With a small smile on his face, Sherwood J. “Buddy” Johnson proudly accepted his plaque signifying his acceptance into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame at their luncheon last Friday, March 6th. Family, friends, and other citrus industry participants applauded, celebrating alongside him. It was a magnificent honor and Johnson made sure to let his audience know how grateful he was for it.
Johnson was not the only one
inducted. There were also Nicholas “Nick” D. Faryna and John C. Updike, Sr.,
who were inducted posthumously. Their children accepted their awards for them,
glad to have others acknowledge the impact their fathers had on the citrus
industry.
It was a wonderful experience to
take part with this celebration. Through videos about their lives and speeches
made, it was amazing to see the involvement that these inductees had with the
citrus industry. According to the 2015 Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Citrus
Celebration program, Faryna experimented on ways to use water during a freeze
to protect citrus crops, which ended up being implemented in many northern
groves. Updike created the “dairy pack concept of frozen orange concentrate.”And
Johnson was one of the first packers that moved into the computer age with his
grading line. All three inductees clearly deserved recognition and it was
wonderful to see them get it.
It was also so sweet to see
Faryna and Updike’s adult children go up to the microphone and speak warmly and
nostalgically about their fathers. In addition, it was nice to see Johnson go
up and personally thank everyone. I had no idea the diligence, time, and work
that needed to be invested in the citrus industry to run groves, packinghouses,
gift fruit businesses, and more. By the end of it all, I was glad to see these
inductees commemorated for their contributions to the citrus industry.
Before I attended the inductee
ceremony, I never really understood what the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame was
all about. According to the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame website, “The Florida
Citrus Hall of Fame was established in 1962 to pay tribute to those who have
made outstanding contributions to the Florida citrus industry.” I had read this
description, but I did not understand it until I went to the inductee ceremony
and saw the award accepted with immense gratitude. There are so many people
involved in the citrus industry, having to constantly think of innovative ways
to work through freezes, financial issues, and other obstacles. It is not an
easy job, but those who fulfill it deserve to be commemorated.
I am glad I was able to witness
such a celebratory event. It inspired me to work diligently in my own life;
perhaps someday I might have family members that are proud enough to want to
share my accomplishments with the world. However, in order to have
accomplishments worth celebrating, like these three inductees, I learnt there
is one important action I need to take to heart: perseverance.
Written by Selys Rivera
Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame
In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives
Center
