Archive for ‘Zephyrhills History’

Zephyrhills 100th Anniversary: The Skating Rink

By , 4 February, 2010, 20 Comments

The Crystal Springs Roller Skating Rink debuted in September 1939 and was built and opened by Walter T. Curtis, who was born in Texas.  His daughter, Bernice Eleanor Curtis Rooks, the ZHS Valedictorian of the class of 1940, was almost five years old when she moved to Zephyrhills with her parents and brother.  Mr. Curtis also operated a sawmill and was a skilled carpenter but he had a hankering to build a dance hall in the picturesque location of Crystal Springs near the legendary springs.  He eventually decided upon a skating rink. Curtis personally milled all of the rough cut pine which provides the signature look of the vintage Depression-era building that gives one a feel of walking back into a bygone era.  Mr. Curtis wanted the skating surface to be just right for his skaters so he imported Tennessee Maple for the tongue and groove flooring that he painstakingly installed. The benches, vintage cash register and walls remain the same today as they did in 1939.  With 18 windows and several large fans, who needs air conditioning?

Situated on an adjoining area to the Crystal Springs Water Preserve, Curtis leased the Springs area for 10 years and operated a swimming pool next to the rink for some time. His daughter, Bernice, met her future husband, Truman at the swimming pool, and another chapter of the rink’s history began when Truman Rooks took the reins in 1972. Skating was a tradition for the Curtis-Rooks family.  Grandpa Curtis configured baby shoe skates for his three granddaughters, Marilyn, Barbara and Joellyn who say they were skating at age three. Truman said he skated himself until age 65.

Crystal Springs Roller Rink

Crystal Springs Roller Rink

Opening just before World War II, the skating rink is a Tampa Bay area attraction that chronicles many wonderful tales. Imagine the friendships that were created, the romances that blossomed and sometimes flourished, and the refuge from problems of the day that were provided by an afternoon at the skating rink.  Army buses of soldiers from MacDill came twice per week during the 1940’s to enjoy the facility. Skating was a national craze; Lou Brooks in the book, Skate Crazy defines the period of 1937-59 as the golden age of roller skating, although roller skating dates back to the 1800’s. Throughout the years, the Crystal Springs Rink has hosted parties of all types. Once open seven evenings per week, the rink is now open on Friday’s and Saturdays and for private parties. For 35 cents in 1939, you could skate for two hours and today for $4, you can experience the era and get some wonderful exercise.

Roller skates have evolved over time! The original skates were clamp-on style and later shoe skates which then morphed into boot skates.  Of course today, some skaters prefer the in-line skates, daughter, Joellyn mentioned. Joellyn has been co-managing the family facility since 1984. With three daughters, all remember working at the rink.  Barbara shared that slumber parties were quite unique events to host when your family operated the community skating rink.

Truman and Bernice Curtis Rooks are terrific role models for the community. Truman has been a firm disciplinarian of the skating facility, setting the rules and managing the crew of kids.  His daughters are proud of the many that stop by to say hi to Truman because of their fond memories of times there and his guidance.  One particular poignant example was that of an anonymous letter he received with $50, from someone who wanted to make restitution for a childhood prank of stealing some flag decorations; Truman smiles and reflects that this must have been weighing upon his conscience and he just wanted to make it right.

Bernice, active in the Zephyrhills community, wanted to fulfill a lifelong ambition to be a teacher. She said her earliest memories were of ‘playing school’ and when she graduated from high school; her mother wrote a personal letter to Eleanor Roosevelt for financial help.  (She said they did get a reply from the first lady but no funding).  Her father sent her to business school and she worked for awhile until her three daughters were in elementary school, and then took a job as one of only three school bus drivers in the Zephyrhills area; I.A. Krusen was the local school leader and hired her for the job. With her daily contact with the students and often serving as a substitute teacher when the school needed her, she decided to enroll in the brand new University of South Florida (opened in 1958); for $50, a semester, you could take all the courses that you would like. Bernice’s student identification number was 18, meaning she was the 18th person to enroll at USF. Imagine how many students have enrolled since then! Daughters, Barbara and Joellyn, share that they accompanied their mother to classes a few evenings per week and at the time, with only three buildings on the USF Tampa campus, they were fixtures themselves.  Bernice finished her degree in 1963 and taught school until her retirement in 1990 at East Zephyrhills, West Zephyrhills and Woodland Elementary Schools. While daughter, Joellyn, carried on the Skating tradition and eldest daughter, Marilyn, works at Verizon, middle daughter Barbara continued the teaching profession and served as a teacher in Zephyrhills for 36 years.  The Rooks are proud to have four grandchildren and four great grandchildren!

