Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

1944: Tourists say cold snap too brisk

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 23, 2007

Dec. 16, 1944

CLEARWATER - With Clearwater in the grip of the coldest weather in years, there was the anticipated grumbling among a certain class of tourists yesterday, most of it directed at the lack of heating facilities in rental properties.

A typical complaint was voiced by an elderly gentleman, who walked into a downtown drugstore wearing old-fashioned earmuffs. The druggist listened courteously as the customer unburdened his mind on Florida climate in general and Clearwater's in particular.

Then the druggist inquired: "May I ask where you are from?"

Replied the tourist: "Eastport, Maine."

Whereupon the proprietor, consulting a newspaper, checked temperatures throughout New England and discovered the thermometer in the visitor's home town was flirting with zero. So the druggist checked the news account and handed it to the customer, who read it and marched stiffly out of the store.

Dec. 19, 1944

Female student flies solo for first time

CLEARWATER - At the local municipal airport last night, instructors of the Clearwater Flying school announced the solo flight of their first woman graduate, Mrs. Douglas Brown.

The wife of a dairy products merchant, she made her first hop alone late Sunday afternoon. The attractive brunette matron took off, circled the airport and landed after only nine hours of instruction.

There are two women enrolled at the school. Besides Mrs. Brown, who plans to continue instruction, Mrs. C. R. Wickman is taking lessons daily and is expected to solo in the near future. The school faculty includes Charles Hazlehurst and Robert Ward, both experienced aviators.

Dec. 19, 1944

Workers making old toys new again

New appeals for cast-off toys were issued by the local Salvation Army unit last night at the organization's workshop, where such donations are rehabilitated for distribution to the needy on Christmas. Workers there have finished up the last batch of gifts. Craftsmen are working miracles with paints, glue and jig saw there and have finished up their last batch of gifts. Nearly any sort of toy can be put in first class condition at the shop, officials said.

Dec. 19, 1944

More veterans taking vocational training

Discharged veterans of World War II are taking advantage of the government's vocational training programs in increasing numbers, it was announced last night by Jesse A. Preedom, service officer for the upper Pinellas section.He is assisting ex-service men in filing applications with the rehabilitation division of the veterans administration. Preedom said a majority of veterans prefer training in vocational schools for trades rather than college courses leading to professional degrees.

Dec. 20, 1944

Yule music to be on the airwaves again

CLEARWATER - Following hoary custom, Clearwater's city government once again is sponsoring the broadcasting of Christmas carols, hymns, chimes and other Yule music from loud speakers set on the roof of the Peninsular Telephone Company's building at Cleveland Street and Garden Avenue. The recorded music is amplified by radio hookup and the music can be heard many blocks from the downtown business section. Programs will continue daily through New Year's.

Dec. 21, 1944

Rat-catcher open to employment

CLEARWATER - Services of Clearwater's municipal rat catcher, Richard Oxnam, are available to householders and merchants, it was announced today by Building Inspector Tom Boteler.

Oxnam has been conducting a successful eradication campaign in the downtown section. Costs of the drive have been borne jointly by the city and the Clearwater Merchant's association.

Looking back

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

[Last modified December 22, 2007, 21:05:32]