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Steve Carlton (NMB HS) to the list. Welcome back Arizona Al....or is it now "chiggered and ticked-up" Al?

Roberta Perry Hughes		26-Feb-2008 01:24
Area's famous celebs also include...Charlie McCoy, who played harmonica on the TV show "Hee-Haw," in their "All-Star Band," which also included Floyd Cramer, on the piano, Boots Randolph, on the sax, & Chet Atkins, on the guitar. Charlie McCoy was a graduate of Southwest High School.

charlis		26-Feb-2008 01:14
jeff... Jay passed away a year ago. Famous beach celebrities should also include Joy Lansing of soap opera fame (wife of, I think, Alan Thick). Andy Garcia was also a High Tide.

Jeff		26-Feb-2008 00:15
My pleasure, Tim... Glad you're enjoying this blog space!

O'Town Tim		25-Feb-2008 18:49
Hey Jeff ~ THANKS for the prompt reply to my Tom Dowd question and memories of Pickwick Int'l (I did not know that about the Heilicher Bros. connection) And THANK you Don for a site that accomdates such memory chatter for the likes of us out in D.Boyd World. tlc

Jeff		25-Feb-2008 18:11
Hi, Tim... I never worked with Tom DOwd, but I did meet him when he stopped by Audio Vision once... I also remember Pickwick Int'l. It was owned by the Heilicher Brothers of Minneapolis. They also owned Soma Records (Amos spelled backwards) - the label that had Mule Skinner Blues by the Fendermen and Liar, Liar by the Castaways...

O'Town Tim (Orlando)		25-Feb-2008 16:46
Hola' Jeff ~ your postings ref. the famed & prolific Criteria Studios, I just watched a fantastic DVD on the great Tom Dowd WOW what a genius (evident by his having worked on the Manhattan Project prior to turing to record engineering!!!) Did you have the pleasure of working with Tom. Also in 1978 thru 1980 I managed the Music Land Record shop in Cutler Ridge Mall (owned by PICKWICK In't the record distrobution people) Standing by for your reply Jeff THANKS!!! HOW BOUT' CHA and Cutler Ridge Rats out there in Don Boyd world that knew the Whitney family or Robin and One Step Ahead Band. House band @ The Plantation Yacht Harbor for 4 or 5 years? Alright, carry on you guys I love reading your postings. Kindest regards / Timothy L. Cromer

Jeff		25-Feb-2008 14:54
Roberta - you are absolutely right about Dino's ex!

Guest		25-Feb-2008 07:45
Hello all. Been out in the Superstition Mountains camping all weekend .no cellphone o internet service:):). Have not been ignoring you or this site just unable to connect. Roberta: have a rapid and seamless recovery. Jeff and John: Enjoyed "catching up" on your posts for the last week. Don: Kudos and accolades for developing and hosting this website. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and back to civilization in Phoenix, Arizona

Roberta Perry Hughes		25-Feb-2008 07:40
Forgive the oversight, Fellow Posters! I meant to thank everyone, for the well-wishes expressed on my behalf. Having a rough night of it, so, I'm hitting the computer. Having a drug reaction (extreme flushing) & got to call Doc, come breakup. Will be scanning some images, & sending them to Don...hope he includes them in the Galleries, & that everyone will enjoy them. Again, bless you all, for thinking of me, & letting me know that you do. Roberta, starring in "Insomnia of the Flush-Faced Peach," Act I, Scene I, in the Empire State of the South

Roberta Perry Hughes		25-Feb-2008 07:32
Jeff...Wasn't Jeanne (Bieggers) Martin, (Dean's ex-) from the Gables, & wasn't she an Orange Bowl Queen? I had heard (Urban Legend?) that that was how they met (?)

Jeff		25-Feb-2008 03:15
I was saddened to learn that Jay Jensen - my former drama teacher at Miami Beach Senior High - and a benefactor to the University of Miami and the Lowe Museum just passed away last week. Aside from yours truly, he taught my classmate Roy Firestone, Mickey Rourke, Luther "Luke Skywalker" Campbell and a host of others... Speaking of drama and the arts... Did you know that the conductor for the Oscars® for the past 19 years - and composer of Rocky's theme "Gonna Fly Now" - Bill Conti - was a North Miami Senior High graduate? Barabara Walters attended Miami Beach Senior High for a short period because her dad (Lou Walters) owned the Latin Quarter on Palm Island... Nancy Kulp ("Miss Jane" on the Beverly Hillbillies) was a graduate of Miami Beach Senior High School -Class of 1937... Famous faces that came through Miami... Entertainment reporter Shaun Robinson... 60 Minutes reporter Steve Kroft... CBS Evening News reporter Katie Kouric... ESPN reporter Roy Firestone... "The Rock" (actor and former wrestler)... singer Steve Alaimo (still here in Miami)... CBS Early Morning host Maggie Rodriguez...

John		25-Feb-2008 00:37
MM, Ref the pony rides across Dixie Hwy from Suniland Park (SW 128th St &US 1) toward Bowl-O-Mat (southwest from SW 132nd St & US 1). I vaguely remember them. It seems that the pony rides located on the south side of Suniland Shopping Center (near the elevator) must have moved over across from the Park. They didn't last too there. I suppose there could have been two different pony ride owners, but I do remember them being in both spots. I am only about 75% sure of my math here, so if it's incorrect, please chime in. I never rode the pony rides; I rode real horses at camp in NC. :)

Leighton		24-Feb-2008 21:47
Actually, I was extending best wishes to Roberta, for a speedy recovery. Yep, I remember those spin paintings. OK, I'll ask a question again - previously, I had the facts wrong. My mother, around 1970, used to buy a red punch at some store in South Miami - right off Red & Sunset, to the west. Does that ring a bell with anybody???

Jeff		24-Feb-2008 20:04
Stead... Actually, I kind of didn't... I was questioning my own memory - I THOUGHT there was one on South Dixie, but being a "North County Person", I wasn't quite sure...

Stead		24-Feb-2008 20:01
Jeff, You forgot the Pumpernick's on South Dixie Highway.

Tect		24-Feb-2008 19:56
Allen's Drug Store on the corner of Red and Bird . . . still there, the S&S Restaurant is located inside

charlis		24-Feb-2008 17:23
Don, hopefully Mr. Sutton will join us on this board. It would be nice to see a few more Beachites here. There was a Dorothy Sutton in the class of '66 and a Dennis Sutton in "68.

charlis		24-Feb-2008 17:19
jeff, thanks for the Wolfie's info. I knew the Cohens also. The one on Lincoln Rd. held very fond memories for me. We had just left Eddie's grandparents after lunch there. On the way home, he proposed to me.

Don Boyd		24-Feb-2008 14:24
Found in a non-posting area: jack thi sutton carrtoovon@aol.com 23-Feb-2008 20:28 i love your site, but i wonder do you have more photos of south beach? i am talking about lincoln road, wolfies "one" and wolfies 21. i grew up on south beach and my kids attended beach high! me? try biscayne elementry school (a long long time ago.) Judy Worsley (nee "Becker) jbw@worsleys.com 13-Feb-2008 03:13 Judy Worsley (Born "Becker") Grew up in Coral Gables. How about: Brownie hut on Granada., Jahn's on Miracle Mile, the fountain on Granada Venetian Pool (I, with our neighbors the Weinkles were on the swimming team that practices there, the drugstore (name please?) on corner of Red Rd and Bird Rd serving the hottest chile ever. I remember old Miami with great fondness. Glad to see Jimmy Hurricanes there. Hung out there many a week-end night.....Thanks for doing these photos. Cheers to all.

Don Boyd		24-Feb-2008 14:20
Roberta (Leighton), welcome and thank you for your comments. We were lucky to have grown up down here. Joanne, I remember those spinning cardboard art paintings now that you've mentioned it. I hadn't thought of those in decades. I had a few that I thought were gorgeous at the time. Don

Joanne		24-Feb-2008 02:59
Youth Fair...what a great memory that was. Always loved the polar express, the ferris wheel, the bumper cars and the house of mirrors. Almost every year I'd get the wheel painting, a piece a cardboard placed on a modified potters wheel and while it spinned you poured paint from a squeeze bottle onto the cardboard. Anybody else do those? My brother's band competed in the "Battle of the Bands" one year. Nobody cared about walking thru the mud (which was usually the condition of the ground .)

Jeff		24-Feb-2008 00:29
Charlis: Over the years, the late Wolfie Cohen sold off his restaurants... he was famous for being a gambler and needed to satisfy debts. There were three Wolfie's and Two Pumpernicks... The Wolfie's were on Collins Avenue and Lindon Road, Collins Avenue and 23rd Street and 163rd Street and NE 14 Avenue (across from the shopping center). The two Pumpernicks were on Collins avenue and 67th Street and Biscayne Boulevard and 125th Street. Interestingly enough, When Rascal House first opened in 1955, it was called Pumpernicks under a new name could be chosen. They actually held a contest for a new name.... Robin Cohen (whom I went to school with) ran Rascal House with her family until they finally sold it. It closed last year. Mori: Drop me a line at jnl1952@juno.com to fill me in on your Criteria years. Did you know that Steve Gursky recently passed away? I worked for Ron, Howard and Steve from 1993-2000. Carl Richardson is associated with them, and for a time, Mack Emerman was hanging out at the studios...

Leighton		23-Feb-2008 23:21
Don, This site is truly unique. Bringing all these folks together, from different generations. I only lived a fraction of my life in Miami (67-74, 82-85), but it still holds a special place in my heart. Best wishes, Roberta.

MM		23-Feb-2008 22:40
Thank you all, so much, for letting me know I am not alone in all these wonderful memories. Every time I go on here I am just more and more blown away. Jan, I actually came upon this site recently while trying to find pics of Fun Fair, so I am glad to find someone else who shares my affinity for tbe place, even if I haven't found any actual pics yet. It was one of the biggest treats of my childhood. I used to love the little arcade rides, altho I was scared to death of that strange little one-person ferris wheel. Jeff, I used to work at Criteria in the early 80s and was pretty close to Ron, Howard and Steve. I wonder if our paths crossed. When did you work with them? And while everyone is on the subject of amusement parks and such, how many of you remember the pony rides next to Bosl-O-Mat/across from Sunniland Park, or the ones at Westchester Mall? They don't do pony rides like that anymore. I'll never forget the little T-shaped handle that you'd hold onto and how my legs were barely long enough to actually reach the stirrups, even when they cinched them up to their highest point. Keep up the great reminiscing....Mori

charlis		23-Feb-2008 19:04
jan, your post about all the great places to eat got me heading to the fridge for a hot dog! Lums' were the best. My favorite Wolfies was the one on Lincoln Rd and Ocean Dr. I heard that it was no longer there, that the family decided to get out of the business. Jeff can confirm or update us on that. They had the best chopped chicken liver, bagels and lox, and kosher pickles... better than Pumpernicks. Lums on 41st St. holds a great memory for me... my parents went there all the time. On my 18th birthday I was served my first legal beer as a b-day present. Those frosty mugs and the hot dogs.... hmmm. To this day I steam my dogs in beer... and my beer is always ice cold when I drink it.

LARGO		23-Feb-2008 14:36
GOOD MORNING ALL!..... LOVELY, RAINY DAY IN OLE TOWN...SO HAPPY "Y'ALL" WORKED THINGS OUT....ENOUGH STRIFE OUT IN THE WORLD...THIS IS A FUN PLACE TO COME AND SHARE OLD MEMORIES OF "MIAMI"......I JUST GOT A NOTICE THAT MY 45th MIAMI PALMETTO HS REUNION IS THIS SPRING...............zounds!!!@#%!!!*%$???.not???....(note: that's is not an e-mail address).....SHOULD BE VEEEERY INTERESTING.......SHOULD I ATTEND (not a question)..............HI THERE JOHN..... :o) ............heading to my MYSPACE site to pose the question there...........LARGO......WELL !! I'M ALIVE and trying to stay up on LIFE!!!

Don Boyd		23-Feb-2008 05:27
There is an article in the Herald about a music group's efforts help save Hialeah Park through a new song. You can read the article athttp://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/428954.html Don

Jeff		23-Feb-2008 04:00
You're more than welcome, John... They still hold the fair, and it now goes by the moniker "The Fair", but I believe it's full title is The Dade County Youth Fair and Exposition... Suffice it to say, it's changed as much as Miami has... but they still have the rides and events as in days gone by... I went once... nearly 30 years ago, and it was WAY overcrowded - even back then!

John		23-Feb-2008 03:11
Roberta, Hope you're feeling better tomorrow. Hang in there. HI LARGO!!

John		23-Feb-2008 03:09
Hi all, Speaking of "Fair" do they still hold the annual Dade County Youth Fair? I haven't seen any chatter ref that thus far. For me, and others I'm sure, the Youth Fair marked an annual pilgrimage in search of the members of the opposite sex.....not to mention cool rides, good music, and mandatory fun (thanks Dad) at the 4H animal exhibits. Jeff, Very interesting run-down on Steve Alaimo and associates. Thanks!

