The Coral Gables Times

THE Coral Gables TIMES

THE CITY BEAUTIFUL Vol. 36, No. 47 20 Pages Thursday, January 4, 1962 Phone HI 3-1661 Price 10c

Who Lost It? Boys Find Dope Along Waterway

Finding of approximately 100 boxes of dope along the mouth of the Coral Gables Waterway Sunday afternoon has led to speculation that a group of drug addicts was getting ready to "blast" big New Year's Eve. "Blasting" is the terminology used by addicts to describe the taking of habit forming drugs. The boxes were found by Robert Peterson, 16, of 6821 Camarin St., his brother, Gerald, 13, and Richard Wall, 13, of 7435 SW 117th St. The boxes were lying near the Sunrise Harbor boat launching ramp and along the waterway banks, according to Officer R. J. Smith, who conducted the initial investigation. State Narcotics Bureau officials said they had no information on the case, Agent Ray Belinger, who picked up the investigation where Gables police left off, was out of town and could not be reached. Smith said that the boys found 60 boxes containing three capsules each of benzedrine, suffadiazine and phenobarbital near the ramp shortly before 2:30 p.m. Lt. Don Clermont, of the Detective Bureau, said that police had no clues as to the origin of the drugs. They may have been dumped out of a boat, he said. Coral Gables' police boat was not in operation that afternoon because the operator, James P. Robinson, was out ill.

Too Much Glory

As we passed the City Hall Tuesday about 20 minutes until midnight we noticed the American flag flying. Any reason beyond someone's forgetfulness?

Bechtolt and Hart Win Home Prizes

Santa playing the organ; another Santa strumming a bass fiddle; a gleaming white snowman whirling to the trains of hi-fi music emanating from the house; and a glistening gold Christmas tree. This is the combination the judges went for in awarding first prize for originality to the F. M. Bechtolts of 2001 Country Club Prado. Competition was in the Coral Gables Board of Realtors — Coral Gables Times and Guide annual home decorations contest. For beauty it was the B. J. Harts' Santa and reindeer on rooftop, the animated toys, dogs, the gold and silver ornaments, the tree full of toys and another white and gold Santa, plus all the beautiful lights, that did it. The Harts' colonial style home is at 617 University Dr. Second place winner for beauty was C. J. McGrath, of 6260 SW 20th St.; Milton D. Piedra, 8720 SW 20th St.; and Melvin Schiller, 460 San Servando Ave. Runners up for beauty were John H. Bechamps, 1503 SW 56th Ter.; and Muriel and Charles Garner, 1450 SW 25th Ave. The first place winners were to receive nine-inch silver bowls at a luncheon scheduled at noon today (Thursday) at the Coral Gables Country Club. Second place winners received smaller bowls of silver and runnersup will get certificates from Mayor Robert L. Searle.

THE PARADE WAS over so Mrs. L. M. Wiggins, 1710 Coral Gate Dr., put her shoes back on. She and Mr. Wiggins were among the thousands watching the Junior Orange Bowl function here. Incidentally, each is 75 years old and they've been married 55 years. Story on page 2. (Staff photo by Raymond Lang).

Something To Lien On Shelter Leads to Falling Out

One Coral Gables woman's experience with fallout shelters has her wondering if she shouldn't have chanced it. Mrs. Clarice Busch, 345 Velarde Ave., had a lien slapped on her property because she refused to make any more payments on a $1,900 shelter she said was installed in the wrong place. Meanwhile, Nuclear Fallout Shelters, 10427 S. Dixie Hwy., which sold the shelter has had its phone disconnected according to the telephone company. The firm filed a $2,041 lien on the Busch property when she insisted they move it to a place she said had been agreed upon. Mrs. Busch's shelter was the subject of a front page story in The Times about six weeks ago. "I still want the shelter," said Mrs. Busch of the submarine-like contraption sticking out of the middle of her back yard. But she wants it out of the way near the edge of the back yard so her children may use the yard, she said. The shelter, sitting there useless because it lacks other equipment, was put in while she was out, Mrs. Busch, a real estate broker said. "I told them not to deliver it while I was out and they did it anyway," said the irate Gableite. "Then they put in in the wrong place." Nuclear Fallout Shelters wanted $500 more to move it and tacked this on the lien, Mrs. Busch said, and the institution which financed it told her it was her problem.

