History of the Brazilian Court Hotel

the day's receipts. All in all I was not impressed with the hotel business and did not follow in my father ’ s footsteps.

1966

Palm Beach Daily News , December 19, 1966: Brazilian Court Sets Opening The Brazilian Court Hotel opens for its 36th consecutive season on Tuesday, ac- cording to an announcement this weekend. A formal dinner for guests will mark the occasion, and many Brazilian Court guests have already returned to the winter head- quarters for long - time seasonal visitors. No aspect of Brazilian Court is short - termed. Today ’ s operation, modernized in every respect is however patterned after the tradition of this resort hotel. For 30 years the late Elliot Bishop contributed to its growth as manager. Today, Bright Johnson who worked closely with Mr. Bishop for many years is carrying on as general manager. Co - owners of the institution are Granville A. Morse of Palm Beach and Bernard F. Powell of Birmingham, Mich. Who also is president and managing director of the Belleview Biltmore, Belleair in Clearwa- ter. Miss Gertrude Browne begins her 36th season as reservations manager. The ho- tel ’ s executive chef, Charles Mathews is counting 13 years with the hotel this sea- son. Other include Robert Caswell, maitre d'hôtel; Miss Bodil Olsen, housekeeper; L. Malcolm Taylor, auditor; and again to fur- nish music for guests at cocktail time and during the dinner hour will be Ronnie Stainthorpe and his orchestra. Brazilian Court got as head start this sea- son by staging a formal dinner on Friday, for members of the Islander Club; han- dling a wedding reception on Saturday for Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Hallock whose daughter, Doris Deane Hallock, was mar- ried to John Thomas Lynch, Jr. on that date. Also on Saturday the University Club women of North Palm Beach held their annual Christmas party at Brazilian Court. Built around two spacious patios abun- dantly landscaped with tropical plants and shrubs, there are at least six separate en-

Chef Matthews

en ready for the season and prepare meals for the early arriving employees. Mom never had to cook a Thanksgiving dinner. About 2 in the afternoon Bright would lead us boys across the street to pick - up the turkey and all the fixings. We'd have to make several trips to bring it all to the house. We all have fond memories of Chef Mathews. He made a lot of people happy and helped Bright to make the BC a success. There was a lawsuit filed over the Chef's will. His original will was executed March 5, 1987 and be- queathed several large amounts to friends, neighbors and Bright Johnson. His estate was valued at some $500,000. A second will was made November 22, 1991, less than a month before his death. In it he left everything to Tom Bramford, a fellow chef who had worked with Mathews over the years. I do not know the outcome of the suit. When the night clerk/auditor called in drunk I would man the front desk and switchboard from midnight to 6 am. I even learned how to do the books, totaling

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