Jeff		23-Feb-2008 02:36
Fair is fair, Roberta. The written word is a difficult thing, because it doesn't always convey the intentions of the writer. Since you say there was no sarcasm intended or implied, I take your word for it. Let's just chalk things up to momentarily agreeing to disagree on a subject. Hope you'll be doing better soon...

Roberta Perry Hughes		23-Feb-2008 01:03
Don't sweat the small stuff, Jeff. It's all good. Did you read the end of my post? I said that I was glad that you accept the facts, & that I thank you. I wasn't being sarcastic; I meant it. I DO thank you, for that. A while back, I told Posters that I was having to take a hiatas from the Site, due to multiple clinic appts & tests. I'm right back to having to endure the same, once again. In fact, I spent ALL this dreary rainy day, from lab-to-doctor-to-hospital-back-to-doctor-to-nuclear-medicine tests-to-pharmacist-then--FINALLY!!--home. Travel was hair-raising, down U.S. 1, for a total of 110 miles, round trip. Ugh. Leap Year Day will bring more of the same for me. Chilled-to-the-bone, so, gonna take a hot shower, then press the goose hairs. I'm done in. It's been a long, tedious, & very weary day. I couldn't fight my way out of a wet paper bag. Hasta la vista!

LARGO		22-Feb-2008 21:21
HEY YA'LL...DON'T MAKE ME COME OVER THERE!!!!...LOL....YIKES!!!!.....PEACE OUT...LARGO

Jeff		22-Feb-2008 18:51
Phillip... the amusement park you're referring to was Funland Park, right behind the Frank and Bun on NW 27th Ave. and 79th Street... Fun Fair was on the 79th Street/North Bay/Kennedy Causeway, not too far from Nick and Arthur's restaurant. You must have worked for Harmony Music if you were working in the arcade... The amusements you speak of in Sunny Isles Beach - which included miniature golf, trampolines and bumper cars (along with pinball machines was just north of the 170th Street Shopping Center on the West Side of Collins Avenue.

Phillip Verolla		22-Feb-2008 18:46
Sorry Jan,had a memory lapse. Fun Fair was on NE 79th Street and Fun Land was on NW 27th Ave,

Jeff		22-Feb-2008 18:44
Jan... Seashore Pickles was a long-time favorite from a South Florida company... and Dipper Dan had a store on Twelfth Street and Washington Avenue on Miami Beach, along with the NMB location. Are you related to Albert Isaacs, who owned a block of stores in North Miami on West Dixie Hwy. until the 1980's?

Phillip Verolla		22-Feb-2008 18:44
Yes Jan,Fun Fair was on the corner of NW 27th ave and 79th street across from Northside SC. If you remember the open air 163rd,you must remember the small amusement park with train ride and the stand that sold "Ollie Burgers". I worked at the music store in the arcade during my last few years of high school and have many great memories of Pirates World,Miami Marine stadium and all the other cool places. I still live in south Fla and get flooded with memories when I drive by many of those old locations,most of which are gone completely IE Sportatorium. I have read many of the comments and I can't find anyone that mentions the amusement park that was in Sunny Isles on Collins avenue. It had in ground trampolines. I'll bet you also remember the concerts at Greynolds park and maybe some of the concerts held on the Seminloe Indian reservation in Hollywood.

Jeff		22-Feb-2008 15:23
Roberta, your sarcasm is NOT appreciated when you said "you must be referring to yourself" regarding my comment about those without facts posting urban legends. The INFORMATION I was GIVENabout tar on the beaches over the years was what I'd reported: dumped by cruise ships and tankers. In 44 years of life down here, NO ONE ever mentioned sunken war ships to me. If they had, I would have backed you up on that comment. When Charlis confirmed what you'd reported, I retracted my error of doubt. However, I strongly advise you to NOT "get personal" if you feel I've mis-stated something. When I am proven incorrect, I'll acknowledge my errors - however I strongly recall that I'd once made a constructive comment to you, and you threatened to boycott this space because your feeling got hurt. Stop being so sensitive and using this area to create unneeded acrimony. No one is attacking your personally... This is an area for posting memories, NOT for fighting battles. Please DO NOT engage me or anyone else in any heated discussions, or we all risk having Don pull the plug on this blog. If you disagree with me, so be it. That's your privilege and birth right as a free citizen of this country... but don't take it down to petty snipes... You DON'T want to bring out my bad side... or anyone elses!!!!! I have a lot to contribute to this space, but before I get into any war of words, I can find better things to do with my time that fight petty battles...

Jan Isaacs		22-Feb-2008 12:09
Greetings all! My name is Jan Isaacs and I grew up in North Miami Beach in the 1960's and 1970's. I left for Southern California in 1975 and have lived now in Seattle for the past 12 years. After having read everyone's comments, and reliving many of the experiences triggered by both the comments and the photos, I am flabbergasted as to how easily everything came flooding back to mind. It seems as though my life in Florida ended just yesterday. I remember so much of my childhood and teen years, especially concerts at the Hollwood Sportatorium and Pirate's World, the Orange Bowl, and Miami Marine Stadium. Going back to the 60's, I remember going to an amusement place called "Fun Fair" and I loved it! Does anyone remember it? I know it sounds crazy that I would remember of all things, pickles, BUT, does anyone remember Seashore pickles? You could buy them in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, and they were amazing! I also remember hanging out at the open-air 163rd Street Shopping Center, eating at the great Corky's deli with my friend Michele, and having ice cream after school at Dipper Dan's. I won't even go into my memories of Lum's hot dogs, Wolfie's and Pumpernick's. Ok, I'm hungry....nuff said for now. Will post more later. Thanks for all the comments..I'll keep reading...

Roberta Perry Hughes		22-Feb-2008 06:35
Jeff...Charlis' input, re: "tar" in the shallows, & on the beaches, only affirmed what my father told me, in the early '50's, despite your reply to my post, with "Truth be told..." & ending with , "Urban Legends...if it weren't for them, what would blogs have to discuss?" I had also stated that, as children, we had thought our father was telling a tall tale, but that, later on, I had learned that, what he had told us was true...& he, in all likelihood, knew what he was talking about, seeing as how he was, indeed, a WWII Vet, & had served with the U.S. Coast Guard. You further stated that, "...The trouble is too many people repeat what they read or hear elsewhere without any knowledge of the facts to back them up..." You must have been referring to yourself, as I had said, in my original post on the subject, that, "...I later learned that what our father told us was true," & indeed, I did; I saw it on PBS, on one of several programs, dedicated to WWII, which I never miss, & have watched again, & again, every time they are aired. The fact is, when I posted my comment, I knew it wasn't an "Urban Legend." Notice that I was prompt, to thank Charlis, for her affirmation of what I had said, by relating to you the "facts," & I'm glad that you accept them, & I thank you.

Don Boyd		22-Feb-2008 06:00
Regarding the request for a site to check out "urban legends", my favorite is http://www.snopes.com There is so much distorted and false stuff going around in e-mails these days that it takes an entire huge site to track down most of them and some topics never get straightened out. Don

Jeff		22-Feb-2008 04:53
What I left out was that Ron and Howard Albert were chief engineers/producers at Miami's legendary Criteria Recording Studios. They worked on such albums as "Young Gifted and Black" (Aretha Franklin), "CSN" (Crosby, Stills and Nash), "Monkey Grip Glue" (Bill Wyman), "461 Ocean Boulevard" (Eric Clapton), "Layla" (Derek and the Dominos) and singles such as "You Are the Woman" (Firefall), "Rainy Night in Georgia" (Brook Benton), "Funk 49" (James Gang), "Spanish Harlem" (Aretha Franklin)... and dozens of others... TK Records - at its peak - had hits by George McCrea, Gwen McCrae, Foxy, Notorious Miami, KC & The Sunshine Band, Latimore, Anita Ward, Bobby Caldwell, Jimmy "Bo" Horne, Betty Wright... way too numerous to note here...

Jeff		22-Feb-2008 04:47
Charlis... point well taken. Without your input, this would have remained in the category of "Urban Legends". The problem is, too many people repeat what they read or hear elsewhere without any knowledge of the facts to back them up... John... You are correct! Steve Alaimo, Linda Scott and Paul Revere and the Raiders were all regulars on Dick Clark's ABC-TV afternoon music show "Where the Action Is". The theme song was sung by Freddy Cannon, and the show was shot in various California locales... Steve's singing career began with his band "The Redcoats" during high school in Brighton, NY - a suburb of Rochester. While attending medical school at the University of Miami, Steve decided to try for a full-time career in music, and left medicine behind. The Redcoats rejoined him, and they starting recording for Henry Stone who gave Steve his first break in the record industry (with such singles as "Home By Eleven" as well as various jobs at his record distributorship). After a long musical career (mostly solo -where he was quite popular in live venues, but was only "Top 10 in his "new" hometown of Miami), he started working behind the scenes as a producer and writer. Despite having only one top-50 hit on the national charts ("Every Day I Have to Cry"), Steve recorded for Imperial, Checker, Atco, Entrance, Handshake and a number of other labels... Steve wrote the song "Melissa" that Greg Allman recorded. Steve and Henry Stone co-owned TK Records in Hialeah. After TK went bankrupt, Alaimo hooked up with two friends - the chief engineers [and producers in their own right] brothers Ron and Howard Albert to form Vision Records and Audio Vision Recording Studios in North Miami. I worked for them for about 7-1/2 years!

Roberta Perry Hughes		22-Feb-2008 01:34
Charlis...I cannot thank you enough for your post, re: the "tar" that used to get on our feet at Tahiti Beach in the early '50's, & that my father said it came from the WWII vessels that the German subs torpedoed, as near to shore as the sea lanes. It gets tiresome, to see so many Posters' input/comments, as being attributed to "Urban Legend," or just having their statements discounted as being untrue. I would like to have someone post a link, to direct us to these infamous "Urban Legends," so that we can learn from them, lest we continue to embarass ourselves by being "misinformed," & posting one of these "untrue rumors." Roberta, always willing to learn something new, & to be enlightened, given the opportunity

John		22-Feb-2008 01:17
Jeff, I read one of your earlier posts ref you working w/ Steve Alaimo. Wasn't he a regular, along w/ Paul Revere and the Raiders (PR&TR), on the rock n roll "Where the Action Is" TV show? I was in STL a few days ago listening to Sirius 60s and the signature PR&TR song came on (Kicks). Where the Action Is popped into my head and then Steve Alaimo. Great memories. What happened to Steve? Was he or the show based in Miami or did they do any tapings there? That was a great show for me growing up. Al, Thanks from me too for Nam. I travel a ton and I stop Soldiers all the time and thank them. You never got much of that, but I sure appreciate what you did. Nuff said.

Don Boyd		22-Feb-2008 01:07
Charlis, no, not that I'm aware of. As I have said a couple of times before, this is a photo hosting site that works very well for displaying photos, descriptions, and dates. The comments portion of this site were intended for comments about the photos and never for blog purposes. My top priority for this site is displaying the images for the numerous visitors I get on a daily basis, my second priority is the comments under most of the photos from people who can relate to the subject matter of the photo and often provide valuable information for others to read, and the third priority is this comments gallery where y'all have your fun. Don

charlis		22-Feb-2008 00:38
jeff, re: tar.... as the old war ships "rotted" the oil/tar did made it to the beaches... and is still making its way to shore as the ships continue to "rot". It is not an urban legend. An old class mate worked for Dade County Solid Waste Management and we talk occasionally... he's now in TX. They constantly got requests for disposal of debris from the beaches and had to turn them down because of the contents. Don't forget that I am an Environmental Specialist and deal with the "stuff" every day. Yes, the cruise ships and tankers of the modern era have contributed to the mess... but back in the 50's and 60's the "stuff" came from the ole WWII ships... and will continue for, sadly, a long time.

charlis		22-Feb-2008 00:28
Don... suggestion/question... is there anyway that we can be notified, via email, when someone posts a response to a comment? The local FOX station has a great blog system that allows you to receive an email if someone responds to your post, if you choose to.

Jeff		21-Feb-2008 04:01
PS: ANYONE who "assumes" I was talking about THEM is letting their guilt lead their thoughts! I made my comments generic so EVERYONE might feel a bit hesitant about launching into a text-heavy diatribe about "Truth, Justice and the American Way"... after all this the comments galleries about "Miami and Old South Florida"...

Jeff		21-Feb-2008 03:56
Miami Girl, that's NOT a "soapbox moment"... All of our veterans - no matter what our ideological , religious or political persuasion regarding armed services and/or wars - deserve a round of "THANKS" from us for serving our country. Whether they joined voluntarily or were drafted, they still served... so I join you in saluting all of our posters who have protected our country. However, everyone... PLEASE don't use these comments as a benchmark for posting any long tirades, speeches, flag-waving soliloquoys or what have you... Remember, Don wants to keep this forum for MIAMI MEMORIES... (A word to the wise, the nameless and the guilty...hehehe)

Miami Girl		21-Feb-2008 00:12
Alan O: I have to stay off the soapbox here, but I just had to say "thanks" to you and all the Vets out there.

