Hot War to Hot Dogs

Just to the east of Busch Gardens' parking lot in Tampa stands Mel's Hot Dogs, since 1973. The restaurant also happens to be in the last remaining building from the World War II training base, Henderson Field. The former Army air field land is now part of Busch Gardens, a brewery, and the University of South Florida. Traces of the runways can still be found, and in 2000, construction crews at the university found a rusty practice bomb.

The Florida Collection, from the Jacksonville Public Library

The Florida Collection is an online resource made available by the Jacksonville Public Library. It includes biographical sketches, historic photographs, and old postcards, among other things. Browsing through the postcard index, I discovered:

* a 1900s photograph of horses at the starting line at Moncrief Park

* two brave men plucking feathers from an ostrich, and

* a 1940s advertisement for Berney's Restaurant.

The Berney's card proclaims "Dine with the Man in Green from Ripley's 'Believe it or Not'." And sure enough, there's a man in a green suit. A little googling finds a January 18, 1937, letter to the editor, published in Time magazine: "Dressed completely in green day and night, he will give to any woman dressed entirely in green the choice of his menu, gratis. ... The only man in Florida to drive an automobile with a green licenses, he has even painted the 'White Horse' Scotch whisky statue green."

A Warm Spring Evening

Here's one of the good things about living in Florida -- friends and family come and visit you here. When they do, it's a wonderful excuse to take off after work and have barbeque on the front porch of an old camelback bungalow. And perhaps an after-dinner stroll down the bay shore.

Kojak's on Gandy Boulevard

Downtown Tampa at dusk

All in all, a good way to celebrate the first day of Spring.

Ybor City Street Scenes

Spook Hill

Near Lake Wales, Florida, is an unusual spot, where cars may roll uphill, rather than down. In traditional Florida style, this phenomenon is attributed to ghosts of Indians and alligators, and turned into a tourist destination. Some spoilsports have tried to explain Spook Hill with reason and measurable observation, but Lake Walesians hold fast, even naming a nearby educational facility Spook Hill Elementary.

In the spirit of Halloween, consider a trip to Lake Wales to see for yourself. And while you're there, check out The Depot (the Lake Wales Museum and Cultural Center) and Bok Sanctuary.

If you get hungry, consider a table at the Chalet Suzanne (known for its soup), or explore Lake Wales' food heritage. Lake Wales is also home to Florida's Natural Brand orange juice.

Best of Florida 2007

Florida Monthly magazine recently published their Best of Florida 2007 list, with everything from best rodeo to best key lime pie. Winner of the best sign: Hog's Breath Saloon.

Recent News Items

"Pembroke Pines Mayor Wants to Save Historic WWII Building" (Sun Sentinel August 4, 2007)

"UCF Creates Virtual World" (Florida Today, August 1, 2007)Students work on website documenting Cape Canaveral's history.

"After Ups and Downs" (Tampa Tribune, August 2, 2007) Hortense Sotomayor retires after 26 years of operating the elevator in Tampa's historic city hall.

"Dog Days Are Over" (Tampa Tribune, July 27, 2007) Mel's Hot Dogs is up for sale.

"Mural Celebrates Community" (St. Petersburg Times, August 3, 2007) New mural draws on West Tampa history.

"Mermaids' Last Splash? Debt Imperils 60-Year-Old Weeki Wachee" (Orlando Sentinel, July 28, 2007)

"Weeki Wachee Turf War Still Murky" (St. Petersburg Times, July 29, 2007)

"Sisters of the Sea" (St. Petersburg Times, July 28, 2007)

"Teresa Giles Runs PJ's Sandwich Shop" (Bradenton Herald, July 31, 2007)

This Week's Florida Happenings

"Rosen Shingle Creek Opens New A Land Remembered Restaurant" World Golf News, June 22, 2007. Resort opens upscale restuarant inspired by Patrick Smith's novel about Florida Crackers.

"Forgotten Indiana Jones Was Man of Many Mysteries" The Villages Daily Sun. The story of archaeologist Dr. Edgar J. Banks, who discovered ancient relics and made bad movies.

"Treasure Island Resident Wants to Protect Architecture." Beach Beacon, June 20, 2007. Will Treasure Island be the next South Beach?

"Reviving Rose Bay: Port Orange Estuary's Rebirth" Orlando Sentinel, June 23, 2007. Remains of old bridge pulled out of bay as part of restoration project.

"Present Meets Past at FSC -- A Cyber Cafe Coexists with Frank Llyod Wright Buildings." Orlando Sentinel, June 23, 2007.

"Explosions Demolish Towers" Florida Today, June 17, 2007. Cape Canaveral Air Force Base demolishes two launch towers. Includes links to video.

"Study Casts a Light on Shade." St. Petersburg Times, June 17, 2007. Study completed to analyze shadow that would be cast by proposed 32-story building.

Sweden House Smorgasbord

Here's a postcard I found. It's of the Sweden House Smorgasbord, which was at 2720 North Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa. It's not there anymore, but that address puts it near Columbus and Dale Mabry, generally where the Dodge dealer is now.

The back of the postcard says:

Every Day - Hot Dishes - Cool Sparkling Salads
Tampa's Finest Smorgasbord Service
Fine Food and Gracious Dining
Without Extravagance

Other Florida locations were in Fort Lauderdale and St. Petersburg, with others in Illinois.

I don't know anything else about this restaurant (I'm guessing it dates to the 1960s or 1970s?), but perhaps some of you do!