115 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 21, 1910
from the Mathews Journal
Peary correspondent reports: Master Robert Hudgins, who has been visiting his uncle, Mr. William C. Thomas of Baltimore, has returned home. He reports a most delightful time and will show any of his friends how to play foot ball.
Miss Kate Hudgins of New Point returned home after spending some time with her cousin, Miss May Hudgins.
100 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 23, 1925
from the Mathews Journal
Mr. Jos. A. Davis, proprietor of the famous Haven Beach, has planned another big day for the patrons of that popular resort on Saturday, Aug. 1.
A dare-devil automobile driver has been secured, who will jump his car over a 30-foot hurdle for the amusement of the crowd. This feat is a headliner at many of the big fairs and carnivals throughout the country. It is scheduled for 5 o’clock in the afternoon.
An educated horse will be there and will perform marvelous stunts, demonstrating almost human intelligence. A seven-piece orchestra will furnish music throughout the day and the dance pavilion will be open at night.
In addition to these features, there will be bowling, bathing, plenty of refreshments and good things to eat. Admission of 15¢ and 25¢ will be charged at the gates.
90 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 25, 1935
from the Gloucester Gazette
Sally Tompkins Chapter, U.D.C., requests the “honor of your presence” at this, the second in a series of “favorite game” parties. Valuable historical papers are being preserved by funds secured in this way. Maybe it was backgammon, cribbage or checkers; or the Royal Chinese Parchesi that you preferred in the “good old days.” Perhaps cards, whist or bridge?
There will be cake of the well-known “Ware Neck” quality, served with fruit punch, at 10:30 p.m.
Mrs. H.O. Sanders, charming hostess at “Warrington,” which is beautifully situated on the North River, offers the gracious hospitality of her home.
Remember the time and place: Wednesday evening, 8 o’clock, July 31, at Warrington, on the North River.
from the Mathews Journal
Sarah correspondent reports, Misses Elsie Hudgins and Emily Knight left Monday for Newport News to spend several days with relatives.
Mrs. Arnold Hurst and Mrs. Raymond Diggs visited their mother, Mrs. Rosser Hudgins, Sunday.
We are sorry to report Mrs. Willa Vreeland is indisposed at her home.
80 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 26, 1945
from the Gazette-Journal
The Mathews Memorial Library recently purchased 300 new books in Richmond which completed the purchase of more than 1,700 books, with State Aid, for the year ending July 1.
There are books for children, also books for adults, including mysteries and Western stories by well-known authors.
70 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 21, 1955
from the Gazette-Journal
On July 4, the annual picnic which has been held each year from 1914-1955 was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.N. Bell. There were about 40 present and dinner was served cafeteria style, while swimming, fishing and films taken on a movie camera were the highlights of the day. Throughout the afternoon soft drinks and ice cream were served to those who were present. Out of county guests included many from Long Island, N.Y; Weehawken, N.J.; and Norfolk and Portsmouth.
60 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 22, 1965
from the Gazette-Journal
Miss Gloria Garrett and Miss Linda Lauder of Salt Lake City, Utah, arrived by plane last week to spend several days with Miss Garrett’s mother, Mrs. Nettie Garrett, at Miles. Miss Lauder, an air traffic control tower operator at the Salt Lake City Airport, piloted her Piper Colt, “The Gnat,” from Utah to the Gloucester Airport, covering approximately 1,900 miles in 18 hours flying time. Miss Garrett, a native of Mathews, was graduated from Mathews High School, received her BA degree from New Mexico State University, and her MA degree from the University of Oregon. She is employed by the Salt Lake City school system, serving as an instructor in English and journalism at Cypress High School.
50 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 24, 1975
from the Gazette-Journal
Both good news and bad are included in the recent 1980 population projections for Gloucester and Mathews Counties.
The good news is that there will be fewer children between the ages of 4 and 16 for the taxpayers to educate in the two counties: an estimated decrease of 219 students in Mathews and 168 in Gloucester.
Bad news comes primarily to Mathews County which will experience a decrease of 41 citizens aged 40 to 49. These are the citizens who are reaching the peak of their earning power and who traditionally bear more of the tax burden in the county.
40 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 25, 1985
from the Gazette-Journal
Registrar’s offices in Gloucester and Mathews Counties will observe increased hours next month.
Starting Aug. 1, the offices will open from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Previously, the offices were only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays with additional hours being added around election times.
The state Board of Elections ordered the new hours, noted Mathews registrar Harriett Hudgins, to allow everyone “an opportunity to register to vote.”
30 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 27, 1995
from the Gazette-Journal
State Police have begun a special check of motor vehicles stalled along roadways in order to protect drivers from being stranded in extreme heat.
“We are monitoring them (stalled cars) really close,” said Sgt. Edward R. Burton of the Gloucester State Police office.
He said the troopers are especially looking out for broken down motor vehicles. People can become overheated very quickly in the hot weather, he said, noting that a car stalled in the open can heat up rapidly.
20 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 21, 2005
from the Gazette-Journal
Riverside Walter Reed Hospital will be featured on cable television Saturn, during a segment in which host Peggy Fleming (yes, the one who won Olympic ice-skating gold) will describe the Gloucester facility as “taking a simple hometown approach to healthcare and in doing so, healing hearts and improving lives.”
Walter Reed is one of four hospitals which will be featured on the 30-minute show, “Inside Health,” which will air at 7 a.m. Saturday on The Learning Channel (TLC), said Angie Healy, director of education at Walter Reed, who also handles public relations and marketing for the facility.
10 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 23, 2015
from the Gazette-Journal
Speckled trout in this region have been depleted by cold spells during seven winters since 1995, a researcher said, but he added that their numbers appear to still be pretty high.
Virginia and North Carolina have a joint stock assessment for speckled trout, said Joe Cimino, head of the Plans and Statistics Department for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission in Newport News. That assessment, last completed several years ago, is conducted by North Carolina researchers, using data gathered from tagging, reported catches, and other methods used in the two states.
Cimino said that, despite some speckled trout winter kills, the stock appears to be very healthy and there are no plans to close the fishery at this time.