120 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 8, 1906
from the Mathews Journal
Captains W.L. James and C.H. Machen of Mobjack are making quite a success crabbing with their gasoline boats, catching as many as 35 to 38 barrels a day apiece.
Mr. Albert Nelson of Foster went to Norfolk last Saturday and will accept a situation with a railroad company.
Quite a number of oystermen have gone to James River to work for the spring market.
Gwynns Ridge school, taught by Miss Eunice Soles, closed last Tuesday. The pupils and visitors enjoyed lemonade, cakes, candy and peanuts.
110 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 9, 1916
from the Mathews Journal
Miss Etta G. Callis of Redart has sold her farm to Mr. Willie Foster; the deal was made by Mr. A.H. Merrick.
Mr. E.A. Foster, the popular merchant of Redart, has at last, after long waiting, had a phone put in his store. This phone is a great convenience and it also keeps Mr. Foster busy talking to his lady friends; in fact, it keeps him in close touch will all the girls.
100 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 11, 1926
from the Mathews Journal
The big chemical “fire engine” secured through the courtesy of Fire Chief J.B. Gordon, of the Newport News Fire Department, has arrived at the Court House. The outfit is mounted on standard tread wheels, two tanks of 40 gallons capacity each and is equipped with 200 feet of new hose, a new brass nozzle with cut-off. and fire axe.
Chief Gordon had his men overhaul a used engine, which, when new, cost over $500, equipped it with the new hose and nozzle and turned it over to Mathews, newly painted and guaranteed, for about $140, including freight. The itemized bill is as follows: Hose 200 ft., $80.00; Tank wagon, $12.00; Nozzle, $11.51; Chemicals for testing, $1.75; Valves, Fittings, Paint, Axe, $24.75, Freight, Hauling, Chemicals $12.40.
90 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 12, 1936
from the Gloucester Gazette
Gloucester fishermen have taken advantage of every favorable day following the break-up of the excessively severe winter to get their nets in place and are hoping for a good season this year.
Very few shad have arrived in Virginia waters as yet, though a few specimens have been taken. The annual “run” should begin any day now and general reports indicate extensive fishing operations for the delicious fish in Tidewater Virginia waters.
from the Mathews Journal
The Young People’s Division of Mathews Chapel Church will have an ice cream social at Hallieford Community Hall on Wednesday night, March 18, beginning at 7:30. Ice cream, pies, cakes and home-made candy will be for sale. For entertainment there will be a humorous debate and other interesting and wholesome features. You are cordially invited to attend.
80 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 14, 1946
from the Gazette-Journal
Through the untiring efforts of Mrs. Harry Hopewell, chairman of the Gloucester Red Cross Blood Donor committee, arrangements have been completed with the Medical College of Virginia, of Richmond, that will enable Gloucester citizens who are in Richmond hospitals and need blood transfusions to secure them from a reserve supply which will be kept at the Medical College Hospital and be subject to withdrawals as needed.
Mrs. Hopewell stated this week that the present plan is for volunteers who are willing to donate a pint of blood for this purpose to contact her as soon as possible. As soon as ten volunteers have been secured, they will be taken to Richmond. Transportation will be provided free of charge. It is hoped that a reserve of around 60 to 80 pints of blood may be built up in this manner.
70 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 15, 1956
from the Gazette-Journal
Sunday afternoon, March 18, at 3 o’clock, there will be a ground-breaking service at the First Presbyterian Church Gloucester, for a new educational building. Cost of the building will be $36,000 and it is expected to be completed within six months.
60 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 10, 1966
from the Gazette-Journal
Rehearsals are underway for the minstrel show to be sponsored by the Gloucester Lions Club on March 18 and 19 at Gloucester High School, according to Fred Biggs, director.
Many local citizens as well as members of the Lions Club will participate on the program. Among the musical numbers to be heard are “Birth of the Blues,” “Sonny Boy,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man” and many others.
An intermission will be observed mid-way through the show. The entire company will present the finale, “Hello, My Honey,” “Honeymoon” and “Are You From Dixie?”
50 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 11, 1976
from the Gazette-Journal
“Did You Know?”, a booklet prepared by Miss Elizabeth Noland, recounting the origins and history of Gloucester place names, is expected to be offered for sale by the Gloucester County Historical and Bicentennial Commission after April 1, according to an announcement by Mrs. Charlotte Lanford. The Commission is also planning the publication of a roster of Gloucester and Mathews men who served in the Revolutionary War, to be compiled by Mrs. Roland Lewis.
40 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 13, 1986
from the Gazette-Journal
A Gloucester Rotary Club road sign project to benefit the county worked out well, according to project chairman Jimmy Morgan.
The club has pushed the last two weeks for individuals and groups to purchase road and street signs under its “Operation Sign-Up” program. Morgan said more than 50 signs had been ordered.
In announcing the project several weeks ago, Morgan said county funds are inadequate to purchase street signs, which he said would be a great help to police, fire or rescue vehicles responding to distress calls and would also be a valuable aid in directing others more easily through the county.
30 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 14, 1996
from the Gazette-Journal
Public comment will be taken tonight on the Shoppes at Ward’s Corner, in a hearing conducted by the Mathews Board of Supervisors starting at 7:30 at Mathews High School.
The proposal by Tre-Suz-Ann Development to construct the five-store center with three outparcels has aroused a good deal of public interest and organized opposition. The Mathews Citizens for Responsible Development, a group which formed last fall, has led the opposition with contentions that wastewater would overflow the planned drain fields at the center and pollute Stutts Creek.
20 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 9, 2006
from the Gazette-Journal
RiverBall, Mathews Main Street Committee’s annual fundraiser, will be held on Saturday, May 20, at Cedar Point, North.
A stately home with a commanding view of the North River at Mobjack Bay, Cedar Point is owned by Toni Robinson and Michael Plouf. According to a press release, it will “afford a Hollywood production set for party-goers.”
The fourth fundraiser of its type, RiverBall proceeds have benefited such Main Street Mathews Committee projects as the Mathews County Visitor and Information Center, historically compatible street lights and signs on the Court Green and around the Court House, and park benches along Main Street.
10 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 10, 2016
from the Gazette-Journal
The Ware Neck community came together on Saturday for its quarterly roadside cleanup, something that has united residents for the past 15 years. The group met at Brent and Becky’s Bulbs and worked their way all through the Ware Neck neighborhood, picking up discarded trash, ending with a barbecue lunch prepared by David Clements. Participants include Alex Grabowski, Christian Grabowski, Sadie Grabowski, Larry Camechis, Deb Kerns-Anderson, Sue Perrin, Jaye DuPaul, Cam Williams, Dean Williams, Bill Perrin, Jay Smith, Ray Grubbs, Wayne Smith, Betsy Grubbs, Roane Booker, Bill DuPaul, Larry Corson, David Clements, Becky Heath, Lee Anderson, Leonne Arsenovic, Bob Davis, Cordon Davis, Mac Eborn, Blair Farinholt, Mike and Ryan Gibson, Billy Healy, Brent Heath, Kenny Hill, Mackenzie and Cole Huff, Ray Huff, Keith, Caleb and Thomas Horsley, Bobbi Morgan, Wayne and Dustin Nuttall, Mark Ottarson, Eric Rosenberg and Ben South.