Show florida extends editors of nation her hospitality during convention by RUSSELL KAY released ne leased by western newspaper union jacksonville FLA why do people go to florida 7 what do they see what do they do how are they entertained while there these and many other questions concerning the state that has become known as the 99 nations eions playground were ered for hundreds of editors and publishers publisher 51 1 the nation recent recently lv who attended the national editorial association convention at jacksonville and toured the state as guests of the florida press association florida alert to impress this distinguished group proved an admirable host the three day convention period in jacksonville itself was a gala occasion climaxed with a banquet given in their honor by john H perry who also arranged for a coast to coast salute on the national farm and home hour originating from his jacksonville journal station 4 conducted by the news commentator 11 R lAiK hage age convention sessions were broken with interesting side trips that one afternoon carried the group to jacksonville beach for a dip in the at lantic alantic and a fish try fry another to st augustine where they visited old oid fort marion famed marine studios and other points ol of int interest rest and again had supper on the beach tour of state Dei determined that the group should really see something of florida before leaving florida newspaper folks took the visiting scribes on a seven day vall all expense tour of the state there were shown the university of florida at gainesville bea beautiful dutiful silver springs near ocala where from glass bottom boats they viewed an underwater fairyland watched the filming of scenes for the he forthcoming screen version of the yearling saw ross allen alien milk rattlesnakes at his reptile institute and visited the seminole indian village journeying on they traversed the see scenic nic lake and hill section with its thousands of acres of citrus groves stopped briefly at leesburg and san lando springs to arrive at orlando central Flo largest city and hub of the great citrus industry guests of the city they enjoyed a reception and banquet and found excellent hotel accommodations that insured a restful night visit bok tower the second day carried them to the bok tower near lake wales permitted a stop at waverly to see the worlds largest citrus packinghouse pac kinghouse in operation and arrival at ful cypress gardens at winter haven where they found a delightful luncheon awaiting them which was enjoyed in the enchanting gardens as they witnessed a special program of aquatic sports ing and speed boat races at every rest stop along the route and with every meal the scribes were loaded down with baskets of Flo choicest oranges grapefruit and tangerines tang erines citrus juice just seemed to flow without end for all who cared to drink leaving cypress gardens the tour touched winter haven lakeland and plant city here hon nathan mayo Flo agricultural commissioner welcomed the group and escorted them through the worlds largest state farmers market and ladies of the community served fresh strawberry shortcake welcomed in st petersburg the sunshine city with bands and banners they toured the city and were guests at a banquet provided by the local daily papers times and independent see peerless pinellas the next day traversing the peerless pinellas peninsula the they y lunched at clearwater on the gulf visited the sponge fisheries at tar pon springs and enjoyed a reception at dupree gardens arriving in tampa in time to view mcdill field the new southeastern army air base and attend another banquet at which the tampa tribune was host turning south through rich citrus and truck areas they saw the towns of bradenton Bra denton sarasota punta gorda and arrived at ft myers for luncheon guests of the chamber of commerce then across the mysterious everglades via the tamiani trail to arrive in miami for a supper at the swanky royal palm club the next day was devoted to sightseeing in the greater miami area and included breakfast at one of the famed beach hotels luncheon at coral gables and supper at the pan american international airport where they witnessed the arrival of clipper ships from south america here the party was divided with a portion of the group boarding a steamer for a side trip to cuba while those remaining continued the florida tour and the following day breakfasted at hollywood beach 9 7 6 fg ay florida extended a warm welcome to 4 visiting editors two fair Flori dans upper left conduct a tobogganing toboggan ing demonstration while others lower left display their charms between talks of sugar cone believe it or not but a native squaw upper right learns all about the convention from bob ripley himself in a more serious vein governor spessard L holland formally welcomes the delegates to the land of sunshine visited plantations of the united states sugar corporation at clewes T IV J ton where they were luncheon guests skirted the shores of lake okeechobee to arrive in west palm beach where they were guests of the city following a sightseeing tour of the palm beaches the party journeyed northward up the florida east coast stopping for luncheon at mckee jungle gardens near vero beach bands reception committees and a variety of souvenirs were waiting all along the route and while stops were of necessity short alie the visitors were given an opportunity to see the towns of melbourne cocoa where a reception was staged and refreshments served titusville Titus ville new smyrna and at daytona beach completed the tour with a delicious hot chicken dinner served the party in a spacious grove at farmer dans which followed a spin on the world famed daytona beach and a reception and cocktail party here the party broke up and the visitors were carried on to jacksonville where trains were waiting to take them to their respective states those who took the side trip to cuba had an equally enjoyable time and were wined dined and entertained during their three day stay on the island all agreed that the florida convention and tour was the most enjoyable and interesting in N E A history and asserted that it if their experience was typical of florida hospitality and entertainment they could be depended on to return it was the first time the national editorial association had conven tinned in florida for 20 years |