Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Coral Gables Times
Thursday, April 6, 1961, page 1 (of 2)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
'Burdine Tract' Will Stay As Is
THE Coral Gables TIMES
THE CITY BEAUTIFUL Vol. 36 No. 8 Second Class Postage Paid at Miami, Fla. Thursday, April 6, 1961 Published Weekly at 308 Aragon, Coral Gables, Fla. Price 10c
Commission Turns Down Rezone Bid
By MAURICE LABELLE A move to re-zone part of the controversial "Burdine's" tract off South Dixie Highway failed Tuesday when the City Commission voted unanimously to deny the proposed changes. More than 30 persons appeared to oppose the changes to the approximately 20-acre tract. It is bordered by South Dixie Highway, Hardee Road and Maynada. "If its not the best thing to do, then let's drop it," C. Allen Brown, agent for the owners, told the Commission after the opposition showed itself. Brown, who has worked with the city, the owners and near-by property owners in setting up buffers between business and residential areas for a year, told the Commission that the matter should be turned over to a planner. "We tried to do the best job," Brown said. The land had been proposed for a Burdine's shopping center back in 1955, but the Florida Supreme Court reversed the city's approval. "I think it advisable to inform you that this Commission has become skilled in recognizing the will of the people," Mayor John M. Montgomery told Brown. Opponents of the plan complained to the Commission two weeks ago that they had not been notified of latest developments in presenting the plan before the Commission. The Commission voted to hold another public hearing. Brown indicated Tuesday that Burdine's is selling its portion of the land. The rest is owned by Brovay Corp. and Edward J. and Arthur McBride. The Retail Merchants Association Monday discussed taking a stand on the controversy, but adopted a hands off policy.
Memo to You One Moment, Please
Here is this week's Coral Gables Times, an old friend who's had her face lifted. Most immediately noticeable is the different look of the paper. This is because we have a new type face and a new printer, The Miami Herald. The nameplate of the paper has been redesigned. The words "Coral Gables" are now emphasized as they should be. The Gables is our only reason for existence. We've also added to the nameplate one of the city's most distinguishing landmarks, the town hall, and noted the slogan, "The City Beautiful." But like any old friend, it's not outward appearance that counts so much as what's inside. Inside we hope you'll find us more to your liking than ever before. You'll find more pictures of Gables people and what they're doing. More news about our townspeople is there. In this issue alone there are a half dozen feature stories about neighbors, friends, even strangers — all of them people who help make our town what it is. Today and hereafter, you'll find the editorial page in the same place each issue, page 4. Local columnists have been added and you will find them on the editorial page. More reviews of local cultural activity will be carried. Also today, we initiate two more new features, these of a photographic nature. One is Beauty in the Gables, a candid shot of a pretty girl who works here. The other is How the Gables Lives, a photo essay in the casual approach of Gableties. We hope you like it. For a newspaper is not really the editor's, but his readers'. Rolfe Neill Editor & Publisher
Dry Up
All retail liquor stores and restaurants serving beer and wine will be closed between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday April 11, election day, according to Assistant Chief D. E. Edwards.
Politics All Over Tuesday
By MAURICE LABELLE One of the most heavily-contested election in years will come to a climax Tuesday when the people of Coral Gables go to the polls to pick a new mayor and four commissioners. Only an upset would prevent Commissioner Robert L. Searle from becoming Mayor Searle on April 12 when the results are certified. Searle is unopposed, but an unofficial write-in campaign has been waged for Commissioner Joe Murphy. Murphy and 10 others are vying for the four City Commission seats being vacated. Only one member is a hold-over. CANDIDATES LISTED The other candidates are Bernard B. Waksler, J. L. (See Election Page 33)
NOT LEAPING WITH JOY, but a leap that may save his life later is Coral Gables Fireman Edward R. Roy. The firefighters are using the five-story tower which is part of the new half-million dollar installation scheduled to be opened Saturday. This and many other facts of fire fighting facilities at the South Dixie Highway station will be seen by the public Saturday following opening ceremonies at 10 a.m.
Gables High Senior Haverfield Grand Winner In Civitan Contest
Related Stories on Page 8 William T. Haverfield II, a 17 year-old Coral Gables High senior who wants to be a lawyer, is winner of the Civitan democracy essay contest. He was presented $300 worth of U.S. savings bonds Tuesday night at a dinner at the Gables Country Club, given by this city's Civitan Club, sponsor of the contest. He won first place for his school and was grand winner over first place winners from Christopher Columbus and Southwest High Schools. Haverfield will compete in the district finals this month. He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. W. T. Haverfield of 3508 St. Gaudens Rd., Coconut Grove. He plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania.
580 Participate In Egg Hunt
The Easter Egg hunt at the Coral Gables Youth Center Saturday morning was attended by 580 children. First prize for finding the golden egg was a bicycle won by 11-year-old Joseph La Croix, 2600 SW Terrace, Miami. Second prize, a tennis racket and three balls, went to 12-year-old Thad Markette, 1140 Asturia Ave. The third prize to 12-year-old Robert Seidle, 4921 Riviera, Coral Gables.
Ben is back at Ben's Shell Service Sta., 9330 So. Dixie, Adv.
Tale of Milwaukee Brewer Here's What Mr. G Did When Prohibition Hit
By ROLFE NEILL What do you do with a brewery when Prohibition suddenly comes? Frank M. Gabel can tell you. He was running one of the nation's larger ones in Milwaukee on that day in 1919 when the nation went dry. Things are less tense for the former businessman now. He and Mrs. (Olga) Gabel live at 6300 Caballero Blvd., where they built a handsome home along the canal next to University Court Motel. "I was upstairs reading about how to live to be 100," Gabel said on meeting him on a recent morning. "I will be 85 on my next birthday. "I never took a drink until I was 60. That's the truth. The doctor advised me to then; settle the stomach you know." What did the article say about living to be 100? "Let God do some of the worrying for you. Trust in Him." Gabel invited us into the living room. He lit a filter tip cigaret, resisted the urge to have a go at gin rummy (his favorite pastime), and began to talk about his days with Blatz Brewing Co. "When Prohibition came in 1919 we didn't know what we were going to do. There were some 1,800 breweries operating. "When beer came back in 1932 the number was down to under 500, so you can see what I'm talking about. "We went into bottling soft drinks. We sold tobacco and cigars. We got into any line that we could sell our dealers. "One thing I want to mention about all this is that during the whole time we never borrowed a dollar . . . But to get back to the story. "A man sold us on the idea of a grape syrup he had patented. We tried it and made a success with that as a soft drink. "A candy man by the name of Morton said he thought he could make a good grape candy out of the syrup so we gave him a quart. My God, the stuff was awful! The girls in the office said you couldn't even eat it. "Morton came back and said he thought he could make it into chewing gum. He asked for another quart of syrup. "The grape gum went like wildfire. We finally had to buy two factories of our own to help supply the demand. "One person chewing the stuff could smell up a whole streetcar! "Along in 1929 when the first pure food and drug enforcement came we had to take the picture of the Concord grapes off the soft drink. Sales stayed up. "That didn't satisfy 'em. "Next we had to add the word 'imitation' over grape. Sales still weren't bothered. "Then we had to make the word 'imitation' as big as 'grape'. "Sales nose dived. People thought they might get poisoned. Mothers wouldn't give it to their children. Then it hit gum. First the word 'imitation' in small let- (See Gabel, Page 33) FRANK GABEL