Title:
The Flaming Sword
Pubication Date:
1935/12/00
Object ID:
PA—0133
Additional Notes & Full Text:
Community Current Events -- December 1935
By Claude J. Rahn
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THE TAMIAMI TRAIL which is the only through route from Tampa to Miami alongthe southwestern coast section of Florida seems to be the object of subtle and organized discrimination on the part of the more populous and wealthier east coast sections of the state, apparently abetted by state highway authorities. While new roads, are being promoted and built and large sums. of money expended for maintenance of highways elsewhere that contribute directly to the particular advantage of east coast areas, the Tamiami Trail is rapidly deteriorating because of neglect and indifference of those having jurisdiction thereof. Here and there along the route niggardly sums have been expended for repairing only the worst places, and as the result of local agitation a, few miles of the road between Fort Myers and the Collier County line passing through Estero are being thinly resurfaced with a cheap and shortlived material. The neglect, of this important highway has had its immediate effect in lessening automobile tourist traffic which naturally seeks the smooth roads now being built and maintained through the middle and east coast sections of the state. Mr. E. 0. Burns and brother, nurserymen of Sarasota, Florida, visited us on the tenth and purchased a truck load of crotons and other ornamental plants. In spite of the severe damage from the cold of last winter many of o'ur rare and tender plants revived with renewed vigor during the past spring and summer months helped greatly by a good rainfall for the season. Sisters Emily Bessemer and Bertha M. Boomer returned on the eleventh from a six weeks' trip in the north, visiting relatives and friends in Washington, Philadelphia and New York City. They reported an enjoyable time and were much benefited by the vacation. Mrs. Marie McConnell of Tampa came for a short visit on. the tenth, also Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Raymond and Miss Cecil Hamilton of Fort Myers. Brother David J. Richards was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. William W. Lamb in Lakeland, Florida, for more than a week during November. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb are old and loyal friends of the members of the Unity and David returned very much refreshed by the change and diversion the visit afforded. Mr. Henry S. Huntington of Massachusetts was our guest on the eighth and ninth. He is interested in the promotion of colonization schemes and came to look over this section of Florida. Dr. and Mrs. E. L. Rasmus'sen and their children, Dudley, Bryden, Geraldine and Edwin, Jr., from Coral Gables, Florida, visited us on Sunday the seventeenth; coming in their finely appointed house car. The children ranging in age from nine to fourteen years brought their mandolins, banjo and guitar and delighted us with an impromptu concert. They played for nearly an hour and displayed talent and aptitude considering their ages and the short time they have been playing together. They have played over the radio in Miami several times and we hope they will be with us again soon. Mr. Jay Smith of Vincennes, Indiana, a noted scientific breeder of queen honey bees, visited us on Saturday, the twenty-third, and was. much interested in our apiary which has been in continuous existence for many years. He contemplates the establishment of a breeding apiary in Florida and is impressed with the possibilities of this vicinity for the purpose. Mr. Irving Rosenzweig of Brooklyn, N. Y., arrived on Sunday, the twenty-fourth for a few days' visit. He is interested in horticultural subjects, particularly the raising of tropical fruits and certain nuts as he has restricted his diet exclusively to vegetables, fruits and nuts, and looks upon the drinking of water 'with aversion. On Tuesday, the twenty-sixth, we had the pleasure of a visit from Brother Franklin F. Jacke's folks from Wisconsin; his mother, Mrs. Theresa Wendt, his sisters, Mrs. Annie Eaton and Mrs. Alice Vollstedt, and his niece, Miss Naomi Eaton, all from Fond du Lac except Mrs. Vollstedt who lives in New Holstein, Wisconsin. Brother Franklin had not seen his mother for more than thirty years and the meeting was naturally an enjoyable affair. They arrived by automobile and left on the thirtieth. Brothers Peter Blem and Daniel McNamara are both very much improved in health and have resumed their normal daily activities. Mr. John Greer who spent the summer visiting with relatives in Iowa is at present stopping with Mrs. Lillian E. Rugg in Estero. The onward rush of King Boreas from his icy throne in the Arctic has reached us way down south, but so far only to stimulate our jaded selves after the long months of warmth and moisture. Now begins the most delightful period of the year and until next. spring perhaps no place in earth is so enjoyable as Florida. And all the world seems' to know it, too, in the effort made by countless thousands trekking southward. Man has selected Florida as a desirable place to dwell during the winter months through the exercise of his rational faculties, while the world of bird life has arrived through their instinctive faculty. They are now with us in great variety.
