Not exactly what I expected . . .

So, last night yours truly whipped-up some bow tie pasta.

Made so much, in fact, that we had abundant leftovers around this little corner of heaven.

Now, that's not a frequent occurence!

Anyway, I packed up some of the leftovers in one of the handy dandy containers I found in ye olde cubbard.

Confession: I cannot seem to bring myself to throw out any old containers.

I guess, I got bit bad by the recycling bug.

Or, more likely, I'm just too cheap to buy Tupperware.

At any rate, the container I pulled out of the cubbard was an old "Country Crock" tub. Kinda tacky, but it did the job.

The problem today, is I only now discovered that during the mad scramble to get out the door this morning I picked up the actual tub of "Country Crock" out of the refirgerator instead of the leftover pasta.

Faux butter just isn't appetizing . . . at least not on its own.

Guess this means I need to run out for lunch.

Maybe, I should buy some Gladware while I'm out?

Red Box

Is it just this little corner of heaven, or are these Red Box things sprouting up all over the place?

Yours truly stumbled across one today during a run to ye olde neighborhood grocery store.

Thought I'd give it a try.

Amazingly simple.

Almost TOO simple.

Must be why Blockbuster and Netflix are hurting so much lately . . .

For more info, check out www.redbox.com

Cheers.

One place, many definitions

Many years ago, Ruth Linton told me it was impossible to define Pine Castle in geographic terms. "It's more of a state of mind," she said.

To be sure, folks struggled to define the region surrounding the Conway chain of lakes south of Orlando as far back as recorded history survives around this little corner of heaven.

Government surveyor Benjamin Whitner flattered the man who signed his federal contract in the 1830s by naming the chain "Conway" after him.

But, according to one of the letters in my current anthology project, Will Wallace Harney claims the Seminoles called the area "Okehitanatchee." According to him, this translated as "land of fair waters." (Can anyone confirm or refute this?)

Harney originally dubbed his vast estate on the shores of Lake Conway, "Okatoulypes." As noted in a previous post, I have no idea what that word might mean. Sounds Greek, no?

Anyway, Harney eventually settled on the more rustic term, "Pine Castle." His neighbors liked it so well, they began applying it to the entire area.

At different times since then, Pine Castle has extended as far north as Michigan Street in Orlando and as far south as the Osceola County line.

For a brief time, from the Florida Land Boom of the 1920s until the Great Depression, Pine Castle was an incorporated town.

The name "Pine Castle" still survives today, and is celebrated with an annual festival. (See http://pinecastlepioneerdays.org)

But, you never hear anyone using the name "Okatoulypes" or "Okehitnatchee" anymore . . .

If this doesn't make you go Vegan . . .

. . . at least it will make you question what went into bringing home the bacon.



The following gem of a quote comes from the Will Wallace Harney anthology project. He included it in an 1871 letter:



"Everything that buzzes or flies, everything that bites or stings is familiar in Florida. The red bug, of the loathsome chinch genus I think, buries itself under the cuticle and makes a purulent sore. Mosquitos [sic] and sand flies, of course. In Northern Florida is a curious variety of the first, called the blind mosquito. It flies in clouds, darkening the air and fouling the dishes. So abundant are they said to be--I give the story for what it is worth--that hogs are fattened on their carcasses. How would you like such indirect cannibalism as eating mosquito-fed pork?"

It's all Greek to me!

One of the most frustrating things I've encountered in the current anthology project is the affinity Will Wallace Harney had for ancient languages.

Even more frustrating has been the process of trying to translate the Latin and Greek quotes that pepper his writings.

Fortunately, a lot of them come from classic texts. So, I eventually find something after a few Google searches.

But, I'm stumped when it comes to these two words:

OIKAMOULYSSES - He used this as his signature on one 1871 letter.

OKATOULYPES - He included this in the byline of an 1872 letter, indicating that he used it as the name of his estate before he settled on the more familiar "Pine Castle."

Any help deciphering these words would be greatly appreciated.

Warning, there may be some orthographic problems. Harney's original letters were handwritten, in cursive script. Then a typesetter up in Cincinnati put them into print. Then a professor made photocopies back in the 1970s. And, now my weary eyes are involved.

