History of the Juniors Club in the 1960's

During the administration of Mrs. Weldon B. Lewis (1960-61), the Club served as Junior Hostess of the Florida Federation Convention at Miami Beach. We won 4 first place and 1 second place of the 7 departmental awards in addition to 5 other awards during the year. We adopted 24 geriatric patients in a nursing home, we entertained foreign students, expanded our workshops and courses in Home Life and Fine Arts, stressed Civil Defense and Citizenship, and netted $4,545.00 on our Cabaret. Sponsor 1960-1961 Mrs. B. C. Brunson

In 1961-62, with Mrs. Edwin J. Tilton, Jr. as President, the whole year stressed "Our American Heritage." We presented a series of study courses on Communism and successfully continued existing projects. We won the "Mary Clark Award" as the "Outstanding Junior Club" in the state, while winning a total of 20 state and local awards for the year. We netted $4,600.00 on the Cabaret. Sponsor: 1961-1962 Mrs. Charles DeCamps

Mrs. Joseph C. Pereno, Jr. (1962-63) had the theme of "Achievement Through Dedication." In fulfilling that goal, we established our own blood bank, a library on wheels, and a scholarship fund for a student of dentistry. We also purchased a reverse air conditioner for the dental clinic. Our Silver Anniversary Cabaret, "A Toast to Twenty-Five," netted $4,549.39. As a result of our dedication, we won a total of 20 awards including the "Mary Clark Award" for the second consecutive year. Sponsor: 1962-1963 Mrs. Charles DeCamps

Mrs. James M. Cole (1963-64) started off her year by accepting the second silver punch bowl in our history from the Miami Herald as "Club of the Year" for our continuing project, the dental clinic. Along with our continuing efforts, we began the weekly Youth Hall dances, planted a hedge at Coral Gables High School, and added $250.00 to the Dental Scholarship Fund. Our Cabaret netted an all-time record of $5,430.51. We received a total of 28 awards, including the "Outstanding Young Woman of the Year," Mrs. Miami, Mrs. Florida and the Emmy Award, a new FFWC award given to the outstanding club with membership of one hundred and over. Sponsor: 1963-64 Mrs. Russell Richardson

During the administration of Mrs. Jasper M. Moore (1965-66), the theme "Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself" guided numerous accomplishments including the Migrant Workers, our CIP Project and a third place in the Shell Oil Contest which earned us $200.00. Our Public Affairs, American Home Life and our Hallmark contestants each won first place in the State. We had the winner of the "United Fund Silver Torch Award" and the "Most Outstanding Young Woman of the Year Contest," and wound up by netting $6,458.01 in our Cabaret. For the third year in a row, we earned the "Emmy Award." Sponsor: 1965-1966 Mrs. Charles DeCamps

"Paths of Service" was the theme for 1966-1967 with Mrs. John R. Rinehart as President. Emphasis was placed on the dental clinic and its related Welfare projects, and our Cabaret netted $6,337.00 to insure another successful year for the Clinic. Hospital Ship Home visited the new Port of Miami and the Coral Gables Juniors donated $200.00 for a nurse trainee aboard the ship in Cartagena, Columbia. The Club won first place in Dade County Federation Fine Arts Festival, 2 second place awards for FFWC, and a Club nominee received the "United Fund Silver Torch Award." Sponsor: 1966-1967 Mrs. A. B. Kirtland. Jr

During Mrs. Leo B. West's administration, 1967-68, members began a library at Parkway and painted their cafeteria with murals. We also carpeted, draped and air conditioned our own dental clinic. Scholarships totaling $1,750.00 were presented as well as the first Good Citizen Plaque. Ways and Means earned $1,930.00 and our thirtieth Cabaret netted $8,059.00! One member won the Fine Arts Festival and District 11 sewing contest, and another the "Most Outstanding Young Woman of the Year" award. The Club received 34 awards including a second and 3 firsts in State Department competition, the DCFWC Mental Health Trophy, and Outstanding Service Plaque for our CIP Project at Parkway. Sponsor: 1967-1968 Mrs. A. B. Kirtland, Jr.

Mrs. Pat Murphy chose the theme "Be Informed--Become Involved" for the 1968-69 Club year. Members completed Parkway's library and undertook a new CIP project, "Candy," a comprehensive health care program for underprivileged children. Cabaret was held 2 consecutive nights for the first time, netting a profit of $10,306.00 for our dental clinic. Members accepted the responsibility of renovating the Seniors old library building for a new dental clinic and Junior clubhouse. We served as Junior Hostess for the FFWC State Convention winning 2 first and 3 second place awards. A total of 33 awards were received including the "Outstanding Club in Area 11 " and "Outstanding Young Woman of the Year in Dade County." Sponsor: 1968-1969 Mrs. James M. Cole

Mrs. Ralph M. Gilstrap's (1969-1970) administration challenged the Club to "Make Life Extraordinary." Establishment of a volunteer program for the Children and Youth Comprehensive Medical Clinic resulted in the Miami Herald "Club of the Year" award and second place in state competition for GFDWC 1970 CIP Program Award. With a 40 year lease signed, construction of our new dental clinic and renovation of the old Coral Gables Library Building began. Talents of Junior husbands and labor and material from the Miami Building and Construction Trades Council were generously donated. A $25,000 construction loan prompted the Juniors to inaugurate their first Flapper Fling and to push Cabaret profits to $11, 170.00. Extraordinary efforts in all departments brought home the Emmy Award, a 3rd place in the Shell Oil Contest, 3rd place on FARC's Hope Chest Contest, Council of International Clubs' Junior Award and 2nd place in "Operation Healthy Babies." We claimed State winners in the GFWC Creative Writing contest and in the Craft division, the District XI Sewing contest and 3 ribbons from the DCFWC Fine Arts Festival. Other honors included being named Outstanding Club in Dade County Area 11 and the selection of our nominee as Outstanding Young Women of Dade County. Sponsor: 1969-1970 Mrs. Joseph C. Pereno, Jr.

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