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Headlines through the years

A look back at the events, people and places that made North Pinellas the unique place that it is. The information is compiled from past editions of the St. Petersburg Times.

By TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published April 30, 2006

APRIL 20, 1936: Movie men take pictures under spring's waters

TARPON SPRINGS - Necessary underwater scenes for the sponge fishing drama being filmed by Republic Productions of Hollywood are now being made at Silver Springs.

The film play is centered on the Tarpon Springs sponge fishing industry, and the necessary cut-in shots of the sponge fleet in Tarpon Springs and the gulf were completed Friday, at which time the group moved on to Ocala to complete the underwater scenes.

Supervisor Armand Shaefer, director Lew Collins and their crew left Friday evening for Silver Springs, Ocala.

Starring in the picture are Ann Rutherford and Russell Hardy, and it is expected that the film will be released for showing in July. The script was written from a story by Eustace L. Adams, novelist and magazine writer of Tarpon Springs.

While the greater part of the picture was made in the Republic Productions studios, the cut-ins made here will transport the entire play to the Tarpon Springs waterfront and the sponge banks of the Gulf of Mexico.

APRIL 21, 1936: Voters must pay their own poll taxes

CLEARWATER - There will be no wholesale payment of poll taxes by political factions in Pinellas County for the primary and general elections this year.

It has been no secret that certain political factions, backing up this or that candidate, have previously paid poll taxes in wholesale lots in order to secure votes. Wilkerson's ruling falls into line with the Junior Chamber of Commerce statewide campaign to prevent this practice. And his action is backed by a Florida law that says a voter's poll tax cannot be paid by an agent.

"My office does not accept poll tax from anyone but the voter himself," Tax Collector D.C. Wilkerson said today. "This year, the tax must come direct, not through any agent."

In previous years, Wilkerson allowed those who were unable to visit his office or branches to sign a sworn statement ascribing their reason for allowing an agent to pay their tax.

Now, if a voter is ill or indisposed, Wilkerson is requiring an attested statement of their condition before he will accept their tax through the mail.

APRIL 30, 1927: Flood victims need clothing donations

CLEARWATER - The Salvation Army has made an appeal for clothing of all kinds for the flood sufferers in the Mississippi valley.

The Clearwater organization will pack and ship all clothing donated by citizens and hurry them to their destinations in the flood district.

B.T. Griffin, Clearwater agent for the American Railway Express Company, has announced that his company will accept and transport free of charge less than carload shipments of clothing and food for flood sufferers in the Mississippi valley territory. Shipments must be addressed in care of the Red Cross or other officially recognized relief organizations.

APRIL 28, 1982: Palm Harbor park to be dedicated

PALM HARBOR - The new "Pop" Stansell Memorial Park on Sutherland Bayou will be dedicated at the third annual Palm Harbor Day celebration Saturday.

The Palm Harbor-Crystal Beach Community Development Advisory Council identified the need for a neighborhood park for the old downtown area of Palm Harbor. The Stansell family donated approximately 5 acres on the gulf, and the Pinellas County Community Development Council provided the necessary money. With the added assistance of the Palm Harbor Civic Club and the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce, which will jointly maintain the park, "Pop" Stansell Memorial Park is now a reality.

The park was named in honor of H.S. Stansell. He came to Florida in a Model T truck and began a fruit-hauling business, the beginning of the large family-owned and operated H.L. Stansell trucking firm now located in Palm Harbor.

Theresa Blackwell compiles the history column. You can reach her at 727 445-4170 or tblackwell@sptimes.com

[Last modified April 30, 2006, 01:26:30]