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Look Back In Yalobusha History

Old-Fashioned Ideas Deserve A Second Look


W. A. Nolen, grocer, was a bit of a local philosopher and provided these “ten points that cost so little and are worth so much” in May of 1943.
1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
2. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
3. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
4. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
5. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling the wage payer down.
6. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
7. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
8. You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
9. You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man’s initiative and independence.
10. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

Through The Years From The Herald

• 5 years ago, May 15, 2008 – Strong storms hit Yalobusha County late Saturday, May 10, downing trees and power lines and causing some flooding. One hard hit area was at the boat landing where falling pine trees damaged homes and vehicles.
Ross Burney of Coffeeville competed in the College Nationals Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
A dedication ceremony was held at the Wildcat Brake Wildlife Management Area in honor of the late Wayland Dean Hill Sr. Corps of Engineers officials were honoring Hill for his love and compassion for Enid Lake and his devotion to natural resource stewardship.
Local students Nelly McMahen and Sequareah Sayles were accepted to the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science’s Class of 2010.
Zachery Brower was awarded the Mississippi Angus Auxiliary scholarship at the Angus Association annual meeting in Raymond.
Daryl Burney’s name was drawn for the Pink Ladies quilt during the fund-raising drive.
• 10 years ago, May 15, 2003 – WV Jr. High students Marcus Woodard and Melinda Jenkins were local winners in the “Do The Write Thing” essay contest.
Faith Christian Academy students Mary Hill, Amy Bell, Amber Burney, Bobby Bell, Rebekah Hill, David Martin, Daniel Hill, Daniel Bell, Watson Burney, Korah White and Samantha Allred placed in the Mississippi Association of Christian Schools statewide competition.
Joe Newman of the city electric department spoke to the WVHS Tech Prep classes on electricity.
Brenda Campbell was BorgWarner Employee of the Month for May.
Brittany Alane Adams and Hunter Ashford were selected as Most Photogenic at the Watermelon Pageant.
Lotoya Armstrong, a Coffeeville HS senior, committed to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
• 20 years ago, May 13, 1993 – Water Valley was still in running for the State Veterans Nursing Home. Board Member J. M. “Flick” Ash was pictured talking with VFW Post 4100 Commander Tomie R. Ashford and Dr. Rayford Edgar during a visit to the purposed site on the old Jeff Davis School property.
Members of the WV National Guard unit pictured helping clean up during May Day included: SGT Wayne Phillips, SSG Billy Persons, SFC Gary King, SPC Marcus Stokes, SGT Troy Starks, SGT William Sheffield, PVT Bobby Williams, SSG Clarence Loston, SGT Michael Phillips, SSG Luther Gray, SPC Mark Pegues and First Sergeant Jodie Burks.
Students honored at WVHS included Ron Hart, outstanding member certificate; William Parrish, National History Award winner; Brandon Pratt, National Business Education winner; Tracey Sutherland, National History and Government Award winner; and Otis Benefield, three-year chorus member.
WVHS Principal Jerry Holt received a trophy from the band in honor of his exploits in driving the big van from Water Valley to Disney World through the blowing snow and high winds in what should have been better weather.
• 30 years ago, May 19, 1983 – Ginger White was chosen as Miss Hospitality for 83-84.
Bill Taylor was Valedictorian and Patricia Keith the Salutatorian of the WVHS Class of 1983. Honor students included Emily Johnsey, Sandra Person, Shelia Kelsoe, Lisa Davis, Shelia Spence, Douglas Carter, Regina Dickey and Nina Evans.
Other award winners included: Shelia Walton, Margie Ford, Nina Evans, Barry Schmitz, Chris Ostrander, Quill and Scroll; Kathleen Phillips and Devin Reese, Citizenship; Patricia Keith, Citizenship, Quill and Scroll, Science; Nancy Card, Leadership; and Bill Taylor, Star Student.
Athletic award winners at WVHS included: Basketball – Pam Harris, Kristie Bost, Carla Phillips, Marc Gooch, Chris Turner, Ray Hawkins; Baseball – Randy Belcher, Lance Clement; Kevin Reese; Tennis – Lance Clement, Angela Gordon; and Track – Carla Phillips, Larry Baker.
• 40 years ago, May 17, 1973 – WVHS senior Steve Hale won the state class A shot put (52’, 2” distance).
J. Watson Hunt was elected Alderman-At-Large; Lawrence Hale, Ward Two Alderman; and J. Carl Cox, Ward Four Alderman during the Second Democratic Primary.
Doug Gurner was Valedictorian and Teresa Harmon was Salutatorian of the Class of 1973. Honor students included Cynthia Darnell, Nancy Abernethy, Holly Hart, Wanda Cook, Jeanenne Marchbanks, Linda Glick, Lowedia Smith, Helen Robertson, Charmie Lassen, Bob Stein, Johnny Herod, David Aune and Reed Thompson.
• 50 years ago, May 16, 1963 – Joe Elliott Jr. captured the Mississippi Junior College men’s singles tennis title at Hinds Junior College.
Blue Devils Gary Cox and Mickey Pierce defeated a pair from University High to win the District Two tennis title and qualify for state play. Sue Ann Hyde and Carol Bell took second place in the women’s event.
• 60 years ago, May 14, 1953 – Former Mayor O. T. Hamner made a comeback in Water Valley city politics by defeating incumbent mayor F. B. DeShon and Herald Editor Edward B. Shearer in the first Primary Election.
The Jaycees were making “big plans” for an upcoming county fair to be called the Tri-Lake Fair and Livestock Show at the beginning of September. It would be located on the Hendricks Baseball Field south of town. Joe Pegram and Ruby Lee Mays of Water Valley would represent North Mississippi at the state tennis tournament in Jackson.
The hospital reported that Darlene Smith and Maxine Williams had tonsillectomies.
• 70 years ago, May 13, 1943 – The Illinois Central Railroad started a truck line from Grenada to Water Valley because the government had asked all railroads to only load boxcars with the maximum amount to help make space available for vital military shipments.
A good stand of kudzu was being cultivated by most Yalobusha farmers, according to Murray F. Ray, conservationist for the Yalobusha County Soil Conservation District. Among the farmers with really good stands were F. C. Dailey, G. S. Pate, J. J. Craig, and A. L. Regel.
In the personals, Ralph Howard of the Air Corps was home to spend Mother’s Day with his mom, Mrs. Taylor Howard.

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