Coral Gables Riviera-Times

Hurricane Costume?

NOPE - NOT EXACTLY, though it does look appropriate. The picture was taken Tuesday at the Coral Gables Women's Club "South Sea Island Party" at the Walter Wigman estate. That's Mrs. Jack Horsley behind the banana fronds. Other South Sea Island pictures on society page. -Riviera-Times Photo by Binner.

CORAL GABLES Riviera-Times

VOL. 21 - NO. 36 TWO SECTIONS CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, FRIDAY, SEPT. 19, 1947 12 PAGES TEN CENTS

STORM DAMAGE IS LIGHT HERE

HURRICANE HIGHLIGHTS Coral Gables' Disaster, Preparedness and Relief Committee was on the job early as weather bureau reports indicated the storm was heading this way. Shelters were opened at the Elementary School, the Coral Gables Fire Station and the St. Theresa School, all doing near capacity business. Workers at the shelters reported that very few of the people who stayed there Tuesday night and remained during the high winds on Wednesday were Gables residents. Most of them came from the sections surrounding the Gables. Brought Their Pets The fire station reported they were taking care of "over 200 men, women, children, dogs and cats". Sleeping facilities were said to be inadequate there, but some of the "refugees" took over the firemen's dormitory where 20 beds and some couches are available for firemen on night duty. At noon on Wednesday workers at the Elementary School reported that 250 people had spent the night there and that "more were arriving all the time". City commissioners, meeting Tuesday night, interrupted their session to listen to storm advisories on a portable radio, set up in the commission room. The city fathers adjourned early to go to their homes and prepare for the blow, but before adjourning passed an ordinance allowing the erection of small buildings on commercial property for the stowage of hurricane shutters. Paper Had No Electric Power The Riviera-Times was published under difficulty this week, as the Florida Power and Light Company was unable to restore power to operate linotypes and presses until late yesterday afternoon. Compositors and press crews were standing by on Wednesday night awaiting a call to work, when the power company originally predicted that electricity would be restored to the plant sometime during the night. Radio station WBAY was able to operate on a stand-by transmitter, powered by a gasoline generator. A similar generator supplied lights and radio communication to the police station, nerve-center of the disaster set-up for Coral Gables. Ham Operator Kept Busy C. J. Sammon of 828 Avenue Corolla was a busy man on Wednesday. A ham radio operator, Sammon was the sole contact with cities to the north as regular communication channels failed. Sammon filed all of the copy for the Associated Press, routing it through Swampscott, Mass., and handled many other messages. Pratt Veterans Hospital and Coral Gables Hospital reported no casualty cases handled during the big blow. The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce opened at nine o'clock on Wednesday morning but closed later as winds began to rise and few calls were being received. Early Sightseers As soon as storm winds began to subside, adventuresome Gableites got out their cars and began "sightseeing tours" to survey the storm's damage. The patio at the Country Club of Coral Gables, usually romantic, looked like a glamor girl without her make-up. Damage to the club, with the exception of shrubbery, was slight. The bar and dining room opened soon after the winds subsided, and quite a few members without cooking facilities turned out to be fed. The sturdy flagpole at the Pratt Veterans Hospital cracked and fell before the fury of the winds. The hospital was without electricity until Thursday. Wall Blown Down A wall and gate post in Coral, Inc. collapsed from the wind's buffeting, while two construction jobs on the north of Ponce de Leon Boulevard were damaged severely. The marquee of the Coral Theater was shattered in several places by flying debris. The Granada section of Coral Gables was the first to have power restored early Thursday morning. At 6:30 a.m. Thursday, William D. Fuller, local manager for Florida Power and Light Company reported that power lines had been restored as far as Coral Way and Douglas Road. Church Damaged Ventilators in the tower roof of the Episcopal Church were torn loose and were swinging wildly during the storm. The church door was also damaged. Part of the fence surrounding the tennis courts at Salvadore Park, was knocked down. Street lamps were torn loose at Country Club Prado.

The Circus Is Coming!