Harney quote of the day

In the ongoing anthology project, yours truly came across this rather timely quote from Will Wallace Harney.

Well, perhaps "timely" isn't the best adjective, given that it dates from 1872. But, he did write it in AUGUST of that year . . .

Anyway, I hope you enjoy his modest wit as much as I do:

I consider myself a remarkable man. I am that identical “prominent citizen” whose “views on the great political issues of the day” the Commercial doesn’t care for. All others are worried to “tell all they know in five words.” My opinions, like home brewed ale or blackberry wine, are set aside to cool or gather bouquet and are never destined to be sold over the public counter at twenty-five cents a drink.

An indicator of things to come?

Well, it seems outside of this dryer there wasn't much enthusiasm for yesterday's primary election in Orange County.

Only 129,343 folks actually cast ballots . . . that's about 21% of registered voters.

Still, I'm told that is good for a primary in an off-year. Really?! 21% is good?!

Of those who did get off their rumps to vote, it would appear the enthusiasm is decidedly on the Republican side.

Orange County as a whole is 44% Democrat, 31% Republican, and 25% other.

Yesterday, the percentages were 53% Republican, 38% Democrat, and 9% other.

If this level of enthusiam can be sustained til the general election, it will definitely be a November to Remember.

Exercise your franchise!

It's Primary Day in Florida!

Primary endorsements - part 9

Just to recap my picks in tomorrow's primary election:

Florida Attorney General: Pam Bondi

State Representative (District 36): Greg Reynolds

Orange County School Board Chair: Bill Sublette

Orange County Commission (District 5): Ted Edwards

U.S. Senate: Marco Rubio

U.S. Congress (District 8): Kurt Kelly

Orange County Mayor: undecided . . . (leaning toward Jacobs as of this moment)

Florida Governor: also undecided . . . (leaning toward Scott as of this moment)

Primary endorsements - part 8

Yours truly had to save the GOP primary for Florida Governor til last in this series about the upcoming primary.

This one got down and dirty, and it did so WAY too fast.

In fact, I would venture to say the real winner in all this mudslinging is Alex Sink.

What ever happened to the good ole days of never speaking ill of another Republican?

If you believe the ads being put out by Attorney General Bill McCollum and political outsider Rick Scott, both men are rabid abortionists?

Hardly.

It's time to tamp down the vitriole, guys.

I suppose I give Scott credit for the "Let's get back to work" theme. At the very least, that indicates that he gets it on some level that folks in this state are more worried about their jobs than anything else.

At the end of the day, I think what Florida Republicans have to decide is whether McCollum has spent the last three decades as "a political insider" or "a trusted public servant."

Hold your nose and pick one. That's what I'm doing this Tuesday.

Primary endorsements - part 7

Yours truly has no idea who he will vote for when it comes to the race for Orange County Mayor: Matt Falconer, Teresa Jacobs, Bill Segal, or Linda Stewart.

Some would call Falconer a radical, others a gadfly. I've had the opportunity to meet him personally on a couple of occasions, and have read the book he published about the virtues of consolidating local government. I don't buy-in to that notion, but I do like how he's making the establishment quake . . . even if only so slightly.

Jacobs is a former commissioner who jumped in later than the rest. I like her personally, but question the whole fire in the belly thing.

A lot of developers I know are supporting Segal (my current commissioner), saying he has a pro-business common sense. On the other hand, he and his wife have given a LOT of money to some extreme left-wingers. I don't like the implications that has for how he'd behave during the 2012 presidential race.

Stewart (another incumbent commissioner) is unabashedly liberal, and you have to respect that. You may not always agree with her on policy (and I almost never do), but you do always know where she will stand. And, she has been very supportive of efforts to preserve our local history.

Bottom line: pick one. This one looks like it's headed for a run-off, anyway. So, the real decision won't have to be made til November . . .

Primary endorsements - part 6

If ye socks needed any indication just how anxious we are in this little corner of heaven to be rid of the walking embarassment who "represents us" in Congress, ye need only take a look at just how crowded the GOP primary is to topple him. The candidates are:

Ross Bieling
Dan Fanelli
Kurt Kelly
Todd Long
Bruce O'Donoghue
Patricia Sullivan
Dan Webster

Of Bieling and Fanelli, I know very little. I don't think anyone considers them to be serious contenders, though they could play spoilers in a race where every percent of the vote counts.

