PIECES OF THE PAST: Advice From 1887

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette In researching the biographies for an upcoming book on the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame members, I came across a digitized book by Google online that was written in 1887. It’s titled “Florida Facts Both Bright and Blue: A Guide Book to Intending Settlers, Tourists, and Investors From a Northerner’s Standpoint; Plain Unvarnished Truth, Without ‘Taffy’; …

PIECES OF THE PAST: The ‘Plymouth Rock’ of Citrus

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

I recently acquired a visitor’s guide for Plymouth Citrus Products Cooperative. The guide invited visitors to tour the cooperative’s facilities located in where else but Plymouth, Florida, which is between Orlando and Leesburg.  According to the guide, the cooperative provided “quality canned and frozen citrus products, citrus pulp and molasses.” Visitors were encouraged to take a guided tour that showcased …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Orange Guards

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette We received a request for information several months ago from researcher/historian Jono Miller regarding an old production practice of leaving cabbage palms in citrus groves as “orange guards.” The trees helped protect groves from freezing due to the creation of a canopy to keep the heat from the land rising during cold weather. In his new …

PIECES OF THE PAST: A Quatrain to Frame

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette In the July 15, 1933 issue of the Florida Clearing House News, an article by the Committee of Fifty titled “To Fit Demand to Production – ADVERTISE” caught my eye. Advertising has always been the tennis ball in the citrus industry’s battle over how much is enough and whether generic advertising really helps. The Committee of …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Marching On

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette March usually signals the annual Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon, honoring those individuals who have made significant contributions to the state’s citrus industry. Like so many other things, COVID-19 changed that. This year, the celebration has been postponed to Friday, Nov. 5. Although it will still be at Florida Southern College, it will be …

PIECES OF THE PAST: February Was Eat More Citrus Month

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette February has always been a big month for the Florida citrus industry — so much so that the Florida Citrus Exposition was created in 1923 to help promote the annual crop. It took place every February and incorporated numerous competitions and events over 11 days. In 1954, the exposition included an opening-day parade; Canners and Allied …

Miss Florida Citrus Is Out and About

Tacy Callies Miss Florida Citrus

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette Miss Florida Citrus, Leila Sabet, is continuing to represent the Florida citrus industry at various events, most recently at the Indian River Citrus League’s Treasure Coast Fun Shoot at the Vero Beach Shooting Club. While there, she helped sell raffle tickets, took photos with the competition winners and helped promote Natalie’s Orchid Island citrus products. She …

Miss Florida Citrus Has a New Squeeze!

Tacy Callies Education

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette In January, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) hosted virtual “Florida Citrus Squeeze” events at elementary schools throughout Florida with Chef Paula Kendrick and Miss Florida Citrus Leila Sabet. The program was announced in December to Florida food service personnel and teachers that participate in the division’s Harvest of the Month Program.  Participating …

Pieces of the Past: Waverly’s Window

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I grew up in Winter Haven and have driven by Waverly Growers Cooperative countless times when traveling around Polk County. But I never knew that at one time there was a formal garden and picnic grounds adjacent to the Waverly Welcome House.  Founded in 1914 by a group of local growers led by Charles Hillery Walker …

Orange You Glad to Meet Miss Florida Citrus?

Tacy Callies Citrus

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette Leila Sabet, Miss Florida Citrus 2020, virtually started her year of service in June by competing in the very first virtual Miss America preliminary pageant in Florida. Due to COVID-19, Miss Florida Citrus appearances have not been as prolific as in past years. However, as restrictions have eased, Sabet has been invited to several industry events.  …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Christmas Traditions

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette The orange became part of Christmastime traditions in the 19th century, along with the custom of hanging stockings near the fire. According to Emily Spivack, who wrote about the origin of the Christmas stocking for Smithsonian.com, the tradition of hanging stockings dates back to around 1823, when it is mentioned in the poem “Account of a …

nominations

Four to Join Citrus Hall of Fame

Ernie Neff Awards

The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame will induct four new members in 2021. They are John L. Jackson of Sorrento, Florida; the late Lew J. Prosser of Plant City, Florida; Adam H. Putnam of Memphis, Tennessee; and Steven D. “Steve” Sorrells of Arcadia, Florida. They will be inducted during a luncheon tentatively scheduled for Nov. 5 at Florida Southern College …

Things to Be Thankful for This Year

Tacy Callies Tip of the Week

By Ruth Borger Despite 2020 being a challenging year with a lot to complain about, there are many things to be thankful for. This is the time of year to take a few minutes to reflect on what we have to be grateful for. Here are just a few things to be thankful for that come quickly to mind. A …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Thanksgiving Joys

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I just found several old Thanksgiving postcards with citrus themes that are quite beautiful. They are from an era when postage was a penny, and people sent postcards to friends and family on holidays. With everything going on in our world today, the postcards reminded me of the importance in reflecting on what’s good in our …

PIECES OF THE PAST: When Canned Grapefruit Came on the Scene

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette October has always signaled the first crop forecast, heralding the start of a new Florida citrus season. However, picking often begins in September for some eager to be the first out of the blocks. But, in the early days, with so much of the crop being sold fresh, it was imperative not to ruin the rest …

Hall of Fame Call for Nominations

Ernie Neff Awards

Nominations are being sought for potential inductees to the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame (FCHOF). Eligible nominees are industry leaders who have made significant contributions to the Florida citrus industry in any of the following fields: pioneering, harvesting, packing, processing, marketing, science and/or education. Those chosen will be inducted in ceremonies Friday, March 5, 2021, at Florida Southern College in …

PIECES OF THE PAST: How to Manage a New Grove — in 1928

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I was looking for inspiration for this month’s column and was trying to tie it in with this issue’s focus, which is grove management. Lo and behold, I came across a 44-page booklet I had tucked away called the “Book of Truth for Planters of New Groves” by Ocklawaha Nurseries, Inc. of Lake Jem, Florida. The …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Great Crate Finds

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I recently bought several old citrus crates for the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame collection: Shiloh Fruit Packing Company, with the Indian Chief label Indian River Citrus Sub-Exchange packed by Graves Brothers Company in Wabasso, featuring the Flo brand label On Top Groves from Wetumpka Fruit Co., with the On Top Blue brand label The A. …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Orange Blossoms and Brides

Tacy Callies Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette The orange blossom has been part of wedding culture for centuries. Incorporating orange blossoms into the bride’s trousseau originated in ancient China where the white blossoms represented purity, chastity, innocence and fertility. In the article, “To Gather Orange Blossoms – History of Wedding Flowers Bouquets,” Cornelia Powell wrote, “There are few trees so prolific as the …