In 2017 National Brave Day was founded to honor women empowering women. Decades before this day of recognition, one local woman, Brownie Wise, was involved in helping women through her affiliation with Tupperware and the sale of their products. Women were recruited to become representatives for “Tupperware Home Parties,” which introduced a unique way of selling their products by bringing them into the home for […]
The third Friday in September was designated National POW/MIA Recognition Day in 1979. Osceola History has chosen to honor former resident and POW Malvin Wayne Samuel by sharing his story. Early Life Born in Agency, Missouri, on November 29, 1915, to Dooley and Bessie Marie Samuel, the family moved to Kissimmee, Florida, in 1925, where Dooley began working for the post office. Malvin was one […]
The origins of Beard Day are a mystery. Still, the belief is that Danish Vikings held celebrations to honor their beards as early as 800 BC. Here in Osceola County, Florida, beard contests were held in conjunction with the local rodeos. In the 1950s, Kissimmee downtown merchants were required to grow beards or else pay hefty fines – all done in the name of good […]
Phillip “Phil” Russell Kelley didn’t always wear bow ties but beginning in the late 1950s; it appears to have become part of his regular attire. What prompted him to make the switch from a regular tie is a mystery, but Phil was definitely one of Kissimmee’s unique citizens. And with a good old Irish name like Kelley, Phil also had the “Gift of the Blarney.” […]