Sullivan is closely associated with the TEA Party folks around here, but her base seems to be primarily in Lake County.

Long comes with some serious baggage, left over from his race for this same seat two years ago. His frequent air time on local radio and the early and broad distribution of a book this year have kept him in the race. But, he is clearly not the best candidate.

The top tier, then, are Kelly, O'Donoghue, and Webster.

Frankly, yours truly would not be disappointed with any of these guys.

Webster has been a personal favorite since he endorsed Mike Huckabee back in 2008. He is a well-known quantity in these parts as the former leader of the state senate and, more recently, for investigating the shenanigans over at the Expressway Authority. The only knock on him is that he explicitly bowed-out of the race last year, only to jump back in later. This leaves me questioning whether he really has the fire in his belly to take on the dastardly incumbent . . .

I have had the opportunity to meet O'Donoghue over breakfast, and found him to be a charming (albeit understated) gentleman. He is "one of us," and as such would truly be representative of the district. But, I am concerned that he may be too urbane. How will he stack-up against the overwhelming personality of the general election opponent?

I have also had the opportunity to meet Kelly on a couple of occasions, most recently just this morning. He has already earned the endorsements of many of my friends and relations. After looking him in the eye and hearing his responses to today's questions about the campaign, I have been swayed into his camp. (Check out Kurt's site at http://www.kellyforcongress.com .)

But, again, I can live with any of the last three candidates. All are infinitely better than the goofball who currently disgraces Florida's 8th District.

Primary endorsements - part 5

This one should come as no surprise to ye socks.

Marco Rubio is my pick in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate.

A lot of us around this little corner of heaven were relishing the thought of his trouncing Charlie Crist, but I guess Governor Q-Tip will have to wait til November . . .

The two remaining opponents on the ballot (Billy Kogut and William Esoffery) stand no chance.

To find out more about this rising star, check out his website: http://www.marcorubio.com

Primary endorsements - part 4

Another non-partisan race to pick today.

This time, it's for the Orange County Commission seat being vacated by Bill Segal.

The candidates are Segal's predecessor Ted Edwards and Maitland Mayor Doug Kinson.

Again, though this is supposed to be non-partisan, the party affiliations are known. This time, though, both are Republicans. So, that can't be the deciding factor . . .

At the end of the day, I guess I'll have to go with Edwards since he's been on the commission before and can hit the ground running during a year when there is going to be so much turnover on the board.

To find out more about Ted, check out his site: http://www.tededwardscampaign.com

Primary endorsements - part 3

OK, let's throw a non-partisan race into the mix.

In this little corner of heaven, we will soon have our first ELECTED school board chair.

The candidates are former state legislature Bill Sublette, former county commissioner Homer Hartage, and schoolteacher Leona Rachman.

Despite the non-partisan label on this race, Hartage is a well-known Democrat. I couldn't find anything on Rachman.

Sublette, on the other hand, is a Republican. He nearly beat Ric Keller in the party primary to succeed Bill McCollum in Congress back in the 1990s.

No use crying over all the spilled milk in District 8, though. Congress's loss is the school board's gain if you join me in voting for Bill.

To find out more about his campaign, check out this site: http://www.sublette4chair.com

Primary endorsements - part 2

There are two good Republican candidates in the race to topple incumbent State Rep. Scott Randolph.

They are Craig McCarthy and Greg Reynolds.

McCarthy is a lawyer. Reynolds is a small businessman.

Guess which one I prefer right off the bat?!

The local paper interviewed and liked both of them, but said McCarthy was more excited about federal issues than he was about the nuts-and-bolts kind of stuff he'd have to tackle in the state legislature.

Reynolds is ready for those nuts-and-bolts, and thus has my vote. You can find out more about him at his site: http://www.electgregreynolds.com

Primary endorsements - part 1

With just a few weeks left before we head to the polls in this little corner of heaven, yours truly has received his official "sample ballot" in the mail and begun researching the candidates.

Thought I'd spend the next few days figuring out who to vote for.

Keep in mind, the posts will be limited in scope by ye olde party affiliation and official residence.

The first race is for the Republican nomination to become the next Florida Attorney General.

