Look Back In Yalobusha History

• 5 years ago, Feb. 28, 2008 – Mary Lou and Snooky Williams received the community inspiration award at the ninth annual Crown Gala held by the Water Valley Junior Auxiliary.
The Lady Devils, number three seed in the Region 2A North Half, lost to the Kemper Wildcats in the first round of the state tournament in Jackson.
The municipal airport was operational again after installation of the new lighting system.
Bonnie Cox of the Chamber of Commerce displayed potential city flag designs that had been entered in the sesquicentennial flag and motto contest to the board of aldermen.
The Blue Devil baseball team got three straight wins over the past week, defeating North Pontotoc once and Byhalia twice.
• 10 years ago, Feb. 27, 2003 – A page-one photo showed progress being made on the beef processing plant near Oakland.
Larson’s Piggly Wiggly joined the Piggly Wiggly Distributive Co-operative, a grocery distribution warehouse owned by over 200 independent grocers across the southeast.
The Water Valley Junior High girls basketball team was pictured and the majority were listed as members of the class of 1957, including: Janie Ruth Ellzy White, Dee Martin Cox, Margaret Spivey Person Daum, Minnie Mae Keel Dickey, Janie Fay Keel Russell, Julia Fite Taylor, Jeffie Lou Wright Gatlin, Louise Green Herron, Nell Nolen Thomas, Mary Jo Berry Hudson, Georgia Tutor Moore (not a class member) and Carolyn Greenlee Montfort, manager. Mrs. Dick Wilhoit was coach.
• 20 years ago, Feb. 25, 1993 – Water Valley Band members Chad Inman, Amanda York and Emily Gurner attended the Northeast Band Clinic at Itawamba Community College.
Toxey T. Fortinberry was honored by the North Central Mississippi Realtors for his years of service. He was a charter member of the group when it started in 1976.
Pinewood Derby winners from Cub Scout Pack 250 included Carter White, Bill Beam and Adam Morris.
Members of the Curtis E. Pass American Legion Post served a chili dinner to raise funds to clean up and repair the Post 37 Legion Hut on Calhoun Street. Pictured making chili were Barron Caulfield, chaplin; John Anthony, sergeant-at-arms; and Jim Hodges, vice-commander.
Pamela Casey McCoy was on the Dean’s List at Wood College.
• 30 years ago, March 3, 1983 – Carolyn Williamson was named to the 1983 Hall of Fame at Northwest Mississippi Junior College.
Two WVHS cooperative education students, Mike Todd and John Wiginton, were the first in state to be approved for study in the field of entertainment services.
Mrs. Harold Williams was appointed membership leader for the Louisianna/Mississippi Division of the Pilot Club International.
The WVHS building trades class built cabinets in the home of Viola and Steve Moore to demonstrate their skills. Pictured were Frank Stewart, Tyrone Wilbourn, Dwayne Pratt, Mike Croy, James Williams, Mitchell Whiteside and instructor Claud Hayles.
Mrs. Martha Brown was appointed to lead the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation “Breath of Life” campaign in Coffeeville.
• 40 years ago, March 1, 1973 – Jodie Burks was promoted to First Sergeant of the Water Valley National Guard unit.
Mrs. Creekmore Pipkin received a check for $12.50 from Mrs. Mildred J. Bell, home economist, for having placed first in the county in the state competition of the Garden Leader contest.
Sisters Julie and Carol Sartain were pictured at Ole Miss where they were both majoring in pharmacy.
Doug Myrick was pictured with his sixth buck, an 8-point, he killed on his grandfather’s farm near Oxford.
In the “Tomorrow’s Men and Women” column, the birth of Twinkle Mischelle VanWinkle was announced, making her 40 this year on Feb. 19.
• 50 years ago, Feb 28, 1963 – In the race for Yalobusha County Super-visor were J. Carl Cox, Fred E. Moorman and Doke French.
Paul Strode was elected as an officer in the Delta Council of the Mississippi Hospital Association.
Ronnie Scarbrough returned home from Washington after serving as a Page in the House of Representatives.
Harriet Samuels, flutist in the WVHS Band was named to the Lion’s All-State Band, which was set to play for the Lions Convention in Miami, Florida.
Jamie Green was among the NWJC Rangers basketball team members set to play in the state tournament.
Stubbs Dept. Store was having their 8th anniversary event and offering items like jeans for $1.88, lady’s hats for $3.98, and a select group of men’s shirts for $1.
• 60 years ago, Feb. 26, 1953 – The Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) was promoting a county fair for the area to be called the Tri-Lake Fair and Livestock Fair. The event would be held Aug. 31 through Sept. 5.
The ladies of the Junior Auxiliary tested the hearing of 507 children in the county, paid for X-rays for an indigent youngster and paid for clothes for three indigent kids.
The Grand Theater was touting the girlie movie “B-Girl Rhapsody” during which only men would be admitted.
• 70 years ago, Feb. 18, 1943 – John L. Mathis was commissioned a lieutenant in the Army after completing Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Yalobushians were being asked to contribute $3900 to the Red Cross, according to John Throop and J. G. Carpenter, chairmen of the local drive.
Russell Avent, a junior at Ole Miss, was given a full-time assistantship in the chemistry department.