Professional packers and wrappers for shopping or mailing, "The Barefoot Mailman" 234 Valencia Ave., C. Gables.

Larry Larimore, Realtor, Coral Gables' only accredited property management organization. 150 Andalusia HI 8-1563.

Alhambra's Due For Brightening

Alhambra Circle, from Ponce de Leon Boulevard to Le Jeune Road, is going to look brighter soon. The City is going to increase the intensity of its lights there. A 50 per cent increase, from 4,000 to 6,000 lumens, is entailed. A lumen is a measure of light. The City is also studying the feasibility of an underground lighting system for planting areas on Alhambra.

Full-Time Checker Of Minimum Homes Sought for Gables Advisory Board Asks Commissioners For Equal City Services to Negroes

A full time inspector to police the Minimum Housing Code has been recommended by the Planning Advisory Board which also backs a complete rehabilitation program for the Gables' Negro area. The board, while citing the Building and Zoning Department for the job done in correcting the more flagrant violations, pointed out that some areas are not getting the full benefit of the ordinance passed in 1959 to eliminate slum conditions. In a motion made by William Wood, the board recommended also that the City assign a man to help enforce the Building Code and ordinances in the McFarland Homestead, Coconut Grove Warehouse Center and Golden Gates Subdivisions. The board also recommended that the City provide the same quality of police and fire protection, garbage collection, beautification and sidewalks as in other areas. City Commissioners accepted the boards' report without comment Tuesday. A block by block inspection of certain Negro housing areas has been underway for more than a year by the Building and Zoning Department. Monthly progress reports on corrections of violations have been made to the City Commission.

Our Good Wishes Roll Southward

The People to People Program vehicle left yesterday (Wednesday) morning for Jacksonville, where it will be loaded aboard the liner Elizabeth Schulte for delivery to a school in Cartagena, Colombia. The vehicle, paid for by the People to People Program, civic organizations and individual contributors, was loaded with three sewing machines, clothing and school supplies. These are destined for the La Sociedad de Amor, a school for 5,000 underprivileged children in Cartagena.

Old Smoky Up to Old Tricks Again

Old Smoky — the Miami City incinerator in Coconut Grove — is worse than ever. "It's really bad today (Tuesday)," Joe Mantinan, administrative assistant to the city manager, told the City Commission after a series of complaints from area residents. Mayor Robert L. Searle asked Finance Director Kenneth Allyn, substituting for City Manager L. W. Robinson Jr., to give the Commission a report later. The City of Miami has employed engineers to make the new incinerator work the way it was designed.

BOOK DONORS

During the past week the Coral Gables Public Library received gifts of books from— Mrs. Hal Davis, 1420 Sopera Ave.; W. Leslie Dwyer, 3081 SW 27 Lane; Carlos Otto, 437 Bird Road; and Mrs. J. Riley Staats, 5110 San Amaro Dr.

$3,200 Haul

A thief got $3,200 and company papers at Lorraine Children's Bootery, 247 Miracle Mile between Dec. 21-22, Coral Gables police reported last week. Robert E. Gallagher, the owner, told police that he arrived the morning of Dec. 22 to find the front and back doors unlocked and $3,000 of firm money, $200 in personal funds and papers missing. He said the doors had been locked the previous day.

New Route Well Received

The new bus service from the Coral Gables Bus Terminal to the Baptist Hospital has apparently filled a need. Lee Davis, director of transportation for the City, reports his telephone has been swamped at times with calls from persons inquiring about the route. The first bus leaves the Terminal at 7:20 a.m., the last one at 6:20 p.m. There is no service on Sundays or holidays.