The candidates are attorney Pam Bondi, former Hillsborough County legislator Holly Benson, and Jeff Kotkamp (the current lieutenant governor).

I know this may be irrational, but Kotkamp immediately gets scratched off my list due to his association with Charlie Crist. Unfair? Maybe. But, it is what it is.

Couldn't find out much about Benson, but do recognize Pam Bondi from her occasional commentary on FoxNews. I also liked what I saw on her website (www.pambondi.com) about how she will continue Bill McCollum's fight against imposing ObamaCare on Floridians. And, she had some good things to say about preventing mortgage fraud and identity theft. I'm ready to give her a shot at the job.

Dumping Bright House

OK, finally had it with not-so-bright louse.

Switching to AT&T U-verse.

The Rossini connection

Yours truly has never fully understood all the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th.

Friday has always been one of my favorite days of the week.

And, the number 13 has always been lucky for me.

But, I guess the trouble comes in the combination of the two . . .

Anyway, I learned today that the superstition doesn't have very deep roots.

In fact, the earliest DOCUMENTED mention of it was in 1869, when biographer Henry Sutherland Edwards wrote about Italian opera composier Gioachino Rossini:

" . . . like so many other Italians, he regarded Friday as an unlucky day, and thirteen as an unlucky number, it is remarkable that on Friday, the 13th of November, he died."

Daily history lesson over. Be safe out there, ye socks!

A little on the dark side, no?

Just so ye socks will have some idea of the sort of material I'm sorting thru during the preparation of the Harney anthology, at least when it comes to his poetry, I thought I'd share this little bit composed back in 1858. Many of his contemporaries considered it his best work:

THE STAB

On the road, the lonely road,
Under the cold white moon,
Under the ragged trees he strode;
He whistled and shifted his weary load--
Whistled a foolish tune.

There was a step timed with his own,
A figured that stooped and bowed--
A cold, white blade that gleamed and shone,
Like a splinter of daylight downward thrown--
And the moon went behind a cloud.

But the moon came out so broad and good,
The barn-fowl woke and crowed;
The roughed his feathers in drowsy mood,
And the brown owl called to his mate in the wood,
That a dead man lay on the road.

These things just escape me . . .

Still working on ye olde anthology project, and am experiencing some mild frustration. Maybe, ye socks can help?

In the effort to collect the known writings of local author Will Wallace Harney, I have been unable to locate any copies of the newspaper he wrote in the 1880s: "The Kissimmee Bitter Sweet."

I have also been unable to find four items he published in The Southern Bivouac:

• “City Building in the South,” particularly intriguing to local historians as it was published in the wake of Harney’s subdivision of his homestead land and the arrival of the South Florida Railroad in Pine Castle.
• “Nirvana,” evidently a poem.
• “Orange Culture,” possibly a condensed version of the material on this subject that appeared in his earlier letters.
• “Wild Life in the Seventies,” also probably drawn from his earlier letters.

Any help/suggestions greaty appreciated!

Bad roommate?

Ever had to live with someone you just didn't like?

Well . . .

Yours truly kinda finds himself in that position as he pores over the Harney letters mentioned in the previous post.

See, when you write about another human being, its a lot like he (or she) moves-in with you for the duration of the project. At least, that's been my experience this time around. You go to bed thinking about the subject, and you wake up thinking about him or her. They're always around.

It helps if you like theperson.

But, the more I read of Harney's writings, the more I find he's not exactly pedestal material.

Guess that just makes him human?

The History Center

Thanks go out to Jim Robison today for pointing yours truly in the driection of The History Center in downtown Orlando.

In the ongoing effort to collect the writings of local author Will Wallace Harney, I made contact with research librarian Tana Porter about a cache of his letters that are in their collection.

Imagine my surprise when I got down there this morning to discover that I recognized Tana as one of the volunteers who helped show ye olde abode during the College Park Historic Homes Tour a couple of years ago! Small world!

Anyway, she kindly provided me access to said letters and I spent some time making an index to aid in the compilation of an anthology I hope will be completed in time for Pioneer Days' November 4th launch party . . . didn't realize how extensive the collection was going to be . . . when it rains it pours!