Truly wonderful citizens of our community, imagine the many people who have been impacted by these three generations of Curtis-Rooks families.  Here are some comments from our ZHS alumni:

I have many memories from the rink both for myself and my daughters. I wasn’t a very good skater but managed to stay off the floor.  Days then were easy and not so much pressure as today! Phyllis (Geiger) Locke-Debien

Skating Parties! George Neukom

There was a group of ‘mama’s’, Carleta Sibley, Lee Howard, Eileen Smith, Hazel Potter, Corinne Peeples, and probably others, that took their “daughters”, Bunnie Sue and Carol Sibley, Arneta Howard, Peggy, Gail and Mildred Smith, Shirley Potter, Barbara Peeples to the Crystal Springs Roller Rink years back when you still rented the old- fashioned clip on skates which attached to your own shoes.  We went every Friday night of the year, except during football season as we were all involved either in the band or cheerleading or majorettes, or all three, and usually at least 2 of the “mama’s” took us and stayed with us each time.  They would take turns going if it was necessary, but they enjoyed visiting for the two hours we would enjoy skating, and nobody ever complained, just enjoyed it.  The rink was usually quite full. Mrs. Curtis, who owned and operated it, was such a nice lady and we respected her even when she made us sit out for a few minutes to rest!!!  As we got a little older, probably teenagers, our folks bought us each shoe skates and that was quite a thrill to have our very own to carry into the rink and not have to rent a pair.  Truman Rooks, Mrs. Curtis’s son-in-law, still operates the roller rink and there are still children and teenagers getting to enjoy it! Gail (Smith) Geiger

I learned how to skate at the roller rink when I was three.  My family and friends went there every time it was open.  Mr. and Mrs. Rooks were very nice to us kids but didn’t allow any fooling around that might cause someone to get hurt.  It was either very hot or cold, depending on the weather because there was no heat or AC.  And when Mr. Rooks painted the floors it made the surface very slippery.  You could hold on to the rope in the middle of the rink if you needed to. Our daughter, Jennifer, learned to skate with us, her family, and with one of the Rooks’ girls helping her when she was very small! Carol (McLeod) & Howard Reeves

I loved the wood floor and Mr. and Mrs. Rooks.  They always made us feel welcome and it was the place my parents grew up skating and then we got to do the same.  I knew where every bump was located on the floor and when first learning to skate, I used that rope in the middle and the walls to bump into.  Oh those large open windows felt good on a hot night. I can remember being awed by how well Joellyn skated! Suzie (Hill) Pippin

I only went a couple of times as I was not a good skater and I got tired of falling and getting all bruised up.  I do remember holding onto the window sills while I went around the rink. There were lots of windows that pushed out and were held up by a stick.  No AC but we didn’t seem to mind.  We were usually hanging out with friends.  It’s amazing that the rink is still open after all these years! Clereen (Morrill) Brunty

I can remember hanging out the windows, because it got so hot.  But the best part was when they were shutting down, and you got to help go around and shut all the windows.  The little Rook girls were so cute and little and on their skates, skating better than everyone else! Melody (Wheeler) Williford

Great music! Sharon (Geiger) Reeves

Didn’t we all find our first love here?  After two hours of skating I would take my skates off and the earth seamed like it stopped spinning while my head couldn’t stop.  I still get that dizzy feeling every time I hear, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree” and the sadness you felt knowing that the night was over! Laura (Heller) Woodham

Having Friday night skate party’s at the roller rink was such a past time. It also helped when you knew the guy behind the counter. It was easier to get your favorite song played and for him to let you skate the other direction! Wendy (Hierlihy) Lair

I would skate there to just have fun! Sarah Baggett

Countdown to Centennial

Countdown to Centennial
By Madonna Jervis Wise and Clereen Morrill Brunty of the 100th Anniversary Committee, ZHS. Article originally appeared in the Zephyrhills News on July 30, 2009.

All rights reserved. Photos © Madonna Jervis Wise

Alumni Reunion

By , 3 February, 2010, No Comment

This story originally ran July 8, 2009. This alumni reunion has already passed. We’ll post details of the 2010 reunion as soon as we get them! Thanks! 🙂

Alumni Reuinion Draws Many Home to the ‘Hills- Gary Hatrick, Laker, July 8, 2009

Almost 400 alumni of Zephyrhills High School attended the 39th Annual ZHS ALumni, Teachers, and Friends Reunion held June 28 at the Lions Club in Zephyrhills.

“The reunion was for anyone who attended, taught or worked at Zephyrhills High School and their families,” said Clereen Morrill Brunty of the Class of ’73. “I think it went better than ever,” Brunty said, “there were a lot of new faces.”