Jeff		21-Feb-2008 00:03
Truth be told, much of the "tar" that washed up on shore was from cruise liners and freighters who either leaked oil or dumped waste material into the ocean. Anything deposited into the waters during and immediately after World War II would have washed up years before. Urban Legends... if it weren't for them, what would blogs have to discuss?

charlis		20-Feb-2008 21:14
Roberta... I was a young teen when I moved to Florida. I can not even imagine what it was like for a child to go through those drills! As to the oil when going to the beach... I remember hearing those stories, and them being discounted... then being proven true. It was a problem of publicity... the beachs were clean, white... yeah, sure. Now all the beaches are made up of sand dug up somewhere else and not so white. what a shame.

Roberta Perry Hughes		20-Feb-2008 04:31
Air raid drills, in Miami, go back farther than the aforementioned Poster's recollections. We had to do the "duck-under-the-desk" with hands-clasped-behind-the-neck, supposedly, to protect the spinal cord & the cervical vertebrae, when I was in the first grade, Olympia Heights Elementary's portables, in 1952. I remember having to do these "drills" several times, & indeed, the siren would go off each time. These drills continued, when I was transferred to Tropical Elementary, for grades 3-5, but they were for a two-fold reason, as it was also for tornado warnings. I remember getting "tar" on my feet, wading in the shallow waters of Tahiti Beach, & our father told us it was from WWII, when the U.S. Oilers, & some ships, were torpedoed by the German U-boats that were in the Atlantic, as close to shore as the sea lanes were. The German U-boats were all around the perimeter of the U.S., I suppose, awaiting their orders. As soon as an Oiler was in the sea lane, they were targetted, by a Sub, even in the Gulf. We found it hard to believe, that the Germans were in our oceans, & I think us kids thought our father was telling a tall tale; he very seldom talked about the War, nor did any WWII Vet, in those days. Imagine my shock...& chagrin...to learn, many decades later, that my father spoke the truth, regarding those U-boats, so close to home. Civil Defense used to be a big deal, when I was a child, growing up in "Our Town," & I keenly remember their building, on Miller Road, where we turned right to go to Miami Memorial Park, where my mother's parents are buried. (I think Cocoplum Cemetery is nearby?) The Civil Defense folks had televised "actions to take," in the event of a nuclear blast. You were to "drop & roll," into a ditch, & assume the "air raid position." I think it was Jeff, many, many postings ago, who reflected on the fact that such "actions" would do zzzzzz-ip...!! to save your hide. (Think "Terminator" movie, of Sarah Connor's premonition/dream, of a nuclear blast). Those "air raids," & Civil Defense drills, were very very frightening, for children...actually, to everyone. Many folk built "bomb shelters," in their basements, & stocked them, as suggested by the Civil Defense. Whatever became of them? The Civil Defense, I mean? Roberta, hoping we never have a reason to assume the "air raid position" again, nor our children & grands, either. Fighting Mother Nature is stressful enough.

Guest		20-Feb-2008 02:43
I recall the air raid drills at Cutler Ridge Elementary 1957-1958 and the Cuban Missle Crisis while attending Palmetto High. At that time I could not imagine that in 2 years I would be humping the boonies with an M16 and a rucksack in Viet Nam. Alan Ogus, Ph.D., Alive, well and happy to be an in country survivor (103rd Combat Support Batallion, Chu Lai, Vietnam 1966-1967).

Miami Girl		20-Feb-2008 02:15
Charlis...WOW, what a traumatic time that was for your Mother! I also remember hiding under the desks and told "DON'T LOOK AT THE FLASH OF LIGHT". I concur with you completely on Castro and that nothing will change any time soon. Az Al.... those drills happened a few times in Mrs. Bush's class, specifically after we moved into the new school from the "portables" we were in during the first semester...remember?

charlis		19-Feb-2008 23:37
Miami Girl... Cuban Missile Crisis... Boy! Have I got memories of that... I have posted my memories a while back. I had gone to MB on vacation with my mother and sister in February '62. We moved down there in December of that year. The sirens would go off every Saturday at noon. My mother, who was born in France, and was in Europe during the early years of WWII, would cringe when she heard the sirens go off. In school we were taught the "hide under the desk" drills. Now that Castro has resigned, nothing will change. I expect that after this weekend's so called meeting, Raul will keep his job. And a few weeks from now, Castro will "die". Personally, I believe that he's been dead for awhile, that little brother was waiting for this weekend, to gain total control, and that in a few weeks we will hear that Castro died "peacefully in his sleep". The videos were probably faked, or pre-planned as part of the set up.

Miami Girl		19-Feb-2008 23:07
Along with memories of Andrew, can anyone contribute those from the Cuban missile crises in Oct '62? I remember being on the bus that final day that either the ships turn around or we'd take aggressive action, pulling up to Palmetto High and wondering if the building and all of us would even exist the next day! Very sobering thoughts for a 16 year old. I also remember the soldiers camping out in our gym and locker rooms - that was pretty cool.

Don Boyd		19-Feb-2008 18:51
Steve McDonald contributed a 1949 image of a 3rd grade class at Coral Gables Elementary (40's gallery) and a 1952 image of Mrs. Piant's 6th grade class at Coral Gables Elementary (50's gallery). Welcome to Diane Andreoni who posted yesterday - she grew up on my old Herald route back in the 60's and went to the same schools, etc. Don

O'Town Tim		19-Feb-2008 14:12
Hey Joanne / Miami Girl ~ THANK you so much for your collective replies! Indeed this is just what makes Don's site so much fun and so infomative ~ Thanks Mr. B. Robin's family lived on Nicaragua not far @ all from Dominican. They were also friend with the Greens and the Specter families. (Specter Records) later Robin's brother's and sister ran a restaurant on the corner of Carribean & U.S.1 called (after the Jimmy Buffet tune) SON OF A PIZZA. Thanks again and a great day to all you out in Don Boyd's wonderful world of Miami Memories!!! O'Town Tim over & out ~ channel clear!!!

charlis		18-Feb-2008 23:15
jo... Andrew... I was in Tampa at the time. I was doing my route for the Auto Trader, trying to complete it before the storm got here. The original path had been for it to enter the state further north and cut across the state. Suddenly the sky cleared in Tampa. I got home and went to the weather channel to see that Andrew was heading straight to Miami. I still had a lot of friends there. Evie called shortly after the storm hit to say that she was okay on Miami Beach. We could not reach other friends. One lived just north of the eye. The other owned the mobile home park that was destroyed. We heard from him first. He said that the damage to the park was because of the new homes that had been built across the street from the park... all the upper stories had been blown into the park, destroying the mobile homes that were withstanding the storm's winds. Finally heard from the other friend, north of the eye, a few weeks later. The whole back of his house had been damaged. A year later we went down there, for ex's high school reunion, and the friend had just had repairs completed. The mobile home park was destroyed. Everyone told us about the lack of police, the crooks that came by to "help" make repairs, etc. During the hectic season a few years ago, I meant a young man that lived in Miami during Andrew. He lived in the complex where the pic was taken of the boat on the roof of the building.

charlis		18-Feb-2008 23:00
Roberta... congrats!

Joanne		18-Feb-2008 20:49
O Town...I have a very good friend that lived in CR on Memorial Road. While she is now in Homestead, her mother and sister are both still there in CR. They probably bought the home sometime in the mid 50's because they had 3 children who were born in 55, 57, and 60. Their name is Aerts. Dad was with the postal service and Mom was a german immigrant housewife. Joan Aerts and I met at Palmetto high school and have stayed in touch for many years. Just a general curiosty question: Would anyone who experienced Andrew care to tell their story about that night and the time after during the recovery period? I was in Orlando at the time but made the trip down in Nov. of 92 to check on Joan and the houses my family had occupied when I lived there. To this day I have never forgotten the sights or the smells I experienced while there. I had briefly lived in Homestead and Naranja in the late 70's. I never found the Homestead house and in Naranja I had lived at the Naranja Lakes Condos. Those were the one story units that took such a beating during the storm. I'm sure its still a very sore subject for many but that storm gave me a passion for meteorology that continues today.

Diana		18-Feb-2008 20:49
After reading Arizona Al's post I started to think of the many weekends I spent at my grandmother's house in Opa Locka when I was a kid and she would NEVER let any of us touch a mango let alone eat one for fear of "mango poisening". I think I was 36 before I finally got up the nerve to actually taste one. I also remember one night that I was staying with my grandmother and when I pulled the sheet back to get into the bed, there was a huge black scorpian right in the middle of the bed. I screamed and my grandfather came running in and took off his shoe and tried to slap the spider but it was hopping all over the bed and he kept missing it. He finally nailed the thing, but it took 3 hard slaps with his shoe once he made contact, before it stopped moving. I still refer to impetigo as Florida sores, and I've been living in Rhode Island since the late 60s! Old habits die hard..I worked as a Concession Attendant (candy girl) at the Gables Theatre in Coral Gable all through high school so I remember many of the promotions they ran. We wore bright yellow starched uniforms that had little brown and yellow checked pockets. The laundry used so much starch we had to chop our way into the sleeves and pockets..

Miami Girl		18-Feb-2008 20:10
O'Town Tim.....My parents bought the 40th house in CR on Dominican Dr. in 1954 but I'm sorry to say I don't remember any Whitney's. My parents may have known them but sadly they have both passed away. Mom didn't sell the house until 1992 so she knew a lot of the pioneers. My Dad was great buds with the founders of the Ridge (Bloomberg and Seigal??) and also hung out at a radio and TV repair shop that I think it was in that little small shopping center by 7-11 (corner of US 1 and Caribbean Blvd), he was retired from the Navy so had a lot of time on his hands to hang out! Wish I could help you, but keep posting and someday someone will remember! Miami Girl, lovin' these memories!!

O'Town (Orlando that is)		18-Feb-2008 18:38
Thank you Az. Al ~ I appreciate your reply! Robin was born in 1954 and the Whitney family were some of the early residents of the Cutler Ridge development right off of Caribbean Blvd. Again ~ many thanks, I enjoy the perpetual postings from yourself, Roberta Perry Huges and many other frequent flyers here on Don's fine site!!!

Arizona Al		18-Feb-2008 17:08
Old Town Tim: I am sorry but I do not recall the Whitney family from Cutler Ridge. I left the Ridge when I graduated from Palmetto High in 1964. I believe the family may have come after I left. If they lived there during the time I did (1955-1964) Robin would have much younger than me. Alan Ogtus, Ph.D. Alive, well and remembering Old Miami from his cuttent residence in Phoenix, Arizona

O'Town Tim		18-Feb-2008 15:47
Calling Arizona Al & Miami Girl ~ just read your postings on the dances at the Cutler Ridge Shopping Center. Would either of you remember the Whitney family from Cutler Ridge? Frances Maddaford Whitney taught @ the Miami U. School of Music vocal / opera and performed in the area, Col. Robert W. Whitney USMC worked in the Miami/Dade court system for Janet Reno and @ some point ownedor managed Over Seas Motors Volkswagon dealership. A GREAT family that I am proud to be a part of via my marriage to daughter Robin Whitney Cromer. Robin had her own band in the late 70's early 80's was house band for 4 years @ The Plantation Yacht Harbor as well as playing all through out the Miamia /Ft. Lauderdale area. Do you happen to recall them? As a footnote in 1978 I was manager of Musicland Record Store in the Cutler Ridge Mall before Hurricane Andy "reshaped" the area. Thank you Don for such a unique and wonderful site!!!

Roberta Perry Hughes		18-Feb-2008 05:11
Manocarz...Thanks for the heads-up! That's exactly where I will display my commemorative Miami plate...on top of my refrigerator!! I just now won a 1949-1953 Florida Driver's Handbook! My father probably had one, as we moved to Miami (from Georgia) in 1952. I love collecting vintage Florida items, most especially from Miami! Roberta, "shopping victoriously," on eBay, & relieved that the tornado watch is over, in the Central Savannah River Area! Hooray!!

Guest		18-Feb-2008 02:22
Roberta: I'm so happy for you about that plate you just won. Display it where you always can see it. I have a vintage '50's ceramic pink flamingo sitting proudly on top of my refrigerator to remind me of Hialeah! I just re-glued his neck back together a few days ago (I still love my four cats).

Roberta Perry Hughes		18-Feb-2008 01:53
EUREKA!! I just won the bid for a 1950's Vernon Kilns souvenir of Miami plate, sold exclusively at Burdine's!! It features the Dade County Court House, in the center, with other places of interest going around it, done in blue on white, in mint condition with no chips, cracks, or crazing!! Just HAD to share my joy with y'all!! I lost the bid, for another auction, for this same plate, a few months back, & it broke my heart. I got lucky this time!! WOW!! It's a real beauty, & perfect, for a collector of nostalgia, & vintage Florida, like me!! Roberta, dancing-on-air, but still under a tornado watch, in the Peach State.

