Miami's Parrot Jungle and Gardens

Miami's Parrot Jungle and Gardens PDF Author: Cory Gittner
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780813018171
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 143

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Book Description
"Illustrates the drive and dedication of a remarkable couple, Franz and Louise Scherr, and their children as they braved adversity during the depression and World War II to establish 'The World's Only Parrot Jungle.' It is a beautiful story of the human spirit."--William P. VanderWyden III, University of Miami School of Law "A lively, comprehensive account of a famed, one-of-a-kind tourist attraction."--Paul S. George, Miami-Dade Community College This colorfully illustrated book tells the story of one of Florida's oldest and most popular tourist attractions. Built in 1936 in a lush hardwood hammock near Miami, Parrot Jungle and Gardens has entertained, enthralled, and educated more than 15 million visitors, and is home to more than a thousand stunning macaws, mynah birds, cockatoos, parakeets, and peacocks. Offering a glimpse into the tropical fantasy world that represented Florida tourism for postwar America, Parrot Jungle was one of hundreds of privately owned roadside attractions built during the thirties that featured Florida's natural splendor. Most have disappeared, making way for corporate-owned theme parks--except for Parrot Jungle. An Austrian immigrant, Franz Scherr, and his family opened the attraction with a dozen macaws and parrots and an assortment of raccoons, opossums, and land crabs. It has survived a world war, gas shortages, devastating hurricanes, rampant development, bird robberies, and a change in ownership--all while displaying several hundred species of subtropical birds which fascinate visitors with their intelligence, exotic beauty, distinct personalities, and remarkable capacity to mimic human voices. Some have been with the attraction longer than any employee--50 years or more. Over the years, they appeared on television's Miami Vice, posed with Jackie Gleason, Winston Churchill, and Miss America, and stole the show at the Florida exhibit at the 1964 World's Fair. Miami's Parrot Jungle and Gardens traces the history of a pioneer attraction from the golden age of "Mom and Pop" tourism, an enduring South Florida institution that will continue to draw appreciative crowds for decades to come. Cory H. Gittner is a freelance writer and the owner of Mediatech, a public relations and marketing firm in Miami Shores, Florida. He has been a consultant and volunteer for the Dade Heritage Trust and was active in restoration of the Cape Florida Lighthouse. Pinky, one of the most famous of the "showbiz" birds at Parrot Jungle and Gardens, cemented the attraction's international fame as a tourist destination with her performance at the 1964 New York World's Fair. A brilliant Moluccan cockatiel, Pinky stole the show and drew huge crowds to the State of Florida exhibit when she rode a tiny bicycle across a highwire from one end of the pavilion to the other. Now more than 60 years old, Pinky still performs her act at the Jungle's Parrot Bowl.

Miami's Parrot Jungle and Gardens

Miami's Parrot Jungle and Gardens PDF Author: Cory Gittner
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780813018171
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 143

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Book Description
"Illustrates the drive and dedication of a remarkable couple, Franz and Louise Scherr, and their children as they braved adversity during the depression and World War II to establish 'The World's Only Parrot Jungle.' It is a beautiful story of the human spirit."--William P. VanderWyden III, University of Miami School of Law "A lively, comprehensive account of a famed, one-of-a-kind tourist attraction."--Paul S. George, Miami-Dade Community College This colorfully illustrated book tells the story of one of Florida's oldest and most popular tourist attractions. Built in 1936 in a lush hardwood hammock near Miami, Parrot Jungle and Gardens has entertained, enthralled, and educated more than 15 million visitors, and is home to more than a thousand stunning macaws, mynah birds, cockatoos, parakeets, and peacocks. Offering a glimpse into the tropical fantasy world that represented Florida tourism for postwar America, Parrot Jungle was one of hundreds of privately owned roadside attractions built during the thirties that featured Florida's natural splendor. Most have disappeared, making way for corporate-owned theme parks--except for Parrot Jungle. An Austrian immigrant, Franz Scherr, and his family opened the attraction with a dozen macaws and parrots and an assortment of raccoons, opossums, and land crabs. It has survived a world war, gas shortages, devastating hurricanes, rampant development, bird robberies, and a change in ownership--all while displaying several hundred species of subtropical birds which fascinate visitors with their intelligence, exotic beauty, distinct personalities, and remarkable capacity to mimic human voices. Some have been with the attraction longer than any employee--50 years or more. Over the years, they appeared on television's Miami Vice, posed with Jackie Gleason, Winston Churchill, and Miss America, and stole the show at the Florida exhibit at the 1964 World's Fair. Miami's Parrot Jungle and Gardens traces the history of a pioneer attraction from the golden age of "Mom and Pop" tourism, an enduring South Florida institution that will continue to draw appreciative crowds for decades to come. Cory H. Gittner is a freelance writer and the owner of Mediatech, a public relations and marketing firm in Miami Shores, Florida. He has been a consultant and volunteer for the Dade Heritage Trust and was active in restoration of the Cape Florida Lighthouse. Pinky, one of the most famous of the "showbiz" birds at Parrot Jungle and Gardens, cemented the attraction's international fame as a tourist destination with her performance at the 1964 New York World's Fair. A brilliant Moluccan cockatiel, Pinky stole the show and drew huge crowds to the State of Florida exhibit when she rode a tiny bicycle across a highwire from one end of the pavilion to the other. Now more than 60 years old, Pinky still performs her act at the Jungle's Parrot Bowl.

