20 years ago…
April 27, 2006
GANN NAMED ‘CITIZEN OF THE YEAR’ AT ANNUAL CHAMBER BANQUET
Local insurance agent Ray Gann was named Citizen of the Year at Friday night’s Whitesboro Area Chamber of Commerce annual Award Banquet.
The event, which carried a Whitesboro luau theme, took place Friday at Whitesboro Middle School and featured a catered meal by Rohmer’s out of Muenster.
After several entertaining performances, Tim Meador and Blake Moore, who attended in the place of State Representative Larry Phillips who was in special session in Austin, bestowed the Citizen of the Year honors upon Ray Gann. Moore also presented Gann with an official proclamation signed by Phillips.
30 years ago…
April 25, 1996
WHITESBORO ELEMENTARY STUDENTS JOIN EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
An impressive and meaningful celebration by Whitesboro Elementary School students and staff honored the environment and Mother Earth on April 22, Earth Day. The day was revered by the classes on the elementary campus.
Six large trees, which have already been planted on the north side of the playground at the school site, were dedicated to various individuals in the greater Whitesboro area and surrounding communities who have contributed in a significant way to the school, children, and the community.
The dedications of the trees were six carefully kept secrets, as evidenced by the looks of surprise and the reactions of a few happy tears as the names were revealed by students and teachers. The official program got underway with two songs performed by the combined third grade classes, totaling 106 students. The songs included “Celebrate Earth Day” and a clever rap number.
The first tree was dedicated to the volunteer firefighters for their dedication and service in keeping the community and its children safe.
The second tree was dedicated to Sephronia Rue, elementary school secretary. The third tree’s plaque will read “Volunteers for Children, Laborers for the Future” and was dedicated to each of the numerous volunteers who contribute time, talent, and effort to the elementary school each and every day.
The fourth tree was dedicated in the memory of Jacob Huffstetler, Whitesboro elementary student who died last year due to chronic lung and respiratory disease.
The fifth tree was dedicated to JoAnn Jewell, teacher/director of The Children’s Tree Learning Center for her continued service to children.
The sixth and last tree was dedicated to Joe and Norma Turner, of the Ethel community, who donated the trees for the Earth Day project as well as other trees which have already been planted on the elementary school ground.
40 years ago…
April 24, 1986
CITY TO BEGIN OPERATION OF ELECTRIC SYSTEM MAY 1
Your next Whitesboro Electric System bill will be payable at City Hall as the City of Whitesboro begins operation of its own electric system May 1.
The place where bills are paid and, in another month, the bills themselves, should be the only difference local customers will see in the change in operation of the electric system, according to City Administrator Bob Brady.
“The city already has a three-man crew at work learning the system,” Brady said, noting that the new crew is also studying the system to determine how best to upgrade parts of it from 4,160 volts to 7,200 volts.
Brady said the entire system will eventually be upgraded to 7,200 volts, but immediately only the far north section of the city will be changed. This is due to the city’s faster growth in that area and due to the large expense of changing the entire system.