Roberta Perry Hughes		18-Feb-2008 00:56
Don...Glad you're keeping the facts straight for the future, as it should be. I HAVE mentioned, several times, of my return to Miami, & asked about the Alabama Barbecue, & Burn's Bar & Grill, & mentioned the Dog House Restaurant, located in the same area as Burn's Grill, & also mentioned Detroit Hardware & Die Casting Company, which was my first job, prior to working as a waitress. I lived with my aunt, in N. Miami area, & Allapattah was nearby. I'd take the bus to S.W. Miami, via Coral Gables, & got off the bus across, the street from the Food Fair, on Bird Road, & would walk to my former neighborhood, & visit my cousins, too, & visit friends over in Westwood Lakes. Even then, it was sad for me, to see my former home, & know that no one that I loved & cared about was inside. A few former neighbors were still there, on S.W. 55th Street, but all of their kids were grown & gone. Today, of course, the folks I knew, back-in-the-day, have moved away, long ago. Two families, in particular, moved to Georgia. My cousin, Mary, took a photo for me, of my former home, & it is now a duplex, making the house numbers different, on that side of the street. The Mackle housing project, where I lived, stood up under the violent force of "Andrew;" newer dwellings did not. Roberta, waxing nostalgic, during a tornado watch, in the CSRA, Georgia.

Miami Girl		18-Feb-2008 00:41
Don..... I just saw your picture (mentioned below) with Jim, Lynne and Ronnie from Ronnie's Records in Homestead. Do you know if he had a Ronnie's Record shop in the Perrine Shopping Center in the early 60's? I remember buying my 45's there for $1.00 (that was two hours of babysitting earnings then). AZ Al.....Yep this world is getting smaller with every entry in this website. Thanks for all your work Don. Now have to go find those pictures of Dadeland that you've posted...

charlis		17-Feb-2008 23:55
don... don't apologize for not mentioning Jim.. I only mentioned him as he was a great guy. Very unassuming. I actually baby sit for him, pumped his gas (worked at a local full service gas station just up the street from the Miami Beach studio... book keeper was my actual job but I liked to work on cars.... I am a woman who rebuilt a 64 1/2 Mustang in 1970). Being that the Miami Beach station was close by to where I worked and lived, it made it easy to meet up with the whole WQAM gang. I really miss those days... thanks for bringing them back with this great web site.

Don Boyd		17-Feb-2008 23:34
Roberta: ah ha, you didn't tell us the whole story of coming back to Miami through 1967 after high school. You have mentioned leaving Miami in 1961 numerous times in your postings and I couldn't figure out how you would even know Roby's name. No reason for pardons but I do like to keep the history as accurate as possible so we don't leave BS for future generations to read. So I will not let inaccuracies go uncorrected. People correct me in comments under the photos all the time and I make the corrections with no bruised feelings. Charlis: I didn't mention Jim Dunlap because Roberta didn't mention him and there was no reason to add yet another name to the mix in the subject conversation. I liked the guy and have a photo of him and his wife (at the time) Lynne Russell, anchorwoman for CNN Headline News for many years, at a WQAM Disk Jockey Reunion in my VIP Gallery.http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/image/56722503 Jim passed away in the Atlanta area in 1999. Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		17-Feb-2008 20:23
Don...I "sit" corrected, re: Roby Yonge! However! I DO remember him, as I returned to Miami, after high school, & lived there, with my aunt, through 1967. I really liked him, & Charlie Murdock, too, whom I remember PRIOR TO moving from Miami, in 1961. For some reason, I cannot remember Rick Shaw. Maybe it's because I listened to WCKR & WFUN, quite a bit. (Gasp!) They had a lot of "call to win" contests going on, & other contests, too. Don't know WHICH radio station it was, but there was a poetry contest, which I won, & the prize was an Elvis Presley album. The poem had to be about Elvis. The album I won was entitled, "His Hand in Mine," & the cover was of Elvis, sitting at a grand piano. I wish I still had it, as it is a hard-to-find album. I feel as if I struck a nerve, by declaring Charlie & Roby to have been "more popular" than Rick Shaw. Too bad, that an honest mistake can have the power to generate animosity, & cause one to feel such humility. So...! For what it's worth...a thousand pardons, & Scusi! Scusi! Scusi! Scusi! If I had a blackboard, I'd write my apology 500 times! (Remember when your teacher made you do that??) Roberta, extracting her foot from her mouth, on a windy day, in the Peach State.

charlis		17-Feb-2008 18:34
You guys forgot to include Jimmy Dunlap. Such memories of QuackM (sic). The surfing parties were a lot of fun. Occasionally Roby or Rick would show up at the South Beach rec center during the Friday night dances. The old studio at the old Shine McCallister was a big treat when Jimmy gave me and Evie a tour, prior to our appearing as dancers on Rick's show... Then they move the studio to 41st St. where Evie and I met Ronnie Grant (nee Grantham), Jimmy and a few others for breakfast every morning before headding off to classes at Miami Dade. Ronnie's normal breakfast was a bagel and a Dr. Pepper. Yuck!

Don Boyd		17-Feb-2008 14:16
Just to add some more from what I remember of WQAM: as I recall, Charlie Murdock was the drive time home guy on the late afternoon shift, was married and always talking about his daughter Martha Sue and Flynn's Dixie Ribs, which appealed to young married families and older youth in their 20's but not necessarily to teens. When it came to listening to music and DJ's while driving around with your honey and making out at night, Charlie Murdock was not the guy and Rick Shaw was. I don't ever recall hearing Charlie Murdock at night or ever cracking jokes about people making out, playing loud smooching sounds in between songs or other crazy funny antics. Besides the surfing appeal, Roby had tremendous appeal because he was so young compared to the other DJ's - if he started in 1963 he would have turned 20 that year, 21 if he started in 1964, which made him more in tune with the teens at the time. As I recall WQAM had Rick and Roby ("Rick 'n Roby") on shows together for a period of time and they were a powerhouse together and garnered a huge audience percentage-wise. Don

Jeff		17-Feb-2008 08:04
I should note that there's a site dedicated to WQAM with a number of reproductions of WQAM surveys. This should help put into "chronology" years when certain jocks were on the air at 560... The site is called 560.com [just add www. before it if you feel comfortable, but you no longer need to]. Rick Shaw was at WCKR (WIOD as a rocker) circa 1961-62. He came to WQAM either in late 1962 or early 1963. Yes, Charlie Murdock was the "big guy" at WQAM at the time before Rick's popularity overtook the whole station... Yet, many of the pre-1964 jocks are seldom talks about nowdays (Jack Sorbi, Jack Purrington, Ted Clark, Jerry Goodwin, etc.)...

Jeff		17-Feb-2008 06:18
Don... your comments about Roby Yonge are right on the money. Roby came to Miami around 1963-64 fresh from Ocala. I knew Roby. He was a great guy; good-hearted, but somewhat self-destructive career-wise. He passed away a few years ago. Wendy Unger... do you have a brother name Steven? I vaguely remember him from either Fisher Jr. High or Beach High... he wore glasses...

Don Boyd		17-Feb-2008 04:44
Guest (girl from Jax) and Wendy: thank you for your comments. 2/15 and 2/16: I added three photos of Dadeland including one of the seahorse statue that most of us remember, plus some history on Dadeland (main gallery and the 70's gallery). Added numerous old aviation photos (aviation gallery). Roberta: I think you have names confused if you say that Roby Yonge was one of the most popular DJ's at WQAM "long" before Rick Shaw became popular, especially if you left Miami in 1961. I heard Roby's first WQAM show on my transistor radio early one morning (5am or so) when folding Miami Heralds for my route and that was either 1963 or 1964 - I was a QAM junkie for years and listened many hours a day and I never heard of Roby until then. That was at least 2 years after you left Miami. Roby became a hit because he could allegedly surf, and surfing was "in" at the time. WQAM held surf events with Roby appearing at the real South Beach back then (now half of Miami Beach is called South Beach) between the fishing pier and the Government Cut jetty. The most popular surfing songs were recorded in 1963, which again is two years after you left Miami. Somehow things don't compute with your statement that Roby was popular long before Rick Shaw on WQAM. Don

Guest		17-Feb-2008 02:42
Roberta: You Go Girl! Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well, and holding off the onset and ravages of dementia in the presenium in Phoenix, Arizona

Guest		17-Feb-2008 02:36
Miami Girl: I remember Mike Stotts from Cutler Ridge. I think he was a couple of years younger than me and was a friend of my Brother Mike who is 2 years younger as well. The last time I recall seeing Mike Stotts was around 1968 when he was driving a truck and making local deliveries for an auto parts store. Small world we live in Master Jack. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive and well in Phoenix, Arizona

Roberta Perry Hughes		16-Feb-2008 23:26
Our family left Miami, in 1961, & we never went to Cutler Ridge, so, I don't remember the Friday Night Dances. However, I DO remember Charlie Murdock, of WQAM. When I lived in the area, he was one of THE most popular DJ's from WQAM...& so was Roby Yonge...long before Rick Shaw became popular. During that time, Rick Shaw wasn't the host of "Ten's Bandstand"...the host was Bill Wyler. It was like, Rick Who...??!! But I listened to Charlie Murdock, & Roby Yonge, on my transistor radio, & on my father's clock radio, when he was at work. We never missed Bill Wyler's "Ten's Bandstand." My sister, Audrey, & her classmate, Steve Howe, were on the show, as dancers, & all the kids on our block came over to our house, so we could watch them on TV, together. Roberta, reflecting on old Miami memories, also...& being very far from "apoplectic"

Miami Girl		16-Feb-2008 23:22
Alan.......yes those dances at the Cutler Ridge shopping center are a wonderful memory. Once I was asked to dance by Mike Stotts -- a pretty big guy at the time but what a GREAT dancer!! We won that particular contest and I still have the album I picked out as a winner. Does anyone remember the dances over at the "Cabana Club" across Route 1 at the entrance of South Miami Heights? I think they were even before those at the shopping center, in fact I met my first boyfriend there the summer of '62. I sure miss those days!

Guest		16-Feb-2008 21:46
Does anyone from South Florida remember the Friday Night Dances that were held at the Cutler Ridge Shopping Center circa 1962-1964? Charlie Murdock from WQAM was the host and the usual band was the Rockin Ramrods. A big but very amicable and friendly Dade County Deputy named Harry was the security force. I recall having much too much fun at the dances. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and back to the basics of Old Miami currently residing in Phoenix, Arizona

charlis		16-Feb-2008 21:31
Wendy... before you start racking your brain, you knew me as either Sue, Suzanne, or Charlie Strawser. Missed the reunion... had something come up... like having to move. Jeff is a "lower classman", class of "70.... we are the only HiTides here.

charlis		16-Feb-2008 21:28
wendy... glad to see you! How'd you find us? Will be talking to Evie this weekend. Go Hi Tides!

wendy unger		16-Feb-2008 20:15
wow this takes me back; fantastic collection

charlis		16-Feb-2008 18:38
Libraries... What a shame that they are tearing down the old library. That first visit to Miami Beach in '62.... my tutor took me there to do some research for a special project I needed for school. I recently had to go to the library here in Tampa. I was appalled with what I saw... racks and racks of CD's and DVD's... movies and games! It was like that in both the regular section and the kid's section. To this day, when I hear a book is being made into a movie, I go and buy the book (if I haven't read it). School was much better back in the day. OH schools were ahead of FL schools, but everyone got a good education. When I started back to teaching, as a teaching substitute, in 1980 I was appalled at what teachers were doing... or were not doing. Very little time was spent at the black board, or interacting with the students. Instead of making children use a book and write things down, photo copies were handed out... with instructions! Then FL came out with the FCAT. I was so glad that my daughter was already out of school by that time. Yep... America is definately "dumbing down".

charlis		16-Feb-2008 18:28
Roberta... your comments about Black History, etc. were great. I post on our local Fox channel's blog and my blog is often featured. You post got me to thinking about MLK and Presidents' Day. Remember way back when, when we were in school? On Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays we got the day off from school. We all had to do special projects in History classes about our history and the 2 presidents. Post Officces and other goverment offices were closed for both days. Then MLK Day was created and all the two greatest presidents b-days were put into one day with all the other presidents, many of which are undeserving of a special day. Someone on my blog responded to my post with this: In all the cities he had been to that had changed street names to MLK... he feared for his life when walking or driving on the street. He was hit on by crack addicts, hookers, etc. What a shame that MLK's dream turned into a nightmare.

Guest		16-Feb-2008 18:03
Finding this site has been so entertaining and brings funny and sad memories of my late husband, who unlike me, was a native Miamian and a '67 grad of Coral Gables. I'm a Floridian, but grew up in North Florida (Jax). I began going home with him during college breaks in '68 when we started dating, and I remember much of the "old Miami" from these photos and his stories of growing up as a wild child back in the day. What is it with you Miami guys - I think everyone had some stories that were crazy! I emailed this site to my sister-in-law, also a Gables and UM grad, and she was so glad to find this site as well. Great job, Don Boyd!!

