Golf Cart Parade Kicks Off Holiday Season By Kai Rambow There may have been fewer golf carts participating in this year’s parade, however, those that entered put a lot of thought into their decorations. It was fun to see the creativity put into...
Touring Ybor City’s Last Cigar Factory
Touring Ybor City’s Last Cigar Factory
By Bob Sanchez
In July, a small group from the Sun City Center Photo Club toured the J. C. Newman Cigar Company to see first-hand how cigars are still made in Ybor City. For the senior rate of $12 per person, company historian Holden Rasmussen served as our tour guide for about an hour to show the entire process, both for hand-made and machine-made cigars.
The building is called El Reloj, a three-story, block-long building that dates back to 1895 and is the only remaining cigar factory in Ybor City. There’s nothing modern about the process as workers either hand-roll cigars or operate antique machines that seem to operate as well today as they did a century ago. The main difference is in the workforce – an old photo from the 1920s shows a vast room filled with white men, elbow to elbow at work. What a difference a century makes!
The Newman Company promises that “this historic cigar factory will please cigar enthusiasts, history buffs, and those with interests in manufacturing and technology,” and the tour doesn’t disappoint. Photo Club member Christina Brittain said it was “amazing to witness every facet of production in this living, thriving factory/museum,” adding that the tour is “a truly memorable experience.”
The family-owned company clearly takes pride in its premium cigars and its employees. Rasmussen told us that every worker we saw on the floor has been employed there for around 20 years. Newman also has factories in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Their Cigar Family Charitable Foundation “supports low-income families in the Dominican Republic with education, health care, vocational training, and clean water.”
The cost for the tour is $15 for adults, and $12 for seniors, students, and veterans. All ages are welcome. The guide is knowledgeable, and the old factory is fascinating. By the way, there are elevators for those not inclined to climb stairs.
Visit “jcnewman.com” for their schedule and to book a guided tour.
IN THE TOP PHOTO: J. C. Newman’s company historian Holden Rasmussen talks tobacco with, from left to right, Nick Fader, Barbara Klimczak, Fran Beeson, and Christina Brittain.
Golf Cart Parade Kicks Off Holiday Season
December 2022 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!
In this issue… Celebrate 60 years with the Men’s Club, mark the season with the Holiday Cart Parade, join in the fun of Lighting Up SCC, review the progress of the Long Range Planners over the past year, enjoy “Hi, Neighbor!”, learn whooo...
November 2022 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!
As we turn our clocks back (November 6) and look forward to fall, we hope you are doing well and excited about another beautiful month here in Sun City Center and South Hillsborough County. In this issue… After Hurricane Ian, our...
October 2022 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!
First and foremost, all of us at The News hope that all of you reading this came through Hurricane Ian healthy and safe. Our News team fared well, considering. A few trees and power lines down, loss of power, and the general inconveniences of temporarily...
September 2022 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!
In this issue… Run with the Hemingways, explore the new ER at Sun City Center, take a Night Out with the sheriff’s department, see how SCC is Sprucing Up, celebrate Photo Club competition winners, get updated on the Long Range Plan, make some...
Local Lookalikes Run With the Hemingways
Local Lookalikes Run With the HemingwaysBy Kai Rambow “Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.” – Ernest Hemingway“There might have been some alcohol involved,” recalled Gary Mull. Mull...