The Key West Citizen Newspaper, January 18, 1947, Page 5

*POeeneeccccvevcccccccce SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1947 SOOOSCHOHOSSESSOOCOOOEOOES. A VISITOR'S COMMENTS ON KEY WEST By A. H. ANDREWS, Editor EDWARD AQUILINAS, — | GLOBE-TROTTING CHEF, | Men Who Desire To Enlist In Key West's National Guard Unit Urged To Contact Major Roberts! just dr sleep. found + six “The American Eagle,” Estero, Fla. POSES E eee e eee nr eee neeneny: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Following is Part II of the pic- turesque description of Key West written by Mr. Andrews im his paper following a visit here recently.) Te the Jumping-Off Placek—HtH—_ t ’ By T. T. MOSBY . | , Maj. Will E. P. Roberts, wie ee However, those who are q coin. ;a job i alley of ip. has been named commander of! 18 to 29 and who are subject. to; eens pay seg ae on but. pa se stich a an the local battery of the National |selective service can be Destiny, in ‘orm of a Dul-| adventure. For instance, he was Guard, released information to-|provided that they are falo, has brought another dis-'},:ing bread aboard a ship an- day in order that the process of|prior to enlistment in the Na- tinguished person to Key West. |chored in Tokyo Bay in 1923 "éorganization be facilitated. ttional Guard. - Like so many other newly-|when the terrible earthquake oc-' . All men who desire to enlist will be for Weekly pay rates will be from| the option | | of the U.S.A. PART II “A tropic isle in a setting of | blue water that reaches on to the distant horizon; a bit of Latin America lying at our | very door; strange blending of pentandra (true Silk Cotton that yields the Kapok of commerce), with a trunk diameter of fully two feet and a spread of more ithan fifty feet: The leaves, al- ‘most without exception, are com- prised of seven evenly spaced leaflets. A characteristic of this @ntiquity with modernism; an-| secies is the heavily buttressed cient weatherbeaten buildings | with shuttered doors and win- dows side by side with a six- story modern hotel; narrow downtown streets with their one-way traffic; quaint houses surmounted by odd minarets and steeples; great two-story porches with elaborate balus- trades and with gingerbread! trimmings under the eaves. such @s8 were common a half cen- tury or more ago; an easy-go- ing friendly populace, taking time to enjoy life and apparent- uncontaminated as yet by the money-mad rush of big city + meni a egg Cubans con- ver rapi in a strange and smooth ing aio gesticulating wildly with their hands meanwhile; rank grow- ing tropical vegetation on every hand that thrives in a genial trostless clime; a far-flung little corner of the U.S.A., which, be- ing unique, possesses a distinc- tive charm that is alluring to the visiting stranger,—such, in t, were my impressions on the occasion of my first visit to the island city of Key West.” ERE I TO AGAIN attempt to express in few words my re- action to the charm of the Island City that I so recently revisited, I seriously doubt if I could excel the foregoing word picture that was published in The Eagle of May 19th, 1938, hence its repeti- tion here. As previously stated, I turned into Duval Street at precisely 12:30 p.m. As the one-way street was somewhat crowded, I motor- ed on past the La Concha Hotel and drew up to a parking place at the end of the block, directly ltwenty feet high; a fine Geiger] Gunger there might be in admit- im front of an ancient three-story house,—such as were in vogue seme seventy or more years ago, ~two-story porches around front and side and mansard roof with protruding dormer windows. Yes sir, those old timers believed «in porches where they could sit of an evening, chat with friends and enjoy the breeze perfumed with the fragrance of jasmine andj other garden flowers. We mod- erns think that we have improv ed on such antiquated architec ture and have largely done away with porches. Nowadays you just enter through a hole in the wall and you are cooped for the night. Pays Parking Meter But I am disgressing. Looking up from the parking meter where , L deposited a nickel (Yes, they have these devilish gadgets there, tow.), I beheld a sign —Island Inn, and also that there vacancy"—rather an un- observed vas a sual circumstance in Florida cities these days. I was charmed with the old mansion, and being a wayworn traveler in a strange city, decided to investigate that vacancy. The place is run by a Texas lady and her daughter. Yes, there was a vacancy on the third floor if I was willing to climb it, as there was no eleva- I to was | trunk, the long tapering surface ‘roots extending many feet along ;the