Sunday, January 24, 2021

Monument of States, Kissimmee, FL



The Monument of States was conceived as a symbol of American unity after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and is located in #kissimmee #florida #fl. It was built by volunteers, with donations of stone that came from around the world, including a rock from Hyde Park from #fdr At the time of Pearl Harbor Charles Bressler-Pettis was a retired doctor living in #beautifulfla He conceived of the idea to bolster morale and to be a tourist draw in the area. The monument would ultimately be built with over 1500 donations from all around the world. Interstingly some of those donations included stones from places like France, Italy and Switzerland which at the time would have been potentially aligned with the Axis, occupied by the Axis or, in Switzerland’s case, surrounded by the Axis. I have asked the local historical society in Osceola County if they have any insight on the origins of those stones during that particular time frame. (at Monument of States)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKdDgyHlCY6/?igshid=qs2zb8wia0pi







Walt Disney Studios had to get involved after the fact with a stone donation made much later and placed on the path beside the monument. Does tend to indicate when Disney at least began looking at Central Florida as a location for Disney World.

FDR himself donated this stone from Hyde Park, NY

One stone was dedicated from the United Spanish War Veterans. Note how it was yet to be referred to as the Spanish-American War and also note the spelling of PORTORICO without any spaces.






I focused on the contributions from NJ given that I am originally from NJ.


France, Switzerland and Italy all had stones. Interesting given the time frame. From Pearl Harbor until 1943 France would have been under German occupation and the southern part of France would have been Vichy and then German-occupied Vichy. Switzerland would have been surrounded by the Axis. Italy also had a stone and of course there was at least some window of opportunity where a stone could have been contributed from Allied-occupied areas of Italy from 1943 on.




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Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee, FL



Lake Tohopekaliga or simply Lake Taho #laketoho in #osceolacounty on a #beautifulfla day in #centralflorida in #kissimmee #fl (at Lake Tohopekaliga)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKcSXZmlK1n/?igshid=1u1p7lwsuuo2n



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Quick panoramic video of Lake Toho on a #beautifulfla day in...



Quick panoramic video of Lake Toho on a #beautifulfla day in #kississimee #fl (at Lake Tohopekaliga)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKcSgcpAmQZ/?igshid=169b5u58tsv1t



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Strawberry / Fruit Stand, Yeehaw Junction, FL



Just a minor pitstop off the #floridaturnpike on another #beautifulfla january day en route to #orlandoflorida #fl #florida (at Yeehaw Junction, Florida)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKbxLlOlAZj/?igshid=9li643ng1tfw



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Saturday, January 16, 2021

Whispering Oaks Winery, Oxford, FL



Interesting trio of combinations at the #blueberry farm in #oxfordfl – on the way in I saw many darm animals including this adorable baby lamb prancing around enjoying the #beautifulfla day. Then the winery had interesting #blueberrywine🍷 but what made it overwhelming top was a circus troupe of #trapeeze artists and #dancersofinstagram putting on a show. Not often one thinks of those three things together, but in #florida anything goes. Whispering Oaks Winery also offers an interesting blueberry beer. (at Whispering Oaks Winery)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKIBQgSl8Nc/?igshid=1od4g285jule2



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Russel Stover Factory Store, Wildwood, FL



Just doing a little shopping on another #beautifulfla day in #sumtercountyfl I dont always impulse buy, but when I do, its ALWAYS for my babygirl. Picked up my daughters #valentinesday present at the #russelstover factory store in #wildwood #fl #florida (at Russell Stover)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKH3pLkFL0M/?igshid=7y7ccv8u5p6l



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Classic style golf cart just off SR 44 in #brownwood...



Classic style golf cart just off SR 44 in #brownwood #thevillages #fl I can envision a retired Al Capote unzipping the side plastic to get his Tommy Gun through. Just enjoying another #beautifulfla winter day in #wildwood #florida (at The Villages, Florida)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKH3CWXlUlr/?igshid=1y146qj9ht9vn



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Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Its a guitar shaped casino or just the Guitar Hotel. The Hard...



Its a guitar shaped casino or just the Guitar Hotel. The Hard Rock Casino in the #seminolenation looms over the #fl #turnpike in #browardcounty #florida on a #beautifulfla evening. (at Hard Rock Casino Hollywood)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJudIBtlsOb/?igshid=1stvrc15pazlz



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