Tuesday, April 24, 2007

An Endearing Camaraderie

This posting is probably only relevant to "old time" residents or those who once lived in this delightful little town snuggled in the heart of Florida. The town was incorporated in 1925, but was settled much earlier by people who believed the climate was healthful and particularly good for lung ailments. It was first located on the banks of Lake Sanataria, now called Lake Marianna. The settlement took the same name. When the first railroad through central Florida bypassed the settlement of Sanataria, people moved to a new place near the railroad. A railroad executive's wife named the new settlement Auburndale after her hometown of the same name in Massachusetts.
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“Doc” Taylor, the sometimes crusty, but always revered owner of Taylor’s Rexall Drug Store, yielded to competition and age and closed the longtime gathering place for many Auburndale residents in 1988.
One day while functioning as the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, I spied a long-time resident, Johnny Summerall passing nearby. He was one of the people I remembered from by youth in Auburndale. (I had just returned to my hometown after an absence of 36 years.) We talked of old times and lamented the passing of Taylor’s drug store. Then in a burst of nostalgia, I raised the question of creating a new place for "old timers" to meet for coffee and reminiscing. Johnny agreed that such a place would be great. (I’m not sure whether he really thought it was a good idea or was just humoring and old acquaintance.)
Next, I talked to Bill Chestnut the editor of the the town’s weekly newspaper. He agreed to support such a venture and when Leon Hines, owner of the Downtowner restaurant said he would join our group of sponsors, we set into motion what would indeed become and enduring camaraderie.
Sterling Bank (now Colonial Bank) and Kersey Funeral Home came forward later with donations to take the edge off the cost to the restaurant.
We had a concept, supporters and a place to meet, so we contacted numerous old-time residents and told them of the new meeting place replacing Taylor's drug store. Bill Chestnut ran publicity in the Auburndale Star and I placed notices in the Chamber newsletter.
We expected a dozen or so people to show up, but were astounded when more than 50 "old timers" did so. They were so enthusiastic that the number continued to swell; reaching over 100 at one time. Since there was no cost for the breakfast, which was funded by the donors, word of a free meal spread among the numerous mobile home parks and we were soon inundated by dozens of freeloaders. So, we had to take evasive action. We established ground rules for becoming members of an “Oldtimers Coffee Club” and began asking for an initiation fee and levied a small charge for breakfast. That stopped the freeloaders, and the “Club” meetings settled in to between 50 and 70 (the variance is due to seasonal fluxuations).
In these early meetings, we reveled in the stories of the good old days in Auburndale. I taped many of these tales, but unfortunately the tape was lost after I left the Chamber in 1994.
After seventeen years the “Oldtimers Club” still functions! None of us thought it would survive over a couple years, but we underestimated the dedication of the wishing to meet and talk of "happenings" past and present.
Because of reasons beyond our control, we have had to relocate the meeting places, change the source of our breakfast and make other changes, but it is still the primary meeting place for about between 35 and 40 old timers every Friday morning. The stories still pour forth and are still just as interesting as they were seventeen years ago.
Some of the original supporters have moved on: Leon Hines closed his restaurant and retired, the Auburndale Star folded into the Winter Haven News Chief and Bill Chestnut moved on, Sterling Bank became Colonial Bank and many of the old timers have gone to their reward. But others have taken the place of those that have moved on: Charles Johnson has emceed the gathering for a dozen years, the Lions Club has donated space and the City of Auburndale has been a dedicated ally for many years. Kersey Funeral Home still supports the Club with monthly donations.
Johnny and Martha Summerall continue to be regular attendees along with several others who joined the Club many years ago. Walter Kersey still attends most of the time; always adding his own unique color to the meetings. The breakfast meal is prepared by Auburndale historian and native of Auburndale, Beverly Scott. She has become one of the most popular members of the club; preparing a tasty surprise each Friday morning to the delight of the old timers. She also functions as the cashier and record keeper for the group.
A typical meeting begins with Charlie Johnson rendering some pithy sayings from his little book, “Older Than Dirt”. After the invocation, a salute to the flag and a report on those ailing is solicited from members. Birthdays and wedding anniversaries are recognized with song, accompanied by the superb piano playing of Shirley Wilson. About twenty minutes are set aside for announcements, storytelling and jokes before donated door prizes are awarded via ticket-stub drawings and the meeting ends.
Anyone having lived in Auburndale for at least eight years and who pays a one-time initiation fee of $10.00 is welcome to the Club. If interested in joining, you need only attend the breakfast and mention to Ms. Scott that you wish to become a member.
I’ll try to recall and write about some of the old stories (recorded on the lost tapes) told by early members as well as some from current attendees who add spice to the weekly meetings.