Volume 7 Number 1 January/February 1990F/orida's Finest Resident-Owned Retirement Community

This is our new sign near the front entrance to HawthornePark. Lower right is Art Lambright who was Master ofCeremonies for the dedication on Dec. 13. (Nat Bodingerphoto)

The Identification IslandOn December 13, 1989 a group of Hawthornites braved thechilly wind to gather at the Bridge where assembled theparade of gaily decorated golf carts, trikes, bicycles and justplain followers. Santa in full red splendor was everywhere intinseled vehicles all timely dressed for this importantoccasion, the dedication of our new Hawthorne sign on theIdentification Island.

The Leesburg Veterans Color Guard and members of theLeesburg High School Band led us past the security gates upthe hill toward our front entrance. The warm sun and festiveatmosphere embraced us as we admired our new Identifica-tion Island.

Art Lambright was Master of Ceremonies for the after-noon. The program opened with an inspiring invocation bythe Rev. Evan Owens. Then Art reminded us that originalideas, dreams, creativity, research, consultations and plain

hard work result in success. He told us that Dan Gorden, ourHawthorne general manager noticed that the presententrance sign suffered 16 years of wear. His idea wasbrought to the attention of the HRCA board who agreed thatit was time for a change.

Wendy Husebo, who worked with Colonial Penn toestablish Hawthorne in the beginning, was called in to workon the architecture of the sign. This basic design wasapproved by a special committee appointed for the project.

After several trials the best bid came from the MidFlorida Signs and Graphics Co. who executed the plansbrilliantly. The three flag poles just behind the sign wereerected by the Old Glory Flag Co. It was explained that thepoles are sunk into the ground in such a way that they swayin a high wind but never break.

President of the HRCA board, Ron Collier spoke to thecrowd on the importance of staying ahead in today's moderncompetitive times when new parks are springing up aroundus with huge budgets for advertising. He also explained thatthe black lettering on our new sign turns to white at nightand becomes a landmark. The Hawthorne logo is in full colorand is visible at all times.

Art Lambright presented Don Bailey, Lake CountyCommissioner; Ed Havill, Lake County Tax Appraiser; WendyHusebo, President of Husebo Advertising Co.; Dan Gorden,Manager of Hawthorne Park; Dan Hayes, President of MidFlorida Signs and Graphics Co.; Roger Britt, President of OldGlory Flag Co.; Hector McLeod, resident landscape architectand Gene Fuller, supervisor of grounds and maintenancewho almost overnight got all the grading and landscapingcompleted. Art also thanked Francis Blair, Alvin Evans,Drake Reason and Gary Strawser for all their help in "settingup" for audience comfort.

Then began the ribbon cutting ceremony withcharacteristic flair. Mr. Lambright threaded an endless roll ofred ribbon in and around each row of the audience. The ColorGuard came to attention, a fanfare from the Band brought allto order. On his signal, numerous scissors went "snip, snip"and we stood up to sing our national anthem as the ColorGuard raised the flag. We all had souvenir pieces of redribbon! Art announced refreshments served in the nearbytent.

The Hawthorne Hospitality Committee, chaired by JulieNewman, was assisted by: Virginia Greene, Doris Harris, PegHogue, Rachel Hurld, Trlna Jacobson, Betty Roth, RosemaryStaros and Helen Dae Wheeler, who did a great job providinga lavish assortment of goodies. The table was resplendentwith coffee, tea, cranberry punch and trays heaped withcakes, cookies and a variety of other "yummies". A properfinish to an exciting landmark in Hawthorne History.

Anna K. Merlino

From The ...

Editor's NotebookThe bulls and the bears aren't nearly as responsiblefor stock market disasters as are the bum steers.

* * * * *Vera and Ralph Battipaglia, who live on DogwoodTrail, celebrated Ralph's 89th birthday on January 12with twenty of their friends and neighbors at adelightful luncheon at The Mission Inn. Vera made thereservations and ordered a cake so the Mission Innhad printed for each, their own menu for the RalphBattipaglia 89th Birthday Party for a souvenir.

