20 years ago…
March 16, 2006
WOODY RESIGNS AS WHITESBORO POLICE CHIEF
In a surprise move at Tuesday night’s regular city council meeting, Whitesboro Police Chief and 16-year-old department veteran resigned effective June 2.
Woody worked at the Carrollton Police Department from 1975 until 1980 and from there, moved on to the Carrollton Fire Department and worked there until 1993, when he moved to Whitesboro.
Filling every set of shoes imaginable at WPD, Woody started out as a reserve and eventually served as sergeant, patrol lieutenant and eventually chief in 2000.
He replaced David Sewell, who led the department for nine months and stepped in following the retirement of 12-year Chief Larry Macomber.
“It has been enjoyable serving this community for all of these years and I hate to let it go,” Woody said. “This was a hard decision to make.”
FIFTY YEARS AND HOLDING -- A RECORD WORTH REMEMBERING
Fifty years is a long time for any sports record to stand...and in the case of one local woman, that record may very well hold for much longer.
Juvean (McWhorter) Snell scored 68 points in the 1956 Class B state championship game against Sulphur Springs North Hopkins to lead her Lady Pirates to an 83-75 win and the first state title for Collinsville High School.
Juvean knew how much it meant to the close-knit community the day after the game when they returned to a hero’s welcome, as the “whole town” was there to meet the bus when they rolled back into town.
Juvean said that her inspiration was Billie Earl, who played on the Whitesboro High School team that advanced to state in 1953.
The Lady Cats went on to be state runners-up that year.
In addition to the 68-point record, Juvean also holds several other records. She made 28 field goals and scored 168 points in three tournament games. The first girls’ state tournament took place in 1951.
As a team, the 1956 Lady Pirates set 12 new records in the three tournament games. They won the state championship and Juvean was named all-state. She could have gone on to play college ball, but with few teams playing women’s basketball the opportunity was limited. Instead, she completed a semester at North Texas State and married Charles Snell. They raised three children and eventually settled in Lake Kiowa in 1996 with Juvean retiring from EDS after 20 years.
30 years ago…
March 14, 1996
COUNTY BRIDGE MOVED TO COLLINSVILLE PARK
A piece of Grayson County history found a new resting place last week when the metal and wood bridge on Graham Grove Road, south of Collinsville, was repositioned in the Collinsville City Park, located on FM 902 East, some three blocks from the downtown area.
The country road is being paved with the state assuming 80 percent of the cost and Grayson County paying the remaining 20 percent. A new bridge is being erected at the creek site, as well. Billy Lemons of Lemons’ House Moving, Whitesboro, was contacted by the county to move the bridge. Lemons subsequently contacted Collinsville City officials about preserving the bridge at a display site, and the decision was made to place the bridge at City Park.
The only cost to the city, according to Mayor Wayne McCorkle, was the pouring of a concrete buttress necessary to position the bridge beams for placement. He further stated that Carol Shea, Commissioner, Precinct 3, is researching to see if there is historical data available on the bridge which might be placed upon a historical marker at the site.
The bridge measures 46 feet in length, is 14 feet wide, and is made up of three sections of criss-cross metal lattice, riveted with large metal bolts on the sides. Thick, weathered boards cover the floor of the bridge. Estimated weight is at least 50,000 pounds.
Lemons, who has 33 years of structure moving experience, moved as many as 19 bridges from Lake Ray Roberts area during its construction.
40 years ago…
March 13, 1986
JOANN JEWELL GETS ‘CITIZEN’ AWARD
The Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce has named Whitesboro resident JoAnn Jewell as Whitesboro’s 1986-87 “Citizen of the Year.”
A former school teacher instrumental in spreading enthusiasm and school spirit in the entire community, Mrs. Jewell accepted the award March 10 during the annual Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce Installation Banquet.
With a love for kids and a real concern for their well-being, Mrs. Jewell helped organize SOK (Support Our Kids), a New Year’s Eve project that resulted in a positive effort to keep kids off the streets by having a sober evening of fun and entertainment.
The event was so successful it is on the agenda for following years.
Additionally, Mrs. Jewell spearheaded “Paw Power” to touch of the Whitesboro school’s Bearcat spirit throughout the area. Through the work of Booster Club members, the Paw Power project featured painted paw prints along the high school’s Fourth Street, as well as paw prints leading into doorways of all businesses. Large signs were posted to warn motorists of entering “Bearcat Country.”
“This is an honor that goes to show the kids that the parents and city are behind them because there hasn’t been anything thought of that we haven’t had 200 percent cooperation from the parents and from the community,” said the honored recipient.
WHS STUDENTS ENTER NATIONAL COOKING CONTEST
Mrs. Mildred Landers’ Consumer Education Class of the Whitesboro High School has entered the Fleischmanns Yeast “Community Kneads” contest, with hopes of rising to the top as first place nationwide winners.
This is the first time in several years the students have entered a baking contest, noted Mrs. Landers who said the students in the past have won an electric skillet, three different sets of silverware, and a yogurt maker.
The contest is designed to help teach students how to prepare yeast breads while becoming involved in their communities.
The students entering had to choose one of the following community groups to serve their yeast bread recipes to: pregnant women, senior citizens, scout troops, children under 12 years of age, low income families, athletic teams, the overweight, singles or persons on special medical diets.
The Whitesboro students selected the Whitesboro boy’s athletic team to prepare and serve the food to, and entered the following recipes in the contest: Sopapillas, Angel Biscuits, Cherry Braid and Pizza Bread.
Students had to analyze their chosen group’s nutritional needs, demonstrate how the role of bread is important in a nutritionally balanced diet, learn how to make yeast breads and share the recipes/breads with the chosen groups. Each student also had to include a one-page summary of what they learned.