Joanne		16-Feb-2008 17:45
John...Great article and photos. Thats a part of Miami history that I had no knowledge of. Good to see people taking back their city and preserving such a treasure. In the 70's we'd go to Va. Key occasionally. In the late 70's my husband (at the time) and I found a beautiful reef off the northeast side of the island. It was about 100 yds from shore and about 15 to 20 ft. water depth.

John		16-Feb-2008 17:09
Hi All, Please see the wonderful article posted in today's Miami Herald (online edition) front page regarding Virginia Beach history. It includes a few photos and a historical video link to the project that saved the beach and this historical landmark from land developers. Based on our recent discussion of Black History growing up in Miami (a very relevant and worthy topic), the timing of this article is eerie. miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/vabeach/index.html

Jeff		16-Feb-2008 05:57
Roberta, that's one request I'm afraid I can't fulfill... sorry! I seldom take pictures anymore, and I haven't been downtown in years. In fact, I refuse to visit down there if at all possible. It's overbuilt, overcrowded and a traffic and logistical nightmare. You could, however do a Google search for the Miami Public Library, and perhaps there'll be an image online. It's located in a multi-story complex just West of the courthouse, and it enters on the second floor, via an outdoor plaza. The library is adjacent to the Historical Association of South Florida. The street level acts as a storage "basement" area for them.

Roberta Perry Hughes		16-Feb-2008 05:38
Jeff...Do me a favor, & take a photo of the new Library, & either scan it, & send to Don to put in the Galleries, or, scan it, & send it to me. I would love to see it...in fact, I NEED to see it. It would mean a lot to me. Thanks, in advance.

Jeff		16-Feb-2008 04:39
More than likely they were moved to the NEW library just West of the courthouse on Flagler Street...

Roberta Perry Hughes		16-Feb-2008 03:54
Jeff...You still didn't tell me, WHAT BECAME OF ALL THOSE BOOKS???!!!! Joanne...Thanks, for the support. I, too, remember growing up in Miami, where we learned the basics, especially Geography, to the point to where WE know the answers to the questions that Jay poses to the young people on-the-streets of Burbank, in his Jaywalking stint...AND, we can answer the questions on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader," too. (Notice, a lot of those contestants are younger than most of us who post on this Site!) All of this makes me wonder, how many American families watch "Jeopardy"? Has the educational criteria changed so drastically, in our public schools? This is distressing, to me. Oh, how I wish the children of today could have had our teachers, in the Dade County school system, back when we were kids! If they did have, or could have teachers today, who were as good as ours were, then, maybe they wouldn't embarass themselves, by showing their ignorance, on "Jaywalking"?? I remember a die-cut wooden puzzle, of the map of the United States, & the puzzle's pieces were the die-cut States, so, it was easy to learn how to recognize a State by its shape. On each one, the State's capital, bird, tree, flower, & major cities, were all imprinted on them. It was a very popular puzzle, & we all learned from it. We were encouraged to explore our big world globe, too, to locate a particular country that we were studying. How I loved that globe! (You can find them on eBay.) No-longer-used (?) educational tools (probably) include Flash cards, flannel boards, & the arithmetic teacher, or mathmatics teacher, requiring you to make different shapes, out of construction paper, to visually see how a circle, or the "whole", could be divided into parts, when we were learning fractions. We were required to make maps, of countries & States, to be able to recognize them, by their shapes. Remember learning the rivers, & the agricultural products, & industries, associated with each? A good teacher made learning fun, & I don't remember the first "bad" teacher, in Miami, do you? I remember one or two, who were strict, but the bottom line is, you still learned the subject matter, under their tutelage, provided that you applied yourself, & was sure to pay attention, & do your homework...which, reading was a vital component, of in-class lessons, as well as at-home studying. Roberta, wishing that the children of today could have access to an old-fashioned education...including discipline, for disruptive behavior.

Guest		16-Feb-2008 03:46
(MM - Mori) Yes, Claire is one of my older sisters. :) You can always click on my name and shoot a message to me through my site. Just don't look at the images, taken when I first picked up camera and haven't updated in over a year.

Jeff		16-Feb-2008 03:05
Charlis.... Yes, the Bass Museum is still there, and I still haven't been to it, despite the fact that I've been in the area over 44 years... Roberta... It's not the lack of libarary buildings that's the problem with today's kids, it's the indulgence of electronics as "babysitters"... When kids know how to operate an ipod better than they can point to Wisconsin on a map - that's where the trouble lies. OK... Since everyone want to still "soapbox" topics, here's one short and sweet: America continues to dumb-down. Our teachers used to teach, not be forced to babysit. When we have come to the point that "Washington Mutual" is too long for modern folks to remember and they shorten it to "WaMu", all is lost. End of soapbox. Jeff - doing the best he can in South Florida, despite all of the obvious changes...

Joanne		16-Feb-2008 02:57
BRAVO, ROBERTA!!!!!!!! I CONCUR !!!!!! All the kids know nowdays is how to play video games or pick up terrible things from horrid websites. I believe its because of the general deterioration of respect and humility across the board. Stress, greed, anger and ego have made an impact on too many. It's time to get kids back to the basics we had while growing up. Solid role models, acceptance of others, knowing right from wrong, the will to be a good person. Thats what I remember growing up in Miami.

Roberta Perry Hughes		16-Feb-2008 02:05
Alan; Jeff...You miss my point entirely! I just DO NOT like Obama's white side being disregarded, entirely. It is disrespectful, to his mother, who is white, & it is DISCRIMINATORY, no matter how thin you slice it. Period. Might I remind you, that, every February, we celebrate BLACK History Month, NOT "African American" History Month. I remember when "colored" was replaced with "black." (Remember BLACK POWER? James Brown's classic, "(Sing It Loud) I'm Black and I'm Proud?" Black-on-black crime?) It is interesting to note, that, the founder of the NAACP was a white man. Oh...there's one for you...it's the "National Association for the Advancement of Colored People." Will that be changed, to the NAAAA? Meanwhile...back to Old Miami Memories...My cousin, Mary, sent me a photocopy of a clipping from the Miami Herald, dated October 10, 1986, that shows the once-beautiful off-white marble Miami Public Library, on Biscayne Boulevard, with her windows ripped away, her books, long gone, falling to the wrecker's ball, to make room for a rejuvenated Bayfront Park. The Library was 35 years old, at the time, so, was built in 1951. Call it "soap boxing" again, but, to me, it is a sin, to destroy any institution that promotes learning. I am a bibliophile, & I find it very sad, that children aren't encouraged to read more, & there are many, many adults, who have never opened a book, since school days, or college, & who admit to the fact, that they have never read a book. Ever watch "Jaywalking," on the "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno? It really isn't funny, to see how ignorant young people are, today...even college students, who cannot name U.S. capitals, nor give the name of the largest country in South America (a 20-something year old replied, "Africa"). One young man couldn't tell Jay where the Panama Canal was, & several of them couldn't tell him where Iraq is located. ("Somewhere in Europe? or south of Europe?") What are they teaching in school, now? Obviously, not Geography! I guess we need to tear down more Public Libraries. It hurt my feelings, to see the image of that majectic Library being demolished. Our class went there, once, on a field trip, when I was in elementary school. I was in awe of the place. Tell me, what became of all those books??

charlis		15-Feb-2008 23:11
Jeff.. I do not remember if I asked this... is the Bass Art Museum still in existance? I used to love to go there? Didn't get there the last time I was in Miami Beach in 2004. That was a classy art museum. I might be going down there this summer. Evie and I are hoping to do a life long dream, before Evie is wheel chair bound... swim with the dolphins.

charlis		15-Feb-2008 23:05
Al and Roberta... I was born in France to a french-hungarian women and a irish-german american... so I am a french-french-hungarian-german-irish-american-american.... there isn't enough room on any current application to put that in! In other words, if you were born in America... you are an American! I can claim to be a French-American... being born in France to American parents. But.... I am an American! Sticking with the "only talking about Miami" theme... the cubans that came over from Cuba during the 50's and 60's are still Cuban.... with american citizenship... any children born here are Americans... not Cuban-Americans.

charlis		15-Feb-2008 22:57
jeff... we are discussing Miami memories... even bad ones... but they are memories.

Joanne		15-Feb-2008 20:00
WOW !!! I go to Pensacola for one day and look at this blog!!! I missed quite a conversation, RATS!! Just for my 2 cents worth...there were some blacks at Palmetto during my time and no one I knew really said anything about it. It wasn't of any importance what color, national origin, or religion anyone was. In my neighborhood we kids decided to have an Easter Parade one year. We decorated a red wagon, got ahold of a tiara and voted on who should be the easter queen. Turned out Nancy Luria was the choice and she was Jewish. My mom tried to explain why Nancy couldn't be the queen but finally just said,"go ahead". None of us had been raised to think of anyone as less, they were just different. In fact, in 1974 Palmetto elected its first black homecoming queen. But she wasn't referred to that way, she was presented as the 74 queen. I saw something today that took me back, a 57 BelAir that had a custom license plate that was done like the ones I remember. 1WW5662. The first digit was your county, the next was the weight class of the vehicle and the rest was your number. I think my dad still has a couple of the plates circa 1970-71. Another thing was the "elephant turds" people had along the front of their yards to keep cars off the grass. Some were round mound style, some were pyramid. Some folks used large chuncks of coral rock.

Jeff		15-Feb-2008 15:58
Once again we have forgotten Don's pupose of this forum is to discuss Miami memories, and that I'd previously requested that we all [myself included] refrain from "soapboxing" on non-relevant issues. So, without pointing fingers at anyone - let's ALL try to get back to Miami's roots and memories... Jeff in North Miami, trying to prevent a "War of the Worlds"

MM		15-Feb-2008 15:03
Hey, Christine (Hudnall)... Was one of your sisters Claire? She was my best friend in ninth grade but we lost touch after that. Mori (MM)

Arizona Al		15-Feb-2008 08:41
Roberta: Simmer down please! I do not want you to suffer an apoplectic moment. I agree with you regarding the term African American as it is used to universally depict persons of color in America. However, it is the term that is currently preferred, no actually mandated, by the people of African lineage residing in America today. People of African descent in America take pointed objection toward references to "people of color", "blacks", "colored people" and the unmentionable "N word". It is simply out of respect to persons of African lineage that I refer to them in the adjectives that they prefer. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. An American of Lithunian lineage, who worked long and hard to overcome and eradicate the prejudices and bigotry he was raised with in Miami 1954-1969

Roberta Perry Hughes		15-Feb-2008 05:10
HAD to jump in here...! Who was it? Jesse Jackson, who first came up with the (absolutely) RIDICULOUS terminology: "African American"?? Just bear with me, for a moment. Were golfer Gary Player, a native of South Africa, choose to emigrate to the U.S.A., & obtain U.S. citizenship, HE would, indeed, be a GENUINE "African American, "" even though he is "white." This is a term that is TOO LOOSELY used, today, & the majority of the time, it is TOTALLY erroneous!! Golfer Tiger Woods, for example, is NOT an "African American." Rather instead, he is multi-racial. So is Mrs. Clint Eastwood, & others, too numerous to count. Sen. Barack Hussein Obama ISN'T "African American," either...he's half WHITE, & therefore, he's BI-RACIAL, & should he win the nomination, & then, win the Presidency, he would NOT be the "first African American President"...he would be the "first BI-RACIAL President." Too, he was born in the U.S., or he could not run for President!! (Arnold Schwarzzenegger cannot run, as he was born in Austria). I RESENT the half of him, that represents Caucasians, to be TOTALLY disregarded, under this ridiculous moniker...that is, more often than not...WRONG terminology!! "African American" is just wrong. Period. Do we call ourselves "Anglo Americans"? As was stated earlier..."People are just people," & the majority of us are multi-CULTURAL, whether we are multi-racial, or bi-racial, or whatever! And, PROVIDED you have your United States CITIZENSHIP, then...& ONLY THEN...can you refer to yourself as an "American." But...! That's a whole different Soap Box, isn't it?? I was not brought up to be prejudiced, toward any race, & am not, as an adult. I have my pet peeves, & incorrect terminology is one of them...that, & calling a zero 0 an "o". :-) Roberta, on her soap box, by joining in this discussion.

Arizona Al		15-Feb-2008 03:59
John: Correct you are. I am a child of the 1950s and early 60s and you are a child of the late 1960s and early 70s. A major social paradigm shift took place in the late 1960s that facilitated the beginning of the blending of America. However, prior to that time it was segregation as usual in the south which unfortunately included Miami. I elect to no longer dwell in the unplesant past regarding this matter and am pleased that society has come a long way (although there is much more way to go) since then. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and permanently off his soap box in Phoenix, Arizona

John		15-Feb-2008 03:35
Al, I wrote the below post before reading your latest outburst (LOL; just kidding). I think I understand where your time of reference is and where you're coming from. You were just ahead of what became the beginning of tearing down the segregation barriers. You missed out. I lived it as it happened. It was a start. Interestingly, I was one of only a handful of "white boys" allowed into a few of the African American neighborhoods like Howard, Richmond Heights, and Perrine. I had school and work friends from there and they had friends who had friends (you get the picture). Word spread. About 70-72, I was known in some of those neighborhoods, not necessarily personally by all, but by reputation......I had a free pass so to speak. I must admit, I was a pretty culturally intentional individual; still try to be. Got that from my Mom.

