The Guide

THE GUIDE the local newspaper for all South Dade

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit 742 Miami, Fla. Vol. 2 No. 20 William von Maurer, Editor Thursday, October 27, 1960 Published by TIMES-GUIDE 308 Aragon • Coral Gables, Fla. • HI 3-1661 Combined Circulation 44,095

OFF HIS FEET for the first time in 40 years is Claude Acton. Acton retired after 40 years with the Coconut Grove Post Office. And right now, he's enjoying his retirement by lounging on a sofa, putting his feet up and letting his wife puff a pillow under his head.

Cove Post Office Superintendent He Earns A Rest After 40 Years Of Service

By GRACE WHIPPLE There was a party going on at the Coconut Grove Post Office on a recent afternoon. The party was a tribute to a man and his 40 years of service with "the same company." The man was Claude Acton, superintendent of the Coconut Grove Post Office. "There's nothing like it to make a man feel humble," said Acton, recognizing the tribute given him by employes of his station. Pulling up a chair he began the story of his 40 year career. Came Here In 1923 It started in 1920 when Acton rode the train as a Railway Service worker. He came to Miami in 1923 after working in the Chicago and Cincinnatti offices. It was here a few years later that Acton entered the "most educational" part of his career. As a clerk in the Inquiries and complaints Department he learned just how many types of people there are in the world and how to get along with them. In 1927 he became an office foreman. For the past 14 years he has served as Superintendent of the Coconut Grove Post Office where he "really likes it." "Folks here are just like my hometown—kind of homey," said Acton, who claims Worthington, Ind., as his original home. The fact that Coconut Grove serves as a home for some notable personages whose name and money can afford them the privilege of being difficult, makes little trouble for him. Nice People "All the people around here are nice." The rich and poor—the famous and the average pose few problems and complaints for Acton. His own philosophy of life and way of getting along with people are probably the reason.

He Just Got Tired Waiting For Light

Some might not say that the traffic light at the intersection of Bird Rd. and Riviera Dr. is slow in changing, but at least one man told the Coral Gables City Commission Tuesday that he got tired of waiting and went through the red light. Commissioner Joe Murphy told the Commission he had received complaints about the light and was passing them on. Metro, which has jurisdiction over traffic now, was to be contacted to see if the timing could be changed.

South Miami Jaycees Offer Rides To Polls

The South Miami Jaycees will have ten new cars available, Nov. 8, to take voters to the polls. This taxi service is part of the group's "Get Out To oVte" project initiated during registration. Any voter needing a ride to the polls, should call MO 7-6461 and a South Miami Jaycee will take you to vote and bring you home.

Who Will Wear Junior Orange Bowl Crown?

A new Junior Orange Bowl Queen will be choesn on Dec. 17 at the War Memorial Youth Center in Coral Gables. Already the grownups are putting the finishing touches on plans to make this event unforgettable for the young participants. Last year 63 excited youngsters competed in the finals of the contest, when 13-year-old Jean Dunlap of Miami was crowned queen. A total of 683 girls took part in local preliminary contests conducted by the recreation departments of 15 Florida cities and towns, extending from Ormond Beach to Key West. Entries From Everywhere Based on inquiries already received, Larry Larimore, president of the Junior Orange Bowl Committee, predicts that the 1960 contest will attract entrants from the widest area in its 10-year history. For the first time, the Florida West Coast will be represented, with entries already assured from Port Charlotte. The winner will preside over a festive Queen's ball and will ride the float of honor in the huge Junior Orange Bowl Parade on Dec. 29. What Judges Look For The contest judges look for the combination of poise, personality, carriage and general appearance which constitutes the typical American girl. Talent and professional experience are not factors. Contestants must have reached their 12th birthday but not their 14th by Dec. 1 in order to be eligible. All candidates must be selected in municipal recreation department preliminary contests and officially entered by these departments before Dec. 10. Prospective entrants should inquire of their local recreation department which may obtain full information and entry blanks from the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, 50 Aragon Avenue.

South Miami Seeks Junior Bowl Queen

South Miami area girls interested in entering the South Miami eliminations for the Miss Junior Orange Bowl Contest have until Wednesday, Dec. 7, to pick up applications from the information desk in city hall. According to Recreation Director Charles Skalaski, the South Miami elimination will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at South Miami Junior High School auditorium. The three girls picked from South Miami will compete with girls from other cities for the coveted title of Miss Junior Orange Bowl. Only qualifications are that the girls be between 12 and 14 years of age at the time of the elimination.

Daddies Will 'Haunt' PTA Carnival House

On Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. the Coral Terrace Elementary School PTA will open its "Haunted Frolic". This year's carnival will feature game booths, a gift shop, a cake walk, a talent show emceed by Frank Wilcox and a genuine "Haunted House". This house will be expertly haunted by the daddies of Coral Terrace Elementary School.

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Police Brutality Suit Is Dropped Action Taken By Plaintiff Voluntarily

A police brutality suit against South Miami and two of the city's police officers has been voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff. John W. Crew, 6280 SW 58th Ave., who filed suit against the city last month alleging police brutality, removed the suit from Circuit Court. This does not mean that Crew could not file at a later date, according to South Miami City Attorney George B. Hardie Jr. The two police officers involved are Loren Pucket and Ralph Greenwood. Crew alleges that on a night late in August he was putting his car away when the two police officers approached. They said Crew had run a red light and asked to see his drivers license. Crew refused to show his license and told the officers they would have to get a warrant to see it. The officers returned the next morning with the warrant and asked Crew to come with them to South Miami police station. An argument followed with Crew refusing to go to the station. The officers finally had to handcuff Crew to get him to the station. At the station, Crew was permitted to make bond. Crew said he and his children was brutally handled by the officers at his home and later at the station. Crew was found guilty last month of running the stop light at Miller and Red Road that the officers had accused him of running.

Mothers Meet At School Tea

Tea anyone? Mothers of students at Christopher Columbus High School and St. John Vianney Seminary said "yes," Oct. 19 and found an opportunity to become acquainted. The mothers were attending a tea in the cafetorium from 2-4 p.m. which was held to allow the women to meet each other early in the school year. * * * Witches, goblins and other Halloween creatures will steal the spotlight Oct. 28 at an 8 p.m. dance sponsored by the Parent's Auxiliary of Christopher Columbus High School. The public is invited to attend the affair in the cafetorium of the parachial school, 3000 SW 87th Ave. Tickets are $1 each.

Alligator Shot At Tahiti Beach

A state wildlife officer turned alligator wrestler in Coral Gables the morning of Oct. 12 when a 6-foot 'gator he shot in the waters off Tahiti Beach came to life as he swam out and dragged the carcass ashore. Fortunately for Dave Balman, the wildlife man, the reptile had lost enthusiasm for combat. Balman loaded the 'gator into his vehicle and took it away to be separated from its hide. Paul U. Gerber, of Tahiti Beach, reported seeing the 'gator to Gables police shortly after 9:30 a.m.