20 years ago…
November 10, 2005
BEARCAT BAND COMPETES IN BANDS OF AMERICA CHAMPIONSHIP
The Pride of Whitesboro High School Marching Band went to San Antonio this past weekend to perform their 2005 show at the Alamodome at the Bands of America Marching Competition.
The band went for the experience of competing against the “bigger” bands and with hopes of defending their Class A Championship title.
There were 60 bands competing over two days and all you could see in the Alamodome parking lot were band kids, instrument trailers, band buses, flag corps and band directors. The tension was high -- the competition was stiff, and Whitesboro was one of the smallest bands represented.
Sadly, they were defeated as Hidalgo High School came away with the championship.
Band Director Jim Cude said he felt the band did a wonderful job.
Plans are already underway for the 2006 band show and even for BOA next year, where the band hopes to regain their championship.
30 years ago…
November 16, 1995
DREAM BECOMES A BUSINESS FOR COLLINSVILLE WOMAN
After 20 years of baking for family and friends, Jennifer Torossian of Collinsville decided to profit from her creativity.
As a small girl, she frequently joined her mother and grandmother in the kitchen. Torossian said, “They instilled the love of cooking...taught me to look upon food preparation as fun rather than a chore. The lesson was obviously learned, because I’d rather be baking than most anything else in the world.”
She hoped for a number of years to locate an available building in the Collinsville area for her dream business.
Finally, a former beauty shop sold on Main Street. November 2 was the official opening day for her business, “Cakes and Confections”.
40 years ago…
November 14, 1985
SON SUCCEEDS DAD AS SNB DIRECTOR
After serving on the Security National Bank Board of Directors for 26 years, Whitesboro resident Pete Raney has resigned, only to be succeeded by his son Ronald “Ronnie” E. Raney.
The elderly Raney, who became a member of the SNB Board of Directors in the fall of 1959, resigned recently, citing health reasons, according to Assistant Vice President Gene Foster of SNB.
Raney began working in 1917 with his brother, the late Marshall Raney who opened an automobile sales company in 1912 at a location on Collinsville Street (which is now an area located behind Nance and Caston law firm).
Raney became a Ford dealer on Feb. 4, 1936, and will be honored next year as a 50-year dealer, a rare accomplishment.
In following the footsteps of a family tradition, Ronnie is also owner of Raney Auto Company, the Ford dealership on West Main Street.
When the elder Raney first began serving on the board of directors, SNB’s assets totaled $3,759,626. Twenty-six years later, they total $45,471,880.
60 years ago…
November 11, 1965
CUB SCOUT DENS ARE ORGANIZED
Four Cub Scout Dens were organized at a meeting held last Thursday night.
Dens organized and Den Mothers are Den 1, Mrs. Billy Parrish who will be assisted by Mrs. Royce Arnold; Den 3, Mrs. Roy White; Den 5, Mrs. Joe Davidson assisted by Mrs. Blevins; Den 6, Mrs. A.D. Hayden assisted by Mrs. Fred Banfield.
According to a spokesman, one more Den will be started and some mothers have already volunteered to serve as Den Mothers.
Boys who are interested in joining Cub Scouts are asked to contact Jay Minton, Cubmaster. Boys who are between the ages of 8 and 11 are eligible to join.
CIVIL DEFENSE PROGRAM PLANNED FOR WHITESBORO
Civil defense activities will be started within Whitesboro as soon as an ordinance can be drawn up and a program submitted to the state. Whitesboro city councilmen passed an ordinance setting up the program Thursday night at the regular monthly meeting.
The program will have Jim Rector as its director.
BURDINE RATES AS EXPERT IN RIFLE QUALIFICATION TEST
Army PFC Stephen K. Burdine, son of Mrs. A. E. Burdine, 509 N. Jordan, Whitesboro, qualified as expert in firing the high powered M-14 rifle at Fort Hood, October 27.
Burdine, a mechanic in Company B of the 2nd Armored Division’s 50 2d Aviation Battalion at Fort Hood, entered the Army in July 1964 and received basic training at Fort Polk, La.
The 20-year-old soldier is a 1962 graduate of Whitesboro High School.