Ralph was born in Italy on Jan. 12, 1901 but cameto New York when he was 18 months old. They settledin White Plains, N.Y. and Ralph became a plumber andwas a union member until he retired. He received his50 years paid up membership in the Plumbers Unionseveral years ago. He met and married Vera Wardenon Feb. 13, 1960, a second marriage for both. Theycame to Hawthorne in 1976.

* * * * *

At Hawthorne there are 9 State Clubs but there aren'tenough residents from some states for a club of theirown so someone got an idea for "The Other StatesClub" and invite everyone who isn't in a state club.This was approved by the Program Activity Committeeand they were off and rolling. They had one meeting tosee how many were interested and twenty peoplecame. The second meeting was scheduled as anorganizational one and they doubled the attendance.A dinner meeting was scheduled for February 16.Officers chosen for the new club are Doris Noland,Chairman; Buck Lewis, Co-Chairman; and CarolMellor, Recorder.

* * * * *

We have a less-than-a-year-old Entertainment Club atHawthorne that have come up with some excitingways to keep us entertained and they assure us thebest is yet to come. There have been variety shows,movies, etc. here for years but each thing was anentity all its own and now they are all under one groupand have been accepted by the Program Activity Com-mittee as a bonafide activity. Clara Hammond is thechairman and since she goes north in the summer tobe with family, Jo Ferguson and Russ Mowry areCo-Chairmen, so the activity will continue through thesummer when the movies have been so veryappreciated. They plan to have good movies and othertypes of fun things too. They welcome new ideas andwant you to tell them the kind of entertainment youwould enjoy.

Clara Hammond has a background in theaterproductions, getting activities organized, is a talentedsinger and has a lot of enthusiasm and energy. Theirfirst project for this year is a Renaissance Themedinner which is a new venture at Hawthorne, on Jan.22.Then they start plans for the Variety Show in Marchand they are looking for new local talent.

With Christmas goodies put away, The cards reread, then tied.,The New Year, new decade begin'~d memories set aside.W~%;;'tJJrnour thoughts to kind. ss shownTo lo~ friendships sublil1}8'~For all ~l1}eans, to eactbA1isown,Please be' Valent" !

The Language is English, 'tis a simple tongue?(This appeared in the Sunday Times of London about25 years ago)Hints on pronounclatlonI take it you already know of tough and bough andcough and dough?Others may stumble, but not you, on hiccough,thorough, laugh and through. Well done! And now youwish, perhaps, to learn of less familiar traps? Bewareof heard, a dreadful word that looks like beard andsounds like bird. And dead: it's said like bed, not bead- for goodness' sakes don't call it "deed!"Watch out for meat and great and threat, they rhymewith suite and straight and debt. A moth is not a mothin mother, nor both in bother, broth in brother. Andhere is not a match for there, nor dear and fear for bearand pear. And then there's dose and rose and lose,just look them up - and goose and choose.And cork and work and card and word, and font andfront and word and sword, And do and go and thwartand cart; come, come, I've hardly made a start!A dreadful language? Man alive, I'd mastered it when Iwas five.

Submitted by Lee Schick

Hawthorne HeraldHawthorne-at-Leesburg

Post Office Box No. 1764 Leesburg, FL 32749-1764Telephone(904)787-1000

Published bi-monthly by the HawthorneResidents Cooperative Association, Inc.

Editor Verna GarberAssociate Editor Barbara GoodfellowEditorial Staff Elnora Bolan,

Reba Heintzelman, Anna K. Merlino, Web Stull,Rosalind MacRae Sykes, Dewhirst W. Wade

Photographer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Nathaniel BodingerArt Lorraine Thomas

MUSIC,MUSIC

MUSIC,"There are so few birds around this year. I wonder

where they are..." mused a friend. Well, I figure thatHawthornites have created such quality music latelythat the birds decided not to compete.

FIRST, on Nov. 26th, THE JOLLY ROGERSCHRISTMAS PRESENT TO HAWTHORNE was spon-sored by the Organ Club. Dressed in their loveliest,Charlotte Fowler and Reba Heintzelman blendedpiano and organ into medleys of singable musicals,toe-tapping marches and dances and colorfulChristmas music that inspired the entire appreciativeaudience of 465 to sing along in "White Christmas."

Reba's brother, Ted Rogers, introduced the organand piano with empathy and fun. Every so often, he'drefer to Reba being the oldest in the family and Rebawould grumble a crushing chord off key in protest.

