This week in West Orange County history: 2-24-22

OLD TIMES

85 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. Phil C. Peters were hosts at their home entertaining as their guests members of the faculty of Lakeview High School. The party was in the form of a buffet supper with the George Washington motif used in the decorations featuring red roses.

The young son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Fulmer has been named Lavon Coleman Fulmer.

80 years ago

There were 102 boys from Winter Garden serving Uncle Sam: 67 in the Army (selectees), 13 enlisted in the Army, six in the Navy, eight in the Marine Corps, seven commissioned officers in the Air Corps and one in the foreign service.

75 years ago

The new business block of W.F. Hartzog and Ed Fisher on Plant Street next to the Winter Garden Theatre was nearing completion. Fisher said the building had been leased to the Interstate Department Stores Inc. and would open one of its stores here.

70 years ago

George M. Barley, manager of Diamond R Fertilizer Co., was named chairman of the annual American Red Cross Drive to raise $2,000 in the Winter Garden-Tildenville area. Serving with Barley were Dal Duppenthaler, Lee Grimes, Henry Britt, Gerald Thompson, John Girvin, Bob Davis, Tom Cox and Alton Haler.

The Rotary Club held its annual Ladies Night at the American Legion building. Bob Davis, president, gave the welcome address and then introduced Louis Warden as master of ceremonies. A dance followed the banquet.

The Mmes. W.T. Highfill, P.H. Freeman, J.H. Butler and Earl Hunter were co-hostesses at a bridal tea-shower honoring Mrs. William Jarrett. Guests were invited to the home of Mrs. Vernon Walker in Winter Garden Shores.

40 years ago

For the second year in a row, the Winter Garden community booth at the Central Florida Fair won in almost every category, capturing 14 of the 19 first-place ribbons, including the coveted Best Decorated Booth Award. Ocoee’s community booth won the second-largest number of first-place ribbons, winning four of the five that Winter Garden did not win.

20 years ago

Orange County planned a grand-opening ceremony for a new park in West Orange County. George Bailey Park was built next to Lake Whitney Elementary School at the corner of Roberson and Windermere roads. The park, which included baseball fields, was named for the longtime owner of The West Orange Times.

Ted and Marian Wiedenbeck, residents of Winter Garden since 1949, celebrated 60 years of marriage on Valentine’s Day.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

FEB. 25, 1982

How many of us grew up with bakeware and dish sets courtesy of Food World or some other grocery store? Food World advertised in the Feb. 25, 1982, issue of The Times announcing the latest pieces in its Ekco Baker’s Secret Non-Stick Bakeware set. Shoppers could buy the eight-inch round cake pan for 99 cents or the oblong pan for $1.99.

“Either piece is a welcome addition to any kitchen. During the next few weeks, Food World will be featuring all 14 pieces of this easy-release, scratch-resistant bakeware at extra-value prices.”

Other pieces were various sizes of pans (roast, pizza, pie, brownie and loaf) and cookie sheets.

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION ARCHIVES

This aerial photograph shows the path of the tornado that ripped through Winter Garden from the vicinity of John’s Lake Feb. 22, 1998 — almost one quarter century ago. It came in over the lake, crossed Florida's Turnpike, tore through the neighborhood known as Possum Hollow on Avalon Road (just north of the turnpike overpass), and crossed Highway 50, ravaging sections of Winter Garden's southeast quarter. Three residents of the Hyde Park community lost their lives.

The West Orange Times, with Amy Quesinberry as project lead, published a comprehensive book about the destruction left in the tornado’s wake and how the community came together to rebuild what was destroyed.