Even if ye socks aren't a research geek like yours truly, The History Center is a must-see if your weekend itinerary carries you downtown. They are located at 65 East Central Boulevard. For more info, see their website at: http://www.thehistorycenter.org

Pine Castle in WWII - part 6

Local servicemen enumerated in the 1945 Florida state census (name, address, age, place of birth, branch of service):

Singletary, Ralph
Box 172
33
SC
HS
Air Corps

Slusher, Matt
Pinecastle
23
KY
HS
Air

Snow, Julius
Box 1012
23
IL
HS
Army

Spotswood, Lt. Henry
Box 334
28
VA
College
Air Corps

Stiber, Edmund
Rte 1, Orlando
30
WI
HS
Army

Streechon, George P.
Belle Isle
25
NJ
College
Army

Strout, William
Pinecastle
24
MA
HS
Air Corps

Sunday, Bryan
Box 140
22
FL
HS
Army

Sunday, Joseph
Box 140
24
FL
10th
Navy

Taylor, Ellis G.
PC Hotel
23
VA
HS
Army

Taylor, Orvis
Box 565
28
FL
8th
Navy

Taylor, Vernon
Rte 1, Orlando
19
MO
College
Navy

Taylor, William R.
216 Jackson
26
NJ
8th
Army

Teagarden, Jack
Box 504
45
WV
HS
Army

Todd, Jean
Box 614
23
FL
7th
Army

Todd, Walter
Box 614
19
FL
10th
Army

Tyner, Herbert
Box 562
34
FL
HS
Navy

Vise, Harley J.
Rte 1, Orlando
23
OK
HS
Air

Vise, Lee P.
Rte 1, Orlando
17
OK
HS
Navy

Wallezer, William
Box 572
23
KY
10th
Air Corps

Wilder, John C.
Box 46
28
FL
HS
Navy

Williams, Edward
Box 133
22
FL
8th
Army

Willis, William
Box 142
22
NY
College
Army

Wills, Clinton E.
Pinecastle
21
FL
College
Army

Wilson, Leroy
Rte 1, Orlando
29
FL
11th
Paratrooper

Woodward, P.L.
Rte 1, Orlando
37
GA
HS
Navy

Yaeger, Emory, Jr.
Pinecastle
29
WV
College
Air

Pine Castle in WWII - part 5

Local servicemen enumerated in the 1945 Florida state census (name, address, age, place of birth, branch of service):

Milcer, Karel
Box 1106
46
NE
College
Army

Millard, Thomas
Rte 1, Orlando
38
WI
HS
Air

Milton, James A.
Box 1018
32
IN
12th
Army

Milward, Thomas J.
Rte 1, Orlando
38
WI
HS
Air Corps

Moore, Edgar
Box 616
18
GA
8th
Navy

Morgret, Melvin
Box 1004
23
MI
HS
Army

Neff, Harold H.
Pinecastle
25
DE
College
Army

Nelson, H.J.
5 Main St
25
AR
6th
Army

Patterson, H.F.
Rte 1, Orlando
31
TX
HS
Air

Perna, Anthony
Rte 2
24
Italy
8th
Army

Pound, Wayne
Box 515
18
NC
11th
Navy

Prescott, Gordon E.
Rte 1, Orlando
29
NH
HS
Army

Price, Lester
Pinecastle
24
OK
College
Army

Profit, Robert
Box 2101
35
AL
HS
Army

Rand, Sumner G., Jr.
Box 142
21
FL
College
Army

Ratigan, Joe A.
Rte 1, Orlando
27
IL
College
Army

Ray, Frank H.
Box 647
30
AL
HS
Air Corps

Reed, James R.
Rte 1, Orlando
39
AL
College
Army

Remington, Gerald
Box 542
32
MI
9th
Air

Robb, William
Box 177
30
PA
10th
Air Corps

Robinson, Durance
Rte 1, Orlando
38
FL
Grammar
Aircraft

Roop, Albert P.
Dixie Hwy
28
PA
12th
Army

Scarboro, Hudson, Jr.
Box 1004
19
FL
8th
Navy

Schmelzer, William
Rte 1, Orlando
37
CT
College
Army

Schmidt, Howard
115 Gatlin Ave
28
OH
College
Air Force

Schwartz, Lt. Jack B.
Pinecastle
23
__
College
Air

Shanibarger, John E.
Pinecastle
29
FL
HS
Navy

Pine Castle in WWII - part 4

Local servicemen enumerated in the 1945 Florida state census (name, address, age, place of birth, branch of service):

