20 years ago…
July 21, 2005
WHITESBORO POOL CELEBRATES NATIONAL AQUATICS WEEK
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has declared the week of July 18-24 as National Aquatics Week.
This week is a celebration of the positive impact that aquatics has on the quality of life in our community.
The Whitesboro Parks and Recreation Department kicked off the week last Saturday with a Splash Day.
“We realize how important the pool is to the children in our community. For many of them, it is the only thing they have to do during the summer. The long-term benefits of swimming far outweigh those of watching television or playing video games all day,” pool director Dare Nolan said.
And many of our town’s youth are realizing these benefits, as the pool has been especially busy during the month of June. Attendance is up considerably over last year, as the weather has been both hot and sunny.
WHS CLASS OF ‘55 REUNITES
The Whitesboro Class of 1955 celebrated their 50th class reunion July 11 at the Spirit of the West Resort in Tioga.
The afternoon was spent visiting and enjoying a video of their entire school days to the present.
A barbecue dinner and fifties dance with disc jockey at Spirit of the West, Charlene Ford, daughter of a classmate, Roylene Winchester, entertained the crowd, singing fifties music.
Special guests were teacher, Neva Pinkston and her husband, M.D. Pinkston.
30 years ago…
July 27, 1995
S-A-L-M-O-N WINS SENIOR SPELLING BEE
This year, Gunter’s Pauline Autry correctly provided the letters for s-a-l-m-o-n to claim first place in the Senior Citizen Spelling Bee.
In the final several rounds - with Autry, Gus Jones of Sherman, Luther Donaghey of Trenton, Ralph Howell of Pottsboro and Sadler Mayor Virginia Reese left in the running - the intensity became almost overwhelming.
Jones was eliminated after misspelling “orchid”; Howard was downed with “scriptural” just a minute later and the contest was narrowed to just a pair of candidates when Donaghey missed “amethyst.”
Quite unexpectedly, both Autry and Reese failed on “squiggle”; Autry missed on “hackamore,” but Reese got it right. Reese missed on “detonator,” giving Autry the final chance she needed.
The top three finishers - Autry, Reese and Donaghey - will now advance Aug. 21 to the State Spelling Bee in Arlington.
The event is held in conjunction with the top level Golden Age Games.
GAME COOK-OFF SET FOR SATURDAY
Members of the Texas Game Warden’s Association Cook-off Team will pull into Cedar Mills Marina late Friday - secret spices and smokers in tow - to begin preparation for the Lake Texoma West End Wild Game Cook Out.
Organizers are anticipating a record-breaking crowd for the third annual event, which is scheduled to feature a variety of food, a chance for special prizes and down-home entertainment.
Local hunters and anglers have contributed fresh game, including rattlesnake, deer, moose, fish, elk, antelope, wild hog and turkey to dove, wild goat and squirrel.
Pinto beans, cole slaw and all the fixings will complete the menu.
Advance tickets will still be available for $8 at the Gordonville Country Store, or from any member of the two participating fire departments. T-shirts are also available for purchase at a cost of $10 each.
Saturday’s gate prices will will rise to $10 per person. Children under 12 can eat free with adults. Gates will open at 2 p.m., with serving scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
40 years ago…
July 25, 1985
TRUSTEES HIRE PRINCIPAL
The Whitesboro Independent School District Board of Trustees during a special called meeting Thursday, July 18, approved the employment of a high school principal and met with two architectural firms in a study session to seed solutions to the district’s overcrowded conditions.
Charles Hall, 46, of Port Isabel, Texas, has been employed to serve as principal of the Whitesboro High School, succeeding Charles Brown who accepted the position as principal of the Whitesboro Elementary School. Brown requested the transfer following the resignation of former elementary Principal Ron Babers who is now employed with the Gainesville school system.
Superintendent of Schools Jerry Dickson said the district is considering the possibility of calling a bond issue this Fall.
“But we want to make certain we are ready with plans,” he said.
He noted that no action will be taken toward calling a bond issue until school officials know exactly the best feasible, most economical plan to meet the district’s needs, whether it’s a new high school, new junior high, construction/renovation combination, or whatever.
MANUFACTURER SHIPS ORIGINALS NATION-WIDE
The Cutting Room, owned the past three years by Hank and Rita Lovejoy of Whitesboro, reached a milestone last week when approximately 400 units of their Whitesboro-made sweatsuits were shipped to 13 states including Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Southern Idaho, Montana and Texas.
The sweatsuits, made for women, come in eight different colors with choice of matching ruffles or plaid trim. A third style features a plain sweatshirt without ruffles or trim. Available colors include black, white, cream, mauve, swiss blue, jade, red and royal.
The Lovejoys said their daughters Laurie and Sharon wore their mom’s clothing creation to school.
“It got such great response, we sold about 200 last Christmas,” Hank said. In the past, the Lovejoys used other sweatshirts and just added the ruffles and trim work. “Now we are making them all from scratch,” they noted.
60 years ago…
July 22, 1965
PANCAKE SUPPER SLATED BY C OF C
Pancakes -- all you can eat -- will be served at the Whitesboro junior high school cafeteria Aug. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. The pancake supper is sponsored by the Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce.
Plans for the event were announced Tuesday night at the regular monthly meeting of the organization.
Plenty of pancakes, sausage, bacon, milk and coffee will be served at the affair.
Charges will be $1 donation for adults and a donation of 50 cents for children under 12 years of age.
OKLAHOMA FESTIVAL IS ROTARY PROGRAM TOPIC
Robert Watts, representative for the National Sand Bass Festival held annually in Madill, Oklahoma was guest speaker for the Whitesboro Rotary Club Monday.
Watts spoke briefly about the highlights of the 1965 festival and explained how it originated. At the last festival, approximately 12,000 people visited Madill on the afternoon of the fish fry.
Watts is vice-president of Madill National Bank.