Brunty has coordinated the alumni reunion dinner for about 21 years and has become a fixture to the former students who come from all over the United States to reacquaint themselves with fellow former classmates.

While Brunty has organized the dinner for many years, she does not do it alone. Working with her for the past eight years are PResident Phyllis Jarrett Denney, Class of ’73; Vice President Lenora Pollock Stokes, Class of ’64; Secretary Linda Locke Arrant, Class of ’78; and historian Margaret Seppanen, Class of ’56.

“We just keep getting re-elected every two years,” Brunty said. “We are a good team, we know what’s going on,” This year there was a new addition. Clayton Stokes, Class of ’60 was elected kitchen chairperson.

Reunion registration began at 11 a.m. with a pot-lick luncheon at 1 p.m. Recognition was given to notables like the oldest and youngest ZHS graduate present and the graduate who traveled the farthest as well as teachers past and present. Also classes having their special reunions were recognized.

Zephyrhills 100th Anniversary: Neukom’s Drug Store

By , 2 February, 2010, 2 Comments
Neukom's Drug Store

Neukom's Drug Store

Early in Zephyrhills history, a tradition was born: Neukom’s Drug Store and its unique culture! George Neukom said in a May 15, 2000 St. Petersburg Times interview that his grandmother started the drugstore in 1921. Lorena Mae Leatherman Neukom, affectionately called “Neukie,” opened the store with her husband, Charles. She made several business moves from one corner of the block to another and in 1935 built the brick building that became the permanent location until it closed in 2001.

Neukie was an active member of the staff until age 93 — doing payroll, buying merchandise and keeping the books. She personally picked out all of the merchandise items.

Jon Ferguson, a ZHS grad of 1951, gave us more details.

“I can remember during my senior year at Zephyrhills High School when I was a soda jerk there, folks would come in and ask for Coke syrup for certain cures. I wouldn’t trade my experience there for anything. The drug store was a “hang out” for teenagers after school and after movies. My brother-in-law, Fred Gill, had a key to Neukom’s and he would often open early, make coffee and meet with the early coffee drinkers and play a game called “Scratch.” I never really understood how it worked, but it determined who was paying for the coffee that day.”

When the St. Petersburg Times reported on the closing of Neukom’s Drug Store in 2001, a regular at the time, Gordon Winters, then 88 and a 30-year veteran of the morning coffee ritual said that Neukom’s and the Scratch game were a part of Zephyrhills history…a lot of memories there.

Clereen and I collected a few of the memories to share with The Zephyrhills News readers:

SCRATCH GAME

The Scratch Game brought local politicians, businessmen and other movers and shakers for decades to the corner Neukom’s health food store. The Scratch Game ritual began in 1938, when George Neukom’s grandfather, Charles, invited a couple of his pals for Coca-Cola at the drugstore soda fountain. The local dentist, Dr. B.A. Thomas, became a regular, along with the filling station owner and the city clerk.

Each man chose a number between one and 20. Then one final card printed with those numbers was passed around. Each man scratched out a number other than his own. The person whose number remained unscratched at the end of the game paid for everyone’s coffee.

THE FOOD

“We got a hot dog and a coke for 25 cent.  My mother worked there so I had to try and behave.  There was a juke box for music,” said Phyllis (Geiger) Locke-Debien

Christine (Krusen) Douglas remembers when she would go over to Neukom’s and order a vanilla cake,

“In high school, we went there almost every afternoon to purchase a 5 cent Cherry Coke. I remember the waitress… she was very patient,” said Lynn (Nichols) Timmons

“Visions of comic books, perfume, gifts, lime freeze, limeade without sugar syrup come to mind,” said Diane (Clements) Vilas

“It was the only drug store in town with the best little soda fountain,” said Rose (Potwin) McCarter

“It was always a treat to go to Neukom’s and get a fountain coke then you could go down the street to Elsie’s 5 & 10 and buy something,” said Melody (Wheeler) Williford

“It was a great place for a bowl of soup,” said Sharon (Geiger) Reeves

“Can you believe ice cream cones for a dime—too good to be true,” said Laura (Heller) Woodham

ROMANCE

Son, George Neukom II, said that his first remembrance of his wife, Ann (Smith) Neukom was at the store when she came to sell an advertisement for the ZHS annual called the Zephilsco.

