The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 31, 1954, Page 1

Warmest City In Nation Today Was KEY WEST 70° ’ VOL, LXXV Ne. 310 Mervin Thompson To Head ’55 Dimes Drive { Jeff Knight, Monroe Coun- uy chairman of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, announced yester- day that Mervin Thompson had been appointed as chair- man of the March of Dimes drive which gets under way on Monday, January 3. Knight spoke at the Rotary Club’s regular luncheon meeting at the La Concha Hotel, No goal for the current-drive was announced, but Knight said that Monroe County had 37 new cases of the dread disease last year and that there were 15 cases from pre- vious years still receiving medical care and attention. Local Expenditures The local chapter spent over $35,- 000 dollars on medical care alone in the past year. “Our treasury is down to zero,” Kni-*+ said, “‘And I hope that all ind.,.wuals and organizations will really get behind this drive and put Monroe County over the top as in past years.” : Last January $31,000 was contri- buted to the March ee poor ‘. ing Monroe Coultty ar conti contribution in the Southesst “United States. During the August “Emergency Drive,” $21,000 was realized. 3-Way Split ‘The money from these two drives fwas split three ways, with two- thirds going to the national organi- zation for medical care and re- Audubon Screen Tour Full Color Nature Movie “PANAMA VENTURE” Presented In Person and Narrated by DRS. LORUS AND MARGERY MILNE Key West High School Auditorium Monday, Jan. 3, 8 P.M. Auspices of MONROE COUN- TY AUDUBON SOCIETY and the National Audubon Séciety ADULTS, 75¢ search and one-third remaining with the local chapter. “But,” Knight said, ‘National spent nearly $80,000 on the gamma gobulin innoculatons last spring and an equal amount in the fall of 1953 for the first G. G. program. “Since the chapter was formally established in 1945, National has spent approximately $200,000 in Monroe County. In the 1946 epi- demic, they sent over $75,000 to our chapter. Half To Stay Here “This year, fifty per cent of the money raised during the March of Dimes wili stay with the Monroe County Chapter,” Knight added. He also said that the last reports from national headquarters indicat- ed that the Salk vaccine had been proved ‘very successful” and re- minded his audience that the re- search on this vaccine had been financed almost entirely from March of Dimes funds. Harold Reilly was the only re- gular members of the “Snowbird Club” at the meeting and was greeted with the customary cho- Tus of boo’s. For the benefit of Rotarians mak- ing their first visit to the local club, president Sher explained that to be a member of this “exclu- sive club” they must love Key West and attend meetings of the local club from November through April each year, Visitors Welcomed Visiting Rotarians who were not booed were George Harrolle, Ma- rion, Ill.; Paul A, Potter, Barg Te . C, Barnhart, Beaver, P Dick Eager, Niagara Falls, Cana- da; Elmer H. White, New York City; Harry Beach, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Stanford C, She: er, Red Lion, Pa.; Henry F, Hol- brook, Cleveland, Ohio; and W. Harold Simons of Glen Ellyn, Ill. Ralph Rogers has as his guest his son, Rev. Wallace Rogers of Richmond, Virginia, and Rev. Coul- ter of the’ First Presbyterian Church, Elmer Bennett attended the meet- ing as the guest of his father, Mac Bennett. Visiting Rorarian White was the guest of Curry Harris. BUILD GOOD BOATS with MATERIALS from The Kev SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER THE What Went On In Key West During 1954 Ferry Start And Sewer Completion Lead Local News The start of Key West Cuba ferry operation and the completion of the city’s two-million dollar sewer project rank as the major news stories of 1954, a year packed with significant de- velopments as Key West showed its greatest progress ever. é Probably the only bleak note in the picture was the city’s traffic accident situation. Damage in auto crashes has mounted to well over $100,000 and the number of accidents eclipses all records. Happily, there were but