Heim, Col. Charles
19 PC
37
NY
College
Army

Hibbs, Edgar
Pinecastle
24
NC
HS
Air Corps

Hunt, Paul
Box 234
30
TX
HS
Air Corps

Innscone, Salvatore
Box 14
20
NY
10th
Army

Ives, Edward
Pinecastle
22
CO
HS
Air Corps

Jeunck, George M.
Box 613
20
OR
HS
Navy

Jeunck, Stanley W.
Box 613
18
OR
HS
Navy

Jones, George
Box 503
31
NJ
8th
Air

Jones, James
Box 611
22
FL
College
Navy

Jones, Thomas C.
31 Gatlin Ave
34
Mexico
College
Army

Kegley, Carl N.
Pinecastle
29
MN
8th
Army

King, Clarence E.
Box 196
34
TX
HS
Air Force

Knutson, Raymond
Box 1105
26
WI
8th
Army

Kuhn, TSgt. Milton
Box 1749
29
PA
College
Air

Lagenstein, Simm
Lakeside Pk
36
IL
8th
Army

Lain, Wilbur
Rte 1, Orlando
22
NY
HS
Air

Lamb, Leroy
Rte 1, Orlando
25
FL
HS
Army

Latty, Raymond W.
Box 162
27
GA
7th
Army

Lawson, Hamp
Box 1004
22
GA
9th
Army

Lesser, Robert T.
Pinecastle
25
PA
HS
Air

Mallory, L.B.
Box 1081
25
NC
HS
Army

Mayotte, Robert A.
Box 1004
23
NY
HS
Army

McChesney, Donald
Rte 1, Orlando
49
NY
University
Army

McKorle, Robert
Box 234
21
AL
College
Air Force

McKorle, William
Box 234
23
AL
College
Merchant Marine

McMurray, Paul T.
Box 1111
26
OH
College
Army

Meloon, Donald
Box 546
25
NH
HS
Navy

Pine Castle in WWII - part 3

Local servicemen enumerated in the 1945 Florida state census (name, address, age, place of birth, branch of service):

Dean, Lt. Herbert
Rte 1, Orlando
25
AL
HS
Army


Derrick, Frank J.
Pinecastle
25
SC
University
Army


Derrick, John W.
Pinecastle
26
SC
HS
Army


Deware, Robert
Box100
22
RI
HS
Army


Dibble, Robert
Box 1124
25
WI
College
Army


Dysart, Blaine
Box 1001
23
TX
College
Air Force


Farish, Francis R.
Rte 1, Orlando
30
AL
HS
Army


Faulkner, O.G.
Box 162
22
TN
8th
Army


Fields, William
Pinecastle
30
NJ
HS
Air Corps


Ford, Robert E.
Box 541
38
VA
JH
Army


Gabel, Capt. Norman
ATTAC
38
MI
11th
Army


Garvin, William
Pinecastle
21
FL
HS
Army


Gates, Denver L.
21 PC
36
WV
HS
Army


Gelm, John R.
RFD 112
27
PA
HS
Army


Gelm, John W.
RFD 112
29
PA
HS
Army


Glancy, J.D.
Pinecastle
28
PA
HS
Army


Gould, Robert
Box 1036
18
FL
HS
Navy


Graham, John B.
Rte 1, Orlando
24
IA
College
Navy


Graves, Corp. William A.
Pinecastle
32
OH
College
Air Corps


Gurnayke, Lt. Richard
115 Gatlin Ave
32
NJ
College
Army


Hall, Raymond
Rte 1, Orlando
27
MO
8th
Army


Hall, Robert C., Jr.
Rte 1, Orlando
17
MO
9th
Navy


Hansel, Robert J.
Pinecastle
23
FL
10th
Navy


Hansen, Harvey
Rte 1, Orlando
38
IL
HS
Army


Hayes, Charles
Box 515
19
FL
9th
Navy


Hayes, Perry
Box 515
22
SC
9th
Air


Head, A. Jack
Rte 1, Orlando
27
IN
College
Air Corps

Pine Castle in WWII - part 2

Local servicemen enumerated in the 1945 Florida state census (name, address, age, place of birth, branch of service):