GEE WHILLIKERS, FELLERS, LOOKEE! It's the circus. And that's just what it will be Tuesday when members of the Country Club of Coral Gables stage their own in the club patio. Here, Mrs. Muriel Marshall, the well-known drum majorette, exchanges bows with Kemal Pasha, the imported Arabian steed, in preparation for the big show. That's John Gazley, Jr., putting the trick horse through the paces. -Riviera-Times Photo

ESTIMATED LOSS UNDER $30,000 Special Fund Will Cover Clearance

Coral Gablesites were cleaning up a post-hurricane rubble today as City Manager William T. McIlwain issued a preliminary damage estimate indicating that the city suffered only light damage from the tropical storm that roared through the community on Wednesday. The city manager estimated that the city's storm cost will be well below the $31,000 in the special hurricane fund. The money was raised from a special one-mill levy assessed last year. The community fared well as compared with the 1945 blow that cost the city $100,000 in labor costs to remove the storm debris. Crews Work Early Park crews, under the supervision of Harley Pithan, were hard at work Wednesday afternoon even before winds had subsided. All streets were reported cleared by yesterday afternoon. Damage was confined mostly to trees and shrubbery with a few store windows, lamp posts and signs broken. Power went off early in most sections of the Gables, and had not been completely restored yesterday. Little interruption in telephone service was reported. The Coral Gables waterway was literally jammed with small boats as owners brought them up the canal for safe mooring. City crews worked all night Wednesday clearing trees and shrubbery that blocked streets. McIlwain said yesterday that it might be necessary to hire a few extra trucks to speed up removal of debris.

New Gables Literature Is Issued 25,000 Pieces Received by Local Chamber

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce today will mail an initial 5,000 folders to a selected list of travel bureaus, other chambers of commerce, railroad, steamship, air and bus lines, banks, newspaper travel departments and other agencies which distribute resort literature. The new Coral Gables folders, picturing City Hall in color on one cover and featuring outstanding Gables attractions, were sent in business of 500 copies with accompanying return post card by which the recipient may request additional copies. "We have a supply of 25,000 folders this year," said Mary T. Moore, executive secretary. "This is the largest supply we ever have ordered but we feel sure we will use them this winter as a result of our national advertising campaign. Every advertisement will advise readers they may write to the Chamber of Commerce for illustrated folders."

New Gables Radio Station Goes On Air This Fall

Announcement that a new Coral Gables radio station will go on the air this fall was made today by George W. Thorpe, president and general manager of Peninsular Broadcasting corporation, owners and operators of the new outlet. The new station will operate on a frequency of 1070 kilocycles and will have 1,000 watts power. It will operate daytime only and will feature public service programs, with emphasis on civic activities of Coral Gables. The station will have the Associated Press news service. The station's transmitter will be located outside the Coral Gables city limits and the studios will be in the downtown business section. Thorpe is a long time resident of the Miami area, having been advertising director of the Miami Daily News for the past 12 years. He recently resigned to head the new radio corporation. Other officers of the corporation are Dr. P. J. Manson, physician, vice president, and Mrs. P. J. Manson, secretary.

Building Permits Total $82,200 During Week

Wednesday's big blow failed to put much of a damper on Coral Gables' construction program, as Building Inspector Gilbert B. Campbell reported that permits totaling $82,200 had been issued during the week. Four residences and an office and store building were included in the list. Permits issued included: Blanche Jacobs, $25,000 store and office building at 131-35 Avenue Aragon; M. M. Naviloff, architect; Fleeman Builders. Mrs. Ion F. Bryte, $1,500 office for carpel golf course at 281 University Drive; H. George Fink, architect. William A. Daniel, $7,700 addition at 412 Avenue Villabella; John E. Peterson, architect. E. G. Richter, $12,000 residence at 748 Avenue Navarre; H. George Fink, architect. Aetna Builders, $11,000 residence at 1510 Lisbon Street; Carl H. Blohm, architect. Aetna Builders, $11,000 residence at 5524 LeJeune Road; Gerard Pitt, architect. Mear Company, $21,000 residence at 1524 Cecilia Street; LeRoy K. Albert, architect.

Will Discuss Re-Zoning of Riviera Section

Recommendations for the re-zoning of the Riviera section of Coral Gables, prepared by a Chamber of Commerce Committee, will be presented tonight to a joint meeting of the city commission and the zoning board on Monday evening, September 22, it was announced today. Decision to hold such a meeting was made Tuesday night at the meeting of the Coral Gables city commission, when city fathers were informed that the Chamber's report was ready. The report, the result of several months' study, covers an over-all rezoning plan for the portion of the city that lies south of Bird Road.

