REMEMBER WHEN

It is good to hear from the readers. Corrie Mae Anderson Owens commented on the 1950s era in Andalusia on her FB page. “I’ve still got my ‘Love Me Tender’ poster from being in the right place at the right time – passing by as the man was changing the picture show posters in the curve of East 3-Notch!”

So I will continue writing about the 1950s in today’s column. So many readers seem to enjoy looking back at those “doo wop” times. Step back in time with me.

From a long and successful career in “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” to a popular recording artist and top “teen idols” of the 1950s, Ricky Nelson sang “There’ll never be anyone else but you for me; Never ever be, just couldn’t be anyone else but you!”

All of us teenagers played our albums on the stereos in our rooms. Here’s the scene of many teenagers of the day– come home from school, go up to our room, close the door, put a record on the stereo – loud, fall backwards on the bed, listen to the song while we gazing at all of the movie star pictures plastered on our wall, and DREAM, DREAM, DREAM!

Now that doesn’t include the afternoons we went to town. First, a stop by Don Parsons’ Record Shop on East Three Notch. Then the route led to the Newberry’s City Drug Store on South Three Notch across from the shoe shop for a cherry coke and choosing a movie star magazine or two from the rack, one with a center-fold to be able to cut out and hang on our bedroom walls.

What ever happened to all of my movie star photos, some that came straight from Hollywood fan clubs autographed by the stars? My youngest sister took over my room when I went off the college. Everything changed and my mementoes disappeared!

From The Andalusia Star News, 1954 edition – “Mr. James A. Wilson, high school principal, spoke at the Coterie Club. His subject was ‘Our Schools.’ Introduced by Mrs. Forest Hobson, Mr. Wilson told how American public schools have preserved the American heritage, developed and protected it. Quoting Benjamin Rush, Philadelphia educator and signer of the Declaration of Independence, he said, ‘For a republic to be long-lived, it must invest heavily in education.’”

   “The public schools act as a barometer of society,” Wilson said. “When there are conflicts in society, there are also conflicts in the educational rank.”

“J. A. W.” (nicknamed by the students who loved him), a local administrator and teacher for many years, highly respected and revered, gave the audience plenty of food for thought!

“Andalusia and Evergreen are going to shake hands anew. The new 34-mile link between the two cities through River Falls is now open for traffic. The new roadway will certainly bring warmer friendship between the cities. A mammoth BBQ is being planned to be sponsored by the Andalusia Chamber of Commerce as a gesture to build good will.”

“The West End Methodist Church is in the midst of building a parsonage, a project to be completed about April 1. It is being handled by the well-known Barton brothers.”

“Additional voices for the inter-denominational choir that will sing at the Easter Sunrise service in the City Municipal Stadium are being sought. Next practice will be held at 2 p. m. on Sunday, March 7. The rehearsal will be concluded after an hour’s practice. A choir of 100 voices, or more, is desired.”

“Greetings and gifts are brought to you arrivals as newcomers from friendly neighbors, civic and social welfare leaders through WELCOME WAGON. Phone 645-W, Mrs. J. Uptagraft.”

“Buster Brown Shoes for Boys and Girls – Baxter’s Shoe Store, Tune in to Smilin’ Ed McConnell and the Buster Brown Radio Gang every Saturday morning over WCTA at 8:30.”

“The AHS Student Council has plans for a gigantic square and round dance to be held in the gymnasium. For the floor show of this gala occasion, the Student Council is planning a talent show.”

“ANNOUNCING MEADOWBROOK – Andalusia’s newest subdivision is now open. The lots can be inspected by prospective purchasers on entering the property from Lindsey Bridge Road. Meadowbrook includes a variety of terrain and offers beautiful sites for any style home. Its natural beauty is not marred by industrial noise and interference. It is delightfully residential in plan and character and carefully planned to give the most for the homeowners’ investment.”

“The Covington Creamery Co., Inc. recently organized a local firm that will process and sell milk in Andalusia. They have begun to move equipment into the building that has been purchased from Andalusia Quick Freeze. Chalmers Bryant, a Rose Hill native, former milk equipment supply representative, is the new manager. “We prefer to purchase milk from Covington farmers,” Bryant announced. Bryant is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Bryant.”

“Exhaustion from Fire Fighting Brings Death to J. J. ‘Pat’ Patterson, age 57, in the after-midnight blaze that destroyed the Andalusia Seed Co. on South Cotton Street. Patterson was a volunteer fire-fighter who was connected for the past 31 years with the Andalusia Motor Co. Editor Ed Dannelly reported, ‘The death removed a leading citizen.’” (Ever wonder why the Andalusia fire station is named after Mr. Pat Patterson? Now you know!)

“The Bellaire Krudops entertained 15 little first graders January 18 in honor of their son, Jimmy, on his 7th birthday. The entertainment for the afternoon was a magic show given by Sidney Waits, Jr. Needless to say, the children were entranced during the entire performance! Favors given to the children were blow gum and funny books. It was an exciting birthday party, one that Jimmy will always remember!”

“When Forest Hobson goes deep sea fishing, he brings home meat for the table. This is according to his father-in-law Emmett Foreman. Pictured is an 85-pound Warsaw that Hobson boated while on a deep sea jaunt with Elige Palmer, Max Foreman, and Bill Anderson. They were fishing about 75 feet deep about 11 miles out from Gulf Shores.”

“The first issue of ‘The Andalusite,’ official monthly bulletin of the Andalusia Chamber of Commerce was printed and circulated on Wednesday. The publication featured the listing of newcomers and short paragraphs of events being sponsored by the C of C.”

“Rev. John Jeffers, the First Baptist Church pastor, detailed the history of Andalusia churches for the Coterie Club. He reviewed the history in four phases: 1 – The early beginning up to 1845. 2 – The era of organized churches up to the 1900s. 3 – The progress from 1900 to 1935. 4 – From 1935 to the present day (1954). The highlight of Mr. Jeffers’ talk was the display of blue prints and plans for the new Baptist church.” (The “new” Baptist church on East Three Notch Street was actually built about four years later (1958)! The wrecking ball demolished the “old” Baptist church (built Circa 1909) edifice behind the courthouse. That property now serves as a parking lot.)

Visit the Three Notch Museum on Historic Central and Tisdale Streets to view a picture of the picturesque “old” church. An exhibit of Covington County church pictures and their histories is also on display. My parents met on the front steps of the “old” Baptist church during World War II. I REMEMBER WHEN they told me all about that occasion that led to an August 1944 home wedding!