HISTORY: West Orange County of yesteryear for week of April 17, 2025

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION ARCHIVES
During the decades when almost a dozen mighty citrus packinghouses lined the railroads that crossed West Orange County, anyone capable of working could find employment in the citrus industry. Because harvests were seasonal, workers often had “down time” until the juice plant on Ninth Street began operating year-round. The photograph shows the interior of the vast Winter Garden Citrus Growers Association plant on Second Street, located on the Tavares & Gulf Railroad track. Women comprised the vast majority of West Orange County’s citrus packers, and many are seen in this setting engaged in sorting, grading and packing oranges. Several local “packing women,” as they referred to themselves, told Winter Garden Heritage Foundation staff they often worked in the plants in order to save up “pin money” to buy Christmas presents for their families.

To share your family’s packinghouse experience, call (407) 656-3244.

THE WAYS WE WERE
90 years ago
Four community schools staged a joint “play day.” Windermere was victorious at the event held at Gotha School that included a spelling bee and games provided by the Orlando Recreational Department. Also participating were Beulah and Vineland schools. Mattie Farmer, principal of Gotha School, directed the program.

85 years ago
Mrs. O.L. Sands, of Ocoee, entertained the members of the Ladies Aid Society at a Tacky Party April 1. All those not dressed in tacky attire were fined.

80 years ago
Stamp No. 35, good for five pounds of sugar, was to expire June 2. No new stamps were being validated until May 1.

At a meeting held in the Florida Power Corporation Lounge with Harold Britt, chairman, plans were formulated for the April drive to collect clothes folks didn’t need for overseas war relief. The United National Clothing Collection called for citizens to clean out their closets and send what they have to the schools or post office. The Boy Scouts were assisting in the collections.

55 years ago
Melody Ann Schick was awarded first prize in the Winter Garden Chamber of Commerce’s sign beautification contest with the theme, “Sunny Places — Friendly Faces.” She received $50 from chamber President Lew Warden.

TM Communications told Winter Garden residents there was a good chance they could have cable television in their homes by the next year.

50 years ago
Delta Burke, Miss Florida 1975, agreed to participate in the Windermere Heritage Day Parade in May and to judge the 50th Anniversary Men’s Beard Contest.

Windermere talent excelled again when Windermerian Mike Hurley and his musical group, Arthur, Hurley and Gottlieb, finished a successful engagement at Walt Disney World.

The Lakeview High School PTA honored four teachers, Rod Reeves, Nancy Yuronis, Joe Nigro and Joyce Banker, for their outstanding contributions to students.

45 years ago
Rutledge Bradford, of Windermere, an eighth-grade student at Lakeview Junior High School, won high honors at the annual horse show at Rocking Horse Ranch in Altoona. Other area participants were Kathleen Greer, Beth Chase, Paige Winters, Virginia Spigener and Rebecca Sharp.

20 years ago
Nehrling Society board members met at Palm Cottage Gardens, owned by Barbara Bochiardy, to discuss fundraising to preserve and redevelop the property into a public garden and educational center.

For the second time in five years, Steve Marbais was named president of the Florida Independent Auto Dealers Association. The Ocoee resident started his business, Marbais Enterprises, in 1986.

THROWBACK THURSDAY
APRIL 10, 1975

Spring had sprung, and the Badcock Furniture and Appliances advertisement in an April 1975 issue of The Winter Garden Times offered folks a variety of chairs, swings, lounges and tables to ready their patios for cookouts with friends. Remember the sound the metal glider made as it was rocked back and forth?

Sets were sold for as low as $99.95, and some styles were available by the piece to accommodate both small and large backyards.

The store was located at 1542 State Road 50, Winter Garden, for decades.