Oral histories --Florida

The primary purpose of this interview included a discussion of Ms. Kathy Cox, and her
experiences as a community organizer and city councilperson for the Town of Davie, from 1988
to 1997. The interview also touched on her thoughts about growing up in South Florida, and how
her childhood experiences influenced her political career as an adult. The interview described her
accomplishments as city councilperson, namely the Davie equestrian trail system, the
establishment of which she played a critical role. Finally, the interview enquired about her
present-day activities, and her overall thoughts on the Town of Davie, past, present, and future.

The primary topic of this interview was to engage with the experiences of Bobbie Lou
David's extensive teaching career while honing in on her time teaching at the Davie School in
Davie, Florida. Bobbie Lou worked with various student demographics in Virginia, Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, and in Davie, Florida. More specifically in Davie, Bobbie Lou's
compassionate experiences with many people over her years demonstrate the close-knit, friendly,
and communicative bond Davie's citizens have with one another. Over the decades, Bobbie Lou
saw various changes to the size of Davie, Florida in regards to both population and development.
The topics covered in this interview range from the early childhood, life as a student, marriage,
the Davie school, the integration of schools, notable news events, integration and the 1960's,
hobbies, obtaining a Master's degree at Florida Atlantic University, educational
accomplishments, and the town of Davie today.

On February 18, 2017, Stephanie Difton Scott, a former student at the Old Davie School,
was interviewed by Yasmin K. McGee, a graduate student in the MA History program at Florida
Atlantic University. The interview was completed in conjunction with FAU and the Old Davie
School Oral History Project in order to preserve the local history of the Town ofDavie. Mrs.
Difton Scott provided details of her ancestry and family, shared memories of growing up in
Davie's African-American community, and fondly recalled her experiences at the Old Davie
School.

This interview is largely concerned with chronicling the lifetime experiences of Tom Gill
and the relationship of those experiences with the town of Davie. Tom Gill's grandfather, Frank
Stirling, was an instrumental part of early Davie and its 1925 incorporation; Stirling Road bears
his nmne. Furthermore, Gill attended the old Davie Elementary School, and was taught by
several well known teachers of that school, such as Edna Hammer-Griffin. Tom later joined the
Navy during the Vietnam War, and was able to see the world. Following his return to Davie,
Tom worked in the real estate business and served on the Town Council. Stories range from life
in old Davie, to his R&R on the Spanish Riviera, to the intricacies of modern developtnent in
Davie.

Bishop Gracida is a former Benedictine Monk. After serving in the Army Air Corps. 303d
"Hell's Angels" Bombardment Group as a gunner pilot during WWII, Bishop Gracida trained as
an architect. During the war, Bishop Gracida was one of the pilots that flew over and fire
bombed Dresden. Following his time in the Army, he had a conversion experience and entered a
St Vincent Benedictine monastery. Thanks to his training as an architect, he assisted in the
building of the church for the monastery, and later, ran into troubles with his Archabbot over
building issues with a dormitory. This soured his relationship with the Archabbot, leading him to
becoming a priest in the Archdiocese of Miami, where he served faithfully as a priest for thirteen
years, all prior to his being named a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church.
In his interview, he discusses his time in the Army Air Corps. He goes on to discuss his
conversion experience back to the faith that led him to his vocation. Additionally, he discusses
the political entity that is the Catholic Church, and the machinations of the Church. He discusses
controversial topics from the death penalty and abortion to sanctuary and a controversy over the
singer Madonna and the Pepsi Co. Corporation. He discusses his interactions with Archbishop
Coleman Caroll extensively, as well as his time as the first bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee.

This interview covered five main subjects related to the Town of Davie and the Old Davie
School. First, it delves into was the Old Davie School itself where Mrs. Griffin-Weekeley
attended first through sixth grade. The second was the Griffin family, who have were one of the
major pioneering families of the town, for whom the major road through the town is named after.
Third, we discussed the Davie Rodeo and how that has changed since Mrs. Griffin-Weekley first
got involved with it over thirty years ago. Fourth, we briefly discussed the Weekley side of her
family, and their family business: Weekley Asphalt Paving Company. Finally, we discussed how
the Town of Davie has changed over the years throughout the interview.

The Johnsons were interviewed in relation to their aunt and great aunt
respectively, Edna Pearce Lockett. She served as the third female legislator
in the state of Florida while operating one of the largest cattle ranches in the
state.

The focus of this interview was the life history of Boettner Rodger Jumper a
member of the Seminole Indian Nation in South Florida. Boettner's mother was both a
prominent figure in the local Seminole Indian community and National. He was born just when
the Seminoles were becoming an organized tribe. He became an accountant and helped to broker
his Tribe's purchase of the Hard rock International. Stories include his life as a child in rural
Davie, being the son of a prominent and powerful woman, being a man of faith and a mentor to
children, being a husband, a father and losing a child.

The primary topic of this interview concerned Joan Kovac's experiences in local politics
in the town of Davie, Florida. Mrs. Kovac and her family moved to Davie after forty years in
Akron, Ohio for a new business opportunity. When they opened their frrst automotive repair
franchise in 1975, Mrs. Kovac quickly became involved in the unique community that thrived in
the town. After working with the Chamber of Commerce and the town council, Mrs. Kovac was
elected to office, ultimately serving four terms as mayor. Stories include mayoral duties, changes
in Davie and Broward County, the ''town fathers,'' the Old Davie School, Nova Southeastern,
( Wolf Lake, and leadership.

Polly Lenzen was born in Webster Groves, Missouri, on May 27, 1924. She is not
married, and she has no children. Ms. Lenzen attended Harris Teachers College in St. Louis,
Missouri during and after World War II. After college, she began her teaching career in Ladue,
Missouri, and then moved to Maui, Hawaii, where she taught eighth grade for two years. She
returned to the mainland and began teaching in South Florida, first in Dania, then at Stranahan
Elementary in Fort lauderdale, and then she spent the next 35 years teaching mainly
kindergarten at the Davie School in Davie, Florida. She was able to experience the many
changes that took place there between the 1950s and the present and was able to take part in
the Orange Blossom Festivals, attend the rodeos, and be a part of many school events.
Teaching and traveling have always been Ms. Lenzen's two passions-she has traveled
extensively, both domestically and internationally, taking approximately 100 cruises over the
years. In 1963, for example, she took a trip around the world on three ships, spending three
months abroad; one of those months was dedicated to travel in the Middle East. She also
owned an RV and took a number of road trips in that vehicle.
The best lessons she was able to teach her many young students involved, in her words,
"fair play and kindness.'' Ms. Lenzen would most like to be remembered for her two passions:
teaching and traveling.