Reba's three brothers, Ted, Bob and Bill Rogers,enlivened the second part of the program with talent,fun and a jam session. Music and fun is a Rogers wayof life. Their concert-pianist mother met their dad play-ing violin for a square dance in Calgary, Alberta. Muchlater, the three sons joined their dad in a Jolly Rogersquartet. Bill, Bob and Ted are still making music. Forthis concert, they drove in from Apollo Beach,Sebastian and Melbourne to perform with Bill's sax-ophone, Bob's hillbilly guitar, keyboard and organ, andTed's vocals.

THIRTEENTH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PUDDING,Dec. 4, with Director Elizabeth Jensen and RuthSammer as accompanist, was our SECOND musicfest. The Hawthorne Chorus was a delight for the eyeand ear. Solos by Mickey Hall, Paul Newman, MaryWatt and Ed Laske added real pleasure to theprogram. The Piano Quartet of Ruth Laske, LouisePaquette, Ruth Sammer and Pat Waltenberg playedwith skill and verve. The Barbershop Quartet, the Har-monaires and the Hawthorne Ensemble filled the airwith lovely sound. The program culminated in theHallelujah Chorus, from Messiah.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS by the Hymn Sing Group (45strong) who car-pooled and golf-carted Hawthorne'smoonlit streets to sing for Hawthorne shut-insenhanced the air on Dec. 11 and 13. Led by Dr. HarleyAnderson with pitch pipe and bass, and ElizabethJensen's melodious soprano, we sang from ChristmasCarol books.

Irene Benward had called all 63 Hawthorne ZoneCaptains for names of shut-ins and had talked with all22 residents who were serenaded. One shut-in urgedall to gather in the living room where her ill husbandcould see the activity. Another gave us a tin ofhomemade fudge and money that was then donated tothe Hawthorne Christmas Card.

FOURTH, the Christmas Vesper service of Sun.,

Charlotte Fowler, left, who can really make a piano sing, andReba Heintzelman, organist ex traordina ire, posed on theorgan bench with a poster of their season opening specialconcert. Reba and Char were joined by three of Reba'sbrothers, The Jolly Rogers, in a delightful program. (NatBodinger photo)

Dec. 17, co-sponsored by the Organ Club and theSpiritual Life Council, told the story of Christ's birth,embellished by 21 talented Hawthorne musicians onorgan, piano, violin, recorder and voice. I heard onecomment that Helen Selleck "plays the violin asthough it were an extension of her hand." Dr. CleoraWidlicka guided us through a veritable bloominggarden of sound, and Rev. Ogden R. Ludlow'sMeditation was very special.

The final symphony of sounds of our season wasLouise Paquette and her houseguest Edith McKee'sPIANO DUO RECITAL on Jan. 2. Newcomer LouiseNaden also sang several of the lovely and sensitivesongs from "Fiddler on the Roof." Louise and Edithhad had a long, happy association of piano teachingtogether at Grosse Point Conservatory of Music inMichigan. They extended their joy of again blendingtheir pianos with an exquisite, diversified, spritely andtalented hour of music.

All in all, you can see Nature's songbirds have hadsome real competition. But, now they can fly in,knowing we're all tuned up for spring.

Rosalind MacRae Sykes

GRANDSONThe ideal son, and grandson, too,In demeanor and actions, he's great;He's a "go-getter" with things to doTODAY -- tomorrow'S too late!

His multi-talents were revealedVery early, and we were sure;That he'd succeed in any field,He was a born entrepreneur.

He proves his ability with deeds,And remarkable skills to spare;His dad now readily concedes:"He treads where I wouldn't dare!"

Not muscular, but straight and tall,He stands out in every crowd;His name is David, and we, all,Of him, are eternally proud!

