The Orlando Sentinel from Orlando, Florida • Page 232

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 K2 Orlando Sentinel Sanford treated visitors to exotic flowers, citrus Jt's Time Te Scctha Yciir Body Enjoy Special Moments In Your Own Vita HI'S 1 'We were refreshed with lemonade made from the fruit of trees whose heavy-laden branches hung within reach from our ISAAC fOSTER MACK IN A REPORT TO THE SANDUSKY (OHIO) REGISTER Seminole's PAST JIM ROBISON The city of Sanford will mark its birthday this weekend. On Sept. 29, 1877, incorporation of the city government became official Today begins the first in a monthly series of Seminole's Past columns leading up to the 125th anniversary next September. bergamot, date palm, Japanese plum, pepper, coffee, tea, Chinese litchi and olive JW-JflLIS. -W.

)PI ML.jp. (BJLJH JW Wl WW SB w. jw IB QftKHMiii) QQpflsrop amp I In the late 1880s, city founder Henry S. Sanford was determined to let the world sample the fruits of his investments on the southern shore of Lake Monroe. Shipments of his Florida citrus from Sanford's Belair groves were sent north as gifts to some of the leading politicians and business owners.

But he needed to spread his story. By telegraph, Sanford invited Isaac Foster Mack, president of the Ohio Editorial Association and the editor of the Sandusky Register for 40 years, to come to Florida and tour the groves. The site is roughly the construction area for the Central Florida GreeneWay between Sanford's Airport Boulevard and 25th Street. Mack later published a report of his visit in the Register. Excerpts were published in the September-October issue of the Sanford Historical Society's newsletter.

Sanford used his 1 45 acres at Belair to cultivate citrus and exotic fruits, many discovered on his world journeys. During much of his last 20 years, Sanford balanced his involvement in public and private affairs in Europe, Africa and Latin America with his private citrus and land interests in Florida. Sanford often shipped crates of his oranges to friends, including fellow club members in Derby, England, and the royal court in Belgium, where he had served as U.S. envoy. One of his fruit trees was developed from cut ID at aeiwr Hve.aOAt?& M'awHW Valid witf coupon only.

Limited time offer. trees. "There was a great wealth of flowers, especially of roses," Mack writes. "Each of the ladies was given a generous cluster, and a boutonniere for the gentlemen." Gathering together, Sanford's guests sat down to a shaded table for a banquet "spread with the luxuries of the season," Mack writes. "After a blessing by Mr.

Phelps, in which we all joined, the tempting dishes were soon disposed of. We were refreshed with lemonade made from the fruit of trees whose heavy-laden branches hung within reach from our Mack's newspaper help Hen-, ry Sanford expand the market for Florida-grown citrus. Sanford would become the first to have his fruit wrapped in tissue paper and shipped in crates by rail to avoid the spoilage that often occurred when citrus was shipped in barrels by boat. The Florida Citrus Mutual credits Sanford and his Swedish botanist, Carl Leonard Vihlen, with developing the Valencia orange, the basis of today's concentrate business. Today begins Sanford's yearlong celebration leading up to the 125th anniversary next September.

As part of that preparation, the Sanford Historical Society needs some help. The society is compiling a timeline with lots of photographs to tell the i i at: I YHT A Our tactory Discount Price Includes: Jt jL Spa Cover Steps tings found in 1857 in an upland valley of the Andes. Sanford and his grove super (C Ozone Purification System Professional Delivery Installation f'jL 'Professional Delivery Installation intendent, the Rev. Lyman Phelps, met Mack and his party Chemicals for 4 Months at the train depot for the quarter-mile carriage ride to Belair. Entering the gates, Mack Labor and fertilizer had been $300, leaving a very attractive profit.

Phelps cut and handed out samples of the fruit, giving his guests the history of each tree and how improvements had been accomplished. Phelps, like Sanford, had come to Florida from Connecticut. He was the rector of Sanford's Holy Cross Church from 1875 to about 1883. He also was an agriculturist, who in 1882 began efforts to establish a bank in Sanford with $4,000 capital from the Phelps and Moses Lyman families. The two-story brick Lyman Bank, the first in Orange County, opened in January 1883 and played an important role in the life of the community, including providing space for the post office.

In a meeting at the Lyman Baik on April 28, 1885, bank Vice President Frederick W. Lyman was elected president of the Rollins College board of trustees in the first meeting to incorporate Florida's oldest institution of higher learning. The building also was the original location of the landmark downtown Sanford clock, now the focal point of downtown's Magnolia Mall. And the building housed an early office of Chase founded in 1884 by Joshua and Sydney Chase and now known as Sunniland Corp. They sold fire insurance, fertilizer and growing supplies and later invested citrus groves, helping Sanford become the largest orange shipping point in Florida.