All persons planning to make structural repairs to storm-damaged buildings twill be required to obtain a permit at city hall if repairs cost in excess of $50, L. W. Robinson, public service director, announced today. No charge will be made for the permits, which will enable the city to make an accurate assessment of storm damage.

At It Again Lingerie Thief Loots Line

The mysterious panty burglar, who has been plaguing Gables housewives during the past several months, struck again this week at a previous victim. Mrs. W. C. Byers, 11 Avenue Santillane, told police that seven pair of panties, two brassieres and one slip had been taken from her clothes line. This is the second time the burglar, with a penchant for lingerie, has looted the Byers' laundry.

Seven Fined In City Court

The hurricane limited municipal court to one session this week, but nevertheless seven persons appeared before Judge C. S. Robertson, with charges ranging from drunk and vagrancy to traffic offenses. Jack L. Bacette of Jacksonville and Kenneth Densbeck, 6429 S. W. 53rd Street, were both sentenced to 20 days in jail on charges of being drunk and vagrant. Paul David Smith, N. W. 27th Avenue and 110th Street, was fined $15 for reckless driving and causing an accident. H. C. Gorday of Kendall also paid $15 on similar charges. For failure to stop for a "stop" sign and causing an accident, Franklin Judson Hill, 4197 Douglas Road, was fined $15. Sam V. De Cuenther, 2900 S. W. 3rd Street, was fined $15 for driving a car with defective brakes. Stewart Robert Earl, 2760 N.W. 42nd Street, forfeited a $25 bond on a speeding charge.

Cavaliers Forced to Cancel Game

Ponce de Leon High's Cavaliers forfeited the honor of raising the curtain on the 1947 Miami football season when they were forced to cancel their game with West Palm Beach scheduled for the Orange Bowl Thursday night. Athletic Director Jack C. Gramley of the Coral Gables school attempted to contact West Palm Beach officials by telephone Wednesday and Thursday without success in an effort to have the contest played. After a post-hurricane inspection of the stadium, Jesse C. Yarbrough, City of Miami recreation director, assured Gramley Thursday morning that the field could be used but would not guarantee that the lighting system would be in operation at game time due to the city-wide power failure. Upon the advice of Harry M. Rath, Ponce de Leon principal, Gramley said the game would be postponed indefinitely. When, however, he is able to contact West Palm Beach, Gramley indicated that an attempt would be made to schedule the Gulfstream conference rivals for a date later in the season.

Loot from Gables Home Is Recovered

An electric refrigerator and washing machine, stolen from the Gables residence of Loly M. Shiel was recovered this week by the arrest of Lester M. McAllister in Miami, Gables police revealed yesterday. McAllister, according to police, confessed to breaking a window in the rear door of the residence at 4100 Brighton Place, and carting it away. He also confessed to similar looting of several Miami homes. The house had been closed for the summer.

Hun Got Gables Pictures But RAF Flyer Gets More

A selection of Coral Gables scenic postcards and literature was on its way this week to C. M. Paley, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, England, whose request for such material was addressed to the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Paley was one of the hundreds of Royal Air Force cadets who received training at the University of Miami in the early stages of the war, he revealed. He said he had taken many photographs of Coral Gables but that he had lost them during the war "as a result of enemy action." The Chamber of Commerce has received scores of letters and similar requests from the English fliers, according to Mary T. Moore, executive secretary. "Several of the men have stated they wish to return to Coral Gables eventually to make their homes," she said.

Campaign Approved

Formal approval of the proposed city-Chamber of Commerce $14,000 advertising campaign was given Tuesday night by the city commission.