George C. Maloof

EasterNow comes that time of year againIt's Easter time and that is whenWe celebrate with expectationThat hope inspiring resurrection,That hope may be a help to youIf a dreadful loss has struck you too.You know, of course, that it is trueBut still there's little you can doYou keep forgetting what you knowIt happened quite awhile ago.After all those years of married blissHow can you face up to this?Though it may come when you least expect itYou'll learn, in time, you must accept it.Your life together was truly greatFor which you thank your loving mate.You always kept up with the newsComparing your's with other's views.You still keep thinking of your dearAs if your mate were really near.And then it strikes you - loud and clear,Dear Lord! Your mate's no longer here.Though physically not now aliveYour memories will long surviveAnd here, again It's Easter Day,"Hope springs eternal" is what they say.Easter morn dawns bright and coolFor Sunrise Service by the poolWhere members of the Hawthorne chorusPerform a lovely service for us,Which is indeed its own rewardBesides a tribute to the Lord.

Web Stull

Editor's note: Web was on the Hawthorne Herald staff untilhis death on Dec. 19, 1989. Thanks dear friend, rest in peace.

The

Poet's World ...Waiting

People are cussed, yes, cussed, I say,Giving me trouble, all the long day!Late for appointments,Thoughtless of time.Why should I mind?Why am I so blind?I'm where I should be, where are the others?My friends, my cousins, my sisters and brothers?How can I cope?What should I do?I'll just bring a book, and enjoy the time too!

Ernestine F. Johnson

SONG OF RAINThere's a chorus out there singingAnd I listen to their song.The discordance is lingeringIt continues all night long.

In the blades of grass that's soakingFrom the storm's steady rainThe dissonance and the croakingNever seems to wane.

Who is leading the mismatched chorusOn all of Hawthorne's lawns?Will it go on endlesslyThrough the night 'til the dawn?

And why have they assembledThese many thousand toadsOn the driveways and the boulevardAnd all of Hawthorne's roads?

Why are they singingIn the grass beneath the pinesWithout a choir-master,Sans rhythm and no rhyme?

When the heavens opened upAnd the earth was drenchedOur outdoor friends sang outTheir thirst has now been quenched.

There's a chorus out there singingAnd though I'm well awareThe music's not memorable --There's music in the air.

Minnie Goodman

EasterThere is a day when we may feelAn inexorable appealTo be all that we can beBy surrendering completelyAll our selfish ways of livingFor lives that are full of givingThe more we give, the more we get.This is a truism; and yetHow often does it slip our mindsUntil at Easter each heart findsThat on this very special dayWe once again may find the way.

Full CircleJanuary -- that's the month when Jack Frost nibbles nosesAnd chilly February isn't any bed of rosesMarch is always welcome with her hints of early SpringAnd April brings with her large flocks of robins on the wingMay's for picnics in the park and roller coaster ridesJune's a month for weddings, diamond rings and lovely bridesJuly the Fourth sends brilliant rockets aiming for the moonAugust? That's when katydids and locusts sing their tuneSeptember - Kids dressed in their best are going back to schoolOctober paints the leaves on trees and keeps the evenings coolNovember - that's when we will celebrate Thanksgiving DayAnd may December be a perfect month in every way.

Betty Crilley

JanuaryNow that the birthday of the Child has passed -The Christmas tree and trimmings put away -Guests gone - the house is tidied - and at lastA quietness replaces bustle of the Holiday.In this expectant hush are you awareOf Earth's eternal music slowly played -And hear, beneath the garden brown and bareSpring's yearning echoes of new life relayed?Ah, listen with your ear and with your heartAs new life stirs and reaches toward the sun,And follow joyously life's timeless chartWhere New Year's dreams and fulfilled hopes are one.

Ruth Campbell

Sea ShellsSea shell, sea shell sing me a song,Murmur a melody I long to hearHum to me of happy days long goneSoft music hushed by time and tear.The tides of the ages have washed through thee,The sands of the seasons have scoured thee clean.The winds still tear and tame thy tuneAs endless suns warm thy polished sheen.Yet, there is a charm for me as I listen,To the enchantment these siren strains impartFrom thy ancient convoluted shell - they go,To the very cockles of my heart

Anna K. Merlino

FAST FOOD FINALE(A TASTE OF LEMON)

Microwavi ng started it all -"Make lemon pudding, it's a bali,"

My daughter said to me.

I pulled out glass four-cup measure;(Cooking with it is pure pleasure.

It stays so nice and clean)And whipped egg, water, lemon mix.In six minutes, the pudding's right -

It's Lemon Dessert Night!