Miami and the Keys

Miami and the Keys PDF Author: Mark Miller
Publisher: National Geographic Books
ISBN: 9781426203237
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 276

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Book Description
Miami, the Florida Keys, and Miami Beach are America's favorite destinations. This lushly illustrated guide takes readers through the celebrated Miami's central districts, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Virginia Key, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, South Miami, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Keys, Key West, and Dry Tortugas. Opening chapters advise on planning your trip and introduce the city and its surrounds in the context of its history, rich mix of cultures, art, and cuisine. Experiential sidebars highlight every aspect of Miami, which has been called ?the American city of the future.? The text showcases the city's fantastic architecture, Little Haiti, the Art Deco district, Miami's horseracing, the city's Jewish heritage, and snorkeling and diving in the Keys. Several tours are featured, including one of downtown Miami by Metromover, a Tamiami Trail driving tour, and an exploration of old Key West. The extensive Travelwise section offers visitors a range of the best hotels and restaurants in the city and the Keys,the region's historical landmarks, popular attractions, nightlife, shops, and activities, with detailed maps and complete walking and driving tours.

Miami Alive Guide

Miami Alive Guide PDF Author: Lisa Simundson
Publisher: Hunter Publishing, Inc
ISBN: 1556504586
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 497

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Book Description
Welcome to Miami, a subtropical oasis of fun-in-the-sun excitement on the southern tip of the Florida peninsula. Get ready for a day at the beach and a night on the town; a culinary tour of the world and an exploration of fascinating cultures and history; shopping sojourns that lead from the biggest malls down to the smallest roadside stands. It's all here in the place where major highways end and adventures begin. Rome may not have been built in a day, but it almost seems as if Miami was. In just 100 years, it has gone from a sleepy fishing village by the bay to an international metropolis and business center -where sleek office buildings rise alongside luxury hotels, where arts and culture not only thrive but re-define artistic frontiers, where local restaurants feature the flavors of many different cultures, and clubs sizzle until dawn. Here, visitors delight in gourmet dining and world-class shopping, discovering the diversity of restaurants filled with the flavors of Latin America and the Caribbean and shopping opportunities that run the gamut from boutique shops to enormous malls boasting their own tempting eateries. Miami's many moods also flavor the myriad concerts and cultural events, art galleries, museums, book fairs and festivals that fill its cultural calendar all year long. When the sun sets, many visitors head back east toward South Beach, holiday kingdom of the night. Here, in a Deco-designed district of pastel neon, clubs throb with a mesmerizing mix of music, from salsa to reggae to hard rock. Daytime visitors to South Beach enjoy the boutiques, beachfront parks, charming restaurants and cafes and art galleries. But at night, the rhythms of South Beach's club scene overwhelm the beat of the Atlantic thundering onto the famous beaches. Miami's hotel variety is staggering. All the major chains are here, from business-friendly airport hotels to sumptuous, full-service beach and golf resorts and gleaming, high-rise and high-style city hotels. And don't forget the Art Deco masterpieces of South Beach -small boutique hotels lining Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue offer personalized service, unique amenities and fascinating histories. Here is the ultimate guide to it all! Every restaurant, hotel, nightclub, beach and recreation possibility worth your attention is described in detail by an author who lives here, with color photos throughout.

