Old Times 07.03.14

75 years ago

Ruth Bekemeyer became the bride of Jose Manuel Valdes at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Bekemeyer. The Rev. E.J. Daniels, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Winter Garden, performed the ceremony. The bride is a member of the Lakeview High School 1939 graduating class.

John B. Rodgers Jr. has opened a law office in the post office building in Winter Garden. A graduate of Stetson University Law School, with two years of pre-law school training at the University of Florida, he was licensed to practice in June 1939. Rodgers and his wife, the former Martha Osgood of Ocoee, are making their home in Winter Garden.

70 years ago

Memorial services will be conducted at the First Baptist Church of Winter Garden in memory of Lt. Col. George B. McMillan and Pvt. William C. Bray. These two young men were cousins and were killed in action within a month of each other.

60 years ago

Margaret Smith, music director of First Baptist Church of Winter Garden, is part of a select group of 160 professional musicians attending the Fred Waring Music Workshop in Delaware Water Gap, Pa. The six-day course in choral techniques is taught by the same instructors who train the famous Waring Pennsylvanians and are headed by Fred Waring himself.

40 years ago

Advertisement: Put on your raccoon coat, grab your favorite flapper and head for the Ramada Inn West. Beginning at 9 p.m. it’s “Moonlight Cocktails.” You can stay all night for just $10 a couple.

Anne McKinnon of Winter Garden has been chosen as chairman of the Valencia Community College Board of Trustees. She is the first woman to serve in this position.

35 years ago

Griffin’s Men’s Wear in the Tri-City Shopping Center was robbed of $96 and one hat. It was the first armed robbery in its 33-year history. Following the robbery, the clerk quit her job.

Windermere Rotary President Gordon Smith made a special presentation following his recent trip to Rome. He presented Father Joseph Harte a framed sketch of the new pope purchased from a sidewalk artist in St. Mark’s Square. “I couldn’t visit the country of the Vatican without getting something for my friend Joe,” said Smith, pastor of Windermere Baptist Church.