Rosalind MacRae Sykes

Ethel McQuillan

The Wine of LifeWhen we were young we found a timeOf holding hands and running through fields together.A time of laughter, health and funWhen you and I were one;Learning to laugh at and accept

one another's idiosyncracies.In love, in hope,In forward looking anticipation as our family grew,We danced into our life together.

We bottled our love and hope and enthusiasmAnd stored it away in the wine cellar of our hearts:Cradled in the dark warmth of years.And now, my love, the time has come at last, at last,To break it open and taste the wineThat time has brought to all its excellence.

Mellowed, full bodied, a hearty bouquetJust waiting for the dayWhen we two could bring it to our lipsAnd drink in the essence of perfectionWe have waited for.Let's grow old together, my darling,Someday, but not now ...

Now is a beginning, like in our youth.A time of holding hands and running

through fields together.A time of laughter and health and funWhen you and I are one;Learning again to laugh at and acceptOne anothers idiosyncrasies.In love, in hope,In forward looking anticipation with our family grown,Let us dance into the rest of our life together!Come my love, let us begin our love story

all over again.

Mary L. Watt

(A Toast to my husband on the occasion of hisretirement.)

Madame Swami's PredictionsMadame Swami, who has foretold astonishing

events in the past, recently polished up her crystal ballwith Windex. This enabled her to see clearly intoHawthorne's future.

The Nature Club will discover a rare and amazingbird: a bald egret, on one of their trips into theswamps.

The Travel Club will take fantastic trip around theworld stopping in Paris, Bangkok, Oslo, Norway andmany far-away places. They will wind up in Argentinawhere they will dance the Tango expertly.

Our Hawthorne Herald editor will win millions inthe Florida lottery. She will build a quadruple-widehome at Hawthorne, and entertain the Pinochle groupand her staff lavishly with the winnings.

Reba, Louise, and Ruth will debut at the WhiteHouse playing organ and piano music. The largeaudience will include members of Congress, and ofcourse, Barbara and George. The President willpresent the musicians with beautiful faux-pearlnecklaces for their outstanding performance.

Kaye's Line Dancers will be asked to dance atRadio Music Hall, New York City. They will bring downthe house dancing to "New York, New York."

Madame Swami sees two homerun artists as shepeers into her globe. They are glamorous women whoare going to play baseball on the Hawthorne team. Theteam will win their next outside game which will be ashocker: 65 to 5.

Our Park Manager will receive an offer to operateLawrence Welk's mobile home park: "Escondita" at asalary of $2,000,000 per year.

The Seer, using her uncanny insight sees manymore tennis courts at Hawthorne. There will be showerrooms, piped in music, and picnic grounds with wallsand towers girdled around.

The early morning, and winter swimmers will nolonger have goose bumps. The pool will be heated bymeans of ultra sonic waves, and other innovative

features. Vibrators will be added to the poolsidelounges to add extra comfort and health benefits.

Four singers are going to be recorded while theyare harmonizing in the whirlpool. The tape will be soldto a Recording Company which will sell so manyrecords of the singers that it will become a GoldPlatter. It will be titled: "A Steamy Serenade."

A genius from the Hawthorne Art classes willbecome famous for her paintings in the GrandmaMoses style featuring "Home for Christmas inFlorida," and Florida scenes in the Moses NewEngland style, without the snow.

Barbara will go to Escondita as Program Director.There she will marry a famous member of Welk'sChampagne orchestra, a trumpet player, who stilltours all over the world.

A member of the Astronomy class at Hawthorne isdestined to be the first senior citizen to travel inspace. He will fly in a luxury space ship making anincredible flight to a planet which the seer foretellswill be discovered late in the decade.

Through determined effort, pure grit and muchpractice; three members of Alicia's bowling team willrealize their dream score: 300. The entire team willappear on "The High Roliers" television show. Theywill receive beautiful bowling jackets with HighRollers painted on the back in red, white and blue withsparkles and gold braid.

Madame Swami's globe suddenly became murkyso that she was unable to make other predictions forthe future at this time.

Elnora BolanEditor's Note: Please do not try to contact theMadame. She left for a mysterious and prolonged tripto Nepal.

Remember!Old folks are worth a fortune, with silver in their hair,gold in their teeth, stones in their kidneys, lead in theirfeet, and gas in their stomachs.