Jeff		15-Feb-2008 03:22
Charlis... I stand corrected. When I'm in error, I'll admit it!

John		15-Feb-2008 03:21
Arizona Al, Very interesting comments regarding your experiences. You must have graduated from Palmetto before integration took hold. African Americans (AA) were bused into Palmetto High in the very late 60s I believe. In my area of Miami generally speaking, Palmetto HS AA's were from Perrine; Killian HS AA's were from Richmond Heights. During my Columbus years we had very few AA's attend. For the most part, I hung out and grew up at Suniland Park where we had a very integrated group of whites and blacks that played "non-organized" sports together (mostly basketball); however, at the end of the day or night, my AA friends would retreat west across Dixie Hwy to the other side of the tracks in what we called Howard. It was sad; it's still sad. Our neighborhoods were not integrated. The schools came first. In fact, up until the time I left for the military in 72, I don't think any AA's lived on my side of the tracks all the way east to the bay. I can not remember organized sports at Suniland being at all integrated. Maybe Joanne can weigh in on that, but I played and umpired and lived at that park.......don't remember it happening. I don't know why. All that said, THANKS ALL for the nice discussion. Very impressive and interesting. I would love to hear a perspective of "Black Like me" from an African American person that I knew growing up....someone my age, a friend maybe.

Guest		15-Feb-2008 02:53
I in no way support or condone the segregation practices of Miami and the entire south for that matter during the 1950s and 60s. I am angered that I was deprived of experiencing a people and a culture of such flavor and diversity in my youth as a result of living in the south. The social genre and heartbeat of places in Miami such as Richmond h Heights, Brownsville Suburb, The CND, and Liberty City were off limits to me as were the white only neighboorhoods to the African Americans. But that was 40 plus years ago and hopefully the tijmes have changed for the better not only in my beloved Miami but the entire United States of America. If someone told me in 1962 that an African American would be ahead in the 2008 Democratic Primary, I would be on the phone and calling the "men in white coats". THANK GOD the times have changed!! Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive and well and back on his soap box in Phoenix, Arizona

charlis		14-Feb-2008 22:42
jeff... jose was not kidding... several sources say "Miami Mayor Maurice Ferrer".... POP!

charlis		14-Feb-2008 22:33
Christine.... coming from OH, like you I did not know what segregation was. Things got better as the 60's moved on... or so I thought. I moved to the Tampa area in 1974... a then small town east of the big City. Imagine my surprise, while at my infant daughter's swimming class, the hear mother's tell the instructor that they would come back later... after the black person left the pool. I went and put my arms around the mother, took over teaching her and her young child how to swim. One of the women who made the comment was actually the wife of the son of my old golf pro in Miami Beach. I was so shocked to hear her comments. I turned to another woman and told her that she was black... that all civilization came from Africa where all skin color was dark. Never saw her at the pool again! A cute story.... my daughter was about 4.... we had just moved to another neighborhood and there was a black family across the street from us. My daughter was playing outside and came in and asked if she could invite the kid with the great tan over to play! Oh, the innosence of youth...

charlis		14-Feb-2008 22:21
Jeff... thanks on mayor maurice. Maybe Jose was kidding when, at the end of "Man of La Mancha" at the Coral Gables playhouse, said... "And special thanks to my (can't remember which family member), the mayor of the fanastic city." It just stuck in my mind all these years.

Guest		14-Feb-2008 18:48
Thanks Don - and thank you for this wonderful trip down memory lane, it was/is a hoot! :-) Al - a distant cousin of my Dad's did a book, called, Black Like Me, and all of us kids had to read it, so from that point of view, I can imagine what it was like, which of course isn't the same as having to live it. I was fortunate, because my parents taught us by example. I grew up in Miami Heights, right down the street from Eureka Park and Miami Heights Elementary, so our neighborhood was a wonderful variety of races. That is all I ever knew. We all went to the same schools, we all played together, we all got yelled at by each other's parents for doing stupid things, and it didn't matter the color. That's not to say we had our heads in the sand and thought it didn't happen, I know it happened, which is why my parents made sure of how we were raised. I remember my mom telling us the story of when she first came down from Pennsylvania and was going up to Miami via the bus. She had never encountered segregation before, but the bus driver made sure she got an up close and personal viewing of it. She refused to take an older lady's seat just because there were none left in the 'white' section. She got off the bus crying and walked back to my aunt & uncle's store, still crying and not understanding why. To this day we (our family) still doesn't understand - people are people, we all bleed the same color, we all take a last breath, we all scream when coming into this world. For some things, there is no understanding, we just have to get past the differences in skin and remember we are all humans. I was always taught, the only difference, is that my friends had better tans than I did. :-)

Guest		14-Feb-2008 14:46
I am not sure if any of us caucasians who lived in Miami and attended schools and engaged in the usual and customary social activities of the 1950's and early 1960's have any notion of the "black person's experience" during that time period. I attended a segregated school, lived in a segregated neighborhood, ate at segregated restaurants, attended segregated social activites, as the significant majority of my life at that time was engaged in a segregated world. All I knew about African Americans at the time was that they attended different schools, lived in different neighborhoods, and were to be generally avoided. I do not recall ever actually speaking to an African American until I joined the Army in 1964. The times back then were different and I suspect that our cohort African American residents of Miami would certainly have a different recollection of "Old Miami" than we do. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well, and stepping off his soap box in Phoenix, Arizona

Don Boyd		14-Feb-2008 14:18
Christine, great post and comments! My family would make the trek down to the Coral Grill a few times a year to pig out on seafood and now I can't believe we drove that far just for dinner but I'm glad we did. Don

Guest		14-Feb-2008 09:17
Growing Up Miami We truly were fortunate growing up in the southern part of Miami! With 4 daughters in the family, we were never without someone to hang out with. Our "backyard" was the Everglades, Crandon Park, Matheson Hammock, Suniland, Cutler Ridge, Perrine, Tamiami, Howard, Miami Heights, Homestead, Florida City, and of course the Keys. From canoeing in the Everglades, to riding our bikes across the old Blimp Base in Miami Heights, swimming in the beautiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, eating fried bologna sandwiches that my Pappap made for us at his store (Craft's Food Store) and drinking Fresca , street-wide came of hide-n-seek, laying on the hood of my mom's car as we watched the planes at MIA, hiding in the caves at Venetian Pool, driving down to Key West just to get some sandals, camping with the Scout's at Camps Wesumkee and Mahachee, watching in awe at the Miami Serpentarium, riding our bikes out to Matheson Hammock or to Tamiami Airport, making my birthday pilgrimage down to Coral Grill every October, to telling ghost stories on our front porch at night as my dad would sneak up and scare the daylights out of us, yes, we were fortunate to grow up in Miami. Could go on and on... but you get the picture. :-)

Don Boyd		14-Feb-2008 07:22
To Harvey Bendfeldt, who posted on the 11th: thanks for your comments. I went nuts trying to remember where I knew your name from and two days later I remember. You lived across from me in the Big Cypress Drive cul-de-sac in the early 90's. Your son Chad put up all my hurricane shutters while we were trying to get back from the Panhandle the night before Hurricane Andrew hit. Don

Jeff		14-Feb-2008 00:39
CHarlis... I hate to burst another bubble for you, but Maurice Ferre was NOT related to either Jose or Mel FERRER. Maurice was from Puerto Rico, the Ferrers from another Spanish Country... (I'm sure I'm being cursed at right now...)

charlis		13-Feb-2008 22:48
Jeff... tried to post this yesterday... The Highway men paintings... Kiibler must have hated them... the pink flamingo ones! I was not really into that kind of art... I liked abstract better. A camera could take the pics that the Highway Men did. Sorry... but, I hate to hear about art being destroyed. I wonder how many were slated to be on sale at the Ocala event. What a shame. As to "black american" life when we were kids in the 60's.... I visited MB in February 1962. My great uncle, a snow bird, had a home on Indian Creek Drive... 6500, to be exact. He had a maid that took the bus from SM every other day. If she missed the bus over to Miami, we had to drive her "over the water" so she could catch a bus to her home in SM. She did not need the money, just liked the work. Blacks (I hate that term, but for the purpose of this post, I will use it) were not allowed on the Beach after dark unless they were working... and that was discouraged... or if they lived at the place they worked. The few that were at Nautilus and Beach, after I moved down there that winter, were children of those that lived where they worked. There were very few in both schools. After a football or basketball game, the black players had to leave immediately after the game if at night... by car. As a young woman from Ohio, I was appalled!

charlis		13-Feb-2008 22:28
jeff... Mayor Maurice was related to Jose and Mel. And here is another cowinkydink... I used to work for Rinker back in 1997! Did collections and computer training at the local office.

charlis		13-Feb-2008 22:26
ng... bad storms yesterday when I was sitting here waiting for the AC guy to come out... read some posts then DSL kept going down, even wire less/air card, went down. Just heard that the emergency warning system wasn't working to warn people of the tornadoes on the east coast. Yeah, going digital and hi def is really great. Give me a few minutes to catch up... I have some interesting things to add to the memories...

Don Boyd		13-Feb-2008 22:25
2/13: I added a 1968 image of Cannon's Steak House in Northeast Dade. Aaron Kurtz contributed a great 1968 aerial image of the year-old Miami Killian Senior High School (main gallery). Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		13-Feb-2008 09:09
Guest755...In the early 1960's, the medicine that you drank was Sabin oral polio vaccine, comprised of dead polio virus in a cherry-flavored vehicle. A bit later, we had to go back, & it was put on a sugar cube, from a measured dropper. By that time, I was in GA, in the 8th grade, & they were set up, at long tables, on the grassy side of the paved drive, in front of Morgan Junior High. If memory serves me correctly, the sugar cube dose was like a "booster" dose, of the vaccine. It sure did beat the shots, I assure you. The shots were the vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk. In those days, there was no "FDA approval," for such as that, no guidelines, & no required testing or trials, & there were kids, who developed polio, after having taken the shot. Tragically, Salk exposed his own children to the virus, upon coming home at day's end, during the vaccine's development, & they contracted polio, as a result. The next time PBS airs the program about polio, be sure to watch. It made my hair stand on end, at how close we all came, to getting infected, from that live virus. We were kept so unaware, of many things, in the early 1950's, & in the decades that followed...not like today! We also had to line up, in the early 1950's, for vaccinations, & after that, a few weeks later, the booster shots. It was for the immunization against small pox, measles, mumps, whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, & rubella. (MMR, & DPT). The Health Department nurses, & a doctor, came out to the school, & set up outside, at long tables, & a classroom at a time came out, & lined up. I remember a lot of crying, even hysteria, in the ranks, among the kids whose position in line made them "next." It was all so very traumatic. I was only 5 years old, at the time, in the first six weeks of the first grade. (Olympia Heights Elementary). Your teacher, & the school's principal, were there, too, & joined in the restraining of any resisting student, who had the signed "permission" slip from his parents, & all of the adults present, felt it their "duty," to see to it that we GOT our shots...even if they had to be forced upon us. We ALL cried for our mothers, I can remember that, plain as day. However, for the most part, unpleasantries were soon forgotten, & were replaced by the memories of good times, at recess, on the playground, or sociable meals in the lunch room, with cold fresh milk in half pint bottles with little cardboard stoppers, big sugar cookies, Lance raisins in little boxes, buttered whole wheat bread, meat & vegetables. And we even had nap time, every day, & school was a fun place to be, 5 days a week, growing up in Miami, & learning the 3 Royal R's!!

Jeff		13-Feb-2008 03:14
Roberta... Drop me a line when you have a chance... I'd like to show you a sample of the font I designed thanks to the inspiration I received from your Kitty Davis' Airliner post card image... jnl1952@juno.com

John		13-Feb-2008 03:07
Thanks Jeff. You do not disappoint. Guest 755. When we trick-or-treated early on (pre-teen) UNICEF was my main goal.....before the candy. Speaking of Halloween, what ever happened to that? It was huge in Maimi. Does it still survive? I used to bring home full brown grocery bags, then we graduated to pillow cases. Nearly everyone participated in the Palmetto-Howard area (now Pinecrest? Whatever!). Here in C. MO, I've had a total of "zero" Trick or Treaters in the four October's I've been here. Course, I'm not exactly in a neighborhood though.