THE GOODS

“Neukom’s was the center of downtown and one source for shopping for gifts as well as health and other products,” said Caroline Marlette, ZHS Teacher, retired

“I remember that my mother purchased a broach every year for my grandmother’s birthday from the jewelry counter at Neukom’s,” said Maria Spoto

DRUG STORE

“My granddaddy would go there to have coffee with his friends while my granny got prescriptions filled there, too,” said Suzie (Hill) Pippin

EXTRAORDINARY FOLKS

“When I was 5 years old, the Neukom’s sponsored me & a friend to ride in a wagon for the town’s Easter Parade,” said Clereen (Morrill) Brunty

“Whatever you needed, Neukom’s had it.  I loved to hear the elder Mrs. (Neukie) Neukom talk,” said Benny Smith.

Countdown to Centennial

Countdown to Centennial
By Madonna Jervis Wise and Clereen Morrill Brunty of the 100th Anniversary Committee, ZHS. Article originally appeared in the Zephyrhills News on July 23, 2009.

All rights reserved. Photos © Madonna Jervis Wise

Zephyrhills 100th Anniversary: Remembering Jimmy Walker

By , 1 February, 2010, 1 Comment

Many residents will recall that Zephyrhills had one public school for most of its history; and all students attended the site at 38505 Tenth Ave. (the current site of R.B. Stewart Middle School). For several years an elementary school on the campus was officially dubbed East Zephyrhills Elementary. Zephyrhills residents undoubtedly have many memories of going through all 12 years of education at that location.

Principal Jimmy Walker with two students

Principal Jimmy Walker with two students

James B. “Jimmy” Walker, who had been principal of East Zephyrhills Elementary, passed away June 20, 2009. Services were held at Sunlake Baptist Church in Lutz on June 23, 2009.

Mr. Walker was a native of Birmingham, Alabama and served in the Sumter County Schools as principal of Coleman Elementary School before coming to Zephyrhills. He graduated from Phillips HIgh School in Birmingham and had a Bachelor’s Degree from Auburn University.

Quite an athlete, he held records in track and field and later served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a forward observer and lieutenant. He was a Deacon in the Baptist Church.

Mr. Walker was very proud of the accomplisments of his students at East Zephyrhills Elementary. One such instance was in October 1972 when student Marple Butch Miller, Jr. prevented another student, Ronnie Smith, from nearly drowning in the HIillsborough River. Mr. Walker thought the event was heroic and interesting enough that he contacted area newpapers so they could do articles about it.

An article about Miller’s rescue of Smith appeared in the Oct. 12, 1972 edition of The Zephyrhills News.

Mr. Walker, who retired from Pasco County Schools, is survived by his wife, Sarah M. “Bettie” Walker, son, Mikel Walker, two daughters, Jamie Susanne Walker O’Carroll and Jimmy Beth Wilson, his brother, Ray E. Walker, and 18 grandchildren. Mikel graduated from Zephyrhills High School in 1973 and Susanne graduated from ZHS in 1978.

Countdown to Centennial

Countdown to Centennial
By Madonna Jervis Wise and Clereen Morrill Brunty of the 100th Anniversary Committee, ZHS. Article originally appeared in the Zephyrhills News on July 16, 2009.

All rights reserved. Photos © Madonna Jervis Wise

Zephyrhills 100th Anniversary: Letter to the Editor

By , 28 January, 2010, 1 Comment

To the Editor,

I am writing about the big Camphor tree near Richland that was featured in the July 16 edition of The Zephyrhills News. I owned my own tree service from 1950 until 1986. During 1959, I got a call to remove a tree limb from this Camphor tree that had been killed by a bolt of lightening and I did the job.

a Mr. Renfroe that was living there told me his ad had planted that tree the day Mr. Renfroe was born and that he was 69 years old at that time (1959) and he and that tree were the same age. I measured that tree at that time and it was 27 or 28 feet around the trunk and the limb spread was about 160 feet from the tip of the limb pointing north to the limb pointing south.

I took measurements of that same tree several times since 1959 and the measurements got bigger both around the trunk and the limb spread. The last time I measured it three or four years ago it was 30 feet around the trunk and had a 164-foot limb spread.

There is a Camphor tree in or near Darby, northwest of Dade City, that some claim is bigger than the one near Richland. The owner of the one at Richland and I talked about going to see the one at Darby but we never did.

The Camphor tree is a native tree of Japan but not of the United States. SO there are probably older and larger Camphor trees in Japan.

I think there was an article about the Camphor tree near Richland in The Zephyrhills News in 1990 when it was 100 years old. I am mentioned in the book ‘Zephyrhills From A to Z.’ The book tells how I did work on this tree. It is the biggest tree I ever worked on.

Arthur Fish, Jr.

