Old Times 12.11.14

70 years ago

The acute shortage of favorite brands of cigarettes in Winter Garden is causing much talk by those addicted to the habit of enjoying their smokes.

The West Orange Athletic Association banquet was held at the Edgewater Hotel with Frank W. Ross, president, and C.L. Stanford, vice president, announcing the player awards: best defensive back, Tommy Russ; best offensive back, Mallard Clark; best linesman, Albert Walker; and hardest tackler, Thurmon Tucker.

45 years ago

The annual Winter Garden Rotary Christmas party will be held in the Episcopal Church of the Messiah parish hall. In charge of this year’s event are the Rev. Charles G. Warden, vicar of the church, the Rev. Bronis P. Benesevich, of Resurrection Catholic Church; and Dr. Basil V. Hicks, minister of Oakland Presbyterian Church.

40 years ago

Col. James F. Adams, of Windermere, recalls the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, marking its 30th anniversary. The rugged weeks are a vivid memory for Adams, at the time a young captain, commanding officer of F Company, 327th Glider Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division. Laying siege to Bastogne, the Germans demanded surrender. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe sent back his famous reply, “Nuts!” which was conveyed by Adams. Adams and his wife, Mary Sue, live on Lake Butler Boulevard.

35 years ago

Dock Reeves, of Winter Garden, received a pleasant surprise this Christmas. He won a freezer and a side of beef in a promotional drawing at Thriftway grocery store. Mayor Ralph Fulford drew the winning name, and store manager Dalton Gregg congratulated Reeves.

The Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips held its Charter Night Banquet at the Bay Hill Club with more than 200 Rotarians from all over Central Florida gathering to bring gifts to the new club.

25 years ago

The action was fast and furious at the Toys For Tots basketball game at Ocoee Middle School. The Ocoee faculty defeated a team representing the Ocoee Police and Fire departments. Leading the OMS team was Principal Bob Williams and West Orange High School Principal Joe Worsham. Both are former basketball players and basketball coaches.

Funeral services were held for Russell Pounds, a lifelong West Orange Countian and prominent tractor dealer. He was secretary-treasurer of Pounds Motor Company in Winter Garden.