November 3 - Jeff Blakley on South Dade History

Display problems? Open this email in your web browser.

MPNOD- Miami Pioneers and NAtives of Dade historical society

Hello MPNOD member,
Here is a fresh update from the Miami Pioneers and Natives of Dade Historical Society
website: mpnod.org • Facebook: facebook.com/MPNOD/

Sunday, November 3

Jeff Blakley - South Dade History

Jeff Blakley will discuss some of his articles and essays on the history of South Dade. A native of Homestead, since his retirement, Jeff has followed his passion for local history. He is an independent scholar who writes articles for his website, Historic South Dade and volunteers at the Historic Homestead Town Hall Museum. Of necessity, he focuses on the history of the area from Goulds down to Florida City.

The members of the Miami Pioneers and Natives of Dade historical society invite the public -- especially those with an interest in local history -- to attend the monthly meeting on the first Sunday of the month at 2pm at the Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue in Coral Gables.

Please bring something to share for social time and refreshments.

James M Jackson Hutson M.D.

Mar 16, 1922 – Oct 6, 2019

A memorial service will be held at Epworth Village, 5300 W 16th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33012, Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 4:00 PM.

A life-long member of the Miami Pioneers historical society, James M. Jackson Hutson was born to Ethel Barco Hutson and Thomas Woodward Hutson MD on March 16, 1922 and passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2019.

His grandfather was the famous Miami pioneer physician Dr. James M. Jackson for whom Jackson Memorial Hospital was named.

James was a beloved member of our group, one of the original Miami Pioneer members, expressing his profound love of local history and sharing his formidable sense of humor often.

He was the first-born grandchild of Dr. James M Jackson.

Photos show the infant James Hutson in the arms of his grandfather on the portico of Homewood, the family home which once stood on Brickell Avenue. He grew up on NE 17th Street, in a home where the Omni complex is today.

James attended Robert E Lee Junior High School. He told family stories of taking boyhood shortcuts from home to school through the Miami City Cemetery, where his grandfather Jackson is buried, and where he also will take his final rest.

He later attended and graduated from Riverside Military Academy in 1938 and commenced his college education at Duke University.

The advent of World War II resulted in the acceleration of his education in the V12 Program combining college and medical school into a six-year training period and a reserve commission in the United States Navy.

In the last year of medical school he contracted polio resulting in the atrophy of his left leg, a disability that he overcame allowing a productive career and active life.

His wedding to Miriam Poe Hickman, a nursing student at Duke University was delayed until he recuperated. They were married November 10, 1944.

Following a six-month internship at the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida Dr. Hutson was assigned to a troop transport ship as the Medical Officer. The SS Young America made multiple crossings across the Pacific Ocean transporting soldiers and Marines into combat and returning them home at the end of the war.

In 1946, he returned to Miami and entered medical practice with his father in the Ingram Building in downtown Miami. Four years later, the Korean War began and he was recalled to active duty in the Navy. He was sent to Pensacola Naval Air Station for training as a Flight Surgeon, an event which set him on the path of a long professional career in Aviation Medicine.

He served as a Flight Surgeon at the Naval Air Station in Bath, Maine from 1950 to 1953 where the Navy was flying anti-submarine patrols.

After returning to medical practice in Miami in 1954, Dr. Hutson applied for a position in the medical department of Eastern Airlines. He was interviewed by Eddy Rickenbacker, and with, “OK, you’re hired, kid,” he began a forty-year career in which he advanced to Medical Director of Eastern Airlines.

He received the Greater Miami Aviation Association Service Award for his work in the aviation industry. He loved the airplanes and the employees of Eastern Airlines. Like thousands of employees, he was heartbroken when the airline was placed in bankruptcy and gutted. He continued to practice Aviation and Industrial Medicine as a Medical Examiner for the FAA.

Dr. James Hutson also cared for elderly patients in nursing homes until the end of his practice when he moved to Epworth Village in Hialeah, Florida where he resided until his death.

Dr. Hutson was dedicated to his church, First United Methodist Church of Miami. Like his grandfather, he was a lifelong Rotarian and was honored with The Rotary Service Award.
He loved Miami and was proud to be a native son with deep roots in his city’s history, participating in Miami Pioneers and Native of Dade and Dade Heritage Trust.

Historical Society Members:
Please Pay Your Dues Now

We ask that all members -- if you have not already done so -- pay their $20 annual dues at this time. Bring the payment to the next meeting, or mail to our treasurer: Marlene Carlin at 14900 SW 71 Ave, Miami, FL 33158.

Monthly Meetings at the Museum

The Miami Pioneers and Natives of Dade invite all with an interest in local history to join us at the Coral Gables Museum community room on the first Sunday of each month (except July and August) from 2 to 4pm.

Newsletter Subscription

There is no charge for the email version of the newsletter. If you wish to have your newsletter printed and send via the post office, the fee is $10 per year, sent to Treasurer Marlene B. Carlin, at 14900 SW 71 Ave, Miami, FL 33158. Thank you!

November Birthdays

01 Kathleen Kauffman
05 Sherrin Smith
07 Walter Baggeson
07 Donald Slesnick II
06 Natalie Kleinberg
08 Louise Garavaglia
11 Michael Brenan
11 Nancy Skilling
14 Selma Speakman
17 Ruth Greenfield
18 Judy Arthur
23 Carlos San Martin Jr
27 Harold Goldberg

Special Thanks to our friends at the Coral Gables Museum for hosting our monthly meetings. Thanks to all our members and friends who bring refreshments to share during social time. Thanks to everyone who makes a small donation in the "money jar" at the meetings to help with our expenses.

As always, let's share the love of local history with family and friends. Bring a friend, a neighbor or a family member to the next meeting at the museum.

After our meetings, our group traditionally enjoys refreshments and social time. If you’re able to contribute to this effort, please bring some small snacks, fresh fruit, cookies, brownies, chips and dip, or a similar item that you’d like to share with your friends.