Countdown to Centennial

Countdown to Centennial
By Madonna Jervis Wise and Clereen Morrill Brunty of the 100th Anniversary Committee, ZHS. Article originally appeared in the Zephyrhills News on July 23, 2009.

All rights reserved. Photos © Madonna Jervis Wise

Zephyrhills 100th Anniversary: The Camphor Tree

By , 28 January, 2010, 6 Comments

At 119, Zephyrhills’ signature Camphor tree is still remarkable.

In addition to water, parachutes, and friendliness, Zephyrhills has a signature tree-the Camphor tree, northeast of town. Doing some research at the Depot Museum recently, we discovered news coverage has been compiled about our signature camphor tree which majestically adorns the area.

Captain James Polk Renfroe, a Florida Pioneer who engineered the first railroad locomotive from Fernandina Beach in Tampa and whose descendants still live around Zephyrhills, planted the tree 119 years ago. Captain Renfroe brought his wife and three sons  to south Florida in 1881 from Blakshear, Ga. The family came first to Tampa near his railroad business and later moved to Plant City.

After he saw the hills of Pasco County, he and his wife decided to build their home near the small town of Richland. He ordered some trees and shrubs from Washington, D.C., and in the shipment was a small camphor tree (about 12 inches) which Mrs. Renfroe planted on March 3, 1890, the day before her daughter, Mrs. Agnes Roberts, was born.

The signature camphor tree

The signature camphor tree

In 1972, Zephyrhills News reporter Valerie Wickstrom said, “This camphor tree has the record of being the largest in the world. The girth of the trunk is 27 feet, 5 inches.” In 1972, the Pasco County Commission attempted to dedicate the tree as the ‘county tree.’ A Dec. 20, 1989 Tampa Tribune article reported the Zephyrhills camphor was then the second largest camphor tree in the United States. Stan Weston nominated the tree in 1971 for the National Forestry Association’s Listing of Big Trees in the U.S.A.

Capt. Renfroe was a hearty pioneer in Zephyrhills and one of the first to develop the land.  Samuel E. Nyce wrote in his Rise and Progress of Zephyrhills about his visit to Zephyrhills Colony on Nov. 23, 1911. In addition to a detailed description of what the town looked like with the old buildings of the Colony Company, Hennington’s Department Store and three Railroad houses, he talked of having dinner with Capt. Howard Jeffries and then taking an excursion to see a real ‘orange grove’ at Capt. Renfroe’s. He described it as the ‘turning point’ of a pioneers visit because it showed what could be done with the wilderness! (You can read the full account here)

He must have seen the camphor tree in its infancy. What a truly remarkable tree it is at 119 years of age!

What stories are out there about our camphor tree?

Countdown to Centennial

Countdown to Centennial
By Madonna Jervis Wise and Clereen Morrill Brunty of the 100th Anniversary Committee, ZHS. Article originally appeared in the Zephyrhills News on July 16, 2009.

All rights reserved. Photos © Madonna Jervis Wise

Zephyrhills 100th Anniversary: Scotty’s City Drug Store

By , 27 January, 2010, 2 Comments

Isn’t it fascinating that a building can so often evoke memories for us?  Walking into the home of your grandparents or a former school room can bring to mind the sounds, smells, feelings and experiences of different times in our development. As a part of our centennial reminiscing, we have asked alumni to share their favorite locations in Zephyrhills of years past.  It is not surprising that many listed Scotty’s Drug Store as just one of those extraordinary locales.

A bit of research on Scotty’s City Drug Store reveals that this particular building was a bit uncommon in its own right.  The location on the north side of 5th avenue was built in August 1911 by Waldo M. Francisco who built the structure completely on his own with self-crafted blocks. The drug store by the same name opened in 1911 on the location. It has housed several different businesses: Napier Drug Store in 1919; Allen Bickford Drug Store in 1926; City Drug Store in 1930 and Scotty’s City Drug Store through its closing in 1970.

The teens of the 1960’s and 70’s will remember the Scotty’s proprietors who were Scott and Edna Jordan whose children were Randy, Jan and Vicky.

Scotty’s was the first Zephyrhills business to feature a drive-thru window for dispensing prescriptions.  A drive-thru bulletproof window, originally used at a bank, was positioned in the alleyway on the west side of the building.  The drive-thru enabled customers to pick up their medicines without leaving their cars, quite a boom for elderly people and mothers with babies. Mrs. Jordan was also a teacher at ZHS and later served as a guidance counselor at Zephyrhills Junior High School. After leaving Zephyrhills in 1970 the Jordan family had additional adventures. They moved to Inverness and a few years later, they became missionaries to Haiti.  While in Haiti, Scott improvised a system he called “pharmacy on horseback,” enabling doctors to operate clinics and provide much-needed medicine to remote mountain villages.

