Our walk down memory lane started at Pinellas County's Heritage Village. They have everything from smoked tobacco, to 1 room schoolhouses to the McMullen House...(I was named after my Mother's friend who was a McMullen...)
then on to Anona Elementary School in Indian Rocks/Largo
Greetings...Family & Friends:This week has been a very interesting one...
My cousin, Ray and Betty Fortner, came for a visit from Pensacola, Florida.Ray lived several of his 'formative' years here in Pinellas County in the 30's and he wanted to visit his 'roots'....Since Charlie and I live in the area, we did research in order to make their visit 'memorable'.
My brother, J.R. aka 'Dockie' and Ann , came as well.
Starting at Heritage Village...our history walk down memory lane began...
....As the day unfolded, more and more memories came to the surface for all of us and we learned things beyond our own expectation....
We went to 'Anona' school in Indian Rocks where Ray went to school, and there a very wonderful young lady, Patti, took us around and stopped at a 5th grade class and introduced Ray to the class. It seems the class had a 'reporter' who was investigating the 'history' of the school and Irving was selected to ask Ray questions...Irving was 'good'....
Then the students were allowed to ask questions....
They wanted to know...what did a quarter buy, did you have jails, what was punishment in school, and on and on....
Very interesting indeed.
Ray told them that he was the author of books plus his career was in law enforcement and that he retired as the Chief United States Probation Officer of the Northern District of Florida. He encouraged the students to obey their teacher, be happy about 'learning' and to grow up to be 'good citizens'....
We all had....FUN!
Next, we looked for the area where our parents lived....as Ray remembered.....
My 'older' brother, Dockie, was born here in Clearwater and I was never able to identify where our parents lived at that time.
Ray provided information in general terms....and we found the 'close proximity'.
You must remember there was fruit groves on the beach, and dairy farms....then.
....Finding a 'county park' on the land remembered was awesome....much of the land was natural...oh sure, condo's all around but this particular area was a county park area on the water....we were delighted...
From there we went to Tarpon Springs and sponge boats were just unloading...what a sight!
Our next visit was to ....Cortez Fishing Village....where Cindy, Dockie & Ann's daughter, lives....Cindy has restored a 1940's cottage and it is 'priceless'....
She shared her home, her heritage and her friends seafood restaurant with us...
What a blessing....
Reluctantly, after stopping at St. Pete Pier....we agreed that time was getting short on their visit and we must return to 'planet earth' and join the 'real' life of 2005 again....
With much laughter, love and a few tears we said good-bye to our guests.
But not before.....planning a trip to Costa Rica together for next spring...
After all we are not only family....but 'Good Time Pals' as well....
See pictures below...enjoying....The Good Life!
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