The Coral Gables Times

Thursday, July 20, 1961, page 5 (of 20)

← Earlier issue Later issue → Download this page

The page

You can also pinch or scroll to zoom, and drag to move around.

The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.

Of a Summer in Jersey When Men Died

By ELVA CHARLTON Correspondent One summer we were Nazi spies signalling submarines off the Jersey coast. Avalon is five miles farther out to sea than any other summer resort along the Jersey coast—no railroad station, telephones or mail delivery; one movie and nothing on the boardwalk, a professional and government official's paradise; a typical family resort with a wide flat beach. During the war it was blacked out at night. We drove by the light of the moon, or without it. Heavy bedspreads and blankets were used to cover all windows on the ocean side. This year, we arrived far ahead of the season. Our cottage had that dank smell from having been closed for nine months. It needed airing, cleaning, electricity, water and ice in the ice box. Experience made us swift. We unpacked the bare necessities, ate a hasty supper and made the beds. Only then did we feel free to take the much anticipated walk along the boardwalk. The night was black. The wind was blustery. The ocean was rough, as though a storm was brewing. I reveled in it. This was not the first time I realized I liked stormy weather. I felt some identification with the turbulent ocean feeling the spray from the waves a caress upon my face. The family walked ahead shining the flashlight on the new beach playground. A jeep screeched to a stop. Four uniformed men rushed up to us. They thought we were Nazi spies flashing signals to German submarines known to be just off the coast. Our flashlight had been spotted from the Coast Guard tower. After that, the war seemed much closer. The old Avalon Hotel had been taken over by the Coast Guard and made into a prohibited area. Nightly, the men took their individually trained police dogs and patrolled the beach for miles. No one else was permitted on the beach. We knew that the sudden brilliant flares of light in the sky over the ocean meant the explosion of a ship. We waited for the survivors to appear on the beach. Only oil appeared on ours. Nazi spies were caught flashing signals from a deserted house in Cape May. We knew no more than that. Our oldest son at the age of 10 roamed at will over the island. He picked up all kinds of knowledge about the war and other things. He used to spend a part of every day with an old sea captain who rented boats to the summer people. Nothing could match Billy's grief when this man was actually caught and found guilty of carrying gasoline to the German submarines. Mothers and their children shared the same pleasures and activities. That relationship is a treasured remembrance. It seems impossible to duplicate it today. For a brief time, we mothers were children again, safe and protected by the men who were assigned to do that very thing. Not then did any of us even think of another war. But the same old world is still a stage. Only different men will be the players.

A Corps, a Big One What Vent for Restless Youth?

By PHILLIP'S RUSSELL Correspondent After a nation-wide study, James B. Conant, Harvard's president emeritus, declares that the unemployment rate among youths under 20 is three times higher than the rate for other ages, and that in some cities 70 per cent of those between 16 and 21 are out of school and jobless. These statements give weight to what has already been contended in these columns: that the mass demonstrations by teen-agers at Fort Lauderdale last spring and subsequently at other resorts were danger signals. Conant uses an even stronger term: "social dynamite." Attempts at remedy are proposed in the education bills now before Congress, but it is objected that one proposing a Youth Conservation Corps would take in only 6,000 youngsters a year. Senator H. H. Humphrey's opinion that the needs of at least 150,000 should be met sounds nearer the mark. Efforts are being made in several states to improve the quality of education. But a lad who has had a quality education up to working age and then finds that on graduation from high school he cannot find a job cannot be blamed if he turns skeptical about the whole process. The gap that opens just after graduation from high school needs to be bridged before riotous troubles occur. Police clubs do not close this gap. The government has partly waked up to the danger, but municipalities that have unemployed youths cannot criticize Washington if they have created no agencies to deal with the problem locally. A Committee on Social Relations would be a help to many a troubled mayor.

