Memoried Glances: Octobers past, a roundup column

Published 12:00 am Saturday, October 29, 2016

Because we have five weekends this month we are able to bring you these items in a roundup column for October.

From The LaGrange Graphic, 100 Years Ago, 1916: Editorial: Rural Schools, Local Taxation-LaGrange, West Point and Hogansville, each has splendid system of schools supported by local taxation, and there is nothing that contributes more to the welfare of these cities. Now, LaGrange is canvassing to rise the means for promoting the efficiency of one of her female colleges. This is certainly a move in the right direction.

Now why should not the rural communities bestir themselves to provide the very best educational advantages for their boys and girls?

Schools of five or six months duration, with one teacher trying to teach six to eight grades, no matter how faithful and competent the teacher, will never put our county schools where they can do the best work for our county children.

We need graded schools with the same length of terms as our city schools, or else our sons and daughters will enter into life handicapped. The only way to obtain such schools is by local taxation.

We trust the good people of Troup County will think of this and demand local taxation for our county schools.

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From The LaGrange Daily News, 75 Years Ago, 1941: Troup County Youth Wins State Contest-Jack Fletcher, four-year 4-H Club Member of Troup County, was today named state winner in the meat animal production contest by G.V. Cunningham, State 4-H Club Leader.

Jack was given this award because of his outstanding achievements in livestock production. Through his 4-H Club Projects he has produced dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goats and hogs.

Less that a month ago, the boy won second place in the State Livestock Judging contest. This week he is attending the National Dairy Show in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Editorial: End of The Silk Stocking Era – Cotton stocking are beginning to appear in LaGrange stores again. The silk stocking era is passing, and it is just possible that father is smiling a shy little smile behind his newspaper as he reads the headlines announcing the end of a period when his wife and daughter spent ix to thirteen percent of the clothes budget for hosiery. Gone will be the days when a run in a silk stocking meant a run on his pocket book. That will be okay, thinks the old man.

The poor guy probably does not yet know that the new cottons, according to our merchants, will be spidery web affairs with fully as tender fibers as the silkies, If he is thinking of the old “iron clad” hosiery of his boyhood days, he is in for a sad awakening.

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From the LaGrange Daily News, 50 Years Ago, 1966: 6,900 Troup Countians Receive Social Security Benefits – Approximately 6,900 persons in Troup County are receiving benefits from Social Security according to District Manger.

McKenzie, speaking to a regular meeting of the Kiwanis Club on Thursday said that the local office, with its 16 employees, serves five counties including Chambers County, Alabama.

He said that retirement benefits range from $44 a month to $168 a month, with the spouse of the beneficiary receiving one half that amount. If a worker retires before age 65, his benefit is graduated five ninths of one percent for each month the worker is under 65.

A disabled worker can now receive benefits if a doctor states that the worker will be disabled at least twelve months.

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Air Force Orders Major Study Of Flying Saucers – Air Force Secretary Harold Brown today ordered an 18-month “in depth” study of flying saucers.

Since 1947, the Air Force has investigated 10,896 reports of UFO sightings.

The $300,000 study will be carried out by the University of Colorado and will have access to Air Force records, but would be conducted with independent research and without direction from the Air Force. The Colorado report will be reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences when it becomes available.

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From The LaGrange Daily News, 25 Years Ago, 1991: Troup Students Win State DECA Posts – Two Troup High School students were recently elected to state offices of DECA, an association of marketing students.

At the Annual Fall Leadership Development Conference held at Clayton State College, Rhonda Baker, a senior at Troup High and president if the Troup DECA Chapter, was elected State President of the organization. Charles Vincent, also a senior at Troup High, was elected Region IV Vice President.

There was more the 6,000 DECA members in Georgia, representing 125 high schools.

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Granger Band Ranked Superior – The LaGrange High School Marching Band received a Superior Rating Saturday at the Phenix City, Alabama Classic Marching Band Festival.

This is the highest rating that is awarded at such competitions. The drunk majors, majorettes, silk corps, and percussionists were all awarded Superior Ratings.

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Who Said It? – “If a man hasn’t discovered something that he would die for, he isn’t fit to live.” Dr. Martin Luther King.

Julia Dyar

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/10/web1_DyarJuliaCMYK.jpgJulia Dyar

Julia Dyar, a retired journalist, is active in the Troup County Historical Society.