The three of us moved into a small community on the west side of Frostproof. It was our first home purchase situated along highway 27, a main route north and south through Florida’s heartland. Citrus groves, large expanses of cattle ranches and phosphorous strip mining characterized Frostproof and its surrounding area.

Frostproof Tabernacle had seen better days when we arrived. It was a beautiful structure on 12 acres of prime real estate located on the shore line of Lake Clinch. The congregation dwindled to a total of eight people; eleven if you included the three Zettlemoyers. Needless to say, we had our work cut out for us there in more ways than we could anticipate.

It amazed us as we learned how this culture and community was stuck in time. The two elders of the church referred to people of color using the word that began with an “N”! It was an uphill battle to win the hearts and trust of our new congregation. The church had a history that also put it in a negative light in the community. So, for the first few months, it felt like “us against them”.

Despite this atmosphere, the church began to grow and continued to do so up to the time we left there. My father died in the summer of 1984 and I was feeling a stir to return to Pennsylvania.

There were some bright spots in our lives beyond our family in Frostproof. Floridians know how to cook! We learned all sorts of wonderful dishes there from sweet tea to wild turkey and pigs. Beyond these recipes, we discovered classic dishes like fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, shrimp and grits, collard greens, and barbecue. Red snapper, grouper, shrimp, scallops, and stone crab—are staples, often grilled, blackened, or in paella. Looking back, I can see how my love for Latin American food has its roots in central Florida.

After ten years in Florida, we decided to return to our own roots and family in Pennsylvania.