Look Back In Yalobusha History
President Richard Nixon struck a familiar pose during the annual meeting of the Mississippi Economic Council in Jackson. The photo, taken by very young news photographer Jack Gurner, who worked for the daily paper in Grenada, appeared in the May 2 Herald and later won second place for 1974 among all daily newspapers in the state. Gurner photographed three sitting presidents during his half-century career, also capturing images of Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. He also photographed first ladies Nancy Reagan, Lady Bird Johnson and Betty Ford and vice-presidents Spiro Agnew and Dan Quayle.
• 15 years ago, April 30, 2009 – Kyle Jones and Josh Sullivan were pictured on the front page because they made perfect scores of 500 on subject area testing at WVHS.
Yalobusha Beer Sales totaled $1,729,885.57 from distributors during 2008 making for an estimated $1,989,368 in retail sales. Water Valley alone sold over a million dollars worth.
The WVHS Blue Devil baseball team was entering the third round of playoffs.
• 20 years ago, April 29, 2004 – The Yalobusha Economic Development Foundation awarded a $7,200 grant to Valley Tool, Inc. to facilitate its expansion at the old laundry facility in the Big Yank building.
Ole Miss Lady Rebel basketball fans gathered at the annual awards banquet on campus including representatives of the Yalobusha County Lady Rebel Roundballers Dee Cox, Bobby Cox, Margaret Ross, Quay Hudson, James Hudson, Coach Carol Ross, Dot Lowe and Mary Alice Moorman, who were pictured with Coach Carol Ross, a native of Oakland.
• 30 years ago, April 28, 1994 – Water Valley High School Head football coach Terry Allen resigned to become Head Coach and Athletic Director at Neshoba Central High School.
At the Water Valley High School Academic Banquet the Scholastic Endeavor Award was given to Annie Covington, who is confined to a wheelchair but still manages to be active in school activities and academics.
Eric Allen and Jordan White served as pages for District 33 Representative Tommy Reynolds.
• 40 years ago, May 3, 1984 – The ladies of the Water Valley Pilot Club coordinated meals for both local and visiting electrical workers in the city. Pictured were Mary Sue Stevens serving food to City Electrician Vernon Chambers.
Other photos showed City Electric Department worker Eddie Magee restoring power at Big Yank, Gerald Harris preparing take-out food plates at the Church of Christ, Brad VanWinkle and his crew rebuilding a home on Panola Extended and Paul Roberson being inter- viewed by a TV crew from Memphis.
In non-storm related news, Water Valley Watermelon Queen Trina Riley took second place in the State Watermelon Queen Contest at Magee.
• 50 years ago, May 2, 1974 – WVHS Band members honored during the Spring Concert were Larry Steele and Lawrence Perkins, who jointly received the John Phillip Sousa Award, and Jan Lollar who received the Director’s Award from Band Director Stanley Crow.
Kathy Williams was named Most Valuable Player for basketball at the annual athletics award banquet at Yalobusha Academy.
Karen Rotenberry was one of 21 University of Mississippi students receiving the Taylor Medal, the high- est award presented by Ole Miss for academic excellence.
• 60 years ago, April 30, 1964 – Recognition of Enid Lake as “Home of the World’s Largest Crappie” was given to the Yalobusha Sportsmen’s Club by Memphis Navy Rod and Gun Club. The sign was placed in Magnolia Park.
Tom Q. Ellis, who served as Clerk of the Mississippi Supreme Court, retired and returned home to Water Valley.
The WVHS senior play, “Too Young, Too Old,” was presented April 30 with cast members Ethelyn Turnage, Patsy Poe, Rosa Ruth Burns, Bena Lou Kendrick, Elsie Davis, Claudine Rogers, Kay Tyler, Bonnie Cox, Eleanor Nelson, Jeannie Barron, Ronny Scarbrough, Richard Haney, Tommy White, Larry Edwards and Raymond Steele.
• 70 years ago, April 29, 1954 – Wagner Lake was the site of the Mayala District Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America. Troops from Oxford, Coffeeville and Troop 14 of Water Valley fielded 75 to 100 scouts for the Friday through Sunday event.
The Tri-Lake Fair for 1954 was set to begin Aug. 24 and run through Aug. 28.
• 80 years ago, April 27, 1944 – Water Valley was to have a watermelon shipping center. Growers were urged to plant Black Diamond, Tom Watson and Cuban Queen melons as soon as possible.
• 90 years ago, May 4, 1934 – Edward Coleman, a student at State A & M College, has developed into a “star” pitcher and is rated one of the best in southern colleges and universities. Pitching for A & M, he defeated the University of Louisiana, University of Mississippi and just recently defeated the University of Alabama by a score of 4 to 3.
Mayor DeShon announced that Cemetery Street (Blackmur Drive) from the Depot up the hill was to receive major improvements including a roadbed 18 feet wide with six inches of gravel.
The Mayor also announced that he had received an invite – engraved, no less – to attend a reception at the White House. The Mayor had gained political favor by acting as local chairman for the campaign.
