1962 Junior Olympics?

While doing some research online today I came across these photographs from Life Magazine showing the 1962 Junior Olympics in Lake Worth.  Other than finding out they were sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Union I have been unable to dig up any information.  They are great photos and I would love to hear from anybody who may know more about it; for example was it held at the pool at the beach?

Junior Olympics.   Location: Lake Worth, FL, US   Date taken: August 1962   Photographer: Michael Rougier

Junior Olympics.  Location: Lake Worth, FL, US  Date taken: August 1962  Photographer: Michael Rougier

Susan Myers during Junior Olympics.  Location: Lake Worth, FL, US  Date taken: August 1962  Photographer: Michael Rougier

Very Acceptable. . .

An e-mail to City Manager Susan Stanton regarding the out of date contact information for the Commissioners and Mayor posted at the City’s Website was answered promptly.  As of this morning, both the e-mail addresses and the information for the City Commission have been updated.

The Gardener. . .

You see him everywhere, City Commission meetings, Volunteer Board meetings, riding his bike and picking up trash. He ran for mayor and knows everybody by their first name.  There is not a spot in Lake Worth where Javier Del Sol is not known.

This afternoon we were lucky enough to spend time with Javier at the Highland Elementary School touring the garden he started there 4 or 5 years ago.

You have to keep up with him as he moves from plant to plant, tending to it and telling you its history.  The garden sprawls away from the parking lot, softening its hard edges with green shadows.

As we moved along the garden’s paths Javier talked about how he gets the children at Highland Elementary involved in planting and maintaining the garden.  The garden is surprisingly large, with many different areas and plantings.

Further along we came across two young possums curled up in the mulch under an overturned wheelbarrow, much to the delight of a group of young girls exploring the garden.

At the far end of the garden is the Guatemalan – Maya Center where there is an after-school program for children.  We went inside to look around, everyone working there and all the children knew Javier and were glad to see him.

As we left Javier was talking about how he wants to expand the garden, pointing out where trees could be planted around the school buildings.  Of course Javier is raising more than just plants and trees in his garden.

A Lake Worthy. . .

In response to the Accentuate The Positive post, a reader has sent in someone who they think makes a positive contribution to the City:

Pete Roubekas the owner of The Farmer Girl Restaurant.

First, it’s a great local place to eat, (like so many restaurants here in LW) but the fact that Pete and his staff and countless volunteers have fixed Thanksgiving Day meals for thousands of people here in PB County for the last 25 years should make him a LW’ies.

I’m sure you’ve been to The Farmer Girl but when I read your blog this morning this was the first person to come to mind and it fits two categories.

Who else do you know that contributes in a positive way to Lake Worth?  Send your ideas to TLMCGOW@AOL.COM

Why I Love Lake Worth Entries

Here are a few photos sent in response to the Accentuate The Positive post showing what this  photographer likes about Lake Worth.

Call An Ambulance. . .

Last night’s City Commission meeting was chock full of things to comment about.  One of them being the City’s desire to donate an ambulance to our Sister City  St Marc, Haiti.  It is hoped that egos and any sense of proprietorship to this worthy cause can be dropped.

The City, by way of a Commissioner, must be involved as the lead as it is indeed a City initiative and City property that is involved.  Equally, the City needs to work with the citizens that have been trying to move this forward.  To do otherwise would be no way to treat a sister.

More Than Just A Dream. . .

Just before noon today 4 young immigrants marched up to Lake Worth City Hall accompanied by a throng of local supporters.

This is from their website:

Beginning this New Year’s Day, Friday January 1st, 2010, my friends and I are going to be marching from Miami, Florida to Washington D.C. to demand from President Obama that he stop the deportation of DREAMers and the separation of families. We are walking for just and humane immigration reform that includes equal access to education, an end to the separation of families, worker’s rights, and a pathway to citizenship.

At City Hall they were met by local and state politicians who gave them praise and encouragement.

All four of the walkers spoke eloquently and with passion about their hope and desire to continue their education as well as for fair immigration reform.

After City Hall the walkers went to the Mentoring Center to speak there and have lunch before resuming their trek to the Capital.

Some more photos from the event:

Blue Trails Ahead. . .

Florida is a state surrounded by water and laced by a network of rivers and waterways.  While most people are familiar with the concept green-ways and trail networks, they may not be familiar with the  aquatic version, Blue Trails.  Blue Trails are a network of waterways and rivers that give paddlers, anglers and just about anybody who enjoys the water access through public land to the waterfront.

Here in Florida the Department of Environmental Protection, through the Office of Greenways and Trails,  oversees a broad network of waterway trails.  Of particular interest to Lake Worth is the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. The Trail runs from Pensacola all the way around the peninsula to the Georgia border.

Segment 18 of the Trail covers from Pompano to Lake Worth, utilizing the boat ramp at Bryant park as its northern terminus.  John and Coleen Rinaldi’s Sabal Palm House bed and breakfast is listed as lodging here in Lake Worth.

Click Image To Enlarge

With this year’s scheduled  completion of the boardwalk, floating docks and fishing pier adjacent to the Snook Island project, Lake Worth will gain another unique venue.  One that is sure to increase the number of visitors who seek to enjoy our waterfront.

Click Image To Enlarge

Living close to the water is an element that adds to the quality of life in Lake Worth.  Access to the Intracoastal Waterway for both visitors and residents should be protected and enhanced.

Unacceptable. . .

Yesterday Wes Blackman posted about issues with the City’s calendar of events posted at their website.  This morning I wanted to send an e-mail to the Commissioners and went to the City website to verify their addresses.  This is what I found:

When I went to the link for the City Commission here is what is posted:

This is completely unacceptable, at the very least the e-mail addresses for the Mayor and Commissioners should have been updated the day the new members were sworn in.  The Commissioners page  should have at least had Mayor Varela and Commissioner Maxwell added, even if their photos were not posted.

Who is responsible for updating the City Website?  It is a vital link to the community and to not have the current contact information for the Mayor and Commissioners is inexcusable!

Accentuate The Positive, Why I Love Lake Worth

A reader sent in an idea that is an ideal way to kick off the New Year.

This is a call for Tom’s Page readers to send in their submissions for what they like about Lake Worth.

The categories are:

Photographs that illustrate the good points about our City

Photos of nature, nightlife, architecture, people, events etc. that make Lake Worth unique may be sent to me at TLMCGOW@aol.com and will be posted on the page as they are received.

There will be a special section for Photoshopped entries that highlight something good about Lake Worth, perhaps a logo or advertisement for the City.

Lake Worthies

People who have stepped up to do good things for our City.  Elected officials, neighbors, City Staff,  teachers, volunteers  etc. are all possibilities.  Just submit a comment or send your story in for posting on the page.

Local Businesses

Your favorite Lake Worth shop, restaurant, bar etc.  If there are enough nominations they can be categorized into “The Best of Lake Worth”.

After enough time has passed to get a good number of submissions Tom’s Page readers will be able to vote on the entries to pick a winner in each category.

So send in your submissions and any ideas you may have and we will tweak this as we go along!

Tom