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Look Back In Yalobusha History

Red Cross Gives Out Housewives In May 1943


Through The Years From The Herald  

• 5 years ago, May 8, 2008 – A Panola Street resident was bitten by a dog while on a morning walk on Wagner Street. Although the bite was minor, the incident was just one of an increasing number of reported dog incidents in the city.
Water Valley school students were going to pay a quarter more for their lunches after school district officials raised the price of the meal from $1.25 to $1.50.
Vaughn Hart, Ally Avant and Haley Catherine Russell won top honors in the Bookmark Design Contest at Blackmur Memorial Library.
WVHS drama students presented a modernized version of Romeo and Juliet. Among the players were Randall Winkler, Sequareah Sayles, Cassandra Shawk, Reggie Tenner and Rebecca McGavock.
Workers from Walker-Hill Environmental were pictured drilling on the site of the former Big Yank factory as part of ongoing testing by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. Some citizens became concerned after the crew drilled holes all around the area including in front of a daycare.
A bogus $100 bill was passed at a local convenience store prompting a more careful check of large denomination bills.
A door was kicked in at the Pleasant Grove M. B. Church and two large Peavy speakers were taken sometime between May 2 and May 4.
Members of the WVHS track team were advancing to the state track meet set for May 9 in Jackson.
• 10 years ago, May 8, 2003 – Leah Hunt, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. John Hunt, was named the Mississippi State Junior Master Gardener. The Herald was also honored with a state first place for sponsorship of the local JMG group.
Yalobushians receiving degrees from Mississippi State University were Leigh A. Black, BA in architecture; Billy G. Blount, MS in education; Terry Davis, PhD in education; and Cortney B. Parsons, BA in education.
Youngsters Callie, Sarah and Abby Davis were pictured working on a new computer at Blackmur Memorial Library. The young ladies are the daughters of Gregg and Cathy Davis.
Dawn Marie Mack was named an All-American Scholar after being nominated by teacher JoAnn King.
Macey Magee, eight-year old daughter of Kevin and Irene Jones of Senatobia and Edie Magee of Colorado, was crowned Miss Panola County Supreme Queen at a recent pageant.
The youth of First Christian Church presented “The Tale of the Three Trees” during the May 4 morning service. Participants included Danielle Berry, Genna Berry, Amber Boyles, C. J. Boyles, Cody Bryan, Zack Caulder, Ben Chapman, Jennifer Chapman, Brian Davis, Lexe Fowler, Deana Harmon, Shane Hollister, Megan Hood, Caleb House, Haley Peacock and Hannah Peacock.
• 20 years ago, May 6, 1993 – Two Water Valley elementary school Odyssey of the Mind teams won first place honors in state finals. On “The Old Man and the Sea” team were Sarah Beard, Lailah Bruce, Bethany Caulfield, Karla Hamilton, Aliya Ramirez and Rebecca Reynolds. On “The Dinosaurs” team were Dawn Baker, James Carr, Cassandra Hawkins, Ashlee Langdon and Brandon Sims.
Winning the Director’s Award for Seventh Grade Band was Heidi Wilder and Emily Gurner.
Water Valley was among four finalists for the state veteran’s nursing home.
Big Yank opened a factory outlet store on North Main Street. One Big Yank official said that the company was looking forward to many years in Water Valley.
Members of the Youth Bible Drill group at First Baptist Church were Kelli Davis, Monica Meeks, Traci Davis, Lindsay Williamson, Betsey Griffin, Jeremy Flippin, Casey Hart, Jeff Dickey and Joseph Flippin.
O’Tuckolofa Baptist Church celebrated its 100th anniversary Sunday, May 2, and cutting the anniversary cake were long-time members Cubell Hardy and Neoma Mathis, both 63-year members, and Marie Edwards, member for 62 years.
Sholunda Rucker was a state finalist in food marketing at the state DECA competition.