ground level like writhing |serpents. This species is seldom fencountered in Florida, though I ‘know of four other members of more commonly met with, these being Bombax malabaricum, the Chorisia, the Pachira and the Bal- ‘sa. The Chorisia is often mistak- en for a true Ceiba by people who |call it the “Kapok Tree”. Also noted along the parkway between sidewalk and curb was ‘a Sandbox Tree (Hura crepitans) !in bloom, if bloom it may be call- ‘ed. Here and there beneath the ) leaves were noted small red fruits, ;about the size and appearance of |an immature blackberry, for you , know that, according to accepted usage, it is entirely correct to )state that a blackberry is usually {red when it’s green. The sap and |the fruits are said to be poison- | ous, even causing blindness when coming in contact with the eye. Round, flattened seedpods later {form, reminding one much of two ‘saucers cupped together. When fully ripe they explode with a | loud noise, scattering the seeds in fevery direction. Trunk of the |tree is armored with blunt spines, ‘much resembling those of the ' Chorisia. } Aside from the Breadfruit Tree I saw nothing different from the [tropical flora that is found in {sheltered areas of the South \Florida mainland, though in this frostless area they grow to tre- mendous_ size,—well _—_ branched ‘Cacti of several varieties, 20 feet ‘high; a Frangipani Tree (usually a bush with us) with a trunk ten inches in diameter and _ fully | Tree in full bloom with its showy orange red flowers,—native of the ‘lower Florida coastal hammocks, but seldom seen in cultivation. Visitors Enthuse In wandering about without a guide td point out’ the outstand- ing horticultural features one is greatly handicapped and_ loses much time. You can’t observe anything in detail when driving and you may walk your legs off tin strolling block after block in! jthis quite sizeable city and miss ‘many an interesting sight. There are some, no doubt, with suffi- jcient knowledge of plant lore who ‘could act in the capacity of guides, if one knew where to find them, ‘put for the most part Key West residents take their horticultural {surroundings as a matter of course. It is mainly the visitors who enthuse. In desperation I sought infor- mation as to the whereabouts of jsome outstanding tropical garden and finally learned that that of ‘Mrs. A. J. Mills om Angela Street was one of the show places of the own. I phoned the lady, identi- fying myself as a perplexed and ‘wandering scribe in a strange city | who desired to behold the tropical jbeauty of her garden and was ‘kindly granted the freedom of the | premises. Though near the heart of the the lady that there nothing I enjoyed more thanjcity with its busy passing throng, mate and thought that I could;once within the confines of this negotiate | right. And so Ijold walled garden one feels an 4s ensconced for the night. Onjaloofness from the noise and etiring at a later hour I found «n immacu with fortable bed. And what was more formality of | E no negro flunkeys/nothing in stiff, straight lines like to my liking sround to grab your suitcase, open soldiers on pi turn on the light for|plantings of shrubbery in va the window a fee ndependent usually to do for themselves. One of my te the chamber people adjacent bath and a com-|charm of the place i: and other little things that | contour around the care first moves was to of commerce | jbustle of city streets in the quiet | ately clean, airy room,)and peaceful pastoral scene. The | in the in- the landscaping,— ed ying outer walls, with little wooded strands and le, but m arrived citizens of "The Gate-} way to the Carribean”, Edward quilinas, famous chef, travel- ed thousands. of miles in com- ing to this island. ‘ Eddie motored all the way from; the High Sierras before reaching | his destination—the southern end, of U.S. 1. Already bronzed from leisure hours spent at South, Beach, Eddie smiled and declared, ; “I like the sun and the seashore’ and since I had decided on the; East Coast I thought I might as Now that I am here I love the} place and can’t imagine leaving.” Gourmets have a way of get- ting around—and not just among saucepans. Eddie Aquilinas has followed his vocation’ twice around the world. He is quite at home aboard a ship and also picture studio, a chef he has functioned at hun- dreds of festivities, ranging from Hollywood lawn parties to long- shoremen’s clam-bakes. It all began when Eddie took an active interest in the prepara- tion of dishes in his own home. His mother schooled him in fun- damentals which he employs to this day. Then, leaving France after the first World War, he took curred. During the past war Eddie was chief cook aboard the Matson liner “Matsonia” and witnessed D-Day in Manila. He was en- trusted with the delicate task of feeding 108 emaciated prisoners from Santo Thomaso on the re- turn trip. As a momento of that visit to the Philippines he brought back 150 million dollars in Jap- ‘anese occupation currency. Eddie's billets have been with top resort hotels, both in this country and abroad. In Holly- {the Bombacaceae family that are| well settle at the end of the line..