Guest 755		13-Feb-2008 02:37
Roberta, if I remember correctly I received the oral vaccine probably sometime late 50's or maybe 1960. I would have been pretty young (born in 55), but I remember being in line at a trailer type structure in the parking lot at the Frederick's store in Edison Center. We were given something pinkish to drink that I was told was medicine. Have known at least 3 people who contracted polio in the 40's-50's. One a co-worker who recovered very well, a friend who's left side was left weaker than her right, and my midwife and friend who they believed contracted it from a patient of her father's. She is able to walk with crutches only. She grew up in Hollywood and used to hitch rides everywhere and later worked concerts as part of the first aid staff. Do you remember the cerebral palsy telethons? Had a childhood friend who was on every year. Fortunately you don't see cerebral palsy as much since they have done away with forceps deliveries. Remember going door to door in our neighborhood with my mother and sister collecting for the March of Dimes. Later it became quarters. Years later my sons did walkathons for them. Who has had their tonsils out? Me!

Jeff		12-Feb-2008 16:52
Yes, John... They were created by Dick Orkin and Bert Berdis (sp?) in Chicago... "The greatest crimefighter the world has even known..................................."

John		12-Feb-2008 12:28
Jeff, Chicken Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan...........buck, buck, buck, buck! He's everywhere; he's everywhere! I didn't like it at first. The stories weren't funny, but that later changed. Were those clips syndicated?

Guest		12-Feb-2008 10:56
I agree with Jeff in regards to the "Highwaymen." I remember seeing them actually painting on the side of US 1 just north of the Roosevelt Bridge in Stuart during the 1970's. Some of the sunset's they captured and painted are just as stunningly magnificent as the sunsets we actually saw back then. There's an antique auction north of Ocala, Florida this Saturday that is advertising some early Highwaymen paintings by Sam Newton, A. Hair and A. Moran. This particular auction house has featured Highwaymen paintings before and we've attended the previews just so we can have a glimps at them (They are way out of our price range). You can rent a video at Blockbuster about the Highwayman too. It is very enlightening and enjoyable. We are still hoping to find one at a yard sell - we have a friend who bought one for $10 at a thrift shop and sold it for a couple of hundred dollars.

Roberta Perry Hughes		12-Feb-2008 07:07
Hi, Gang...type in "vintage Florida," & go to the link that is an eBay auction. On there, you'll find paintings by the Highwaymen, up for bid, among other vintage & kitschy memorabilia, ephemera, linens, tablecloths, post cards & souvenirs. It's my very favorite eBay auction site, & I visit there as often as I do here! No one remembers those gross earthworms, covering the walkways of your school, after a rain?? I hated their icky-ness, & their stench. Another bothersome critter were those bright green "hairy" caterpillars, that would shoot their spines into your skin, upon contact. They itched like mad...even worse than getting into stinging nettles...& left tiny little bumps, every where the spines were. If you ever had to mow the lawn, a real horror was mowing over a yellow jacket nest, burrowed in the ground. They have heat sensors, & many would die, trying to sting your lawn mower to death...but there were others, who came after you, as your body heat was up, from exertion, & POW! POW POW! They'd get you good!! Alan...glad someone out there recalls our childhood maladies, besides me! Those Florida sores were so godawful, & I felt so sorry for anyone who had Impetigo, or who were allergic to delicious mangoes. That HAD to be the pits!! Going further back, to the early '50's: anyone remember lining up to get the Salk vaccine polio shots? I knew several kids, who contracted polio, back then, & we'd even hear of fatalities from it. Our parents were scared-to-death, about the outbreak of this disease, but I learned on PBS that it happened even earlier, & even more devastating, in the 1930's. I remember seeing stories about kids who ended up in an iron lung, because of it, & there were kids in my 1st grade class, who literally disappeared...only to resurface, a few years later, in the 5th grade, wearing braces, & either on crutches, or in a wheelchair. The majority of my schoolmates, myself included, were very very lucky, to dodge that bullet. It all happened such a long long time ago, around 1953, that it has been all-but-forgotten. It was a very sobering time, for young children, & young adults alike, during the post-War era. But it was still a part of our childhood, & Nationwide, not just in "Our Town." Roberta, reflecting on many many reasons, to count her blessings, in somber retrospect, & to remember those peers, who weren't as lucky.

Jeff		12-Feb-2008 05:21
You know, speaking of the Highwaymen, we still haven't had any posters in here telling of life from the Black American standpoint of Old Miami... I would love to hear stories about what their Miami was like - both good and bad... What were their favorite restaurants, clubs, hangouts... how did they spend their youth... etc., etc. Our culture is so diverse here, but the stories are so few...

Jeff		12-Feb-2008 05:18
Parks... with the utmost repsect to your opinion, I politely differ with you as to the caliber of their art. Some of the images reproduced in that book - especially sunrises over the Everglades (amonst the other tropical scenes) were absolutely stunning! However, as in art, music, food, dating... taste is subjective... so one person's treasure is another's trash. For me, the Highwaymen were much better artists than some of the people I've seen touted as "masters"...

Parks		12-Feb-2008 04:57
I met the last of the Highway Men at an art show a couple of months ago. With all the publicity they've gotten he could charge a lot for his paintings. I understand that there is a gallery in Ft. Pierce that specializes in their work. Paintings that originally were sold by the side of the road for a few bucks now sell for hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Their paintings are colorful and decorative but not great art. They were influenced and taught by Bean Backus but never rose to his level. They could turn out several paintings in a day. They made their money by selling in volumn not at high prices. My favorite Florida artists are Bean Backus and Millard Wells.

Jeff		12-Feb-2008 04:48
OK... here's some WQAM memories... orange 'Tenna-Toppers, Lucky Matchbook numbers, Chickenman and the Chicken Coupe (a dressed-up Volkswagen Beatle)... Rick Shaw's interplay with the "Lone Teen Ranger" and Tonto... (The name of "The Lone Teen Ranger"was a take-off of a miserably horrible record from 1963 called "The Lone Teen Ranger" by Jerry Landis. Who would even guess that he was actually Paul Simon, and would evolve into one of the poets of pop music?) The record was so bad that it entered the Billboard charts on 1/19/63... stayed for three weeks and got no higher than 97 on the Hot 100 charts! However, some cleverly edited Tonto responses from old Lone Ranger radio shows and a fast-fingered Shaw (working the cartridge machine that contained the clips) turned a bad record idea into a fun routine for Miami Listeners... Does anyone remeber that Cousin Brucie and ALan Freed both had short stints here in Miami? How about Morton "Doc" Downey (yes THAT Morton Downey of talk show fame) on rival WFUN? Remember how WQAM would NEVER say the temperature was 79 degrees (if it was), because they didn't want to even allude to WFUN's spot on the dial at 790 AM?

Jeff		12-Feb-2008 04:37
John... When you "paid" yu admission, you were given one of those generic white boxies with some small candies, some coupons (for popcorn or a drink...or even another candy box) and a relay race number. Once the relay race was over, a few lucky kids would have the winning number. Florida State Theaters were probably the most kid-friendly in the 60's. They were the one chain, Wometco was the other...

John		12-Feb-2008 04:07
Thanks Jeff. How did you win the race? Did they give us a ticket as we entered the theatre? I forget; sorry. Guest 755. We found a Mulberry tree in the woods behind BK at SW 132nd St off U.S. 1. There were these old ruins in the woods. Maybe they were civil war era. We had a fort in there and there was a mature mulberry tree right at the ruins. - Suniland Theatre's first movie (I think) was Good Neighbor Sam w/ Jack Lemon.

Guest 755		12-Feb-2008 03:55
Largo, thanks for the grasshopper name. I Googled as well, apparently the small black ones were the nymphs of the big yellow ones. The Bufo toad is definitely dangerous to dogs and cats if they ingest the toxin that is secreted by glands at the base of the head. It can be fatal. My husband grew up in Opa-Locka and a neighbor of theirs had mulberry trees. He says the mulberries were good. Does anyone remember Ponderosa lemons? They were huge and grew on fairly small trees with really long sharp thorns. Made good lemonade.

Jeff		12-Feb-2008 03:45
Charlis... I've seen a book of the Highwaymen's work... simply stupendous. I believe it was a limited edition publihsed by the Florida Black Archives, or something akin to that... John... they used to call those relay race films "Reels-O-Fun". It wasn't Chaplin, but a series that [obviously] was produced during the silent era. Talk about getting mileage out of an old production... Those poisonous toads dogs would like and die from are the infamous Bufo toads... Charlis... The Cameo! Double feature eighth-run movies for 25 cents beofre 6 PM, 50 cents after 6... I saw "The Music Man" there a jillion times...

John		12-Feb-2008 02:10
- For years we spent weekends at either Tavenier Key near Key Largo (no pun intended) or on Key Biscayne before you got to Virginia beach or lot 1. At those locations we fried in the Miami sun, usually followed by 2nd degree burns (blisters) and copeous amounts of applied vinegar baths. The damage was cumulative if you didn't know. When I get out in the sun now for more than a couple hours at a time, and usually early in the sunning season, I break out w/ sun poisoning or sun bumps. They itch like crazy. - The dogs were at risk w/ those toads (LARGO). I think they were poisonous. - I too had a few bouts w/ the dreaded impetigo Al.......ugh, and Sea n Ski came in a green plastic bottle. We used that over coppertone. - Charlis, 5 bucks? Are you kiddin me? We'd be lucky if we got a dollar. A dollar would buy a whopper fries and a shake, w/ a little change to spare. - Jeff 10-4 on the RC bottle caps. I knew RC was somehow linked to the kiddie shows. I lost a lot of fillings on those sugar daddy and black cow suckers. We ate a lot of candy in Miami....if you think about it. Does ANYONE remember the races in between the movies......or was that a figment of my imagination? Good synopsis Jeff.

Steve Vajda		12-Feb-2008 01:18
Steve Vajda MHS Class of 1961: Great gallery. Good work. Maybe I missed it with my old eyes, but were there pictures of Miami Sr. High? Gables? Jackson? Edison? Also, the Great Gables drive-in, the Red Diamond Restaurant, Jahn's ice cream shoppe?

LARGO		12-Feb-2008 01:09
I GOOGLED THE common name: SOUTHEASTERN LUBBER GRASSHOPPER. GENUS: ROMALEA GUTTATA. THE STUFF OF CHILDHOOD NIGHTMARES, HORROR MOVIES ETC. THEY HISSED. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER DRIVING OVER LAND CRABS WHEN THEY WERE "ON THE MARCH"...mating season I guess?.....OR WAS IT WAS A FREAKIN PRADE???.............OOOOOOOOO!!... IT SOUNDED SO YUCKY WHEN YOU HEARD THEM CRUNCH UNDER THE TIRES.....IF YOU POLITELY STOPPED TO ALLOW THEM TO CROSS...there would be hundreds...and always that little slow one.. frantically darting out..then back...(near Snapper Creek area)...THERE WAS AN UNHAPPY TRAFFIC JAM WITH HONKING...SHOUTING..."crabby" drivers!...THEY (THE CRABS) ALSO WOULD SCURRY INTO YOUR GARAGE WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPEN...AND BANG AROUND ALL NIGHT TRYING TO FIND THE EXIT OUT...WHEN THEY DIDN'T...DAYS LATER YOU JUST HAD TO FOLLOW YOUR NOSE........again...YUCK !!...I mean what was there purpose?...I think they pollinated the sand spurs...and beggers lice...( our creators humor)....SAME WITH SNAKES AND FROGS....ANYONE REMEMBER THE GIANT "BUFFO" TOADS....THEY ALWAYS ATE OUR DOGS DRY CHOW...with the dog looking on mournfully....THEY ATE SO MUCH THEY SWELLED UP AND JUST SAT THERE...also with a mournful aura about them....not much expression ON THE BUFFO............................LARGOS AUGUSTINAS

charlis		11-Feb-2008 23:21
jeff... what do you know of the "highway men", a group of black artists who painted Florida landscapes and other topics. A tragic fire burned down one of the places in Lakeland that sold the paintings today. The "Highway men" were famous for many of the recreations used on post cards durings the 50's and 60's.

charlis		11-Feb-2008 23:14
64 hurricane... if it was around Labor Day it was Cleo. Funny thing, today at work someone offered me some grapefruit... I had to turn her down, and told her why.

charlis		11-Feb-2008 23:11
Bottle caps... don't remember that. I do remember my dad giving me 5 bucks on a Saturday afternoon to take my sister to the movies. 10 cents for the bus, 25 cents for the Cameo Theater, 15 cents for a big bag of popcorn (25 if we went for buttered), 50 cents for a hot dog and a soda combo. I got to keep what was left over.

charlis		11-Feb-2008 23:05
flora and fauna... any body have mulberry trees? We had one up here in Tampa... a female. She sent out shoots all over the neighborhood in search of a male. Luckily we didnt' buy the house... we only rented it and the owner's soon to be ex moved in after we bought another house. She said the tree invaded the toilet. She was on vacation for a week and came home to find a small tree in her toilet! The bugs! Spiders never really bothered me... roaches didn't either... but those Palmetto bugs!!!!!!!!! Grasshoppers terrified me, only because the girl next door, in OH when I was 4, dropped one down my shirt!

