The Guide

Birthday Cake For Jesus Grove Woman Started A National Tradition

When a small boy asked his bedridden mother whose birthday came on Christmas, a six-year old tradition known as a "Birthday Cake for Christ" began. That tradition started in Miami and today is observed throughout the country. Six-year-old Douglas Prowse asked that question on a hot July day in 1953. His mother, Mrs. C. O. Prowse Jr., of 4040 Matheson Ave., Coconut Grove, answered with a poem that she wrote while bedridden for two months. Children Confused Writing "Once God Gave A Birthday Party" made Mrs. Prowse wonder how many other children were confused with that same question. "I began looking through magazines for suggestions about birthday cakes that might be appropriate but couldn't find any," said Mrs. Prowse, "so I designed my own." She became more interested in the thought of a birthday party for Christ and began searching for any material that might contribute to a suitable ceremony. "I collected 22 pages of material and added to it each year. It included songs and poems, readings and suggestions for Christmas pageants." In 1954 Mrs. Prowse approached the Greater Miami Council of Churches and the Ministerial Association with the idea and the material she had edited. Ten Churches Each of ten churches added ceremonies and the material was compiled in a brochure made available to the public. This six-year tradition that has become a firm part of Christmas celebrations in churches around the country is still based on Mrs. Prowse's theme of a "Birthday Cake for Christ". The lighting of candles symbolizes the spirit of Christmas and religious ceremonies from Mrs. Prowse's and local church contributions accompany it. On the cake is a silver star and an angel symbolizing the quest of the Wise Men and the promise made to the shepherds of peace on earth and good will toward men. Twenty red candles are lit ... one for each century since the first Christmas. Families Like Idea Individual families have taken up Mrs. Prowse's idea, many of them serving the cake with Christmas dinner or when the presents are opened. Mrs. Prowse's purpose in the idea was to "renew and deepen the understanding of the true meaning of Christmas as the birthday of Christ." A description of the cake as well as the material gathered by Mrs. Prowse and local church groups can be obtained free of charge from the Miami Publicity Department, 320 NE 5th St., Miami, Fla. This brochure outlines the entire project as edited from the material collected by Mrs. Prowse. It represents long hours of work and the contributions of many people. "I couldn't even begin to name all the people who helped produce this brochure," said Mrs. Prowse. "I merely spearheaded the project ... many others did the work, voluntarily."

Final Approval On LeJeune Station Delayed

Final approval of a gas station on LeJeune Rd. between Palermo and Sevilla was deferred by the Coral Gables City Commission Tuesday. Commissioners voted 4-1, with Winston W. Wynne remaining [?] on going ahead with granting Orange State Oil Co. permission to erect a new station. Deferral came in the face of a threatened law suit by members of Temple Judea and City National Bank and mounting reaction from surrounding area residents and businessmen. The Commission decided to sit down with representatives of the Temple, the bank, Deerborne School and residents to see if the problem could be worked out. Week Later The move came one week after the Commission voted 4-0, with Commissioner Frank Kerdyk abstaining, to approve the station on first reading of an ordinance. Orange State, which operates Cities Service stations, was caught in another vice as it attempted to cooperate with the city's policy of removing all gas stations from Ponce de Leon Blvd. Three have been removed. Mayor John M. Montgomery said that "the City must find some way to compete with shopping centers. Two of the eight lots involved required rezoning to accommodate the LeJeune station. The Commission discussed the possibility of allowing the station on the six lots properly zoned, but the proposal met with a cool reception from oil company representatives. Also involved is waiver of the 500-foot minimum distance rule between stations and churches and schools. Will Be Widened LeJeune Rd., scheduled for widening to 60-feet, is now zoned for various uses including commercial along its full length through Coral Gables. Opposition is split between those who oppose any commercialization and those who oppose only some types. Temple Judea and Deerborne School representatives have cited hazard and traffic for opposing. A station is already located in their neighborhood. Attorney Bernard B. Weksler told the Commission that the fact that a sizeable segment of the community is opposed should be considered by the Commission and that action should be deferred until "a proper plan" is adopted.