EVERYBODY'S Business By Rolfe Neill

Irritants Radio has put together an amazing comeback story in its resurgence. But I wonder if all this shouting, exaggerated sounds and P. T. Barnum gimmicks must be inflicted on us. There are several statements on the airways which irritate me. One is about "total information news." What other kind is there? Another (and this is a laugh) says something to the effect that all other radio stations and newspapers are free 20 minutes later to reproduce their news broadcast. Hah. Many stations strive to create the impression, through slick wording that they have on the premises a vast network of weather data gathers, reporters and correspondents. In actuality, they're nothing but a turntable and a microphone stuck in a cinder block building in a pine thicket — with a teletype machine and a record cabinet. Newspapers, of course, can be as fraudulent in their own pious ways but the mimicry of radio stations for the current bag of repugnant tricks seems out of hand. Relaxing The best way to see Coral Gables, other than walking, is to ride a bicycle. Its streets and traffic habits are hospitable to pedalers. Bicycling is enjoying a new popularity—thanks to such famous encouragements as Dr. Paul Dudley Whites', Ikes' heart doctor. Gene Peacock, the local bike man, tells a number of interesting tales about cyclists. He says one of his customers is an airplane captain who, no matter what time he gets home at night, takes his wife out for a tandem bike ride. The captain tells Gene it relaxes him as will nothing else. Bicycling is an easy-to-manage family sport and an inexpensive one. If you're looking for a good place to start I'd suggest the University of Miami campus. The acres of open grounds are restful and provide innumerable pleasant spots in which to picnic. Comment The office wag commented yesterday: "If those refugees keep coming there won't be any need to conclude a peace with East Germany. There won't be any East Germany left."

ATTEND COURSE

John E. Vinsant, zoning administrator and secretary to the Zoning Board, is going to be a temporary "Ramblin' wreck from Georgia Tech" next week when he attends a one-week course in advanced zoning in Atlanta.

Remember The Times

25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK A Miami contractor, J. Y. Gooch, had a narrow escape when four young bandits tried to hold him up while driving on Le Jeune Road. They did not succeed in their attempt but fired several shots into Mr. Gooch's car . . . Dr. A. H. Weiland was elected president of the Miami Biltmore Country Club at the annual meeting . . . A resolution was passed by the Chamber of Commerce advocating the erection of a hurricane shelter for residents of the Redland district in southwest Dade County . . . The city's new equipment yard located just off Ponce de Leon Blvd is nearing completion and is in partial use. 10 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK A total of 54 Miracle Mile merchants met this week and voted to join with the property owners of many of the stores to form the "Miracle Mile Association." . . . The beautification of Miracle Mile by constructing a center strip was passed by the City Commission . . . A high school romance has culminated in the announcement of the engagement of Peggy Sabin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond J. Sabin, and Maurice H. Martin of Coconut Grove who is enroute to Paris, France, for a year's tour of duty with the Air Force. ONE YEAR AGO THIS WEEK Ruth Jean Ellison of 415 Alhambra Circle was severely injured when her car struck a tree at the intersection of Granada Boulevard and South Greenway Drive . . . Coral Gables attorney Bernard Weksler attacked the tax exempt status of Doctors' Hospital.

SAND-TOPSOIL

YOU CALL, WE HAVE SAND-TOPSOIL GARDEN SUPPLY CENTER 9507 BIRD ROAD CA 1-6077

IN THE RED BIRD SHOPPING CENTER IT'S BELK'S Belk's JULY CLEARANCE

Still In Progress With DRASTIC MARK DOWNS ON SUMMER ITEMS AT BELK'S-Red & Bird Rds. MO 1-4248

Sherry's 13th Anniversary Shoe Sale

Sherry's FOR BEAUTIFUL SHOES 256 MIRACLE MILE HI 8-8947 13th Anniversary Shoe Sale Red Cross | Barefoot Originals | Carmelletes | Foot Flair | Caressa | Sandler of Boston | Debs | Heydays | Red Cross Cobbies Group 1 DRESS SHOES Values to 19.99 now 12.90 Group 2 DRESS SHOES Values to 14.99 now 9.90 Group 3 CASUALS Values to 11.99 now 5.90 Group 4 Red Cross Casuals Values to 12.99 now 7.98 Open Friday 'til 9 P.M. Pan Am or Personal Charge