Gables Police and Parents Join Forces In Drive to Outlaw Auto Accidents

Along with the National Safety Council's designation of September as "Back to School Safety Month," Coral Gables parents, teachers and police are cooperating to maintain the perfect safety record set last year when no local children were killed or injured while en route to or from school. First steps toward school safety were taken Friday when Lt. F. P. Brasher, Coral Gables Traffic Bureau head, swore in safety patrol boys at the Coral Gables Elementary School. P. E. LeRoy, office manager of the American Automobile Association's South Florida Motor Club, assisted Lt. Brasher at the ceremony. "It is just as necessary to learn traffic rules and regulations as it is to obtain school education," said Lt. Brasher in his speech at the assembly which was attended by the entire 1,545 members of the Coral Gables Elementary student body. How, when, and where to cross streets, dangers frequently encountered on the streets, rules for safety in bicycle riding, necessity for having lights on bicycles ridden after dark, and the dangers from leaving bicycles parked on sidewalks were discussed in the general lecture on safety. Lt. Brasher further told of the great danger in playing baseball and other games on the streets. To Install Patrols Coral Gables police are getting dates from the American Automobile Association on which they will install similar safety patrols at the Merrick Demonstration School. All school safety patrols will be given at Ponce de Leon High School. The Parent-Teachers' Associations at the schools are cooperating with the police by supplying hats and raincoats for the safety patrol members. Members of the new safety patrol at the Elementary School are: Eighth grade: Captain Ronnie Hendry, Lieutenant Jim Bennett, Lieutenants Lawrence Marks, Robert Scholze, Dick Hardeman, Harper Davidson, Larry Mouncey, Billy Peters, Sam Skogstad, Donald West, and Richard Stecker. Seventh grade: Lieutenant Charles Penny, Lieutenant Raymond Romans, Bruce Campbell, John Lewallen, Tommy Hand, Wilton Smith, Richard Cammer, Edwin White, Billy Conner, and Sam Elder. R. E. Nowakowski is the faculty advisor for the group.

Primary Ballot Distributed to Kiwanis Members

Members of the Coral Gables Kiwanis Club were issued primary ballots this week for the annual election of officers and directors of the civic organization. Members will nominate twelve men in the first primary from which six will be chosen to be directors in a second primary. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes will become president. Retiring directors, ineligible for reelection, include Shelby Gaskin, Byron Sperow and Walker McGregor. Holdover directors who will serve an additional year are Dr. A. H. Weiland, F. A. Hoover, Leroy J. Boone and A. N. Houston. At Tuesday's meeting at the Country Club of Coral Gables, O. B. Sutton told members of his recent trip to Guatemala.

ISN'T THIS HEAVEN!

Sure it's fun to be seventeen and "Gaga"... But whatever YOUR age, you, too, can keep tab on the younger generation-just follow the comic that not only keeps up with youthful trends and fashions.. but usually SETS them! HAROLD TEEN JUST ONE OF THE NEW COMICS STARTING NOVEMBER 3 IN YOUR DAILY CORAL GABLES Riviera-Times

City Will Purchase Three Police Cars

Purchase of three new police cars was authorized Tuesday night by the city commission. The cars will be bought from Hushamp Motor Company, local Ford dealer, low bidder.

Will Describe South America

Mrs. Herberta Leonardy, social studies and economics teacher at Ponce de Leon High School will address members of the Coral Gables Rotary Club at noon today at the Country Club of Coral Gables. Mrs. Leonardy returned recently from a visit to Colombia and other South American countries and will tell some of her impressions and observations of the people who live there. W. Ralph Smith is program chairman.

Youth Center Show Postponed One Week

The Coral Gables Youth Center Follies, originally scheduled to be presented tonight and tomorrow night at the Elementary School auditorium, has been postponed for one week according to Betty Ward, Youth Center Director. Tickets for the big musical show, with a cast of 40, may be obtained at the Youth Center. There's no charge but a dollar donation for the operating fund has been suggested.

Reported Prowler, Eludes Squad Car

A prowler, reported Monday evening by A. Peterson of 917 Granada Grove Court, eluded police who combed the neighborhood for him according to a report issued yesterday. Peterson described the man as being dark with slender build and wearing a white shirt.

Wheels Stolen

Two tire and wheel assemblies were stolen from two automobiles parked in the rear of the Gulf Service Station at Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Tamiami Trail on Tuesday evening, Gables police reported today. The cars were owned by T. I. Higginbotham who reported the thefts.

Ten 'Cane Players From Greater Miami

Ten of the 1947 University of Miami varsity football squad are graduates of Miami high schools.