I have become a little older since I saw you last, and afew changes have come into my life. Frankly, I havebecome quite a frivolous old gal. I am seeing sixgentlemen every day.

As soon as I awake, Will Power helps me out of bed,then he leaves me and I go to see John. I know thenI must see Phillip Magnesia. He is always there, sostrong, yet so mild and gentle. Never gripes like therest. It is such a relief to have him. Soon, Charlie Horsecomes along. While he is here, he takes a lot of mytime and attention. When he leaves, Arthur Ritisshows up and stays the rest of the day. He doesn't liketo stay in one place very long, so he takes me fromjoint to joint. After such a busy day, I'm really tired,and glad to go to bed with Ben Gay! What a Life!

P.S. The preacher came to call the other day. He saidat my age I should be thinking about the hereafter. Itold him, "Oh, I do all the time. No matter where I am,in the parlor, upstairs, in the kitchen, or down in thebasement, I ask myself, what am I here after?"

by Ann Onymous

FORE (or more)

The Hawthorne Ladies Golf League plays at theRolling Hills Golf and Country Club in Wildwood. Itwas started in 1987 by lola Bartley and NormaMcElwain to bring together those interested in thegame. There are no dues but players "pay as youplay".

You may play any day, but each Friday the Leagueplays a Tournament. Dorothy Ross is chairman ofhandicaps and compiles the scores. Hawthorneplayers have a special rate.

The weekly games are determined at theclubhouse. Blind Bogey has its own rules, differentfrom Bingo, Bango, Bongo. There is also Best BallScramble and several others; all are great fun.

Awards and prizes are earned, all score cards aresigned, attested and dated. The season ends in ablaze of glory with an awards luncheon.

A nine hole group of players can be organized.They would enjoy this admirable outdoor activity.

The League welcomes any interested Hawthornite.Go to the Hospitality room any Wednesday afternoonand sign up for a game on Friday - all to the Forefor more!

Anna K. Merlino

Madagascar PeriwinkleThe attractive, low, free blooming plant growingprofusely in Hawthorne and Florida is a tropicalflower; a native of the Island of Madagascar.It virtually blooms the year round in our park.

The ever blooming periwinkle is a perennial flowerplant of light and dark colors of rose, pink, red, andwhite shades that add a soothing tranquility to group-ings here and there about a patio or foundationplanting. It grows with very little attention in sunny,sandy or Hawthorne soil.

Periwinkles can grow most anyplace - sun orshade, and will tolerate below average custodianship.I do recommend that the periwinkle be pruned andtrimmed back for neatness, height, etc., as they cangrow two or three feet tall and the plant continually re-seeds itself into new plants.

The cutting of flower stems for house floralarrangements will cause the emergence of newcolored blooms to appear in two or three weeks. Ifpossible, fresh water in the vase should bereplenished every five to seven days.

This cost free flower plant needs no fertilizer, just alittle loving garden care throughout the year.

Dewhirst W. Wade

The Short Story GroupWhile you are about selecting from among the myriadsocial goodies offered here at Hawthorne this year, donot allow yourself to overlook a real pearl hiddenamong the jewels. The Short Story Group offer a richand rewarding experience.

We are a small group, friendly, informed andrelaxed. All of the members read the same story inpreparation for the next session's discussion. Theprogram bulletin always carries the announcementconcerning the time and place of our next meetingheld in a member's home (without refreshments).

We lose ourselves in each story as if we were oneof its characters. The talent and genius of the authorsprepare us to embark upon a voyage of imaginationand wonder as to challenge our reasoning powers. Thegamut of emotional feelings will come into play. Newmembers are not only welcome, but their fresh opinionand criticism are appreciated as yeast to enrich thewhole. We are there to enjoy each other's companywhile we dream some, grieve a little and laugh a lot,depending on how the story touches us.

Here are some samples of the questions weencounter in our meetings: Why should an author likeConrad Aiken write an unrealistic but gentle story like"Silent Snow, Secret Snow" in prose that reads likepoetry; or how does the machismo of a great writerlike Hemingway continue to dominate his works to theend. Let us shift to an F. Scott Fitzgerald and discoverwhy his fantastic "The Diamond As Big As The Ritz"was created.

