The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Dec. 25, 2023

USS Vella Gulf

FIVE YEARS AGO
DEC. 27, 2018

Byrne honors Norris’ service: Last Thursday, the 12-year service on Monroe County Probate Judge/County Commission Chairman Greg Norris was recognized on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Fairhope, asked that Norris’ service as probate judge and county commission chairman be entered into the U.S. Congressional Record.
Norris, who will finish his second six-year term in a couple of weeks, announced about a year ago that he would retire from the political arena at the end of his present term.

Excel boys move to 8-1: Excel’s Panthers went 2-0 last week, bringing their record to 8-1 heading into the Christmas break.
On Monday, Panthers defeated W.S. Neal in Excel 45-28. On Tuesday, the Panthers defeated county rival J.U. Blacksher 55-44 before a packed house in Excel.
(Top Excel players in those games included Josh Gandy, Justin Manuel and Zeb Nettles. Al Bowen was Excel’s head coach.)

Tea to honor Knight to be held Jan. 6: The Belle Lettres Service Organization will host a tea in honor of Kaylee Knight, Distinguished Young Woman of Monroe County, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sun., Jan. 6, at Vanity Fair Golf Club in Monroeville.
The Alabama state program will be held at Frazier United Methodist Church Wesley Hall on Fri., Jan. 18, and Sat., Jan. 19. Knight will be in Montgomery beginning on Jan. 11.
Knight is the daughter of Jerry and Tammy Knight of Monroeville and has one sister, Katelin. She is a senior at Monroe Academy.

30 YEARS AGO
DEC. 23, 1993

Navy Seaman Jeffrey D. Cantey, a 1991 graduate of Monroe County High School, recently became a “plank owner” while with the guided missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf, homeported at Norfolk, Va.
Traditionally, the term “plank owner” is given to those original crewmembers who are on board a ship when it is commissioned and becomes part of the U.S. Naval Fleet. The ceremony was held at Norfolk Naval Station.

Outstanding gridiron players are named to all-state team: Five outstanding players from three Monroe County schools were recently given statewide recognition by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.
J.U. Blacksher High School’s Kenny Johnson and Frisco City High School’s Tony Gibbs and Adrian Bullard were named to the association’s annual 1A all-state team.
David Pleasant, a standout at Monroe County High School, and Frisco City’s Roy Bonner were listed as honorable mentions on the Class 5A and 1A all-state teams, respectively.

Monroe native to head Evergreen police: A Monroeville native has been hired to head Evergreen’s police department.
Thomas Booker, 43, was approved for the post by the Evergreen City Council at its Dec. 14 meeting. He will begin work Jan. 12.
Booker, brother of Marthe Myers of Monroeville, already has family connections in Conecuh County. His cousins there include Sheriff Edwin Booker and Probate Judge Rogene Booker.
Thomas Booker will be retiring from his present position as police chief in Ripon, Wisc., a job he has held for 11 years.

55 YEARS AGO
DEC. 26, 1968

Junior Miss Pageant Displays Top Talent: Patty Kress, senior at Monroe County High School, was named Monroe County’s Junior Miss at the annual pageant held Dec. 14. Patty is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.S. Kress.
Gayle Mason of Uriah was first runner-up, and Sharon Jaye of Mexia was named second runner-up.
Melissa Moore won the talent award and was elected Miss Congeniality by the contestants.
The judges’ conference award was a three-way tie with Ramona Sue Hyde, Patty Kress and Sharon Jaye each receiving a silver trophy.

Tigers Win Christmas AAA Tournament: The MCHS Tigers won the trophy by beating the T.R. Miller Tigers by one point in a game that proved to be a cliffhanger for four long quarters during the Invitational Christmas Tournament at the Coliseum Sat., Dec. 21, at 8 p.m. The Tigers are pictured here just before the 39-38 battle with the Brewton school. (Members of the team included Ronnie Taylor, Mike Kimbrel, Ronnie Philen, Johnny Tatum, Al Bentley, Wendell Simmons, Butch Andress, Kenny Stacey, Jim Stallworth and Mike Colquett.)

New officers will be installed by the Kiwanis Club of Monroeville at the first meeting of the new year Fri., Jan. 3.
Jim McAlarney will succeed Bill Stewart as president of the organization. Other incoming officers include Bill Nettles, first vice president; Larry Knight, second vice president; John Bowden remains as secretary and L.C. Hendrix remains as treasurer.
Members of the incoming board of directors are Wayne Elliott, Fred Nall, Tandy Culpepper, Joe Nettles, Jim Nicholson, Carl Langlois and Mr. Stewart.

105 YEARS AGO
DEC. 26, 1918

The Monroe County High School suspended last Friday for the holidays. Work will be resumed on Dec. 27.

Death of Evaline Erline Sawyer: The many friends and relatives of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Sawyer sincerely sympathize with them in their loss of their little girl.
Evaline Erline Sawyer was born Feb. 3, 1916 and died Nov. 25, 1918. She had only a short illness, being attacked by Spanish influenza and she could not withstand the ravages of this awful disease.
Evaline was just a little girl but had won the love of all who knew her and we can only console the bereaved family by saying that she is sleeping peacefully on the bosom of the loving Jesus who gave her.

NOTICE TO ALL STOCK OWNERS: For several weeks the citizens of Monroeville have been very much annoyed by horses, cows and hogs running at large in the town and we wish to call attention to an ordinance which prohibits the running at large of all stock. The ordinance provides that the marshal shall impound all animals found running on the streets and for each day any animal is kept up, the marshal shall receive 50 cents, including 50 cents for feeding such animals. It also provides that any person who knowingly or willfully violates this ordinance shall be fined not more than $100 or sentenced to hard labor.
The town authorities have no disposition to wound the feelings or take any undue advantage of any citizen and all are earnestly requested to take up their stock on or before Mon., Dec. 30, after which time, the law will be strictly enforced.

131 YEARS AGO
DEC. 22, 1892

Before another issue of The Journal reaches its readers, the holiday season will be past. To each one it extends the wish for “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

This number of The Journal closes its 25^th year. We desire to spend a few days in undisturbed reflection upon the errors of the past, while everybody else is enjoying the holidays, therefore no paper will be issued next week. We hope to greet you again with a brighter face in 1893.

Christmas comes this year on Sunday. Let the day and the holidays succeeding be spent in a decent, sober way, becoming the intelligent, refined and civilized age in which we live. If half the money that is usually spent in drinking and debauchery were spent in procuring comforts for the needy, many an aching heart and head would be soothed.

The Monroe County Masonic Association will meet in Monroeville Tues., Dec. 27, and continue in session two or three days. Prof. A.M. Scott, District Grand Lecturer, will be present. A full representation from each Lodge is earnestly desired.

The happiness and good cheer befitting the season has commenced. A delightful sociable was enjoyed by the young people at the Watson House Tuesday night.

Mr. S.M. Jones, Secretary, has furnished us with the minutes of the last session of Shiloh Singing Convention. They will appear in next issue.