Here are some local reminiscences of the ambiance of Scotty’s:

“Before it was Scotty’s Drug, it was Bill Skinner’s City Drug and I worked for 50 cents an hour. My routine was to go in before school and fetch 25 pounds of ice from the ice house. I then used a hand machine to crush the ice to be used that day,” said Bill Baker, Class of 1954

George Neukom, Class of 1954 said he recalled the friendly competition with Neukom’s Drug Store.

Ann Brooke Smith Neukom, class of 1958 was a babysitter for the Jordan’s in 1958 and also helped in the drugstore.

Lynn Nichols Timmons, class of 1960 shared that her first job was at Jordan’s, manning the soda counter—selling drinks and ice cream. “I made a whopping fifty cents per hour at age 15,” she exclaimed.

“Daddy would take my brother, Johnny and I there for great hamburgers and milk shakes,” said Diane Clements Vilas, class of 1965

“They had the most wonderful sundaes and shakes in town and town dentist, Dr. Mann would always give his patients a free ice cream cone coupon when you left his office,”  said Suzie Hill Pippin, class of 1973

“It was a great teen hangout and they put real vanilla flavoring in the cokes,” said Clereen Morrill Brunty, class of 1973

“I remember going there many days after school with my friend, Vicki Jordan,” said Jackie Hood Grant, class of 1977

“They had a live radio show and my Grandma Geiger worked at Scotty’s,” said Sharon Geiger Reeves, Class of 1980

Countdown to Centennial

Countdown to Centennial
By Madonna Jervis Wise and Clereen Morrill Brunty of the 100th Anniversary Committee, ZHS. Article originally appeared in the Zephyrhills News on July 9, 2009.

All rights reserved. Photos © Madonna Jervis Wise

Zephyrhills 100th Anniversary: Colonist Article about 4th of July

By , 26 January, 2010, No Comment

4th of July Celebration A Grand Success, Zephyrhills Colonist-July 1912

Largest Crowd Attends Celebration that has ever been in Zephyrhills. Program began at 4:30 A.m. and Lasted until 10:30 p.m. Prof. Sanders and Col. A. S. Gangs Was principal Speakers of the Day.

The celebration at Zephyrhills, on the 4th, was voted by all who attended as complete a success as they ever witnessed, north, south, east or west and the person who was dissatisfied was not heard from. At early dawn, or just before, young American opened the days doings by marching through the principal streets, burning all the powder that he had been able to procure, and by the time he had the last grain fired, the people began to come in from all the country round, so as to be ready for the opening number of the program.

Judge Hunter’s Martial band, sounded the alarm on time, and the old soldiers firing squad, soon appeared with muskets on their shoulders, not quite so spry as they were fifty years ago, but just as proud. Commanded by Colonel F. R. Cox, that old hero of the Rapid Ann, they swung into line, closely followed by Major Charles E. Gibson’s squad of Florida National Guards with their latest improved implements of offense and defense and flanked by civilians, all marched to the G.A. R. Memorial hall, where the ceremony of hoisting “Old Glory” to her elevated perch at the top of their new 66 foot flag pole.

After the great crowd sang “America,” little Miss Gladys Geiger pulled the rope that raised the great symbol of freedom to its lofty heights assisted by Rev. E. F. Gray and President Sola E. Leekley of the W.R.C. This being complete, everybody went inside the great hall where patriotic songs and speeches were enjoyed until 11:30. Floyd A. Gibson acted as chairman of the meeting and Prof. J.W. Sanders and that old warhorse, Col. A.S. Bangs, regaled the audience with their usual silvery tongued oratory.

Dinner was announced and done justice to, and at 1:30 p.m. the sports under the supervision of C.H. McDonald and F.A. Gibson, was opened. The program was a long one and every number was carried out to perfection, lasting until 5 o’clock, when everybody went to supper. At 7:30, the orchestra opened the trouble, the first number being the Zephyrhills Cornet Band, 18 pieces, forming on the stage and singing, “Why don’t the band play Dixie, etc.” They have just received their instruments and were not yet in shape to play. The program was a good one and the house was filled to the doors. The day was ideal, the mercury not running above 82, and many was the assertions that a more pleasant day, both as to weather and program, had never been enjoyed.

When Zephyrhills starts out to do a thing, she never falls down.

