HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965 01 01 Firefighter Pictures~„~ _
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Present at the awards Sinner were and W. T. "Tommy"'.Knight, Chief
left to right Paul Bates, `Casselberry Deputy State Fire .Marshal, .Tat-
fire chief; William Hahn,~•;•Iorth Orlan- lahas~ee, principal speaker. (Volusia~
do fire chief; C. W. McPh rson, Winter Seminole Sentinel Photos by Raymond. ;,
Park, Deputy State Firs arshal; vice Morris)
mayor of North Orlando eorge Fuller
MEET YOUR
NEIGHBOR
By Art Hoffmann
Growing up on an Indiana farm, schooling in a rural
community, and working as a teacher, gave Ruth
(Fuller) Mewes the independent, self reliant outlook,
an appreciation for hard work, a love of history, and a
desire to help others. It is not surprising that his pioneer-
ing spirit brought her and her husband George Fuller
to the Village of North Orlando in the early 1960s.
George had recently retired Form the Postal service and
they came to an area where his sister also lived, Central
Florida.
They found a new home in what is known as "Old
Town", but is better thought of as the "Historic Center" of
our growing city. When the Fullers arrived the main
road, now route #434, was unpaved. "lt was not
uncommon to find a snake on the path to your home,"
she commented.
Ruth and her husband did not come to Florida to
"retire", but to start a new life. The "Village" was just a
few years old, and had an inexperienced government
that needed interested people to help. George, volun-
teered, became a councilman, and in 1966 was the first
elected mayor of the Village or North Orlando, preced-
ing Granville Brown, the next mayor.
I asked Ruth whether she attended any council meet-
ings in the first City Hall. "Only one," she replied. "As
a mayor's wife what problems did you have?" I ques-
tioned.. "I had to be circumspect, think my thoughts, but
say very little," was her answer. That's good advice in
many situations for all of us, I thought.
Ruth continues to be an active lady today, in social
and educational groups and in church functions. She
recently became anano-genarian. Learned readers will
understand that a lady does not like to disclose her age.
During her early years in Florida, Ruth served on the
area Council on Aging, taught one year at Longwood,
served at the Sanford Junior College, forerunner of
Seminole Community College, joined the local garden
club, and contributed to a seniors' news letter called
TIPS. Mr. Fuller passed away in 1971 and Ruth was
alone, but continued to be active in senior groups.
There she met Henry Mewes, a retired fishing-boat
captain from New Jersey. They married in 1974 and
both continued the active life style they shared. One of
their shared activities was to work at a local funeral par-
lor, which they did for five years. It later became Gaines
Funeral Home.
Ruth (Fuller) Mewes became a widow again in 1989
when Mr. Mewes died. Her tireless spirit persists. "I
was told to take in a border. I'm too busy For that. I
have a cat.. Recently, my doctor advised me not to use
my exercise bike, lest I fall," she continued. "I still drive
my car, being careful to stay on familiar roads. I shop
regularly, and attend the United Methodist church in
Longwood." she reported. Staying active is her full-time
job. ,
Mrs. Mewes saves many historic newspaper headlines
and articles, such as the first manned rockets, the moon
landings, the deaths of popular national figures Qnd simi-
lar events. The antique wooden farm implements she
showed me are remembrances of her farm life experi-
ence. Her family photos include "tin-types" of her grand-
parents. Later in our conversation I learned where her
appreciation for history originated.
Ruth attended college in Indiana, majored in History,
received a degree in education, and was inducted into
Delta Kappa Gamma, honorary teachers society. Her
pre-Florida life was in Butler, Indiana. Indeed, she still
subscribes to the Butler newspaper. National news mag-
azines keep her informed of current events, and TV game
shows and 'Discovery' nature programs are her favorites.
It is my wish that this article will be added to her col-
lection of memorabilia. Note that this presentation does
not have the usual photo of the subject. The "lady" pre-
ferred not to have it. she taught me to be "circumspect",
to thank her for the visit, and to appreciate her contribu-
tion to the Village of North Orlando and our great
Winter Springs.
^
Your "neighbors" Jesse and Evelyn McGee Stone;
feature in our last issue of this bulletin have been hon-
ored at the first annua181ack Tire Ball and Musical Salute
of the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League. The event
wos held March 1 l th at the Church St. Station
Presidential Ballroom.
RICHARD'S
BARBER 3 STYLE SHOP
for Appo/ntmsnf G/13?7--4102
CLOSED MONOAY
9:00-8:00 TUE-FRI. 301 W. SR 134, SUITE 337
9:00-3:00 SAT. WINTER SPRINGS, FL
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