two deaths. The new year, according to The Citizen files, started off with a bang, with Mark Lawrence Miller, of Big Pine Key, being the first baby to be born in Key West. He was showerd with gifts from local merchants. Political Picture Politics @ominated _the* scene early in the year with county and state primary elections, High point there was the return to office of state representative Bernie C. Pa- py, who defeated Mayor C. B. Har- yey and former City Manager Dave King by the largest plurality of his 20-year political career. During January, the Citizen was packed with stories about snow storms in the north — but Key West had a storm of its own brew- ing — in city hall. Reason was a police department shake-up which saw Bienvenido Perez named as chief. He still has the job. On the crime front, Key West had a relatively quiet year. There were only two slayings that could be termed “sensational.” They were the cases of Bruno James Colosimo, slain in a Duval St. bar ff ij itn KEY WEST, FLORIDA, FRIDAY, DECEM =R 31, 1954 DOUBLE HAPPY NEW YEAR—Patsy (left) and Pixie O’Hearn, 2'4-year-old twins, took time out from playing in the water at the Sun and Sand Club to pose for your New Year picture. They are a little young for spearfishing but they said they would be trying it by this time next year, They are the daughers of Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. O’Hearn, owners of the Atlantis Apart- ments, Simonton and United Streets.—Citizen Staff Photo, Don Pinder. and that of Mrs, Eleanor Blaton,|son and Mrs. Blaton is awaiting who shot her husband in an argu-| trial on a second degree murder ment over a TV set. Ignazio Cas- | charge. tiglia, admitted slayer of Colosimo was sentenced to 25 years in pri- B-Girl Crack-Down The year also saw tue virtual end of the city’s thorny B-Girl situation as police cracked down in the en- IN THE U.S. A. By JIM visitors greet the New Year. Some of that famed Key West weather will be on tap for the holiday weekend as local residents and winter “Fair and mild’ was the for the weekend with temperatures hovering in the 80's. For Quick Communication Use CLASSIFIED Ads! You'll reach buyers and sellers— tenants DIAL 2 COBB weatherman’s prediction And good fishing weather- was indicated with light to} {moderate breezes forecast. | There is good news for Key West- ers going north to Miami for the Orange Bowl festivities — the tem- peratures there will be approxi- mate those in Key West, but it will become slightly cooler there in |the evening hours. Cold In West Wiile sports fans watching the Rose Bowl tilt Saturday will be shivering in 35 to 40 degree tem- pratures, Miami’s Orange Bowl game will be played in a sun-fill- ed stadium with the weatherman predicting a high of 80 degrees. But if you’re traveling north of Florida, you’re going to be chilly. The northern United States, from the Rocky Mountaihs east, is blan- keted with snow and cold. Key West’s beaches, meanwhile, | should be filled with sun-worship- pers. Motel and hotel owners report that the tourist season got off to! a brisk start the day after Christ-| mas wheu they were booked to ca- pacity. Motels Cooperate | There is no serious shortage of rooms, however, and the motel men are cooperating by referring surplus applicants to other hostel- ries. That the New Year will be -wel- comed in a festive manner, was indicated by a check of local night club owners who report that their Gift List For First Baby In 1955 Increases Interest is growing in the First- To-Arrive-In Fifty-Five race with the stork, according to Chamber of Commerce officials. Another gift for the first baby ot the new year has been added tw the 27 already made available by members of the Chamber’s Re- tail Division. The Artman Press has offered a supply of printed birth announcements for the par-| ents to use in heralding the arri- val of Key West’s first birth in 1955. Hannah Baer, Chairman of the Chamber's project said today that there is a good possibility we will | know tomorrow who the lucky | youngster will be. An estimated 20 children are born in Key West every week, so by the law of