While Phelps was leading the men on his tour, Sanford's wife, Gertrude Ellen du Puy Sanford, took "the ladies of our party through the more ornamental portions of the grounds the greenhouses and gardens, which are marvelously kept," Mack writes. Besides the flowering gardens, they were walked among gardens of cinnamon, camphor, OPEN 2200. N. OBT, ORLANDO 7 DAYS! 1 lll I -7 I 55 A Hwvw I ii in ii writes, "we were driven through a long avenue of oleanders, crowned with pink blossoms. We were then con 407-648-8482 ducted through avenue after avenue of orange, lemon, citron, guava, olive and other trees, with here and there long beds of pineapples, covered with their beautiful fruit." Much of the tour was guided i by Phelps, described by Mack as not only an enthusiast but a sci entist in fruit culture." Phelps pointed out to us between 30 i.vr":.i-i ii i i Ii tit.

1 and 40 different varieties of fruit, imported from nearly every country in the world producing citrus fruits," Mack wrote. 1 1 nioLuiy. 4iiuiu iuikc) curator at the Sanford Museum, is seeking help with research, writing and photography. Details of the, special events planned will be included in the society's newsletter, which is free to members of the society. Annual memberships are $5 for students, $10 for individuals, $25 for families and $100 for patrons.

For more about the society, write to the Sanford Historical Society P.O. Box 168, Sanford, FL 32772-0168. The museum is at 520 E. First St in Sanford. The phone is 407-302-1000.

Jim Robison can be reached at jrobisonorlandosentinel.com -or 407-420-5137. At Belair, more than a decade 3 2 of research had been completed on soils and fertilizers needed to grow the best fruit trees. And Phelps showed them what he called the "experimental acre from which $1,000 worth of fruits had already been sold and $500 more would be realized once the entire crop is The Senior Forum Free help available for elders who can't afford prescription By KENT S. COLLINS TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES Dear Senior Forum: While fat cats in Congress and at drug companies hold meetings and press conferences, my wife and 1..,.... Seminole County Tuesday, November 13, 2001 Orange County Wednesday, November 14, 2001 Whether you're a business professional, a parent or a local resident, you can volunteer to be in a classroom during Teach-in.

Read a book aloud, talk about your career, demonstrate your favorite hobby, or simply tell students what it's like to travel abroad. Whatever your topic, the time you spend one hour or the entire school day with these young people will make a positive difference in their lives. To volunteer, call the school of your choice or: Seminole County: 407320-0182 Orange County: 407317-3261 your ZIP code, you can find out about programs available in your area. Information is also available by calling 800-633-4227. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America's Web site (www.phrma.org'patients) has a list of pharmaceutical companies that have traditionally provided medicines to physicians treating low-income patients.

Go to the Web site, find the firms that make your medicines, and then click to find out how to notify your physicians and apply for the low-cost or free prescriptions. Information is also available by calling 1-800-762-4636 or 202-835-3400. You've got to show financial need to get the help that's offered at these three sites. If you do not have Internet access, ask your grandchild for help on a school computer or ask an assistant at the public library. If your question fits this space, e-mail seniorforumhome.com or send a letter to The Senior Forum, co Tribune Media Services, 435 N.

Michigan Ave, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60611. in terms of contacting politicians, there is a program you may wish to explore The Medicine Program." The Medicine Program is one of at least three places to shop for low-cost and no-cost prescriptions. It's a commercial referral service that connects patients with special programs offered by the drug companies. The program charges $5 to make the referral and do the research and some paperwork for the patient. Information is available by calling 573-996-7300.

You can also find relief for free at two Internet Web sites: www.medicare.gov, the site for Medicare, leads you to basic information about the program of health insurance for people 65 and older. And, if you scroll halfway down the page, you'll find the Prescription Drug Assistance Program, which is "a database on how to apply for drug assistance provided by pharmaceutical companies, states, community-based programs and disease-specific programs." By typing in I are going broke paying for our medicines. There is something wrong with this country that we should be made- poor in the process of taking care of our health. When will those fat cats make laws to cut the cost of prescriptions for retired folks? MR. AND MRS.

R. Dear Mr. and Mrs. When the cow jumps over the moon. In the meantime, while you gaze skyward hoping for relief from others, find some relief for yourself.

Martha Cushing, a public affairs officer with the Social Security Administration in Dallas, sent this letter of guidance: "Today's newspaper ran your column with the question from the elderly person regarding the price of prescription medicines. Social Security representatives hear this concern daily. "While your advice was good Presented by Sponsored by Bank of America. Othf ndation. Foundation.