By Claude J. Rahn
-----------------------------------------------------------
THE TAMIAMI TRAIL which is the only through route from Tampa to Miami alongthe southwestern coast section of Florida seems to be the object of subtle and organized discrimination on the part of the more populous and wealthier east coast sections of the state, apparently abetted by state highway authorities. While new roads, are being promoted and built and large sums. of money expended for maintenance of highways elsewhere that contribute directly to the particular advantage of east coast areas, the Tamiami Trail is rapidly deteriorating because of neglect and indifference of those having jurisdiction thereof. Here and there along the route niggardly sums have been expended for repairing only the worst places, and as the result of local agitation a, few miles of the road between Fort Myers and the Collier County line passing through Estero are being thinly resurfaced with a cheap and shortlived material. The neglect, of this important highway has had its immediate effect in lessening automobile tourist traffic which naturally seeks the smooth roads now being built and maintained through the middle and east coast sections of the state. Mr. E. 0. Burns and brother, nurserymen of Sarasota, Florida, visited us on the tenth and purchased a truck load of crotons and other ornamental plants. In spite of the severe damage from the cold of last winter many of o'ur rare and tender plants revived with renewed vigor during the past spring and summer months helped greatly by a good rainfall for the season. Sisters Emily Bessemer and Bertha M. Boomer returned on the eleventh from a six weeks' trip in the north, visiting relatives and friends in Washington, Philadelphia and New York City. They reported an enjoyable time and were much benefited by the vacation. Mrs. Marie McConnell of Tampa came for a short visit on. the tenth, also Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Raymond and Miss Cecil Hamilton of Fort Myers. Brother David J. Richards was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. William W. Lamb in Lakeland, Florida, for more than a week during November. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb are old and loyal friends of the members of the Unity and David returned very much refreshed by the change and diversion the visit afforded. Mr. Henry S. Huntington of Massachusetts was our guest on the eighth and ninth. He is interested in the promotion of colonization schemes and came to look over this section of Florida. Dr. and Mrs. E. L. Rasmus'sen and their children, Dudley, Bryden, Geraldine and Edwin, Jr., from Coral Gables, Florida, visited us on Sunday the seventeenth; coming in their finely appointed house car. The children ranging in age from nine to fourteen years brought their mandolins, banjo and guitar and delighted us with an impromptu concert. They played for nearly an hour and displayed talent and aptitude considering their ages and the short time they have been playing together. They have played over the radio in Miami several times and we hope they will be with us again soon. Mr. Jay Smith of Vincennes, Indiana, a noted scientific breeder of queen honey bees, visited us on Saturday, the twenty-third, and was. much interested in our apiary which has been in continuous existence for many years. He contemplates the establishment of a breeding apiary in Florida and is impressed with the possibilities of this vicinity for the purpose. Mr. Irving Rosenzweig of Brooklyn, N. Y., arrived on Sunday, the twenty-fourth for a few days' visit. He is interested in horticultural subjects, particularly the raising of tropical fruits and certain nuts as he has restricted his diet exclusively to vegetables, fruits and nuts, and looks upon the drinking of water 'with aversion. On Tuesday, the twenty-sixth, we had the pleasure of a visit from Brother Franklin F. Jacke's folks from Wisconsin; his mother, Mrs. Theresa Wendt, his sisters, Mrs. Annie Eaton and Mrs. Alice Vollstedt, and his niece, Miss Naomi Eaton, all from Fond du Lac except Mrs. Vollstedt who lives in New Holstein, Wisconsin. Brother Franklin had not seen his mother for more than thirty years and the meeting was naturally an enjoyable affair. They arrived by automobile and left on the thirtieth. Brothers Peter Blem and Daniel McNamara are both very much improved in health and have resumed their normal daily activities. Mr. John Greer who spent the summer visiting with relatives in Iowa is at present stopping with Mrs. Lillian E. Rugg in Estero. The onward rush of King Boreas from his icy throne in the Arctic has reached us way down south, but so far only to stimulate our jaded selves after the long months of warmth and moisture. Now begins the most delightful period of the year and until next. spring perhaps no place in earth is so enjoyable as Florida. And all the world seems' to know it, too, in the effort made by countless thousands trekking southward. Man has selected Florida as a desirable place to dwell during the winter months through the exercise of his rational faculties, while the world of bird life has arrived through their instinctive faculty. They are now with us in great variety.