Look Back In Yalobusha History

• 5 years ago, Aug. 20, 2009 – The school board flip-flopped on the Water Valley District’s dress code, voting to return to the recommendations made by Superintendent Sammie Higdon the past May. About 40 female teachers showed up bearing a petition with 99 signatures asking that the board revisit the dress code footwear requirements that are “unclear and severely limit the type of shoes they can wear.” Particularly at issue was “flip-flops” which didn’t have a strap as required by the new code.
A case of suspected swine flu was reported in the county after a 15-year-old patient was admitted to Yalobusha General Hospital.
Debate was heating up on the construction of a new county jail after a federal court order was issued requiring the county to show “good faith” on constructing a new jail or jeopardize the housing of state inmates.
Coffeeville was preparing to celebrate their 175th birthday Oct. 3 with various activities planned for the town.
The Blue Devils were practicing for their season under Coach Brad Embry, in his second year. Quarterback for the young blue devil squad was Josh Johnson.
• 10 years ago, Aug 19, 2004 – The WVHS volleyball team opened its season with members Judy Bounds, Lakeisha Carr, Maggie Farris, Tasha Judson, Veve Woodard, Sasha Carr, Miranda Phillips, Nikki Woodard, Rosalyn Campbell, Rebecca McGavock, Ingrid Reed, Armisha Fondon, Brittany Weekley and Jasmine Carr.
Sarah Dickey, Danny Harris and Larry Harris, all of WVHS, attended Mississippi Governor’s School on the campus of Mississippi University for Women.
Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Trusty were about to celebrate 79 years of marriage on Aug. 22.
Lester Spell, Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, was the speaker at the Yalobusha Farm Bureau’s annual meeting.
• 20 years ago, Aug. 18, 1994 – Enid Lake was among the Corps of Engineers areas where fees would be collected from users of beaches and boat ramps beginning Aug. 17.
WVHS FFA member Julie Cain was the state winner in the FFA New Horizons magazine “Up With Agriculture” writing contest.
Bennett Crow, son of John and Jane Crow, won 2nd place in Senior Barrels and 2nd in the Senior Stake Race at the Northwest District Horse Show in Olive Branch.
Beth Avants and Sandi Pullen of the WVHS Anchor Club were pictured with residents of the nursing home who were trying out the new benches donated by the group.
Keith Miller was Holley Automotive Employee of the Month for July.
• 30 years ago, Aug. 23, 1984 – The new metal building to house Jones Supermarket began to rise on Central Street. The original building was destroyed by the April 21 tornado.
Michelle Folson received the highest honor offered to high school band students, the John Phillip Sousa Award.
Representing Yalobusha County at the Mississippi 4-H Convention in Jackson were Laurie Craig, Tillatoba; Eddie Jarrell, Coffeeville; and Christy Anthony, Water Valley. They attended the convention as the second place Meats Judging Team.
Lt. Col. Samuel Shoemake was named “Comptroller of the Year” for the United States Air Force. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Shoemake and is married to Elizabeth Ann Gore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Olin Gore.
District FHA Vice-President Dorothey Baker and her advisor, Mrs. Ethel Morgan, attended the FHA/HERO Leadership Development Convention at Lake Tick-O’Khata.
On the honor roll at Alcorn State University were A. J. Parker, Sylvester Pomerlee and Debra Townes.
• 40 years ago, Aug 22, 1974 – The Water Valley Junior High Cheerleaders for the upcoming school year were Regina Martin, Lulu Hall, Patricia Daniels, Jo Nell Mills, Debbie Wright, Cathy Webb, Jo Ann Carothers, Anita Burgess and Donna Wilder.
Denham Blue Jack, pictured with owner Dallas Denham, won a qualification heat at Winona and was on his way to the World’s Championship Hunt in Pine Bluff, Ark.
• 50 years ago, Aug. 27, 1964 – Rev. W. C. Howard retired after 28 years as Pastor of First Baptist Church.
Mrs. Paulette Harvey was among new initiates into Delta Pi Epsilon, honorary fraternity for top students in business education graduate work.
Receiving certificates in the Summer Reading Program sponsored by the Junior Auxiliary were Jayne Edgar, Mary Anne Fair, Donna Miller, Becky Fair, Charmie Lassen, Amy Tyler, David Aune and Eddie Aune.
Vernon’s Drive-In was offering these specials: deluxe hamburger or cheeseburger, 35 cents; hot dog, 15 cents; steak sandwich, 45 cents; French fries, 15 and 20 cents; bar-be-que, 40 cents; and all kinds of drinks, milk shakes and sundaes, 5, 10 and 20 cents.
• 60 years ago, Aug. 19, 1954 – The Tri-Lake Fair was about to open and Jaycee officials made the announcement that Gov. Hugh White would attend the event and the afternoon rodeo performance. The Jaycees were also proud of the opening fireworks show, which promised would be the biggest display ever seen in Water Valley.
Thirty-four boys had reported for training including eight of last year’s lettermen; Jim Bell, Gerald Berry, Houston Goodwin, Charlie Harris, Jimmy Langford, Charles Larson, Tommy Swearengen and Jimmy Walker.
Nina Elizabeth Higginbotham, 4, was fatally injured when she fell from a moving automobile.
Doke French and son, Millard, were pictured with part of his first pulling of a 7.5 acre field of watermelons. French pulled a total of 2,900 melons with an average weight of 38 pounds. Some weighed as much as 72 pounds.
• 70 years ago, Aug. 17, 1944 – Members of the American Legion took on the responsibility of delivering casualty reports received here in cooperation with Western Union. The telegraph company had sometimes experienced delays because they couldn’t find anyone to deliver the messages.
Private First Class William C. Turner was a prisoner of war of the Germans, according to a message received by his mother, Mrs. Sally A. Turner.
James Arden Larson entertained a number of his friends at a party on his 11th birthday. Ice cream and cake were served to guests Richard Hunt, James Hunt, Patsy Holt, Jimmy Holt, Jack Clark, Charlene Shaw, Effie Tutor, Larsene Shaw, Don Lancaster and Bill and Joe Larson.
• 80 years ago, Aug. 24, 1934 – Water Valley entertained an estimated 35,000 at the 4th annual Watermelon Carnival. That number was reached at 2 p.m. in the afternoon. It was called the biggest celebration ever held in north Mississippi.
Among the carnival activities were band concerts beginning at 1 p.m. followed by the golf tournament and the baseball game. The Queen’s Tea was at 4:30 p.m. honoring visiting royalty on the veranda of the Hotel Blackmur. At 6 p.m. the Queen and her guests were served a gorgeous buffet luncheon. From 5 until 7 p.m. a barbecue feast was served to all important and distinguished visitors.
Promptly at 7:30 p.m. the stupendous parade moved down Main Street. As it passed, Leo Kahn and his assistants were broadcasting the event over WMC radio.