Historical photo:
Very rare, the first mechanical shoe testing machine.
Tonite's entry from South Carolina
While stationed aboard Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) I worked in Data Processing for Supply and Finances. Supply personnel in the Navy are called ‘Storekeepers’. Anytime you need supplies you talk to a Storekeeper. I had a lot of contact with one of our Storekeepers and one day I went in to pick up some supplies, he was all smiles.
He & his family were from the Orlando area in the Citrus business. Some fool had just bought all of his dad and Grandpa’s orange groves at a fantastic price. Now they could retire and never work again. Citrus is hard work and time sensitive. StoreKeeper said, “The family is relieved, Pa figures this corporation is hoping to make millions in oranges and PA says boy are they in for a surprise.”
In just a year I am sure the sellers were shocked. The groves were bulldozed and cleared. After buying all the land they thought they needed, it was announced, Disney is in town. The millions the families THOUGHT the new owners were going to make turned into actual Billions. But they were selling Mickey, not oranges. Mickey reigns.
Orlando blossomed in the sports and entertainment business and before long became the destination spot for many entertainment industries. We now have Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Magic Kingdom. Universal studios, Island of Adventure, Sea World, Discovery Cove, Wide World Of Sports and so many more.
WE took the boys to Disney just after they opened. MY memory ain’t too good anymore, I hardly remember it. Sherry is a walking family and date encyclopedia. I would be lost without my girl with the brains.
Nite Shipslog
LIFE FROM THE SEAT OF A TRACTOR ---
AN OLD
FARMER'S WORDS OF WISDOM:
DON'T INTERFERE WITH SOMETHIN'
THAT AIN'T BOTHERING YOU NONE.
Some guys with money went to the extreme
customizing. I am trying to
figure the base car. Merc, Chev or Caddy??
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8 comments:
Interesting about the citrus business. Reminds me of Melvin's grandparents owned a small ranch west of San Antonio. After they died Melvin wanted all the grandkids who wanted to, to go together and buy the ranch so they could continue to hunt. His aunt said no. Come to find out she already had it sold. Later the land was very valuable as Sea World went in near and every kind of business you can think of. So who ever bought the ranch made the money and the grandkids could have been the ones.
How fascinating to know someone that sold land to Disney, not knowing what would come of that sale. Bet if they knew what it would have been, they would have asked for more money!
betty
Lots of farmers around here are selling their land for retirement money. Huge housing developments now stand on what used to be corn fields. I can only imagine what that Disney land is worth now. That sale brought some big changes for Florida for sure.
What an interesting story - I had no idea- I loved it. Now to share with someone! lol That farmer had to be shocked.
Interesting. Where do you find this stuff? Wait...Sherry? I mean you did say shes the encylopida. Haha.
I have never been to Disney World. Honestly, I have never wished to go. That makes me weird I think. Everyone loves it. THey say its the Happiest place on Earth. Im not sure about that.
Working
Lisa
What a wonderful story!
My former hubby's company used to do business with Monsanto, so he was all the time getting free Disney tickets. I grew REAL weary, REAL fast. Crazy what families pay these days, just for admission.
Say, I've a puzzler I hope you can answer? Back in the late 70's-early 80's, the in-laws would take us to this central Florida theme park, wonderfully decorated for Christmas. There were no rides; rather, an abundance of fabulous trees, fruits and vegetables and acres of walking paths. It's been closed for a long while now, but the name's been bugging me. (No, it's not Cypress Gardens.
Back to work!
Myra
what an interesting story about the citrus groves and disney.
Just knowing the Storekeeper that generated today's story is sweet. I'm glad his family was on easy street from the sale of the groves. Nice story.
I'm sure Sherry will come up with the name of the park that Myra is thinking of.
love n' hugs from up north where we got an easy 6 inches of snow that Bill pushed around all afternoon. He loves that 'toy' UTV of his with the nice wide snow blade.
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