Parrot Culture

Parrot Culture PDF Author: Bruce Thomas Boehrer
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press
ISBN: 0812221044
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 219

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Book Description
Exploring the presence and meanings of these birds in the art, literature, and history of Western civilization, Parrot Culture traces the unusual history of parrots from their introduction in the Graeco-Roman world, through the great age of New World exploration, to the contemporary ecological crisis of globalism.

Miami Florida and Fort Lauderdale

Miami Florida and Fort Lauderdale PDF Author: Sharon Lloyd Spence
Publisher: Hunter Publishing, Inc
ISBN: 1588438325
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 145

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Book Description
These useful guides are highly recommended... Library Journal. The most detailed guide to the southern Atlantic coast of the Sunshine State, a magnet for hundreds of thousands of tourists. Based on the larger Adventure Guide to Southeast Florida, this focuses on the Atlantic Coast from Miami up past Fort Lauderdale. It takes you beyond the high-rise condos and urban sprawl to find natural, beautiful South Florida at its best. As with all Adventure Guides, the emphasis is on outdoor activities kayaking, canoeing, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, turtle- and manatee-watching, and dozens of other ways to have fun. Many sidebar interviews with local experts and guides offer insights on everything from canoeing the Loxahatchee River to swimming with dolphins to seeking out great horned owls! Accommodations, restaurants and sightseeing too. Extensively researched, the focus is on outdoor activities - hiking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, parasailing, scuba diving, backpacking, and waterskiing, among others - and all the details you need, including prices, are included. The best local outfitters are listed, along with contact numbers, addresses and recommendations. A comprehensive introductory section provides background on history, geography, climate, culture, when to go, transportation and planning. The guide then takes a region-by-region approach, plunging into the very heart of each area and the adventures offered, giving a full range of accommodations, shopping, restaurants for every budget, and festivals.Abundant town and regional maps.

Florida

Florida PDF Author: Karen Sirvaitis
Publisher: Lerner Publications
ISBN: 9780822540663
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 88

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Book Description
Introduces the geography, history, environment, economy, and culture of the Sunshine State.

The Gardens of Florida

The Gardens of Florida PDF Author: Steven Brooke
Publisher: Pelican Publishing
ISBN: 9781455604708
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 132

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Book Description
Florida's environment produces a breathtaking variety of plant life, and nineteen of its most famous and most fabulous gardens are featured in this coffee-table book. Vivid color photographs almost two hundred of them�showcase these lovely sanctuaries, small and large. Each garden�s focus and history is discussed. Readers can visit well-known places such as Cypress Gardens and Busch Gardens, tropical fantasies like the Parrot Jungle, and quiet retreats such as the Morikami Japanese Garden. Floral fans, weekend gardeners, and anyone who appreciates beauty will love this book. A list of annual events at Florida gardens is included.

Gardens Across America: East of the Mississippi

Gardens Across America: East of the Mississippi PDF Author: Thomas S. Spencer
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1589791029
Category : Arboretums
Languages : en
Pages : 476

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Book Description
A comprehensive guide to American public gardens and arboreta, this two volume series provides a state-by-state listing of nearly 2,000 gardens accessible to the public. Each entry provides a general overview of the garden and/or arboretum, hours of operation, admission fees (if any), directions, and a list of special collections and activities.

Funworld

Funworld PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Amusement parks
Languages : en
Pages : 1134

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Book Description


Miami Is Missing

Miami Is Missing PDF Author: Antonio Simon, Jr.
Publisher: Darkwater Syndicate, Inc.
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 198

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Book Description
Discover a side of Miami so hidden even the natives don't know it exists. A space rocket abandoned in the swamp, a futuristic expo that never was, a city wiped off the map, a national monument at the bottom of the ocean. Photographs, addresses, and coordinates are provided to take a “then-and-now” look into the Magic City’s hidden history.