Marianna Optimist Club Activities
By Don Jones - March 10, 2009
"Back To The Satsuma!"
Pat Crisp, Speaks
Pat Crisp, Guest Speaker, and Tommy Grainger, Marianna Optimist Club’s Programs Director are holding-up a slat from an orange crate that has the "Marianna Fruit Company" name on it. The orange crate it came from couldn’t be less than seventy-four years old because Marianna’s Orange Groves were destroyed by a severe freeze in the year 1935.
Satsuma Oranges are believed to be from China originally, and belong to one of the four groups of the mandarin family of oranges. They were imported to the United States from Japan as early as 1876 by George R. Hall, and to Marianna by J.C. Corcoran, who built the Chipola Hotel in the early 1920’s. When he learned, after experimenting, that the Satsuma Orange grew like a weed in Marianna’s soil and cooler climate; he quickly expanded his operation to include approximately 24,000 acres planted in oranges by the year 1928.
Also, by this time many farmers in the area had started their own orchards, making Jackson County the Satsuma Orange Capital of the United States, and the first Annual Satsuma Orange Festival was held in Marianna that same year. Charlie Reiff, who managed many of Corcoran’s businesses, including the Chipola Hotel business, planned the very successful event. Reportedly, there were more than 35,000 visitors in attendance that first year of festivities. Lucy Daffin was voted Queen of the Parade with a vote of 125,000 Pennies, or $1,250 dollars worth. Thelma Kerns came in second, but her vote amount wasn’t mentioned. Lucy was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.A. Daffin of Marianna. William Wilson was elected King of the parade, and King and Queen were crowned by Amos Lewis of Marianna.
Not withstanding, before the big freeze of 1935 brought everything to a screeching halt, The Marianna Fruit Company was shipping a box car load of oranges out of their Compass Lake packing plant on a daily basis at a wholesale price, then, of $2 to $4 dollars a half strap, or half crate, making it a very profitable proposition. Also, the saplings could be purchased for as little as twenty cents each in batches of one thousand, and the tree produced fruit in as little as two years, making it very tempting for the farmer to plant. Better, yet, the Satsuma orange ripened six weeks earlier than the varieties grown in South Florida, and California, giving the farmers in Jackson County a perfect niche in the market. For this reason, many farmers, in the panhandle of Florida, are considering taking the gamble to bring the highly profitable Satsuma Orange back, again.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
William Long, Speaks at March 3 meeting
Optimist-Outlook By Don Jones
Marianna Optimist Club Activities
"We’ve Got To Get To The Capital On Time!"
William Long and his wife, Gwen, pose together for a historical photo, for their family album, in front of the U.S. Capital Building, as they wait for President Barak Obama’s Inauguration to take place.
Long, who recently returned with his wife, Gwen, from their trip to attend President Obama’s Inauguration, in Washington, D. C., described their, once in a lifetime adventure, before his fellow, wide eyed, members of the Marianna Optimist Club during last week’s breakfast meeting at the Gazebo Restaurant. Other than a little traffic encountered on Interstate 95, their 15 hour drive to and from Washington was pretty much uneventful. However, not surprisingly, their four day stay at the Sheraton Inn cost them $400 a night for each of four rooms for the entire party. Unexpectedly, most other things were very reasonably priced. Their meals and daily sundries where pretty much what you would expect to pay in Marianna. For example, a bottle of water was just one dollar.
On the other hand, transportation to and from their hotel was a bit frustrating at times, particularly frustrating was finding the subway train completely full, without even standing room, as early as five O’clock on the morning of the inauguration. Fortunately, however, there was other transportation available; a little less known Metro Line, got them to the inauguration on time, but placed their party about five football fields away from the action. There were, however, a sufficient number of large video screens strategically located about the viewing grounds which Long referred to as, "Jumbo Trons." It could have been worse, it was rumored that as many as two or three hundred observers were trapped in one of the subway tunnels for several hours.
Due to the large crowd, and potential need for crowd control, there was a large contingency of police patrolling the area. However, the very large crowd, without exception, behaved exceptionally well during the entire ordeal. In Long’s words, "Everyone was on the same page." Furthermore, he said, "It was almost as if you were with your neighbors back home, having a back yard get-together; every one was considerate and very cordial. Also, despite the fact that the entire trip set the family budget back by approximately $4,000.00 dollars, I would do it again at the drop of a hat." Long passed around, for the audience to see, his invitation and guest ticket that he received from Congressman Allen Boyd, representing Florida’s 2nd district.
Marianna Optimist Club Activities
"We’ve Got To Get To The Capital On Time!"
William Long and his wife, Gwen, pose together for a historical photo, for their family album, in front of the U.S. Capital Building, as they wait for President Barak Obama’s Inauguration to take place.
Long, who recently returned with his wife, Gwen, from their trip to attend President Obama’s Inauguration, in Washington, D. C., described their, once in a lifetime adventure, before his fellow, wide eyed, members of the Marianna Optimist Club during last week’s breakfast meeting at the Gazebo Restaurant. Other than a little traffic encountered on Interstate 95, their 15 hour drive to and from Washington was pretty much uneventful. However, not surprisingly, their four day stay at the Sheraton Inn cost them $400 a night for each of four rooms for the entire party. Unexpectedly, most other things were very reasonably priced. Their meals and daily sundries where pretty much what you would expect to pay in Marianna. For example, a bottle of water was just one dollar.