All this is revealed to us as one member at eachmeeting volunteers to bring in some highlights fromthe biography of the author in question. Aikenwitnessed a shocking tragedy in his childhood;Hemingway was covering up a soft spot in the core ofhis being; while Fitzgerald experienced economic dif-ficulty that caused him almost to sell his soul. Thesuccessful news commentator, Paul Harvey wouldsay, "And now you know the rest of the story!"

Pull up a chair, won't you, and join our group? We'dlove to have you.

John West

Francis Blair RetiresIn 1948 Francis Blair was patrolling the streets in

the heart of Panama City--never dreaming that hewould be retiring from working in a mobile homecommunity in Florida, after almost 14 years.

That's right. During World War II Corporal Blairspent 18 months in the U.S. Military Police unit and hisbasic responsibility was to look out for the welfare ofmen in the 82nd Airbourne Division. The then 25 yearold soldier also was among the group that guarded thegenerals' and top security officers' quarter-buildings.

Blair commented, "I know all about the stuff that isgoing on down there in the Panama zone andrecognize places like "Quarry Heights" where it wasannounced that Noriega had surrendered. The onlytrouble we ever had then was a few students pro-testing one thing or another."

After the war experiences, Blair came home, wasmarried and has lived in Fruitland Park for the last 27years. After the death of his first wife, Francis hasagain found happiness with his second wife Betty.She is one of Hawthorne's most efficient accountsreceivable clerks working in the operations offices.

"Betty is three years younger than me and thatmeans we have three years to wait for her retirementto go and build our log cabin home on our five acres inGeorgia."

What will Francis do while he's waiting for Betty'sreti rement?

This man has more energy than most men in their20's and his main hobby is collecting things.

For instance, he has been gOing to estate sales,flea markets, area glass shows, auction sales andprowling around in antique stores for the last 20 yearsof his life. His most prized possession is a collectionof cut and Depression glass. He has more than 800pieces of the glass on display in two big bow-frontchina cabinets. These originated back in the early1900's and are a very rare item for antiquers.

Blair has 250 pieces of Patricia Spode porcelainsets that can accommodate eight people. Then hiscollection of 15 rare Hummels, 12 German-madedecorated beer steins and another set of porcelaindresser paraphernalia on a hand painted tray.

Francis Blair posed with the organ he moved many timesduring our Christmas season for the last time since heretired January 1, 1990. (photo by Nat Bodinger)

Retiring Francis Blair (left) accepts an appreciation plaquefrom Hawthorne Manager Dan Gorden.

Francis likes to tell that in the olden days, womencombed their hair with fine-toothed combs then putthat hair from the combs in a special hair-catcher.When they had enough hair the women sent it all toNew York City to be made into hair-falls (rats). Thatway, their hairdo's were their own hair made into fakewigs.

Recently, when the Hawthorne Board memberspresented Blair with a going-away present of a motherduck and her three ducklings, surprised residentswondered what that was all about.

Well, it seems that Francis loves ducks. He used tobe an avid duck hunter and would sometimes just sitin a blind and watch the wild ducks fly up and away."That's one reason why I like realistic carved duckdecoys," he explained.

With all the interesting things Francis does, he hasbeen one of the most dedicated and efficient workersin the history of Hawthorne. For 14 years he hasmoved the big grand piano and organ around like theywere toys and his crew stands in awe of his quick andtireless energy.

Blair's helpers respect his knowledge of plumbing,electronics, and any other thing that needs repair "onthe spot". His sense of humor has made people happyand his men are trained to keep Hawthorne activitiesmoving smoothly.

Like one time, one of our musician residents hadtold the workers that she wanted chairs for herConcert to be in a semi-circle facing the stage.Somehow, there was a mixup and the chairs wereplaced squarely in front of the stage in military forma-tion.

When the "prima donna" saw the mixup she com-plained to Francis. "No problem," he said and within30 minutes the 300 chairs were in a big semi-circlefacing the stage and everybody was happy--just onelittle example of the cooperation of Francis and hiscrew.

John (Moe) Morgan summed up what most ofHawthorne residents feel about Francis Blair, when hesaid "I hope somebody makes Francis's retirement ascomfortable and happy as he has made ours, here inHawthorne."

Reba Heintzelman