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Originally Posted by rustyp
I went to a memorial service maybe ten years ago for Harold at Schartz memorial park at the end of Kim Ave. There was quite a few of the original residents and friends of Harold still alive and in attendance. Many stood up and told stories akin to your Bob story. They told stories of how much Harold loved music and parties. The original town square was across from the historic side post office and was the courtyard of the now El Ranchito restaurant. Harold hired musicians to play once per week there. Folks told stories of how Harold started the lifestyle visits. He would be with friends and if they had company he would reach in his pocket, toss out a set of keys to a new manufactured home he just put up and say try it out for a couple days (free). Also was told he would ask where is the neighborhood party this week and if no one had planned one he would have it at his house. Harold insured the residents weren't going to miss a weekly party. Stories of his generosity are amazing. One of the residents at the memorial told of the family being on a budget when building Spanish Springs and Harold did not like the Square design. Story goes he chipped in a million dollars of his own money to "do it right". So when someone says what would Harold have done I can understand why they would say that. You know it is a shame that we are losing site of the history here. I have a very lengthy letter to Villages Employees when Spanish Springs was being built. It is fascinating how they had it designed. Those banners on the buildings like Citrus Exchange are all part of a fictitious story of how Spanish Springs was settled many years ago. The fountain in the square is Ponce De Leon's fountain of youth. Every building in Spanish Springs has a fictitious name, story, and family associated with it.
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Yes, I heard similar while taking the Spanish Springs Trolley tour. This is priceless Villages history and lore. If there is a "Villages Historical Society", I hope these stories are collected and preserved. One of the stories told is that Harold Schwartz would stroll the neighborhood asking folks "Are you happy?" Can't get more "Villages" than that.
Proposal: if "Florida's Friendliest Hometown" is The Villages' motto, "Are you happy?" might be Harold Schwartz's. I suggest adding this signature question to the statue of him at Spanish Springs, say, written in "fancy font" on the floor of the reflecting pool that his statue is in.
Cheers!