}wood he was in demand to chef for screen stars’ fetes. Often he prepared the food for parties “on location” and as a consequence, became a capable stunt man and extra player. Every chef has his particular bent and Eddie’s is in the making of fine sauces. He hopes to in- knows his directions in a motion! troduce Key Westers to his chief In his journey as | delight—a meat sauce that re- quires sixteen hours to prepare. Now established in his own place, the Duval Cafe and Aqui- linas Snack Bar, Eddie spends his time working on new fish sauces and acclaiming the Key West way of life. “I'm just plain enjoying Key West,” said Eddie, shifting the cigar in his mouth, “and the chance to cook for ’em all—from top hat to working cap.” Satinleaf, Aralia, several varieties! of Cacti and many more speci-} mens now forgotten. On my first trip to Key West in 1938 I visited the old bandoned lighthouse and recall climbing the spiral staircase to the top where a wonderful view. was obtained of the city, the sea and adjacent islands. The old structure is si uated in the midst of an interest- ing tropical garden. Thinking to revisit the scene, I strolled around on Whitehead Street, only to find; a padlock on the gate and a warning “No Trespassing” sign conveying the information that it! was government property. Now; that the war is over, just what’ ting sightseers to an abandoned} lighthouse is not clear, but the army and navy are clannish, you know, and like to keep the ci- vilian herd at a distance from their saered-—precinets.- -~<> . Calling at the local well stocked | book shop, I left copies of the. out for a stroll. Up to that time I had not decided whether to stay another day or hit the homeward trail. The sun had risen in a cloudy sky. A sudden downpour caused me to rush for shelter and the weather looked so uncertain that I decided to “hiepas”, as the Seminoles say when they break} camp and leave for pastures new. I really was delighted with the old town; its tropical setting; its genial climate, quaint architec- ture and old world atmosphere, — odd blending of the archaic and modernism. And that wonderful seagoing motor trip; nothing like it in all the rest of the country. If you really want a thrilling ex- pegenes eee me suggest a motor rip to the jumping-of: the U.S. AS me THE END —— CIRCUS FIRE. VICTIMS P. “HARTFORD, Conn. — Victims of the circus fire, which, on July Nehrling books, for which I be- lieve there will be some ultimate demand when the reading public | 6, 1944, took 168 lives, or their near relatives, have received a! and to carry on the tradition of }$2.50 to an ordinary private to Maj. Roberts also gave one of the oldest Guard units in| $5.50 for a master sergeant. Maj.| of the local organization the country, are asked to contact'Roberts says that a weekly drill} first was formed Maj. Roberts, 529 William Street.; will not exceed two hours. be presented Men between 18 and 35 are! Initial enlistment period will be appear later q NTH Chas. Aronovitz Department in in Store Key West's Largest Store er: Graceful Spring frock Our superb selection of the Spring's finest in Wash Cottons and Silk Dresses is the talk of the town. We have the largest stock te Select from in ev- ery size range. with belled sleeves, grosgrain neck bow and set-in waistband. Flowing pannier panels form the pockets and give the figure Come In and Select Your aslender “extended” silhouette. Colorful flower prints on pastel rayon Summer crepes by Galey & Lord. Wardrobe Sizes 9 to 15.8995 4 Now! to “ah Z \a 1 Offers the Newest for Our Beach Wear Department Sty." pray Play Suits with Attached Bloomers, Midriff Dresses and Play Suits, Cotten end Jersey Bathing Suits and Shorts... . Our Play Suits include everything wented —Style, Backless 2 and 3-Piece, with and without Skirts. Materials ere Cottee of Key West become apprised of total of $3,000,000 from the re-| thir horticultural value. The lady ceiver of the Ringling Brothers Prints, Chambrays, Printed Jers: Sizes from 9 to 44. who runs the shop proved to be a! sister-in-law of Mrs. I. B. Krome, Homestead grove owner and a valued subscriber to The Eagle. I had