Florida Flashback - OrlandoSentinel.com

Sanford honors charming survivor from sizzling land boom of 1920s

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sun, 27 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

During the 1920s, "it looked like the world on wheels was coming to Florida," pioneering Central Florida developer Carl Dann once wrote.

Celebrate 'places that matter' by snapping photos, soaking up movies in historic theater

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sun, 20 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Summer is almost upon us, which means many things in Central Florida, from beach trips to barbecues — but don't forget, too, it's time to take your best shot for Orlando's Historic Preservation Board calendar.

Pine Castle cookbook mixes recipes with tributes to women who made them

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sun, 13 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

A friend of mine, a great cook, makes it a point to collect the kind of cookbooks often produced by women's clubs in various towns and cities.

Newberry novelist writes the book on cornbread-filled Cracker cuisine

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:03:00 GMT

"Don't try to out-Cracker me," writes novelist and expert in Crackerdom Janis Owens.

On readers' minds: Gambling, milk and old-Florida treat in the raw

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:02:00 GMT

Recent Flashbacks about topics including old-Florida underworld crime and old-Florida good eating have inspired readers to take up their pens.

From farmhouse roots, Orlando's lawyer-poet Starbuck found both fame and tragedy

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 01:10:00 GMT

New York City supporters of women's suffrage celebrated Susan B. Anthony's birthday in 1915 with a "dramatic tea" featuring popular stage stars, the New York Times reported.

Visit to great Ybor City inspires visions of old dark deeds among the 'Goodfellas'

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Strolling behind tour leader Scott Deitche through Tampa's Ybor City on a spring evening, I found my feet in the present but my brain back in a dark past — say, Nov. 10, 1936.

Old Easter basket bears bunnies, cabbage — even champagne

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

This time of year reminds me of an early leap into deductive reasoning I was forced to make in first grade. Astonished to be told by a schoolmate that Santa Claus was not "real," I later tearfully said to my Mom, "So, I guess this means there's no Easter bunny, too."

Walk in park leads to strange tale of Palmetto Pete's fame, fall

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Orlando's Lake Eola Park offers fine chances for people- and creature-watching. I've seen folks strolling with large snakes, huge dogs — any number of head-turning companions.

Small, beloved Orlando park owes its start to developer with the rosy name

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

I know from happy experience that Flashback readers tend to like good books, good food — and beautiful trees. So I'll pass along the word that the folks at Orange County's Environmental Protection Division are sponsoring a photo contest on Facebook that winds up on National Arbor Day, April 27 (details below).

In pursuit of education, black communities faced scary, serious obstacles

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:10:00 GMT

Last month the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation kicked off "Despite the Obstacles," a fine photo exhibit about the city's historic black schools, with a speech by former state legislator Alzo Reddick and a reception honoring the King family of Winter Garden for many contributions to the community.

As mystery writers gather in Orlando, a 1953 slaying lies buried in the past

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:38:59 GMT

Mavens of murder and mayhem converged on Orlando this weekend for Sleuthfest, the conference of the Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America.

Henry Nehrling's gardening genius helped transform Florida's landscape

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:25:00 GMT

We have a special chance to visit one of Florida's most historic sites on February 27, when the dedicated folks who work to save Henry Nehrling's lost, green world in Gotha offer tours at 5 p.m.

Joy Wallace Dickinson: Here's to the hard-working man who put milk on the map

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:24:00 GMT

Congratulations to the folks who were out in the fresh air for the Milk Run, a 5K footrace on Feb. 11 to benefit the Orange County 4-H. Elsewhere this weekend, shops and eateries will welcome customers to the Orlando area now dubbed the "Milk District," because of its proximity to the T.G. Lee Dairy plant at Robinson Street at Bumby Avenue.

Joy Dickinson: Hidden Volusia treasure, complete with magical cottage, opens doors to early Florida

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:55:00 GMT

Mark Hart has lots of good stories about the surprising slice of old Florida where he welcomes visitors on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sanford author conquered literary world in 1937 with tales from celery fields of home

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Go to the National Book Fair in New York City? It just wasn't possible, Elvira Garner told friends in the fall of 1937. For one thing, she would need a much heavier winter coat than she wore in Sanford—and, well, it just wasn't possible.

Readers recall places that matter: Surviving school, radio studio

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Big thanks to readers who've written about historic places that matter in Central Florida, and about the 1937 book "Ezekiel," set in Sanford (more on that soon). Today, here's a sampling from the mailbag about places we've loved.

Early job helped put 'Pappy' Kennedy on path to history-making career

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:33:00 GMT

Recently I came across a century-old photo that speaks to both the longevity of our area's tourism business and the opportunities it afforded Central Floridians.

Magical Maitland landmark opens doors to the intersection of art and history

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

"Everything begins with a story": That quote from mythologist Joseph Campbell grabbed my attention early in Camilo Velásquez's elegant show "Dialogue," at the Maitland Art Center, a place with its own compelling historic story.

Resolved for 2012: A renewed appreciation of places that matter

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:55:00 GMT

Residents of tourism meccas often trade stories of the surprising things visitors can do or say.

Holiday of snowmen and Santa inspires that ol' smarty-pants style down South

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 03:47:00 GMT

"The sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway." We may seldom hear those introductory lines to Irving Berlin's holiday anthem "White Christmas," but that's how the song begins.

Reminders of old-time retail magic shine brightly in holiday displays

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

A friend who grew up in 1950s San Francisco recalls that, as a child, she could imagine no safer haven from life's troubles than the city's grand old department stores. At holiday time especially, their aura of trust laced with retail magic was potent.

Stuff those stockings with the bounty of colorful Sunshine State history

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:19:53 GMT

We've survived Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Why not declare Historical Sunday, to focus on gifts for the folks on our lists who savor Central Florida's fascinating past?

Exhibit mixes glimpses of turbulent times with memories of a bygone Winter Park

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:04:00 GMT

In late 1968, I donned a fake leopard-skin pillbox hat and white gloves to visit a Richmond, Va., department store, where I hoped to impress folks with my sophistication and gain my first credit card.

Orlando's Harry P. Leu Gardens bloom with rich heritage

Joy Wallace Dickinson — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Orlando's Harry P. Leu Gardens recently celebrated its 50th birthday, and as part of the festivities, the gardens is offering free admission on your birthday, through December 31 (see LeuGardens.org).