• 30 years ago, May 12, 1983 – Patricia Keith was crowned Mississippi’s 1983-84 Watermelon Queen in Biloxi. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William B. Keith and the salutatorian of her senior class.
Mechanics Bank was named as one of 1300 top performing banks in the nation by the Bank Administration Institute.
Astronaut D. H. Peterson of Winona visited with Water Valley school students during a program at the high school gym. Peterson was a member of the Challenger crew.
Selected to attend Girls’ State were Teresa Heath, Elizabeth Lewis and Jane Massie.
Chittom Furniture and Appliances was going out of business after 29 years. They held a going out of business party at the store on Railroad Street.
In his “Short Shots” column, Stanley True reported that grabbling season was open, but cold water was a drawback.
Bill Taylor of Water Valley, James Cross of Strider Academy, Carla Byford of Yalobusha Academy and Shenorva Nicholson of Coffeeville were named Governor’s Scholars for superior academic achievement by Gov. William Winter.
Eric Wayne Eubanks, 3, was named 1983 Little Mr. Yalobusha.
• 40 years ago, May 10, 1973 – Tolbert Maddux was nominated for Mayor in the Democratic Primary defeating incumbent Mayor L. C. Stewart.
The Blue Devils baseball team won the Tri-Lake Conference Championship by defeating Coldwater, 9-2. Cliff Craven and Steve Hale both got two home runs each, according to Coach Butler McLeod.
Mary Childress and Paula Knight, both members of the graduating class of 1973, were named top bandswomen. Childress won the John Phillip Sousa award and Knight was named Outstanding Bandswoman of the Year.
The WVHS Band also named new officers including Jan Lollar, president; Larry Steele, vice-president; Malinda Hill, secretary-treasurer; Carl (Bit) Latham, reporter; and Belinda Bryan and Anthony Steele, historians.
Yalobusha graduates at MSCW included Deborah Ann Hill, Susan Joyce Hunsicker, both of Water Valley, Donna Yevonne Yeager, Ellen Jane Gray, Marilyn Jo Jones, all of Coffeville, and Linda Margaret Ross of Oakland.
Mrs. Jesse White of Camp Ground was pictured with a five-and-one-half pound cabbage she grew in her garden. The leaf span was 22 inches.
• 50 years ago, May 9, 1963 – The Yalobusha County Welfare Office was damaged when high winds blew a large elm tree over on it.
J. N. Bell withdrew from the race for the office of County Superintendent of Education. A former superintendent of Water Valley schools, Bell had established citizenship in Quitman County while principal of the Lambert Schools. Questions concerning his eligibility as a candidate led to his decision to abandon the campaign.
Bill Hall purchased a Aberdeen-Angus bull from Old Elkton Farm in Forest, Virginia.
Staff Sgt. Benny Ray Moore received the Air Force Commendation Medal for outstanding service while with the 4228th Strategic Air Command Wing at Columbus AFB, Miss.
Most popular at WV Junior High were Mary Pat Skinner and Harold Henderson. Mary Pat was also named Prettiest Girl. Phil Wolfe was named Most Handsome Boy. Most Talented Girl was Paula Scarbrough and Most Talented Boy was Norman Jones.
• 60 years ago, May 6, 1953 – Big cabbages have always been a staple with the Herald. Rev. B. C. Nunn, pastor of North Main Street Methodist Church, brought a big one in for display at the office. It measured 22 inches from the stalk out, was 20 inches high and a single leaf was almost 20 inches across.
• 70 years ago, May 6, 1943 – Dr. C. C. Stacy moved into his new office suite over the McLarty Store.
Hubert Baggett was elevated to the rank of Eagle Scout during a Court of Honor at the Grammar School Hall. Aubrey Milstead and Harry Kelly were promoted to Life Scout rank.
 The local Red Cross chapter produced 230 kit bags for servicemen bound for overseas. The bags contained “housewives,” according to the article. However, we think the writer meant “house wares” like needles and thread, buttons, safety pins, etc.

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