Yesterday's News from The Evergreen Courant for April 23, 2012

THREE YEARS AGO
APRIL 16, 2009

“Conecuh County attorney and former state representative Greg Albritton won Tuesday’s Republican primary and will face Democrat Marc Keahey for the Senate District 22 seat.”

“Sparta Academy raised $1,300 for this year’s Peddlin’ For A Cure charity bike ride in which Sparta math teacher Keith Burt biked 99 miles from the Monroe County Courthouse in Monroeville to Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile on Friday. Burt rode in memory of his late father Melvin Burt of Mobile, who passed away Monday of last week; the late Pam Hammonds, the late Kinsley Bulger, the late Wayne Hutcheson and the late Richard Brown.”

“U.S. Representative Bobby Bright (D-Montgomery) told a crowd of around 40 people last week that he is against a proposed landfill in Conecuh County.
“Bright, who took office about 90 days ago, held a ‘Congress on Your Corner’ meeting at Repton Town Hall last Thursday morning and told the crowd that he’s aware that a ‘vast majority’ of people in Conecuh County are against a landfill.”

“The next chapter in the ongoing lawsuit over Evergreen’s disputed mayoral election will unfold tomorrow (Friday) starting at 9 a.m.
“On Monday of last week, Judge Edward McDermott, a retired Mobile judge who was appointed to hear the case, filed an order in Conecuh County Circuit Court that officially set the time and date for the next hearing in the case.”

18 YEARS AGO
APRIL 21, 1994

“Clayton Cobb announces he is a candidate for the office of Coroner of Conecuh County in the upcoming Democratic primary.
“Cobb is a lifelong resident of the Brooklyn-Paul community. He is self-employed and operates Brooklyn Machine, Inc. He is a Blue Lodger and Scottish Rite Mason.
“Cobb is married to the former Carol Ann Brown of Evergreen and they have three sons and two daughters.”

“Weather Watcher Harry Ellis featured WSFA-TV: Harry Ellis, a Weather Watcher for WSFA-TV, will be featured on Channel 12 as part of a month-long salute to the Weather Watchers.
“Each weekday between April 25 and June 3, WSFA will salute one Weather Watcher with announcements throughout the day as well as in the 6:00 and 1:00 reports.
“According to WSFA’s Chief Weathercaster Rich Thomas, “Harry has been and continues to be an important contributor to the Weather Watchers network. WSFA depends on these people to provide important information to the viewing public. We can’t thank them enough for what they do.”

“A large crowd was on hand Saturday for the Eighth Annual Strawberry Festival. The festival is held in downtown Castleberry each April and there are always plenty of arts and crafts and delicious strawberries for everyone.”

33 YEARS AGO
APRIL 19, 1979

“John P. Bewley, retired Soil Conservation Service technician, was recently presented a gold emblem by the Alabama Grand Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons, in recognition of his 50 years membership as a Mason. The presentation ceremony was conducted at Greening Lodge No. 53 of which Bewley has been a member since August 13, 1943. He joined the Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 179 in Maryland on March 31, 1928. The 50th anniversary emblem was presented by District Lecturer Jesse L. Byrd of Greenville. Bewley served as Greening Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1972-73 and has held other offices. He is currently serving as Tyler of the lodge.”

“Earl reports the weather, philosophizes: Weatherman Earl Windham reports a trace, .007 of an inch, of rain on April 9, and 1.13 inches on Friday, April 13, along with lots of wind, thunder and lightning.
“Ole Earl also philosophized a bit as he wrote: ‘Well, dear Ole Bob: the bitter goes with the sweet. I bet you didn’t know women have better memories than men. For example, the average woman of 30 can remember things that happened to her 40 years ago.’”

“Cook Morrison’s Grand Champion Steer of the 1979 Conecuh County Fat Calf Show brought $1.05 per pound, a total of $1,223.05 for the 1,165-pound crossbreed. Sam Kelly, vice president and manager of the Evergreen branch, of Union Bank of Repton, Castleberry and Evergreen, was the successful buyer of the Champ.”

48 YEARS AGO
APRIL 16, 1964

“GREENING LODGE NO. 53 F.&A.M. Meets Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday At Masonic Hall, 7:30 P.M.”

“Miss Sally Oswald, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Oswald, was chosen Key Club Sweetheart of the 7th Division at the 12th annual convention of the Alabama District of Key Club International held in Montgomery last weekend. The 7th division includes clubs in Greenville, Monroeville and Evergreen. Sally, a majorette and Princess Merry of 1963, was recently named Sweetheart for 1964-65 by the Evergreen Key Club."

“Elbert Williams will lead the Evergreen Jaycees in the coming year. The assistant county agent was elected Monday night to succeed Walter Smith.”

“An order of the Alabama Public Service Commission has instructed the Southern Bell Telephone Co. to construct lines giving service to several rural areas in Conecuh County through the Evergreen Exchange.”

“Repton Masonic Lodge 575 and Eastern Star 252 are sponsoring a political rally, cake auction, chicken supper and a hillbilly music program tonight (Thursday) at five o’clock at Repton High School Auditorium.”

“County 4-H’ers and FFA’ers will exhibit some 50 fine, fed fat calves in the annual Conecuh County 4-H and FFA Fat Calf Show here Monday.”

63 YEARS AGO
APRIL 21, 1949

“The Medical Association of the State of Alabama today paid tribute to 23 physicians throughout the state. Dr. P.L. Hollingsworth of Belleville, Alabama was among those awarded a Certificate of Distinction by the Association for 50 years in the practice of medicine.”

“Airfield Weather Station May Reopen This Summer: According to a letter received by State Senator R.G. Kendall Jr. from Congressman George Grant the weather station at the Evergreen Air Field may go into operation again this summer.

“Mr. Grant’s letter read:
“With further reference to the Evergreen Air Field Weather Station, this is to advise that I have checked again with the Civil Aeronautics Administration and the assurance was given me that the necessary equipment for the Evergreen installation is included in the first 100 stations being equipped and established, and it is expected that the necessary equipment will be received by the Civil Aeronautics Administration by July 1st.
“I was assured that under the circumstances, the station should be in operation sometime late in the summer.
“I certainly hope that it will be, and I shall be very glad to continue to do everything that I can here to be of assistance, and with personal good wishes to you, I am,
“Sincerely,
“George Grant.”

“Ed James, veteran COURANT operator is back on the job this week after nearly a year’s absence because of ill health. Seems like old times around the office.
“Be seein’ you.”

“Effective Wed., April 20, H.L. Riley assumed his duties as policeman for the City, succeeding R.Z. Wells, who resigned last week to enter business for himself.”