A recent transplant to South Florida (I moved here last year from Atlanta), I was bowled over to learn that my neighborhood Chinese restaurant was once the local hangout for such iconic figures. I probably wouldn't have known that until I saw Older's photo and memory -- one of many we received in the past five months when The Miami Herald and artist Xavier Cortada invited readers to participate in our Absence of Place project.
The premise of the project was simple: Take current-day photos of what now resides in the place where your South Florida memory once existed.
The response was amazing.
Readers sent hundreds of photos documenting their memories and recollections. In a place that's growing as rapidly as ours, with a construction project on nearly every corner, people were glad to reflect on what came before and on the rich history of South Florida.
Now, we'd like to invite you to do the same -- whether you're a longtime resident or a new one -- as we invite you to visit our exhibit this month in The Herald's lobby.
The exhibit is on display June 5-30 at One Herald Drive, Miami.