Chamber Worked To Raise $6,000 For The 1966 Budget
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Eight members of the Water Valley High School Class of 1956 took a 50th anniversary return trip to New Orleans in May, 2006. The class members, accompanied by friends and spouses, took the trip on the City of New Orleans train, just as they had done 50 years earlier. These class members stopped for a quick snap shot in Jackson Park. They included (from left) Russ Jones, Faye Poindexter Shearer, Juanita Potts Riley, Eva Kimzey Williams, Rick Tutor, Lila Rusk Schmitz, Lucia George Holloway, and Don Edwards.
20 Years—May 4, 2006 – During the annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet, outgoing president, Missy Kimzey and incoming president, Kim Jones, congratulated Lacey Harris, on being selected 2006 Water Valley Miss Hospitality. Dr. Paul Odom was presented the Braswell Hatcher Award by Bobby Turnage.
The Water Valley Blue Devils baseball team advanced to the North Half Series for the first time since 1979.
Renovations have been completed on the Yalobusha County Courthouse at Coffeeville.
Yalobusha County Supervisors voted to contribute $20,000 toward the purchase of a new van for Yalobusha County Nursing Home to transport residents. Chris Walls and Tammy Hodge accepted the check from supervisors Butch Surrette, Tommy Vaughn, Amos Sims, Bubba Tillman and George Suggs.
Kody Gilley, son of Les and Misty Gilley, caught a 14-1/2 pound catfish while fishing.
Town and Country Garden Club Hostesses, Pat Brooks and Dale Tyler, were pictured with guest speaker for their meeting, Yalobusha County Agent, Steve Cummings.
30 Years—May 2, 1996 – Bryant Mix was the eighth pick in the second round (38th overall) of this year’s NFL Draft. He was selected by the Houston Oilers as a defensive lineman.
The Yalobusha County Health Department held open house on Immunization Day. Nurses Nancy McMillan of Water Valley and Glennie Butler of Batesville, gave shots to some 15 youngsters.
Assistant Librarian at Blackmur Memorial Library, Diane Freeman, was recognized on her retirement after 12 years of service. Presenting her a plaque were library trustees, Dollie Henderson, Mary Lou Williams and Hugh Gurner.
Water Valley Manufacturing, Inc., a division of American Trousers, has received very high ratings for its products.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Riley received the April “Yard of the Month” award, presented by Town and Country Garden Club.
Jerry Bailey was recognized for academic excellence at a recent Honors Day at Itawamba Community College.
40 Years—May 8, 1986 – Kevin Herrera, son of Marilyn Sager, received the highest honor offered a high school musician, the John Philip Sousa Award. The award was presented by Band Director Stanley Crow and Assistant Director Becky Crow, during the Spring Band Concert.
Jammy Berry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Berry, won her fifth consecutive “superior” rating in the Mississippi Baptist State Bible Drills.
Water Valley High School Band Officers, on behalf of the entire band, presented Band Directors Stanley and Becky Crow a play pen, which the Crows will need later this year as they are expecting their fist child in the spring.
William F. “Bill” Taylor was recently initiated into Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society at the University of Mississippi. Bill is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Cole Taylor.
New equipment, purchased by the Water Valley Junior Auxiliary, has been installed at the newly renovated Old City Park. Pictured enjoying the new playground equipment were Tonia Hollowell, Kathy Nicholas, Mark Nicholas, Kerry Aston, Keith White, Eric Summers, Randall Naramore, Stephanie Marshall, and Carolyn Cauldwell.
50 Years—May 6, 1976 – Appearing at the Water Valley Public School Music Program on May 6 will be a Barbershop Quartet. Members of the group are Jim Shearer, Steve Thompson, Kris Aune and Charles Jaudon, under the direction of Public School Music Teacher Diane Jones.
Cindy Pittman, daughter of Mrs. John Suratt, received the John Philip Sousa, the highest award given in band, and Terryl McClaflin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy McClaflin, was presented the “Outstanding Bandswoman” award by Beta Kappa Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma woman’s band fraternity at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Terry Anderson, sports editor, announced that the Blue Devils Baseball Team was 6- 4 for the ’76 Season and that the Girl’s Track Stars had qualified for the District II Track Meet.
60 Years—May 5, 1966 – Joe Spence, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Ringold Spence, has been selected for the 1966 Summer Session Scholarship at Ole Miss.
The Chamber of Commerce met at the City Library to lay plans for raising a $6,000 budget. Chamber President Oscar Parsons explained that neighboring cities worked with budgets from $8,000 to $24,000 a year.
Water Valley School Superintendent Clovis Steele released to the Herald the schedule for the 1966 graduation activities. Class night would be held Friday in the High School gymnasium; the Baccalaureate Service on Sunday would be in First Methodist Church, with Rev. W. D. Smith delivering the message; and graduation would be on Monday night in the high school gym. The class included 35 girls and 37 boys.
Herman Daniel “Danny” Champion, received his Bachelor of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Harriett Samuels, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Fly, was tapped for Lantern, sophomore scholastic honor society at Mississippi State College for Women.
70 Years—May 3, 1956 – A life membership in the Jeff Davis PTA was presented to Mrs. Ida Mathis by Mrs. Bill Champion, PTA president.
Delegates from the Cotton Carnival were scheduled to visit Water Valley. Coming to the Valley were Cotton Carnival President, the Carnival King and Queen, and others.
Nancy Pass, Water Valley State Farm Insurance Agent, attended a two-day convention in Jackson. She was proclaimed the unofficial queen of the convention as a result of being the only lady agent for Mississippi and Louisiana and for her production record for the Club 45 luncheon.
Due to the danger around the Jaycees lake, they have given policies for its use. Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts can use the facility when accompanied by adult advisors. Others may use the lake only on special times planned by and supervised by the Jaycees.
In Lucia George’s column, “Dig Into the Past,” she told of a military college, Hamilton College, that once stood where Water Valley High School now stands on North Main Street.
80 Years—May 9, 1946– Tom Q. Ellis, Clerk of the Supreme Court, was entering the race for the U.S. Senate. He was challenging long-time Senator Bilbo, and would kick off his campaign at a rally in Water Valley.
News from “Our Men and Women in Uniform” column was: Harold Fair, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Fair, received his discharge from the Army, with the rank of Sergeant; Sgt. Major Wayne Hayles, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Hayles, received his discharge from the Army at Camp Shelby, after 23 months overseas and receiving many medals; Clifton Lipscomb, Motor Machinist Mate 3-c, was discharged from the Navy after serving 32 months.
