Saturday, April 3, 1965
Saturday April 3, 1965
Slept late. Went to Orlando about 11, didn't get home till 5:45. Ray was furious. Took his motor by Alcorns, had a bushing put on $1.70. Went Old Narcossee way, to Sears, Millers, Colonial Plaza. Had a time finding a dress for Peggy, found a lovely white rayon, green trim, yellow daisy embroidered panel on the front, $4, also a petticoat $1.87. Tricia bought a lovely blue Dacron with its own petticoat, $4. Also bought a petticoat, $1.87. I bought a white purse $3. Ray mowed Herndon’s whole yard for them. Aunt Mispah, Uncle Herbert, Herbie came to Dadys about midnite last nite. Ray went to A. Lake to hunt his traps, didn't find. Went with Bub, killed a 3 ft. gator $6 each for him. Saw a panther. Girls helped me make a flannel board for S.S.
Colonial Plaza & Dacron
Colonial Plaza opened in 1956. At that time, it was the largest retail development in the state of Florida. It has changed dramatically over the years, but it’s still a shopping center today.
Myrtle was likely shopping for Easter dresses on this trip to Orlando. Dacron is DuPont’s brand name for polyester.
Gator
Hunting alligators in Florida was illegal in 1965, but Ray was able to make far more as an alligator poacher than he was as a catfisherman.
Alligator hunting has a long history in Florida. Today, alligator hunting is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which oversees a limited hunting season each year. To participate in the hunt, individuals must have a special permit and follow strict guidelines for hunting and harvesting alligators.
In 1965, penalties for poaching alligators in Florida were relatively lenient compared to today's standards. At that time, poaching alligators was considered a misdemeanor offense, and the penalties for conviction could include fines of up to $500 and/or up to six months in jail.
In 1970, Florida passed the first comprehensive laws regulating alligator hunting and created stiffer penalties for poaching. Under the current laws, poaching alligators is a felony offense, and the penalties for conviction can include significant fines and imprisonment, as well as the loss of hunting and fishing privileges. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a special law enforcement division dedicated to investigating and prosecuting alligator poaching cases.
There an estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida today.
I captured this alligator photo at Black Bear Wilderness Area in Sanford, Florida.
Panther
Seeing a panther in the Florida wild is almost unheard of today, especially in my part of the state. The Florida Panther was added to the endangered species list in 1973, where it remains to this day. In the 1970s there were only estimated to be 20-30 in the wild. Today there are around 200. Conservation efforts have made a difference, but there’s still a long way to go.
There are so many good resources about the Florida Panther, but the new film, Path of the Panther, is a great starting point.
