Look Back In Yalobusha History
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William “Buddy” Carter, long-time science teacher, was pictured in July 1963 with two young armadillos he caught in Louisiana near the Texas border. He reported that the animals, which are survivors from prehistoric times in their present form, are now quite common in Louisiana and sightings have been reported in the western edge of Mississippi. Decades later the animal would become a nuisance across much of the state.
• 15 years ago, July 17, 2008 – When the new $2 million medical clinic at Yalobusha General Hospital was completed, hospital officials were planning to provide the use of Dr. Paul Odom’s old clinic as the county health department. The county purchased the building from the hospital in 2010 for $275,000.
Sara Ellis Dean was pictured with a new Watermelon Carnival fan with artwork by Mari Foster.
Mrs. Paul Parker received the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Water Valley Rotary. At the same meeting new members Dan Whitehead and Anthony Williams were presented.
The Water Valley Magnolia youth league 9-year-old All-Stars won the Sportsmanship Award and finished in the Elite 8 in the state baseball tournament. Team members were Chris Sims, Tyler Rogers, Garrett Bynum, Hartley Camp, Shyhiem Brown, Jack Burns, Ross Ingram, Austin Smith, Cooper Clement, Austin King, Carson Sharp, Donovan Gaston and coaches Lance Clement, Jeff Bynum, John Ingram and Lowell Edwards.
• 20 years ago, July 17, 2003 – Habitat for Humanity held a “Fund” Day at City Park that featured the rapid hammer contest and the saw-off contest.
Michael Crow, a rising senior at WVHS, was a member of the award-winning Mississippi Lions Band that took the International Competition in Denver.
The 11-12-year-old All-Stars won the sub-district tournament here. Team members included Tank Conard, Shanquale Jenkins, J. J. Woodard, Brandon Brooks, Justin Zampella, Josh Johnson, Barrett Larson, Brody VanWinkle, Leo Daniels, Jay Hodge, Matt Taylor, John Mister, Cass Phillips and coaches Jeff Bynum, Joe Holt and Don Larson.
Bob Tyler, long-time coach whose years of service included a head coach stint at Mississippi State, was inducted into the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame.
• 30 years ago, July 15, 1993 – Pictured attending a “pill-packing session” preparing medicines for an upcoming mission trip to Honduras were Sandra Mitchell, Paul Pullen, Stoney Moorhead, Ray Cox, Kathy Pullen and Sandi Pullen.
Natasha Yvette Hall was selected to the Mortar Board national honor society at Ole Miss.
The Chamber of Commerce Christmas ornament for Watermelon Carnival 1993 pictured a melon and magnolia on the front and Casey Jones’s ICRR engine on the back.
Yalobusha supervisors approved a $37,068.00 bid from Howard Communications to install a rural fire communications system for the county.
• 40 years ago, July 21, 1983 – Groundbreaking was scheduled for Sunday, July 24, for a child care cottage being constructed by First Baptist Church.
Members of the Water Valley Band attending band camp at Itawamba Junior College included Harold Turner, Paula Carr, Vet McLeod, Pam Carr, Bill Sikma, Kevin Herrera, Paul Dennis and Benny Breckenridge.
The program committee for the 1993 Watermelon Carnival was pictured on the front page looking over their completed program. They were Cindy Fernandez, Julia Fernandez, Yvonne Vance and Mary Sue Stevens.
Officers for the newly-chartered Anchor Club of Water Valley were Michele Newman, president; Missy Melton, vice-president; Shelby Singleton, secretary; and Pam Eubanks, secretary. Directors included Mandy Sharp, Susan Burress and Beverly Holt.
Among the Water Valley Guardsmen attending training at Camp Shelby were Sp4 Sherman White, SSG George Benson, SSG Jack Hughes, Sp4 Kevin Surrette, SGT Bennie White, PFC Doyle Traylor, Sp4 Paul Shaw, PFC Robert Bennett, and Sp4 John Holmes.
• 50 years ago, July 19, 1973 – A truck from Southern Belle Meat Packing didn’t make the curve on a road near Enid Lake. The truck hit a parked car belonging to Joe May and rolled on its side. Two men in the truck were reported in good condition.
Rotary International Governor of District 680 from Memphis, Carl Carson, met with Water Valley Rotarians Toxey T. Fortinberry, president; Harold Williams, immediate past president; Mayor Tolbert Maddux, vice-president; Dick Wilhoit, sergeant-at-arms; and Tomie R. Ashford, secretary-treasurer.
Attending band camp at Mississippi State University were Jan Lollar, Lynda Sartain, Cindi Pittman, Malinda Hill, Steve Swearengen, Larry McNeal, Cindy Massey, James Steele, Lori Hardy, Jacque Nemecek, Mary Beth Knight, Suzanne Davis and George Arnold Campbell.
Bill Mixon was pictured in the Herald with his mule drawn wagon loaded with plows and cultivator. Mr. Mixon was known for years as the man who prepared local gardens for planting.
The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs were celebrating nine years of charity country music shows. Some of the musicians pictured were Hubert Sanders, Buddy Elliott, Guy Hillhouse, John David Floyd, James Moore, Ralph King, Richard McLaughlin and Ronnie Hill.
• 60 years ago, July 18, 1963 – Mary Ann Hughes, a member of the Water Valley Junior 4-H Club received a check from L. C. Stewart as prize for being Health Project Winner.
Water Valley National Guardsmen PFC Jimmy Tillman, SP4 Charles Norwood, CPL Paul McCullar, PVT Bill Baxter and SGT Jimmy Walker were pictured operating a 105 Howtizer during field training at Camp Shelby.
The old Valley Theatre, located between Panola and Wagner Streets, was reopened in July 1953 until the new Grand Theatre could be rebuilt.
• 70 years ago, July 16, 1953 – The Grand Theatre was to be rebuilt with a 30-foot Cinemascope screen on the site of the original theatre that burned last week, according to manager Leon Roundtree. The plans were nearing completion and the new facility would be similar to the Holly Theatre at Holly Springs, also managed by Roundtree. Until the new theatre was completed, the old Valley Theatre would be open.
The Water Valley Fire Department under Chief R. B. Tarzi held a series of practice drills. Members of the department were volunteers Jack Heflin, Buddy Riggs, Freck Mitchell, Bill Abernethy and J. W. Simmons, all veteran members. New members were James Dickey, James Lantrip and Lonnie Hughes.
• 80 years ago, July 15, 1942 – The electric department had been completely amortized, which had resulted in lower electric bills in the city.
Housewives were urged to buy and use more potatoes in their family diets to help consume the abundant supply of potatoes that was available, according to J. V. Pace, extension economist.
Under the News of Our Men and Women in Uniform Bill White went to Mississippi College at Clinton under the Navy V-12 program. Mabry S. McMillan graduated from armament school at Lowry Field in Denver, Colorado, as did Hollis Eugene Crumby. Lena Miller was a member of the women’s reserve of the Coast Guard and had graduated from Yeoman’s school.
In the want ads Turnage Drug Store was offering a 59 cent permanent wave kit.