Zephyrhills 100th Anniversary: Girls & Boys State

By , 26 January, 2010, No Comment

With July 4th festivities at hand, it seems only appropriate to reflect on citizenship in our Countdown reflections this week.  During July, two ZHS students, Travis Bush and Dylan Moss will be heading to Tallahassee to take part in American Legion Boys State, a mock legislature. They will learn first hand about the multifaceted aspects of our American Governmental system.  Dylan and Travis will be part of a group of ZHS students that date back to 1948.  ZHS is  fortunate to have such a wonderful ongoing partnership with the American Legion Post 118 of Zephyrhills. Commander Keith Holz and Auxiliary Chairperson Cecille Looney have worked with the school in the past few years to select students to represent the school. A central goal of the programs has been to foster leadership skills. In years past, the delegates have given talks in the community and written news reports about their experiences.

The archives of the News are filled with the reports at the Legion and other civic groups.  While at the State Capitol, the delegates simulate an election, generate bills and pass legislation while running a working government. Students are selected competitively at the school by representatives of the Legion and Auxiliary, usually through interview. We thought you might be interested in a recap of the delegates throughout the centennial span:

2009: Travis Bush and Dylan Moss with alternate, Tyler Guy

2008: Brandon Minton, Randall Duffield, Brooke Jensen

2007: Ryan Alderman, Sara Smith

2006: Sederrik Cunningham, Matthew Thomas

2005: Brian Oneill, Brett Ross

2004: Michael Chin, Erik Dokendorf

2003: Alexander Boyle, Daniel, Burgess, Jr., Jacob Cimorelli

2002: Michael Hogard, Greg Mathis, Renee Yonkof

2001: Kristen Benedini [no boy was sent]

2000: Andrew Prilliman, Ashley McGavern, Mamie Wise

1999: Michael Pittman, Sarah Morphew

1998: Dean Collura, Melissa Strozewski

1997: Nick Peacock, Elissa St. Clair

1996: Ryan Dye, Cara Rodgers

1995: Brian Wood, Amanda Schwab

1993: Kamalii Louis “Ricky” Kaina, Mary Lee Going

1992: Daniel Husted, Lori Johnson

1991: Tommy McLeod, Emily Currington

1990: Mark Briggs, Adrian Johnson, Larry Weicht, Heidi Grimes

1989: Tommy Gregory, Doug Kraszka, Angela Riggs

1988: Tim McGavern, Jay Winter

1987: Edwin Amerman, Eric Smith, Christie Spurlock

1986: Steve Bright, Mark Brissette, Amy Williams

1985: Brian Crosby, Joseph Knight

1984: James Baker, John Roux, Pam Bartkowski

1983: David Harwell, David Seidel, Roy Wells, Chris Williams, Tracy Dunlap1982: David Bright, Russell Ellis, Dale Parker, Jimmy Williams, Carolyn Thompson

1981: Steve Kretschmar, Scott Natali, George Patton, Ronald Bryan Woodard, James Wyatt, III, Jodi Nutt

1980: Robert Briggs, Don Jernstrom, Chris Martin, Stan Stinson, Nancy Deboe

1979: Leonard Gehrke, Raymond LaCour, Loren Reed, Lance Alan Smith, Sharon Hastings

1978: Mark Barclay, Alan Corbin, Cliff Gehrke, Steve Spanger, Mona McIntosh

1977: Chris Bahr, Jeff DeWitt, Don Piatt, Fred Rhoda, Jeff Strout, Patricia Inman

1976: Scott Boyd, Ivan Corbin, Glen Howard, Kevin Pappan, Diane Bailey, Luan Gore

1975: Charles Back, Greg Mills, Eric Pirttima, Johanna Newton

1974: Hal Copper, Rodney Ferguson, Doug Lail, Kurt Malmquist, Cheri Wynne

1973: Gerald Eysaman, Jr., Armondo Maniscalco, Paul Regan, Brenda Kendrick

1972: Van McKenzie, Mike Walker, Mike Cox, Phyllis Jarrett (Mike Walker served as President of the Senate)

