Florida Memories 1970s – Exploring Generations

The Little Library that Stopped by Every Saturday

On Saturday mornings in kindergarten, I kept a close watch out the window toward the park across the street. A little mobile trailer would roll in, and I’d run to get my mom. The traveling library was here! Evening reading time! Pictured here with my dad, Bill Gillis. Photo by my mom, Joy Gillis EvenContinueContinue reading “The Little Library that Stopped by Every Saturday”

Favorite School Field Trips: Miami 1970s

Field trips were a great way to get outside the classroom and see the world. I loved the classroom and loved school. Still do! But I also love to learn, and field trips presented us with new, hands-on learning experiences. And one field trip in particular was just good ole fun, a treat for ourContinueContinue reading “Favorite School Field Trips: Miami 1970s”

Seeing My Global Future at The Fontainebleau Hotel

Growing up in a Multicultural City I was blessed to grow up in a culturally diverse city. Miami in the 1970s opened a window onto a much wider world. My classmates represented countries from Costa Rica to France, Korea to Venezuela, Spain to Jamaica. Our elementary school classrooms were like the United Nations. I lovedContinueContinue reading “Seeing My Global Future at The Fontainebleau Hotel”

Helping in the First Grade Classroom

In sixth grade at Miami Shores Elementary School, I had a special privilege: I was chosen to be an assistant in a first grade classroom. The program was called Teachers of Tomorrow, most often known as TOTs. Becoming a Teacher of Tomorrow Sixth-grade students were selected for a TOT role or a Safety Patrol roleContinueContinue reading “Helping in the First Grade Classroom”

Frozen Pillows and Porch Ice Cream: Summer Evenings with Mom, Dad, and Taffy Cat

Summer evenings in Miami were hot and muggy throughout my childhood in the 1970s. The hotels along the beach blocked the ocean breeze. The inland neighborhoods wilted in a steamer. But we had a beautiful evening rhythm in our home, buoyed by the sweet scent of the jasmine hedges that wandered through our neighborhood ofContinueContinue reading “Frozen Pillows and Porch Ice Cream: Summer Evenings with Mom, Dad, and Taffy Cat”

Hurdling Hedges and Finding My Voice: A 1970s Miami Summer

The hedge that enclosed our side yard seemed too tall for me to jump over. But every summer morning, I took a running start and cleared the hedge on my way to the rec center across the street. No one could figure out how I hurdled that hedge—even when they stood there watching. But IContinueContinue reading “Hurdling Hedges and Finding My Voice: A 1970s Miami Summer”

Childhood Summer Vacations

You might wonder where people who live on a Florida beach go for vacation. The answer is simple: They go to a different Florida beach! I grew up in Miami. It was very different from the Miami of today. It was quieter, less crowded, calmer. Absolutely beautiful. I grew up in paradise, and I knewContinueContinue reading “Childhood Summer Vacations”