This week on SHLTMM, you'll be hearing stories of three formidable women who's lives have been rooted in a family legacy beginning in the early 1920's, in Miami and Coral Gables, Florida. My guests, former Award Winning Journalist and Playwright, June Thomson Morris and her mother, Dorothy Thomson, former Mayor of Coral Gables, share stories of their past and present as they prepare for the Centennial Celebration of Coral Gables. The story of Morris’ grandmother – Lucy Mae Barnes - and the paradise known as Florida is the focus of the first play Morris has written. "Greetings from Paradise," is set to debut on April 29 in Coral Gables, at Miracle Theater on Miracle Mile– at the same time Coral Gables officially turns 100 years old. This is truly an eye opening conversation looking back and bringing Miami's past to life. June and her mother Dorothy have a wonderful relationship and Dorothy was sure to share touching stories of trying to get her daughter to "listen to her mother!"
As a proud mother, Dorothy was all ready to share very specific stories of when she thought June "should listen to her mother," including her junior high musical instrument selection, Orange Bowl Queen/King Orange Bowl Game in Miami, taking a job at the "nascent" CNN news network and not marrying her first husband.
"Greetings From Paradise" began as a screen play and it turned into a gift from June to Coral Gables. It is a one act, 80 minute play written by June Thomson Morris, making it's debut at Miracle Theater on Miracle Mile.
The roaring 20's happened big time in Coral Gables and the Miami area. At that time, the Prohibition was not taken seriously at all. June says "the booze was pouring in with miles of unprotected coastlines between Bermuda and Cuba."
1925 the great Florida Land Boom -no more income tax nor inheritance tax so everyone from up north, who had money, flocked to the Miami area.
In September of 1926, a hurricane leveled Miami and left a path of destruction
June's Grandmother, Lucy, was there and she experienced the loss of all that had been created and developed because of this one horrific storm.
Dorothy as a proud mother, explains that by writing this play, June has done something that no one else has ever done. It's the first time that anyone's written a historically accurate telling of the story of Miami.
Coral Gables is also dedicating a park in Dorothy's honor. It's going to be the first theme park in Coral Gables and named "Dorothy." Dorothy was raised in Peekskill, New York where in the 1800's, L. Frank Baum, the author of the Wizard of Oz, attended the Peekskill Military Academy for two years. When L. Frank Baum was looking for his new school, a gentleman told him to "follow the yellow brink road" and you'll find the academy.
Link for June Thomson, the 84th Orange Bowl Queen: https://historicimages.com/products/rsd95985?srsltid=AfmBOooAS8vHUWdxA6tHyn9uct7CFkqk3nTcg1pd35GjgpURIbfo3Ujz
Social Media Links: June Thomson Morris
FB:JUNE THOMSON MORRIS
IG: JUNEMORRIS6
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Social Media Links for Dorothy Thomsom:
FB: Dorothy Thomson
IG: Birddot1934