20 years ago…
August 25, 2005
S&S STUDENTS SIGN ON FOR RANDOM DRUG TESTING
Over 100 S&S High School students became the first to participate in the recently instituted voluntary drug testing program there.
Students and parents alike attended a question-answer session last week that included a representative from a company that will be used to conduct random drug screening throughout the school year. This comes with the new and more strict testing policy recently approved by the school board to hopefully deter the use of illegal drugs.
Superintendent Bill Gentzel hopes that the program will provide kids with an excuse to not use drugs with the possibility of a surprise test.
WATSON PLACES IN NATIONAL TUMBLING COMPETITION
Four members of the North Texas Tumbling Twisters from North Texas Acrosports Center in Pilot Point placed in the top ten at the Jr. Olympic National Trampoline and Tumbling competition held in Houston this month.
Tyler Terrell of Denton took a national championship, placing first in the 17 years and over level nine men’s trampoline. He also placed second in the double mini trampoline event and fifth in tumbling.
Chris Watson of Whitesboro placed second in the 11-12 year old men’s tumbling. He also took fifth in trampoline.
The competitors were coached by Tiffani Brumbaugh and Nicole Ramsey and the week long competition included about 1,500 athletes from all over the nation.
30 years ago…
August 31, 1995
WISD DEDICATES NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL BEFORE CROWD OF 400
Approximately 400 students, community members and Whitesboro I.S.D. personnel attended a 35-minute dedication ceremony on Sunday to celebrate completion of the district’s first new bond-financed facility in 23 years.
Scorpion Patrol Whitesboro Cub Scouts Pack One members Patrick Bertino, Justin Duncan, Randal Jones, Mark Malone and Adam Spore opened the event with posting the United States and Texas flags, while Boy Scout Troop #66 member Mark Dutton led the audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
Middle School Principal Jan Lawrence issued thanks to the school staff for implementing the great number of tasks required to finish the building for occupancy.
PRODUCERS TO DISCUSS BILLS TO END PEANUT POUNDAGE QUOTAS
Local peanut farmers will gather at 7:30 tonight at the Collinsville Community Center to discuss the potential fate of the United States peanut program.
Peanut producers in Grayson, Collin and Cooke Counties will formulate plans to make their voice heard in Washington.
Leon Hunneycutt, who will spearhead activities at the meeting, said, “We will be discussing ways to get support from our legislators for continuation of this program. Maybe they don’t know how we feel about this issue, but we want them to understand.”
More than 100 lawmakers recently declared support for legislation that would halt a decade old peanut program, calling it too costly to consumers.
Two bipartisan bills would eliminate peanut poundage quotas and price supports beginning with the 1996 crop.
40 years ago…
August 29, 1985
C’VILLE COUPLE KEEPS RARE PLANS RESTORED
There were 85 Waco-UIC airplanes built in 1933, and only three throughout the entire world remain flyable today, including one in Collinsville that is under the tender, loving care of Don and Shirley Swindle of Route 1.
Original owner of the Swindle’s Waco aircraft was Gar Wood of Detroit, Michigan who was a famous hydroplane racer. The late Wood won the Gold Cup five times and raced the famous “Miss America” hydroplane.
“He invented the hydraulic lift,” Swindle said.
Don and Shirley’s Waco wasn’t always air worthy. Don found the plane in Howe where it had been hauled after it crashed in Paris, Texas. In 1969, Don and Shirley purchased the demolished aircraft.
Don took the helpless Waco and restored it to its original state, making it a faithful, beautiful flying machine by the year 1972.
In 1981, however, a tornado roared through the Swindle property, destroying two hangars and the Waco-UIC.
Determined to keep the Waco in its original condition, once again Don set out to restore it.
After devoting a total of five years of restoration to the aircraft, Don and Shirley fly the Waco quite frequently.
BAND BOOSTERS HOST GET-ACQUAINTED PARTY
The Whitesboro Band Boosters hosted a get-acquainted party on Thursday evening, August 22 at the Whitesboro High School tennis courts.
President Nancy Fletcher welcomed band parents, band members and guests and introduced Superintendent Jerry Dickson and Charles Hall, high school principal.
Sixty guests enjoyed homemade ice cream in a variety of flavors, cookies and brownies.
60 years ago…
August 26, 1965
BEARCAT BAND WILL MAKE FIRST APPEARANCE SEPT. 3
Whitesboro’s Bearcat Band will make their first appearance Sept. 3 at the Whitesboro-Sacred Heart football game. Students have been preparing for the occasion the past two weeks with morning sessions during the summer band program.
“Over 50 uniformed students will be marching this year,” Ray Gann, band director, said.
“We should be able to present some excellent performances because almost every member of the band has at least one year of experience in marching and playing,” he continued.
Gary Minton will begin his second year as drum major this fall. Twirlers will be Judy Burdine, Beverly Greene, Ruth Rollins, Lou Burkhart and Kaye McClendon.
SCRIMMAGE IS TONIGHT’S FARE
First opportunity to see the Whitesboro Bearcats in action will come at 7 o’clock tonight when the local team scrimmages with De Soto.
Coach Bill O’Brien pointed out that this will not be a game, but will be strictly scrimmage practice. Each team will be given the ball for a certain number of downs, to see what they can do with it under simulated game conditions.
Persons interested in football are welcome to attend tonight’s scrimmage at the Whitesboro stadium, and see how the team is shaping up.
Coach O’Brien says that 28 boys are coming out for practice, and he is well pleased with the showing they have made so far.
“They look good -- they really do,” the coach explained. “The boys are working hard and are doing a good job. Of course, we have a long way to go yet, but they are looking good.”