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Craig has a list of New Year’s Resolutions to pass out around the state, starting with our idiot Department of Transportation secretary.  Author Lu Vickers is our guest this episode. She joined us back on Episode 100 along with an original Weeki Wachee mermaid. This time, we’re talking about Dick Pope, founder of Cypress Gardens.

01/02/2024 | Episode 185 | 35:04

Welcome to Florida: Dick Pope and Cypress Gardens

Dick Pope and Cypress Gardens

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Kim Anton
03. 01 2024, 05:55:4040
What a great talk on Cypress Gardens. Brought back wonderful memories. My Mom Was Dick Pope Jr.'s secretary. I was a Southern Bell and water skier in the 60's. Most of us called Dick Pope, Papa Pope. He was a master promotor. I also trained for the Esther Williams spectacular with Fernando Lames. Pope's built the olympic pool with the windows for the his spectacular. I spent the summer after 5th grade learning water ballet. I did not make the cut as I was to short to be in the film. Some of my ski training was with Afredo Mendoza. He also ice skated with Holiday on Ice. The good old days...lots of wonderful memories!!!!

About the host

Craig Pittman is the award-winning author of Oh, Florida!: How America’s Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country, The Scent of Scandal, Cat Tale, Manatee Insanity and The State You’re In, and co-author of Paving Paradise. Born in Pensacola, he graduated from Troy State University in Alabama, where his muckraking work for the student paper prompted an agitated dean to label him “the most destructive force on campus.” Since then he has covered a variety of newspaper beats and quite a few natural disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires and the Florida Legislature. 


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