This week in history in West Orange County

Learn about the names, faces and places in West Orange County's past.

By Amy Quesinberry
| 1:00 p.m. September 16, 2020

West Orange Times & Observer
Neighborhood

OLD TIMES

85 years ago

For a few cents a week, Lakeview High students may ride from town to the school building. If there is sufficient demand, a private bus will be operated between Winter Garden and Lakeview at a cost of about 25 or 30 cents a week and depart from the shuffleboard courts.

80 years ago

Good Samaritans got a thrill aiding hurricane victims when they took a truckload of food, clothing, furniture and other necessities from Winter Garden to Cedar Key.

50 years ago

Nettie Woods received the medals and ribbons for heroism in action that were earned by her son, Sgt. Charles W. Love Jr. Love gave his life in the Vietnam War.

Valencia Junior College held a groundbreaking for its new $1.94 million initial classroom building. A half million square feet of academic buildings were being planned.

45 years ago

Exit 80: A sign and radio advertising campaign, starting at the Georgia border, is promoting hotels and services offered at the Ocoee-Winter Garden exit of Florida’s Turnpike.

40 years ago

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce sponsored McChamber Day at McDonald’s in Winter Garden with a bluegrass band and activities for everyone.

20 years ago

Both West Orange and Dr. Phillips high schools were eager to bring home the Ole Orange Crate, and a photo depicted athletic directors John Boston of WOHS and Bill Thompson of DPHS, each with his hands on the crate up for grabs.

Orel Hersheiser, a former Major League pitching ace for the Cleveland Indians and a Cy Young Award winner, congratulated Jonathan Folmar during the Windermere Little League opening ceremony. He received the Good Sport Award.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Sept. 17, 1970

Tucked among the advertisements in the Sept. 17, 1970, issue of The Winter Garden Times was this small glimpse at what could be our future. Looking like something out of Tomorrowland in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, the “machines of the future” were predicted by experts at Ford Motor Company.

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION ARCHIVES

Thursday, Sept. 17, is International Patient Safety Day, marked around the world as a day to remember that the health and well being of those in medical need is of prime importance.

Winter Garden’s Dr. Albert Gleason (1911-2015) was noted for his compassion and dedication to all his patients., ensuring that those placed under his care received the best medical services he and his staff could provide. In the photograph, Gleason is shown while serving as flight surgeon for the Army Air Corps’ 92nd Bomb Group during World War II.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation will soon open an exhibit titled Dr. Albert Gleason: Winter Garden’s Eminent Physician, which will highlight the life and service of this unforgettable man.

author

Amy Quesinberry

Community Editor Amy Quesinberry was born at the old West Orange Memorial Hospital and raised in Winter Garden. Aside from earning her journalism degree from the University of Georgia, she hasn’t strayed too far from her hometown and her three-mile bubble. She grew up reading The Winter Garden Times and knew in the eighth grade she wanted to write for her community newspaper. She has been part of the writing and editing team since 1990.