New Beauty Salon Opens In Gables

Coral Gables welcomes a new beauty salon, Hair Design, located at 65 Merrick Way. The word elegance is more often than not misapplied but fits perfectly the decor of the new Hair Design Salon. The staff of Hair Design is headed up by Mr. Earle, for years an associate of Best & Co., hair styling department, Fifth Ave., New York. Mr. Earle was also associated as consultant at Sak's Fifth Ave. and also toured for Sak's as lecturer and demonstrator. Mr. Earle has surrounded himself at Hair Design with artists in hair styling, including Monee of Washington D. C., Mr. Paul Russel and Mr. David Seine.

IT WAS FAMILY NIGHT at the Coral Gables Country Club when members turned out for the Fashion Show Dinner held Tuesday night. Among the guests were the Jack Joneses and their children. Next to the banister are Michael, Janis and Marsha. The other children are Oliver, Nancy and Jack, Jr.

THE FINDEISEN FAMILY also turned out to view the fashions and to dine at the Coral Gables Country Club Fashion Show Dinner. From left to right are Judy, Mrs. Jack, Debbie, Janis and Mr. Jack Findeisen. Photos by Marty Aranow.

City Truck Blamed For Broken Window

Lambros S. Camitos, 34, of 2905 SW 17th St., reported to Coral Gables police that his windshield was smashed and hood damaged by a rock which flew off a city truck recently. Camitos said he was eastbound on Coral Way in the 7400 block at approximately 10 p.m. when he met the truck coming from the opposite direction. According to his wife, a rock came smashing through the car's windshield as the vehicles met. The victim estimated damage to his car at $130. Ever make a squash pie? Delicious.

Lois Harrison

FORMERLY OF A WELL-KNOWN SALON ON Miracle Mile NOW ASSOCIATED WITH Coiffures by HOWARD 7291 RED ROAD MO 7-7282

Judges Study Yule Lighting Entries

(Continued from Page One) 22nd Ave.; Mrs. William Penn Perry, 9985 SW 55th St. Mrs. Margaret A. Pearson, 1250 SW 62nd Ave.; Mr. and Mrs. Erskine H. Rupp, [?79?] Camilo Ave.; R. V. Pedersen, 9201 SW 46th Ter. Samuel T. Randall, 713 Minorca Ave.; John T. Linnes Jr., 5780 SW 46th Ter.; Rene Urquidi, 2162 SW 24th St.; Harry V. Preston, 5852 SW 24th St. Mr. and Mrs. Ronald H. Cartwright, 6217 SW 16th St.; Mrs. A. C. Bivins Jr., 7030 Almansa St.; Edwin B. [?]ch, 435 Majorca Ave.; Melvin D. Schiller, 460 San Servando Ave. Mrs. R. J. Hart Sr., 617 University Dr.; James R. Ainsworth, 5250 SW 96th Ave.; Arthur Mahan Jr., 7170 SW 17th Ter.; Peter Coppola, 6260 SW 20th St. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Mosby, 8500 SW 125th Ter.; No[?]ian Hill, 3230 104th Ct.; R. G. Witters, 3955 Granada Blvd.; Coy Lee Crofford, 13040 SW 83rd Ave. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Eeords, 4593 SW 3rd St.; G. F. Ridley, 1306 Pizarro St.; J. D. Monroe, 1410 Country Club Prado. Charles R. Musick, 6430 SW 111th Dr., Ralph Dutton, 921 Slyvania Blvd.; Mrs. Dorothy Igo, 12431 SW 191st St.; Charles A. Gardner, 1450 SW 25th Ave.; Edward C. McCord, 1132 Obispo.

Aid To Schools

Coral Gables High School received $1000 and Ponce de Leon Junior High School $500 from the City of Coral Gables last week when the City Commission approved the appropriation.

TROPICAL TYPEWRITER SERVICE

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO VIEW A PORTION OF MY COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE TYPEWRITERS, ON DISPLAY IN THE ALCAZAR SIDE WINDOW OF TROPICAL TYPEWRITER SERVICE 2135 Ponce de Leon Blvd. The window is lighted during the hours of darkness. CARL L. LIBBY

SAVE NOW FLORIDA NATIONAL Bank at Coral Gables

MEMBER: FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM • FLORIDA NATIONAL GROUP