Allen, Peg
Box 565
23
MN
HS
Army

Alrich, Hartley W.
Box 603
18
FL
Grammar
Navy

Alrich, William H.
Box 603
23
FL
Grammar
Navy

Anderson, Charles
Rte 1, Orlando
27
KY
HS
Air

Baker, Fred F.
Rte 1, Orlando
25
IL
HS
Air

Barcus, Warren
Pinecastle
24
IA
HS
Army

Bardenbier, Arthur R.
Rte 1, Orlando
23
MO
College
Army

Barksdale, Marvin
Box 1023
30
GA
9th
Sea Bees

Batthelia, Frank
Pinecastle
28
PA
HS
Air

Beezley, John
Box 1095
31
NE
9th
Air

Berdanier, John
Pinecastle
24
NY
HS
Air Corps

Biles, Robert B.
Conway Rd
36
NC
College
Army

Black, Fred H.
Rte 1, Orlando
32
FL
HS
Air

Bowen, John H.
Rte 1, Orlando
30
IN
College
Anti-aircraft

Bratcher, Andrew
Pinecastle
24
FL
College
Army

Butt, Thomas
Rte 1, Orlando
26
FL
College
Navy

Cannon, William D.
Oak Island
28
FL
College
Army

Cannon, Cklyde C.
Box 162
26
TX
College
Army

Carter, Fred
Box 522
31
FL
9th
Army

Clements, Lt. R.E.
Box 334
29
WI
College
Air

Cobb, Ovie E.
Conway Rd
24
AL
12th
Army

Cochrane, Donald
Box 1114
27
FL
College
Air

Collan, Robert
Box 1126
23
KY
HS
Army

Crawford, Gerald B.
Box 155
18
FL
HS
Army

Crosley, Wayne D.
Rte 1, Orlando
18
FL
College
Army

Curry, James
Rte 1, Orlando
20
FL
HS
Air

Dale, Johnny E.
Rte 1, Orlando
22
FL
10th
Army

Pine Castle in WWII - Part 1

In preparing for the next Pine Castle Pioneer Days festival, we are seeking information, photos, memorabilia, and interviews from folks who lived in this little corner of heaven during the Second World War.

Everything we collect will be considered for publication in the festival magazine.

The next few days' posts here will list the names of the servicemen who were enumerated as residents of Pine Castle in the Florida state census of 1945.

If any of ye socks have anything to share about them or any others who weren't enumerated, shoot an email to pinecastlepioneerdays@hotmail.com.

Oh, how times have changed

Yours truly thought ye socks would enjoy the following excerpt from one of the old Harney letters I mentioned a couple of days ago. He is responding to an unflattering editorial about Florida that appeared in a New Orleans newspaper in late 1875:

It is not pleasant to observe that an editor of ability and character goes out of his way in a little jealousy of the prosperity of a sister State to associate the origin of Florida’s present popularity with persons of pronounced unpopularity in the South,* as if that could affect her deserving. The real cause of Florida’s occupying so much attention in current literature is that her scenery is yet wild, novel and fresh. The stated sameness of civilization has not shaped it into rectangular monotony; and the romance of Spanish possessions and Indian warfare still lingers, leaving footsteps on her mounds.

I wonder what he'd say about the present "rectangular monotony?!!?" I guess we caught up with our Louisiana cousins . . .

*He refers to Harriet Beecher Stow and her family, who had recently relocated to Florida.

This isn't your mother's Wonderland

I suppose that should have been a given with Tim Burton directing the latest version of Lewis Carroll's classic "Alice in Wonderland."

Edgy, at least for what should be a kids movie.

I don't know how many little kids I'd let watch this without some reassuring supervision.

But, it's a visual feast that any adult will appreciate.

Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen of Hearts are particularly eye-grabbing.

This makes up for the rather ho-hum adaptation.

The only truly disappointing part of this film was the ending, which leaves the female protagonist becoming a merchant.

That's right, a merchant. Exciting, no?

Bottom line: Worth watching, especially if you know someone named Alice who you can tease about it later . . .