aver- | ages three should make their ap- Pearance within the next 24 hours. | An estimated $200 in gifts and | merchandise will be awarded to| the newcomer, along with the best| wishes of all Key Westers. LEADER NAMED _ HAMBURG, Germany () — The | West German Communist party's or workers .. . Just "S661 or 2.5662 Today PRICE FIVE CENTS Good Weather, Gaiety Promised As Key West Greets The New Year Tourist Season Is Under Way With Many Holiday Visitors | Been Drinking? Phone The Cops The Key West Police Depart- ment will continue their tradi- tional policy of offering free rides home for persons who may imbibe too deeply of holi- day cheer. Police Chief Bienvenido Pe- rez urged Key Westers — and winter visitors — to phone 2- 3011 rather than trying to drive if they have been drinking. He emphasized that the major cause of holiday accidents Is drunken driving. The Sheriff's Department, meanwhile, reported that they will be unable to offer such service. “We'd like to do it, but we just don’t have the manpower,” said a spokesman. French General Is Visitor Here Brig. Gen. Marcel Penette, mili- tary attache at the French Em- bassy, Washington, and a party of four were overnight visitors here en route to Havana for an 18-day stay. They checked into the Atlantic Shores Motel, 510 South Street, st evening and were booked for Havana on the 1:45 p. m. Aero- vias Q flight today. With Gen. Penette were his wife, his daughter, Marie - Francoise, and Col. Alberie Vaillant and his wife. convention last night designated its fugitive boss Max Rei:nann, as| The general declined to talk with a Citizen reporter and would not ° forcement of a local ordinance. | Tragedy struck on March 2 when Cll” CWt six Navy men were killed when their helicopter crashed at the sea | plane base. OPEN HOUSE PAAR nope 1 i] New Year's Eve | (Continued on Page Nine) Dinners from 5:00 P.M. Midnight Supper Until - “?” J : 0 G U LY S THE BOULEVARD SEAFOOD HOUSE LOBSTER reservation lists are the longest in history. Scores of parties in private (Continued on Page Nine) Students and Servicemen, 30c leader of the 90,000-member party. | have his photo made. ntidres Ee (Federal Tax Included) HEY, LOOK!! The Dairy Freeze Has EGG NOG MIX, 75c QT. Thru the Holidays WINNERS OF THIS YEAR’S CONTEST &. J. Ruedo, 1907 Staples Avenue Rodger E. Walls, ZX-11— N.A.S. James A. Whitehans, 128-E, Poinciana DAIRY FREEZ 1704 ROOSEVELT BOULEVARD Strunk Lumber 120 SIMONTON ST., near Docks | | Dine Tonight to the Watery Whispers of Luigi’s New SPANISH FOUNTAIN Perfect for a New Year's Eve Dinner Date LUIGI'S RESTAURANT 227 Duval Street Phone 2-9131 STEAKS - CHOPS - RIBS - PIZZA Roosevelt Boulevard and Ist Street Enjoy A Gala New Year's Eve Party TONIGHT at the CASA MARINA HOTEL $7.50 PER PERSON Includes 3% COMPLETE 7-Course FILET MIGNON Dinner! te ALL-STAR ENTERTAINMENT featuring BETTY MADIGAN, famous songstress LUIS and LEE VALENTI, society dancers JOE CANDULLO, and his wonderful band DINNER SERVED 7:30 TO 10 P.M. IN OUR MAIN DINING ROOM Dancing from 7:30 P.M. ‘til3 A.M (P.S.—There is a $3.00 minimum beverage charge for persons arriving after 10:00 P.M. who do not wish dinner.) Notice Dog Track Employees State Inspectors will be at the track Sunday, January 2nd from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., to issue State Occupational Li- censes. This will be your only chance to get your licenses so please be at the track between these given times. LOUIS CARBONELL, GENERAL MANAGER. Fun Favors “we = Celebrate New Year's Eve at the ELKS CLUB Dancing to Gerry Pinder's Orchestra 9:00 P.M. Till ee COVER — $2.50 PER PERSON BE gee Noisemakers Happy New Year Greeting OPEN HOUSE — TONIGHT! 2 BANDS FOR DANCING Hector Barroso and Mata Roy No Cover * No Minimum PLENTY OF FREE PARKING Food Served Until 2:00 A.M. NO RESERVATIONS NECESSARY LOGUN'S LOBSTER HOUSE ' Simonton-on-the-Ocean NOTICE This office will take applications for Homestead Exemption starting January 3rd and thru April Ist. Please be sure to bring your 1954 tax receipt with you which bears your tax roll number. CLAUDE A. GANDOLFO, Entertainment Monroe County Tax Assessor.