On the other hand, transportation to and from their hotel was a bit frustrating at times, particularly frustrating was finding the subway train completely full, without even standing room, as early as five O’clock on the morning of the inauguration. Fortunately, however, there was other transportation available; a little less known Metro Line, got them to the inauguration on time, but placed their party about five football fields away from the action. There were, however, a sufficient number of large video screens strategically located about the viewing grounds which Long referred to as, "Jumbo Trons." It could have been worse, it was rumored that as many as two or three hundred observers were trapped in one of the subway tunnels for several hours.
Due to the large crowd, and potential need for crowd control, there was a large contingency of police patrolling the area. However, the very large crowd, without exception, behaved exceptionally well during the entire ordeal. In Long’s words, "Everyone was on the same page." Furthermore, he said, "It was almost as if you were with your neighbors back home, having a back yard get-together; every one was considerate and very cordial. Also, despite the fact that the entire trip set the family budget back by approximately $4,000.00 dollars, I would do it again at the drop of a hat." Long passed around, for the audience to see, his invitation and guest ticket that he received from Congressman Allen Boyd, representing Florida’s 2nd district.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Marianna Optimist Club Activities
Optimist-Outlook
By Don Jones - February 24, 2009
"Working Smarter, Not Harder"
Richard McConahy, Speaks
Richard (Dick) McConahy, Jackson Hospital’s ‘Interim’ Chief Executive Officer for the past two months, spoke before the Marianna Optimist Club. He was introduced by Rosie Smith, below. Rosie is Jackson Hospital’s Director of Public Relations. Before commencing his talk, he said that he and his family have been enjoying their stay in Marianna. Also, he took the opportunity to thank Mr. Bob Pforte, who was in the audience, for his hospitality and use of his, well stocked, fishing pond over the last 60 days. He said that fishing is his favorite sport because it can be done in the prone position, and with eyes closed.
He then gave a little background information concerning his education and where he hailed from. He is married to his wonderful wife, Diane, and they have two grown children, one of which is getting married soon, his son. They hail form the Midwest where McConahy attended High School, and later College. He, then, began to explain how he became involved in the medical profession; he became an army medic during the Vietnam War and served in Vietnam in 1970. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Pennsylvania State University, State College, and a Master of Science in Health Care Management from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant. He is, employed by the Quorum Health Resources (QHR) Group, but is assigned as Interim Chief Executive Officer, and Administrator for Jackson Hospital.
The QHR Group has been in the business of helping independent and group hospitals survive through rough times for over thirty years. Fortunately, he said, "in this regard, Jackson County has several things going for it, i.e. A top 100 rated hospital, the Chipola College’s Nursing Program, the exceptional recreational facilities and parks, such as Optimist Park, and the comparatively, lower cost of living. For these reasons many student doctors from Jackson County have returned to set-up their practices here. However, we need to attract more doctors to our area. Each doctor’s office is a place of business and provides a necessary service for the health of the community and the income for the wealth of the community."
Sadly, however, McConahy must find a permanent replacement for himself, as he is only the ‘Interim’ Chief Executive Officer. This will not be an easy pill, pardon the pun, for the community to swallow; he and his family have already wormed their way into everyone’s heart.
By Don Jones - February 24, 2009
"Working Smarter, Not Harder"
Richard McConahy, Speaks
Richard (Dick) McConahy, Jackson Hospital’s ‘Interim’ Chief Executive Officer for the past two months, spoke before the Marianna Optimist Club. He was introduced by Rosie Smith, below. Rosie is Jackson Hospital’s Director of Public Relations. Before commencing his talk, he said that he and his family have been enjoying their stay in Marianna. Also, he took the opportunity to thank Mr. Bob Pforte, who was in the audience, for his hospitality and use of his, well stocked, fishing pond over the last 60 days. He said that fishing is his favorite sport because it can be done in the prone position, and with eyes closed.
He then gave a little background information concerning his education and where he hailed from. He is married to his wonderful wife, Diane, and they have two grown children, one of which is getting married soon, his son. They hail form the Midwest where McConahy attended High School, and later College. He, then, began to explain how he became involved in the medical profession; he became an army medic during the Vietnam War and served in Vietnam in 1970. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Pennsylvania State University, State College, and a Master of Science in Health Care Management from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant. He is, employed by the Quorum Health Resources (QHR) Group, but is assigned as Interim Chief Executive Officer, and Administrator for Jackson Hospital.
The QHR Group has been in the business of helping independent and group hospitals survive through rough times for over thirty years. Fortunately, he said, "in this regard, Jackson County has several things going for it, i.e. A top 100 rated hospital, the Chipola College’s Nursing Program, the exceptional recreational facilities and parks, such as Optimist Park, and the comparatively, lower cost of living. For these reasons many student doctors from Jackson County have returned to set-up their practices here. However, we need to attract more doctors to our area. Each doctor’s office is a place of business and provides a necessary service for the health of the community and the income for the wealth of the community."
Sadly, however, McConahy must find a permanent replacement for himself, as he is only the ‘Interim’ Chief Executive Officer. This will not be an easy pill, pardon the pun, for the community to swallow; he and his family have already wormed their way into everyone’s heart.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)