been so busy racing around that I had not eaten since morning and as night approached a hungry stomach put me on no- tice that I had better do some- | thing about it, but did not know where to go. All I wanted was some good wholesome United States cooking; no highly season- jed Cuban or Mexican chow. A lady where I was rooming said the best place she knew was the | dining room of the La Concha | Hotel, so I acted on the sugges- tion. The dining room ceiling is | panelled in squares, the cornice of each being illuminated by vari- colored neon lights, producing a sort of subdued rainbow effect,— very artistic and swanky, no doubt, but so dim that I couldn’t see to read the bill of fare and had to take it over to the cashier's | desk where I could decipher it. Describes “Jamboree” That evening the local band was having a jamboree on the street that attracted a large crowd, A guy with a megaphone was exhorting the assembled mul- titude to buy chances on a new automobile, the proceeds from {the sale to purchase uniforms for :open vistas here and there toward the center of the plot, giving the i y, but and get my bearings. On an old like T ed” three-story building opposite the| The sista of La Concha Hotel was a large!this garden is doubtless the ign notifying that that was the, Breadfruit Tree, to my mind one place mall notice stating that the of- fice had moved to the courthouse grounds. earched the courthouse ail, but no chamber of commerce The only other build- nm either img on the grounds was the USO with and going. In a wing of the build- ng I found the object of search. The young lady in charge was apologetic She stated that they fore put and had not yet had time te p the signs. other information that I seeking Indentifies Kapok Tree Here In the spacious courthouse yard ne specimen of Ceiba so there I meandered, I n and the inches in length and of a light idiers and sailors coming had just moved the day be- From her I ob- tained a map of the city and some was Affixed to the door was a of the most outstanding beautiful tropical fruiting trees, with foli- » age somewhat resembling gigantic oak leaves, some twelve or more gloosy green shade. This and several other specimens are said to have fruited in Key West. They are very tender, however, and none, as far as known, have grown my;to maturity on the mainland of Florida. Names Plants I took no notes at the time, but » among the many plants that I re- call at this late date as having sen in this tropical garden wer Parkinsonia, Carissa, Governor Plum, Surinam Cherry, Sausage Tree, Akee, Podocarpus, Frangi- 1 pani. Poinciana, Pandanus, Span- Lime, Seagrape a ish Nephthytis, ° |the band boys. Three picture theaters were noted on Duval Street, one of |them evidently catering to the Cuban pdpulation, the billboards | portraying a thriller with scream- jing headlines in Spanish which | was all Greek to me. Sandwich- led in here and there between archaic buildings are fine mod- jern stores. An immense arm: Inavy and coast guard personnel |seems to keep them all busy and ‘is evidently the greatest commer- cial asset of the town. The city of Key West is laid out on a bias to cardinal points of ,the compass, so confusing to the {stranger that one can readily ‘convince himself that the sun es in the east and that the North | Star has shifted from its accus- |tomed moorings. It is only when you get back to the mainland where streets usually run east and west or north and south that |you get oriented once more and square with the United States, The following morning I went and Barnum -and Bailey Com- bined Shows, Inc., on their total claims of approximately $4,000,- 000. A first dividend of 25 per cent, or $1,000,000 was paid last summer and a second payment of $1,500,000 was paid recently. | pate : a Men’s and Boys’ Department: Swim Trunks, Dress or Sport Shirts, McGregor Sportswear, Shorts end Sport Coate ... Shoes by Freeman and Nunn Bush, Poll Parrot Shoes for Children. “oMbTOH4NN4444400N00009090000N80000000009E0EEEUEEEEOLEOEOOOUCLEUOOOEUOUUAOA EAA ALONOVICZ 000% SSuedaepedeb ee eens ses DF NERS SUSE R BEBE Sees ee ee eee For AlLWool Suits Sizes 32 te 38 : of Sanforized Shantung in Green and Tan Sizes 1 to 6 BE SET 2B BR Bee ee Clothes for “REAL BOYS” Short Pants—Polo Shirts to Match | Brown and Blue LONGIES “Key West’s New Exclusive Ready-to-Wear Store” Opposite Strand Theater SUNNING or SWIMMING (AS ILLUSTRATED) ~ \ ! | with GATHERED FRONT in mom. 98 White, Black and Cocoa Brown with Contrasting Polo Shirts, Lighter Shades, Sanforized Sizes 1 to 6 SET $98 $393 J LDNER’ nN TELEPHO NE 1133 528 Duval Street PT REPRE OROMUUOUUU UP UUUUEEEE EEE