Miamigirl		11-Feb-2008 21:03
Alan: You forgot the insect of my nightmares -- THE FLYING PALMETTO BUG! Those things that we simply called "roaches".

Guest		11-Feb-2008 20:06
The theme for the recent/current blog seems to be on childhood maladies in Miami so I will interject a few that I recall: sandspurs, mango poisening, Florida sores, impetigo, blisters on feet from walking barefoot on coral rock or hot blacktop roads in the summer, ear infections from swimming, ringworm, heat rash, and of course mosquito bites. Did I omit any? Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive and well living amongst the scorpions, gila monsters and rattle snakes in Phoenix, Arizona

Roberta Perry Hughes		11-Feb-2008 17:22
Guest...We used Sea & Ski...I can still recall its scent! My 6th grade Phys. Ed. teacher used Nosecoat (Noz-coat?) on his nose, as did lots of folks at the beach, & I remember a young child in my neighborhood whose mother put (ick!!) egg whites on his sunburn!! There was also Witch Hazel, which felt good, especially if it had been refrigerated. Really helped to take the heat out of sunburn. Peeling was gross, in the days that followed a sunburn, & if it were on your face, it wasn't very attractive. Left me with a face full of freckles, which lasted through my adult years. They'd shine through liquid makeup, wouldn't you know? Do y'all recall getting badly blistered heels, from breaking in a new pair of shoes? And how those 4 heavy nails, that held your shoe heels on, would eventually migrate into the inside of your shoe, making it very painful to even bear weight on them, let alone walk? My parents were do-it-yourself shoe cobblers; my father would hammer the nails back down into the heel, outside, on the cement porch, & my mother would then cut a new liner, from cardstock, so we could continue wearing the shoes, until we outgrew them. That little problem doesn't exist, today, because the shoe's soles/heels are all one piece, now. If they get too worn, you just have to toss them, as shoe shops are gone, now, where they could do a half sole, or replace a heel that you ran over. Funny, how you can think back, & remember stuff like that, & realize that a once- thriving business (shoe cobbler shop) has gone the way of the TV Repairman. It boggles the mind, doesn't it?

Guest 755		11-Feb-2008 15:25
Thanks Roberta for the clarification on the pesky Florida flora. I remember the big, yellow grasshoppers. There were also those smaller black ones. I think they spit something that looked like tobacco juice. Tried to avoid any bodily contact at all with either of them, as extreme screaming would ensue. However we would sometimes catch them using a jar and it's lid. Fortunately did not experience sores, but lots of red ant and mosquito "bites". Rubbing alcohol was the recommended treatment for those. Vinegar was my grandmother's treatment for sunburn. Hated that. Later we would use Solarcaine. Some folks would use Noxema for sunburn, remember smelling that a lot in the summer along with seeing lots of white shoulders and noses and cheeks.

harvey		11-Feb-2008 15:16
great site moved to Hialeah in 1956. Can't believe all the changes. Graduated from Hialeah High in 1964. Then worked for National Airlines/Pan Am at Miami Airport until they went out of business. Now working at Spirit Airlines in Miramar and live in Hollywood

MM		11-Feb-2008 14:51
oops. that was me. Forgot to put my name.

Guest		11-Feb-2008 14:50
I also recall going to bottlecap matinees in the Gables, at a theater off LeJeune, maybe? I remember standing in front with my mom and a bunch of friends and holding a bag full of those cap liners. It was so much fun to pull them out of the inside of the cap. I know it sounds odd but I can still smell them. So does ANYONE have any pics of Fun Fair? I remember after they closed, I wished I could buy the big 'time for fun' sign out front. Wonder if anyone was lucky enough to get it. I was a wee too young for the games when we went. It was all about the coin-operated rides for me. But it had to be one of my favorite family outings (that and Dressel's).

Don Boyd		11-Feb-2008 06:34
Jean Hale Lawson added a 1954 image of Matheson Hammock that her dad took (50's Gallery). I added an image of a 1964 GSA ad in The Miami News auctioning off hundreds of acres of former NAS Miami property in NW Dade (Aviation-Other Airports Gallery). I also added a scan of a 1964 Miami News story about the Beatles boating in Biscayne Bay (Music Gallery), and a 1964 Jordan Marsh ad (Main Gallery). Don

Roberta Perry Hughes		11-Feb-2008 06:27
Those long, skinny seeds are Spanish Needles; the small round green, sometimes brown, Velcro-like seeds are Beggar Lice; & the weed growing close-to-the-ground, that had "stingers," are called Stinging Nettles. The boys always claimed that you could stop it from stinging, if you peed on the wound. (Yeah. Right). Y'all have GOT to remember "Florida sores." They were small round "wounds," that looked & felt like cigarette burns, on your arms & legs, & were slow-to-heal, & left scars. Worst places to get them were in the bends of your knees or elbows. I've heard they were caused by playing in mud puddles where lime soil was, but I've also heard they were caused by a virus. In either case, EVERY kid got them, in the early to mid-1950's. Ringworm was also a part of outdoor childhood play, & Impetigo. Those parasitic seeds were a real pain, but that's how they find new areas to invade, by letting people transport them...including those vicious sand spurs. I recall a neat phenomenon, re: Beggar Lice...our dog would try & pick them off of our clothes, literally, "grooming" us...or, trying to, anyway! So...anyone remember that little low-to-the-ground flowering weed, that we used as a makeshift weapon? Or, the "Little King" spiders, with perfect crowns on their backs? Did you ever see those HUGE hard shell grasshoppers?? They were a tan color, with red on their back legs, & scared you half-to-death, when they stared you down, & then, would leap toward you, with those big back legs. Made me cringe, just to see one! They were so big, you could see the details of their mandibles, & they had HUGE eyes, & antennae!! Does anyone remember the GROSS phenomenon, whenever it rained, of a GAZILLION earth worms, crawling over every square inch, of the cement walkways, at your school, & creating a wall-to-wall, smelly, smashed, & totally UNavoidable "carpet," for your every footfall, to coat your shoe soles, & emanate a hideous odor, wafting into your nostrils, on your way to class...or worse...on your way to lunch??? Bet THAT's a memory you've forgotten all about, right?? You'd have to clean your shoes soles, when you got home. Of course, everyone remembers walking to school, or riding their bike, in elementary school, or even Junior High. But I am also remembering the lucky kids who owned an Italian-made Vespa scooter, or a Cushman, & the occasional Motorbike, that could be engine-powered, OR pedaled. But I thought the Vespas were the coolest ones of all. The stuff that dreams & fantasies are made of!! Can't complain, though. My royal blue-and-white 26" wheelbase Schwinn Spitfire not only had a handlebar-mounted front basket, it had twin saddlebag baskets, mounted over my rear fender. I generously carried the books of my friends, who had no basket at all, on their bikes. Even so, I still longed for a Vespa scooter. (sigh). Roberta, dredging up childhood memories, both pleasant and not-so-pleasant, again, on a chilly night in the Peach State.

Jeff		11-Feb-2008 04:41
John... Those movies you and MM recall were sponsored by Florida State Theaters (owned by Paramount)... I went to them at the Sheridan Theater on 41st Street (Arthur Godfrey Road) on Miami Beach. Six RC Cola bottle caps or 15 cents paid your admission with the newspaper coupon... and I saw "Jason and the Argonauts" more times than I'd care to remember. Usually I won the coupon for another free box of candy in those 10 cent boxes of treats... but once I actually came up big by winning a giant Black Cow sucker! MM... Fun Fair was a tradition on the 79th Street Causeway from the mid-50's until its demolition in the 1970's. I particularly liked playing skee-ball there... but who could resist a hot dog or hamburger with the "top-it-yourself" relish bar or a frosty cold Hires Root Beer right off the tap...?

John		11-Feb-2008 01:12
Miamigirl, The bridge into the canal bit on Old Cutler near Snowdens was called Centurians Dam. The bridge was where most of the kids jumped and swam, then they would climb the coral cliffs back up. The part closer to the bay and higher was the actual dam. Some brave souls would climb an elaboarte cage around a locked ladder abould half way up then slip thru the bars and climb the remainder of the ladder. I think the jump was about 60 ft. MM, The kiddie shows at Suniland Theatre were fantastic. Remember the races in between the movies. They were in black and white and they were like watching a Charley (sp) Chaplin movie w/ racers 1 thru 10. If you held a ticket to the winning racer you got some kind of a prize. You had a different winner every week, but the same characters raced. They also had the boxes of candy and prizes w/ the prizes being a card w/ a free popcorn or candy or soda on it. I practically grew up at Bowl-O-Mat, learning to bowl and shoot pool.

MM		11-Feb-2008 00:24
What FUN! I just found this site in the proces of another one of my occasional googles for Dressel's Dairy Farm (YES, Thank you!) and Fun Fair (anyone??). My mind is boggled from all the amazing photos and references, including my first Burger King (on 8th Street off Red Rd) and the Red Diamond Inn (Shirley Temple Heaven)! We lived a few blocks from that BK (anyone remember Rod's or Diamonds?) until around '64, when we moved to Kendall, right behind Jefferson's (just before Betsy). I went to Vineland, Richmond Hts. Jr and Killian ('77) but was close to a lot of Panthers (and my older sis was one). Anyways, you are all bringing back so many cool memories and it's so awesome to find so many others who have the same points of reference. I just looked over that list of John's from last month and, yes, I remember Al's newsstand, my sister also went to that Doors show and I remember all the controversy, loved the log flume at Pirate's World, was on Skipper Check AND Banjo Billy several times in the early 60s, had my Sweet 16 at that Sweden House on S. Dixie (also several b'day parties at Polar Palace), was a Dolphin Doll (and a cheeerleader at K-Land), was always creeped out watching Bill Haas milk those snakes, still have a WFUN transistor radio, learned to bowl at the Bowl-O-Mat when I was 6, and traded in bottlecaps to watch movies (remembeer the double features?) at Sunniland Theater (it will NEVER be Pinecrest to me!!). SO so many more memories, like Pizza Palace and Carvel, those 5-person bikes outside the Barber Shop at Sunniland, and Betty Allan ice cream at Farm Stores. I, like the rest of you, will be back. Keep all the great stuff coming!

Miamigirl		10-Feb-2008 18:38
It's so great to go back in time to the many things we've forgotten, even the memories of the sandspurs and those other stickers that Guest 755 says are Spanish Stickers - I never knew their official name but I got them all over a blanket once when we had a picnic in the yard then had to pick them all off -- it took weeks! I planted a mango seed that turned into a tree about 20 years later, then was destroyed by Andrew so I never got a mango off of it. I loved eating them with the juice running down my arm and the stringy parts would get in your teeth. Then there was those wonderful tomatoes and strawberries fresh out of the fields -- none bought in the store today comes close to that flavor. Hey, does anybody remember those awful land crabs in the first few years of Cutler Ridge existence when there were only a few streets, Caribbean, Dominican and Haitian Drives and only a couple blocks of each one -- nothing between that and the tomato fields near the bay which I suppose was why those crabs came to the housing area. There was probably hundreds of them in our yard and garage. Driving down Old Cutler Rd you'd almost need a gas mask because of the smell all the dead ones gave off. They would also flatten tires when the pincher's punctured them. They used to deliver that beautiful white sand to the neighborhoods and dump a whole truck load for the people to spread on the yards-- or rather in the beginning while trying to establish yards. Us kids would dig tunnels and play in that sand so long it would no longer be a pile but half spread out on the yard! Talking about Old Cutler Rd. -- how many people jumped off that bridge into the canal? Then the guys had that upper arm strength to use the rope and climb up the sides but us girls had to swim down aways to find an easier exit. Had to be careful not to cut your feet on that coral rock! Al, if you know the actual address of your house in CR you can see it on Google maps (satellite view) to find out if it survived. Most of those earlier concrete block houses did make it, ours lost the back porch but the roof stayed on. They were constructed much better than later ones. Most of those houses are still recognizable on the outside but have had some additions. Keep those memories coming ya'll - we're having a blizzard up here (in upstate NY) so I love going back to those hot summer days in old Miami when the tar on the road would stick to your feet.....

Guest		10-Feb-2008 16:46
Thanks for reminding me about sandspurs. Have not thought of them in 40 years but now recall what a pain they were when they got on the laces of your tennis shoes. Cutler Ridge circa 1955-1964 had a fair share of canals, quarries and lagoons that made for nice water related activities. The only drawbacks were they were "off limits" which was ignored and surrounded by coral rock which was hard on the feet and could not be ignored. Our house in Cutler Ridge had a tar/gravel roof, jalousie windows, many fruit tree and palm trees and a wall space heater that was completely inefficient in the winter. No central airconditioning although my parents put a window unit in the living room which had no cooling effect on the rest of the house. I am certain that the fruit and palm trees did not survive Hurricane Andrew. I hope the house did! Miamigrl and I were in the same 6th Grade Class at Cutler Ridge Elementary 1957-1958. Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Alive, well and waxing in reminiscence in Phoenix, Arizona

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment