published: Friday, October 12, 2012

FROM THE FILES | 30 years ago -- 1982

Reliving history through the pages of the South Lake Press

Ann Dupee

REMEMBER WHEN

Following is a continuation of speakers and activities of the South Lake Business Women 30 years ago.

-- Local businessman Don McCaffrey, assisted by Realtor® Harold Roberts, spoke about the current movement to establish a new savings and loan firm in Clermont. He believed that not enough money was being currently loaned into the Clermont area, that most of the investors' money was being used elsewhere in the state. (The savings and loan never materialized.)

-- Clermont Centennial Com-mittee Chairman Oakley Seaver said that Clermont would celebrate its centennial in 1984. City council appointed the committee to establish, guide and coordinate a centennial celebration the week of April 1-7, 1984.

-- Clermont Chamber of Com-merce Executive Director Phil Searles said the chamber basically works behind the scenes and as a partner with local and area businesses. That office answers letters from people interested in the area for business or personal reasons, distributes information by mail and telephone, collects, prints and hands out local information through shopping guides and brochures, and works with the business community to attract those businesses complimentary to the area. Not all businesses are encouraged to locate in Clermont.

The chamber helps Clermont improve by encouraging better appearance in exterior store decoration, educates citizens by sponsoring the Orange Blossom Breakfast during the winter season, and keeps up-to-date on state legislation that affects the business community.

Searles stated some of the problems facing the area are living accommodations for young families with children, future wastewater problems and the need in the area for jobs.

-- Clermont City Manager George Forbes handed out a city recreation survey to be completed by each member.

"One of the most important things in Clermont is citizen participation. We want input and involvement from our community," he said.

Because of the volunteer participation the summer swimming program is a great success and due to the large enrollment of children, an assistant was hired for the athletic program.

"We are running good programs with citizen participation and are improving city facilities," said Forbes. "Money is budgeted for handball courts and each year Clermont is, step-by-step, improving recreational facilities."

Forbes also spoke on the newly planned city budget and the senior citizens committee.

K The women decided to support the chamber and in lieu of their regular meeting attended the chamber luncheon July 23 at the Driftwood Restaurant.

Clermont resident Robb Mitchell, manager of planning and industrial engineering for Disney World, showed a slide presentation on the different phases of construction in the EPCOT complex. EPCOT, which will open Oct. 1, 1982, stands for "Experimental Prototype of the Community of Tomorrow."

The project developed from concept, to storyboard, to artist's concept, to model state, to design and to construction. Fifty million cubic feet of dirt were removed to pave the way for EPCOT.

An unforeseen problem was an endangered species of woodpecker nesting in a tree that was to be taken out. Plans and construction were modified in order to leave the nesting site intact.

The cost of Phase I of EPCOT is $1 billion. Five thousand workers have busily been preparing for the opening. Even with EPCOT, only 10 percent of the Disney property has been developed.

-- School board candidates Anna Cowin, Georgia Phillips and James Dunaway spoke at different meetings.

-- South Lake Business Women sponsored a fashion show and luncheon Oct. 9 at the newly remodeled Crown Restaurant, a $5 per person charge included lunch.

Participating shops and models (all SLBW members) were: Strange Brew, 773 Montrose St., owner Lana BonJorn, models were Nancy McGuire and Patty Sheppard; Cherry's, 119 E. Broad St., Groveland, Ruby Cherry Rowe, owner, models were Esther Jackson and Pam BonJorn; Patti-Lu's, South Lake Plaza, Leslea Hogan and Sarah Hogan, managers, models were Michelle Delaney, Bonnie Homan and Ann Dupee; Cato's, South Lake Plaza, Shirley McQuaig, manager, models were Jean Schwamb and Elaine Golby; Kmart, South Lake Plaza, Roy Wells, women's department, models were Marilyn George and Debbie Gaines, club president and MC for the show.

Hair styles and makeup for the models were provided by Contemporary Hair Design, 650 7th St., Betty Huntington, owner; The Hair Shop and Merle Norman, 311 E. S.R. 50, Sunnyside Plaza, Lynda McMurphy, owner; Leslie's Place, 797 Minneola Ave., Leslie Griffin, owner; Bobbi's Beauty Salon, 771 E. S.R. 50, Bobbi Holmes, owner; and Mary Kay Cosmetics, Winifred Kirkland, consultant.

-- SLBW officers are: Debbie Gaines, Hanks Electric, president; Bonnie Homan, Cooper Memorial Library, secretary; Martha Squire, South Lake Press, treasurer; and Ann Dupee, SLP, historian.

Active members are: Lucie Blake, former mayor of Minneola; Pam BonJorn, Apetz Realty; Michelle Delaney, Rolling Hills Realty; Ellen Dykehouse, South Lake Memorial Hospital; Carole Early, M.D., general surgeon; Marilyn George, City of Clermont; Valerie Giddens, Clermont Builders Supply; Elaine Golby, Contemporary Hair Design; Sue Hooten, Clermont Travel Service; Esther Jackson, Jackson's TV; Barbara Jones, South Lake Music; Leslie Longacre, SLMH; Nancy McGuire, Lake Dot Villas; Ouida Powell, Williams Steel; Ann Prevatt, SLMH; Nancy Rainville, Lake Dot Villas; Ann Ritch, Press Time Printing; Virginia Roane, Roane Realty; Evelyn Roberts, Harold Roberts Realty; Jean Schwamb, Lake Abstract and Guaranty; Patty Sheppard, Sun Bank, Clermont.