Front Page News: Era Ends, As CEA Closes; Changes Effective June 1 – Sunday marked the end of an era, with the official closing of the Callaway Education Association.

Effective, June 1, most CEA facilities, including the educational building, auditorium and pool complex, became the property of LaGrange College. Callaway Stadium was donated jointly to the City of LaGrange and Troup County. Ogletree Street Recreation Center was given to the city and will be staffed and managed by Troup County Parks and Recreation Commission.

Also June 1, Coleman Library became a public library, operated as a branch of LaGrange Memorial Library with former CEA director Chris Boner as branch librarian.

LC Planning Major Pool Renovation

LaGrange College has made plans for a major renovation of the former CEA pool, Dr. Walter Y. Murphy, College president, said June 1.

The renovation will convert the pool for year-round use and will require closing it this summer while construction is underway.

The renovation will allow the facility to serve as a site for swimming instruction for college students as well as for special programs of instruction for the community.

“It is the desirer of the college to use these marvelous new college facilities for the enrichment of the community as well as for the college’s academic program,” Dr. Murphy said.

‘Pooling Thier Resources’

Changes brought about by the closing of the Callaway Education Association are having a “ripple effect” at local pools.

For the first time ever, Troup Parks and Recreation staffers will be operating two swimming facilities, at City Park on Church Street and Ogletree Street Recreation Center.

Registration for swimming lessons is being held at Ogletree Street Center from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday. The pool opens Monday with lessons starting June 15.

At City Park extensive Callaway funded bathhouse renovations will not be completed in time for Saturday’s 1 p.m. pool opening. Swimming lessons will begin Monday.

Both pools will be open seven days a week.

Red Cross Milestones

Chartered in 1917, as World War I was raging, the Troup County Chapter of the American Red Cross will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a two-day observance beginning Tuesday.

Exhibits recalling the history of Red Cross will be on display at Callaway Auditorium where a community blood drive will be staged from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The drive will continue Wednesday at the Heart Clinic of West Georgia Medical Center from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Among those preparing displays of the Red Cross memorabilia are Brenda Wood, R.N. volunteer blood-drive chairman for West Georgia Medical Center; Robert Wood and Tish Leveritt, Chamber of Commerce volunteers publicizing the drive and the event, and Camillia Myhand, current chairman of Nursing/Blood Services for Troup County and Red Cross volunteer for over 28 years.

Three Valedictorians, One Speech

Three heads are better than one, and one valedictory speech is better that three, say LaGrange high School co-valedictorians — Paula Baxter, Jennifer Buttrun and Liz Dukes.

The trio will deliver the valedictory address together during graduation exercises for the LaGrange High School class of 1992 tonight at Callaway Stadium at 8 p.m.

Diplomas will be presented to 229 graduates. In case of rain ceremonies will be held in Callaway Auditorium.

Editorial: New Jobs Created

By Local Efforts

Speaking before an audience of corporate executives and entrepreneurs in Atlanta last week, Gov. Zell Miller declared that the mark of a growing region is how many jobs it creates.

But, he correctly pointed out, economic development begins locally and cannot be created by the state.

LaGrange depends heavily on the Georgia Department of Industry and Trade to bring new industrial prospects here when they are looking for new manufacturing sites.

But, once they get here, it is up to us to do the sales job.

That effort has been made much easier because of the cooperation of the city and county governments, both of which realize that if a community does not move forward with the constant creation of new jobs, it will surely move backward.

Who Said It?

“I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.”

Winston Churchill(1939)

“More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginnings of all wars.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1945)

“It is time for the great silent majority of Americans to stand up and be counted.”

Richard Nixon (1970) 

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