1971: Don Robinson, Jr., Bruce Vogel, Joni Palmer

1970: Jeff Brown, Larry McDonald, Andrij Neczwid Valerie Wickstrom

1969: Jeff Alston, David Krystofiak, Jim Simons, Julia Phipps

1968: Susanne Douglas

1967: Acie Ellerbe, Danny Pollock, Laura Eloise Hall

1966: Richard Kinney, Raymond Hodges, Jr., Alice Back

1965: Walter Achillich, Tom Porter, Janice McGuffey

1964: David Myers, Larry Turner, Diana Clements

1963: Ray Preston Bolt, John Wintersteen, Cletia Weaver

1962: X.L. Garrison Jr., Robert Johnson, Judy Goulding

1961: Sam Gross, Barbara Russ

1960: Richard Miles, Barbara Higginson

1959: Robert Campbell, Lynn Louise Nichols

1958: Bobby Hinsz, Margie Braden

1957: William McCallister, Glenn Miller, Ann Smith

1956: Barney A. Beach, Paul Canaday, Susanne Coolidge

1955: James Jarrett, Jr., Sarah Peck

1954: Cecil McGavern, Jr., Ruth Aldocosta

1953: Joan Lefler, Dale Vought

1952: Roger Whitworth, Merlene Nelson

1951: John Forbis, Barbara Smith

1950: Rex Gilbreath, Jack Lamb, Marilyn McClellan

1949: Billy “Jook” England, Nancy Skinner

1948: Jack Green, Joan Steve

Countdown to Centennial

Countdown to Centennial
By Madonna Jervis Wise and Clereen Morrill Brunty of the 100th Anniversary Committee, ZHS. Article originally appeared in the Zephyrhills News on July 2, 2009.

All rights reserved. Photos © Madonna Jervis Wise

Zephyrhills 100th Anniversary: Alumni Celebration

By , 25 January, 2010, 2 Comments

How about some camaraderie, fellowship and laughter? Do you need some rejuvenation in the midst of the hot summer months?  Well…reconnecting with friends and classmates will do the trick!

39th Annual ZHS Alumni Event is June 28, 2009.

Our goal for Countdown this week is to extend a hearty invitation to ZHS Alumni and friends to attend the Annual ZHS Alumni Event on Sunday, June 28 , 2009 at the Zephyrhills Lion’s Club located at 5827 Dean Dairy Road at 11:30 a.m.

On Saturday, June 27 , 2009, many alumni will be gathering at the Zephyrhills Depot Museum on South Avenue for a wonderful day of fellowship and reflection!

In honor of this annual friendship celebration, we have chronicled the evolution of the alumni reunion process in our area.  The very first Zephyrhills Alumni gathering occurred in 1931 when graduates from the classes of 1928, 1929 and 1930 congregated at Sunset Beach at Lake Pasadena.  The News reported that music was provided by Uncle Frank Tousey, the genial proprietor of Sunset Beach, who was known for his one-man band entertainment.  A business meeting was held and the officers of the first group were Arthur Austin, President; Tillie Reutimann, Vice President; Edith Plank, Recording Secretary; Sadie Turner, Corresponding Secretary and Charlie Slater, Treasurer. No doubt the stressful years of  the Great Depression in the 1930’s ended the first alumni reunion efforts but it did re-emerge many years later in 1971.

The modern-day alumni group was spearheaded by Jaynell LeHeup Vickers and born out of her own ZHS class of 1950 which graduated 28 students.  At the 20th reunion bash of the class of 1950, several commented that they would enjoy reconnecting with friends and former classmates from other classes as well. Jaynell, known for her energy and willingness to take charge, engaged the challenge and became the organizer for just such a project. She worked for many years in coordinating the alumni event.  Jaynell also wrote a column in the Zephyrhills News for awhile and was a tireless supporter of ZHS. She passed away in 2007 and will of course, be missed at the event this weekend.  While at ZHS, Jaynell was a cheerleader, class secretary, a member of the cast of the plays, Fantasy in the Attic (which she and her classmates wrote) as well as a comedy, Boarding House under the direction of their teacher, Matilda Clement.

What were things like in 1950 in Zephyrhills?

The public school in Zephyrhills (the only one back then) opened that year with a ‘record’ enrollment of 673 of which 281 were high school students.  In Pasco County there were 19 total schools (before integration there were 14 schools for white students and five schools for colored students) with school attendance in the entire county at 3,900. A whopping total of 39 school buses transported children throughout the county (Source: Zephyrhills News, September, 1950).

ZHS alumni and friends are well aware of the tremendous growth of the school and county as many have lived these changes and endured the growing pains.  Throughout the time however, the school has been a source of constancy and regeneration.

This will be realized again at the upcoming weekend’s reunion.  By the way, the current alumni officers are: Phyllis Jarrett Denney – President, Class of 1973; Lenora Pollock Stokes – Vice President, Class of 1964; Linda Locke Arant – Secretary, Class of 1978; Clereen Morrill Brunty – Treasurer & Alumni Contact, Class of 1973 and Margaret Seppanen – Historian, Class of 1956.

The traditions live on!

Countdown to Centennial

Countdown to Centennial
By Madonna Jervis Wise and Clereen Morrill Brunty of the 100th Anniversary Committee, ZHS. Article originally appeared in the Zephyrhills News on June 25, 2009.

All rights reserved. Photos © Madonna Jervis Wise