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Florida’s Oldest: Barrineau Park 4-H Club Celebrating 100 Years
September 12, 2014
In 1914, cattle in Escambia County grazed in open fields. The fledgling aviation industry, with its flimsy bi-planes and open-air cockpits, got the first United States Navy flight school in Pensacola. Air-conditioning was mere rumor. And University of Florida Extension agent Ed Finlayson started the Barrineau Park 4-H Club.
A century later, 3,500 head of cattle enjoy Escambia’s fenced-in pastures. Pensacola Naval Air Station trains jet fighter pilots. Escambia residents marvel that anyone ever survived summer without air-conditioning, and Barrineau Park 4-H celebrates its status as Florida’s longest continuously operating 4-H club – and one of the nation’s oldest.
A public celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Barrineau Park Community Center. Activities include alumni sharing their 4-H memories with current members.
“It is such a historic event to support and one where the community can join all 4-H club members in the celebration,” said Brian Bell, president of the Escambia County 4-H Foundation. “The Barrineau Park 4-H program has bragging rights and we want the world to know how proud we are of the club and the people who made this possible.”
The club is also celebrating in true 4-H fashion by helping others. Members have been busy performing 100 hours of community service, gathering magazines to donate to nursing homes, collecting shoes for needy families and food for area food banks, baking cookies and cupcakes to give to the local fire department (pictured) and writing thank you cards to military personnel.
According to Barrineau Park Historical Society member Nita Berry, about 10 boys joined in 1914. They held their meetings in homes, church fellowship halls, Gindl’s Store and Barrineau Park School and Community Center. They learned to grow tomatoes and corn, garden, sew, and raise poultry and livestock.
Over the years, hundreds of boys and girls have joined the Barrineau Park 4-H club. Today, 23 students are active in everything from leadership, citizenship, livestock, horses, food and nutrition, environmental education, marine science, shooting sports and public speaking. The club has become known for raising and showing prize-winning hogs.
“They have traditionally had strong 4-H leaders and parents who support the educational activities selected by the members,” said Pamela Allen, Escambia County Extension director. “Over the years, youth in this club have excelled in county, district, state and national 4-H events and activities.”
Tena Gindl, a ninth-grade algebra teacher at Tate High School, is the club’s current leader. The family of her late husband, Bobby Gindl, who famously encouraged students that “your best is yet to come,” has been involved in the club almost since its inception.
Gindl’s 91-year-old aunt, Dorothy Gindl Casey, joined the club in the early 1930s, learning to sew and to can fruits and vegetables. Gindl’s father-in-law, Francis Gindl (pictured), now 86, joined in the 1940s and eventually led the club, as did Tena Gindl’s husband, who excelled at public speaking. Their three grown daughters were members. Beth and Kellie Gindl showed hogs; Kellie won grand champion two years in a row and Beth placed first in her class. As a high school freshman, Carrie won the Florida 4-H Congress public speaking contest.
While today’s 4-H maintains its traditional programs, it also has modern flair, with clubs that concentrate on computers and robotics or global-positioning satellite programs. But the best reason to join, Gindl said, is the interaction with other people.
“The experiences that you get in 4-H are just positive experiences and you never know where it’s going to take you and lead you in your life,” Gindl said. “Many kids have come back and said, ‘If it wasn’t for 4-H, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
To learn more about 4-H, the Escambia County Extension office at 850-475-5230.
Pictured top: Top 4-H corn producers in Escambia County (year unknown). Pictured (L-R): Kenneth Reemer, eighth place with 88.4 bushels per acre; Lamar Wheeler, ninth place with 77.2 bushels; Craig Exner, seventh with 89.9 bushels; “Skippy Lambert”, third with 103.1 bushels; Jacky Cunningham, fourth, 99.4 bushels; Douglas Lamb, sixth, 95.2 bushels; Mike Godwin, second with 107.5 bushels; David Lamb, fifth, 99.3 bushels; Steve Lamb, tenth, 73.5 bushels; and John Godwin, first, 111 bushels. Pictured middle inset: Current members of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club. Pictured below: County 4-H officers (year and names unavailable). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
9 Responses to “Florida’s Oldest: Barrineau Park 4-H Club Celebrating 100 Years”
Skip Lambert is Dorothy Gindl- Lambert- Casey’s son. She has a daughter
( Brenda) who was also very active in 4H.
Many afternoons were spent on Gindl farms practicing Livestock Judging and a trip to Gindl store after being out in the heat was cherished..
Sure wish Bobby and Pete could be a part of this celebration.
My first 4H leader was Sam Arnold. Lamar Wheeler, my brothers and I and others met @ Mr Arnolds home on Neal Rd in Cantonment..
Tena: Congrats and thanks for all the dedication and hard work.
Wish I could be there to celebrate with you.
Skip was elected to be a Fla 4H officer.
Brenda and I were awarded trips to National 4H Congress-1964
Comments by “Sue” is my sister Sue
Thanks to ALL who support Escambia 4H programs!
.
Have a great day! I wish I could be there.
I believe this picture is 1961 or1962 because David graduated in 1966 @Tate High.
spent a lot of good times in Barrineau park. Was 4-h agent from 72- 80.Francis and Margie were great leaders. She always had something going on. hope you all have a wonderful day.
Please everyone come out and help us celebrate this day – everyone welcome @Teresa Tipton and family and Sue.
The current younger 4-H’s would love to hear from past Barrineau Park 4-H’s so come and share your stories and your memories. Bring pictures and we will scan them to add to the rich history of Barrineau Park 4-H.
We are going to put a display together to show at The Pensacola Interstate Fair this year (October 2014). The 4-H’s are also putting together a time capsule that will be opened in 25 years (2039) – so feel free to contribute something to this.
Thank you to everyone that is helping support this event.
What memories this brings back! C.C. and Joe Ann Lamb family were active participants of the 4-H program. Mom and Dad were leaders of a club for a while. 4-H is an awesome organization to help structure young people into individuals with character and a good work ethic. Head, Heart, Hands and Health…..The life skills learned in 4-H will be with me as long as I live. Those were the days!!
Congratulations Barrineau Park 4-H Club!!
>>My brother David is also in this pic. I think they named Steve twice and should have named David.
You are correct. I’ve corrected the mistake.
My brother David is also in this pic. I think they named Steve twice and should have named David.
Congradulations for your successful chapter. My two brothers are in the top picture. Douglas Lamb and Steve Lamb . Our whole family was in 4H until 1970 when we moved to a 851acre farm in Al. Then there was no time for the club. We worked very hard on the farm for years until one by one we went our own way. Our Dad is still farming that land. He is 85 years old. We new most all the farmers here during the 60 s. We also custom combined hay and cut soybeans for several. Loved the 4H club and still enjoy the knowledge that we still have young people interested in farming Keep up the good work .