The Miami Times

SATURDAY, JULY 22, 1950

FROM THE EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK

A VISIT TO THE Y. Eight years ago I lived at the Harlem Branch of the Young Men's Christian Association for a week, but did not make an effort to go all through the building. At that time, I was not quite as interested in the association as I am at present. Our readers will understand why, when I tell them (some already know) that I am now chairman of the program committee of the Carver Branch of the "Y" at Miami.

Conducting me through the building at 180 W. 135th Street was the genial membership secretary, Mr. Dallas A. Martin. The tour was interesting, and now I have some idea of what a real "Y" should be. The Men's Branch has a membership of over 5,000, included in this number are some of the fairer sex. This branch is a part of 17 which operates in the city of New York.

Across the street from the Men's Y is the Boys' building. Mr. S. L. Fuller, Group Chief, another very genial person took me through the building. It was acquired, renovated, and furnished at a cost of $250,000 and opened last September. Boys membership total 1100. The building is furnished the same as the men's, with its own swimming pool. There were plenty of activities going on.

Would that Miami could have some kind of building for our boys.

I met a very interesting gentleman, Mr. Henry C. Parker, who was with the Y from 1906 until his retirement not many years ago. He told me the branch was founded by Rev. T. C. Walker of Augusta, Ga., in 1901. Mr. Parker, who was in the real estate business at the time, said, colored people were not then allowed to live in this property, but he succeeded in turning the deal for quite a bit of it, some of which was purchased by St. Phillip's Church. So ends my visit to the Y.

I spent an afternoon with an old acquaintance, in fact, two of them -- Oscar Johnson and Bob Carey. Johnson is in the real estate business at St. Nicholas Avenue and 125th Street and Bob is his assistant.

Visiting the Ray Robinson enterprises was interesting. I saw Mrs. Robinson and met her husband. With me was Charles Austin. In the building on the first floor there are a restaurant and bar, a dry cleaning plant, a barber shop and a lingerie shop. In the lingerie shop I found among others, Miss Blanche Holly, another old acquaintance.

She is the aunt of Mrs. Ray Robinson. Miss Holly, as is well known, is the daughter of the late Dr. Alonzo P. Holly, who practiced medicine in Miami for more than 30 years. She holds an M. A. degree in Physical Culture from Columbia U. and an M. A. in Personal Guidance from NYU.

She got tired of the teaching profession and did some social work, but now looks after the business part of "Edna Mae's Lingerie." She has always been a very nice person to know and has many pleasant recollections of Miami.

Friday afternoon my family went boating on the lake in Central Park. I volunteered as oarsman, carried out the job alright, but that night felt as tired as I did last week when we walked around the lake. It could be that I am getting old.

Saturday afternoon we were with the Yankees and the Indians at the Yankee Stadium and saw a thrilling game with the Yanks taking it in the eleventh inning 4-3.

Sunday afternoon we were at the Cloisters, Ft. Tryon Park. This building as well as the park was a present to the city of New York in 1930. It is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum and has a fine collection of mediaeval art. Miamians visiting New York, especially church people who have not seen it, should mark this down as a "must".

A special feature on display at the Cloisters for three months is the Golden Chalice of Antioch.

Monday my daughter, Doreen, accompanied me to Radio City. It's a change of picture, we now see "The Next Voice You Hear" and the gala holiday stage show "Let Freedom Ring" and "Shoot the Works." Peg Leg Bates is featured in the latter. His is the fourth Negro act to play the Music Hall since its opening.

Mr. Sam Thompson, brother-in-law of Mr. Cyril Andrews, editor of the Florida Sentinel is on the staff of the Amsterdam News. He inquired about friends in Miami, especially schoolmate Garth Reeves.

On Tuesday morning I was the breakfast guest of Dr. and Mrs. Wm. Anthony and daughter, Audrey, at their lovely and well-appointed apartment at 409 Edgecombe Avenue. Most of New York's prominent colored citizens live in this large building atop the hill and known as "409."

The Anthonys were ideal hosts. Dr. Anthony is well known throughout Florida and has just returned from a visit to Ft. Myers. Mrs. Anthony has been to Miami, but is better acquainted with West Palm Beach.