120 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 15, 1906
from the Mathews Journal
High School Notes: We have enrolled thirty pupils in the High School Department during the year, and a finer company of young people it would be hard to find. Let us not lose track of our school mates as time separates us from one another.
Mr. Jordan’s pupils were invited to spend the evening of March 8 with him at his brother’s home on East River. The weather was so unfavorable however that only 9 were able to be present. Our little party was postponed but we will have it before long,
Friday, March 30, in the afternoon we shall have an “open day” to which we invite all parents and friends of our pupils.
110 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 16, 1916
from the Mathews Journal
The regular session of the Mathews Circuit Court will convene here on Monday.
Capt. Walter S. Hudgins of the light house service, is spending a few days in the County.
Mr. S.T. Shawn is working the road between Richardson’s shop and the Court House.
It is reported from Bohannon that twin boys have arrived at the home of Mr. W.E. Aldrich.
Miss Jane Foster of Susan continues very sick. Her many friends wish her an early recovery.
The many friends of Major J.N. Stubbs of Gloucester will be pleased to know that he continues to improve and expects to be able to attend Court Monday.
100 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 18, 1926
from the Gloucester Gazette
A resolution recommending the purchase by the Board of Supervisor of three Fordson tractors and road dragging equipment—one unit for each magisterial district—was unanimously adopted by the special “Good County Roads” meeting of the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce, held at the Kenney building last Thursday night.
In spite of miserable weather, there was a representative attendance at the meeting, and absolute unanimity in the sentiment that the investment in light road dragging equipment, such as called for in the resolution adopted is urgently demanded. Road Superintendent Woodland, who was present, declared, in response to a question, that it would be economy to purchase the maintenance equipment called for by the resolution. The present road equipment of the county is not suitable for maintenance purposes. The new equipment desired will cost about $5,000 for the three districts.
from the Mathews Journal
Fire, which started in the moving picture room of Lee-Jackson High School last Saturday night, damaged the machine, destroyed film valued at $280 and threatened for a time, destruction of the entire building. The alarm was given a few minutes after the evening performance had started. A film which was passing through the moving picture machine, ignited and the fire jumped to several reels which were piled on the floor. In a second the entire room was ablaze. With rare presence of mind, Earl Crewe, a young High School Senior, who was operating the machine, cut off the power and emptied the contents of a small extinguisher on the blaze. This, however, was ineffective and he was forced to leave the room and call for help. The audience left the building in good order. The chemical engine arrived as well as several small hand extinguishers from the village and the news that the fire was out carried great relief to the large crowd of anxious spectators.
90 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 19, 1936
from the Mathews Journal
News from Sarah: The Sunday School Institute held at Bethel Church on Monday, from 10 to 12:30 and it was very poorly attended.
We are glad to learn that Rosalyn Hudgins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.I. Hudgins, of Port Haywood, is improving, after a severe case of scarlet fever. We trust she will soon be well.
Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Hudgins are receiving congratulations upon the arrival of a fine son, born March 12.
We are glad to report all the sick folk of our neighborhood better.
80 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 21, 1946
from the Gazette-Journal
No automobile licenses are being issued in Gloucester County this year, according to B.B. Roane, Clerk of the Court, who asked the Gazette-Journal to notify the public to this effect. Mr. Roane stated that he has many inquiries each day regarding this matter, as he issued licenses for a number of years prior to 1945 when Thomas W. Turner was the local agent.
The nearest issuing offices are Mathews and West Point, or applications may be mailed to Richmond, accompanied by check or money order to cover the cost of the license. Mrs. Ernest White handles this business in Mathews County, with headquarters at Hyco Garage, where she will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each week day until further notice.
70 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 22, 1956
from the Gazette-Journal
Mrs. Tom Harris, general chairman of the Easter “Lily Parade” to be conducted in Gloucester, Saturday, March 24, announced Tuesday that she had received the lilies to be sold by Cub Scouts of Dens I, II, II and IV of Troops 111 and 113, and Brownie Scouts, and the coin collectors in which the contributions of local citizens will be deposited. The sum of $58 has already been received from local schools, according to Mrs. Harris.
The treatment and equipment provided by the Virginia Society of Crippled Children and Adults, which sponsors the sale of Easter Lily Seals and the “Lily Parade,” benefits hundreds of persons each year” who are financially unable to secure the assistance they need.
60 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 17, 1966
from the Gazette-Journal
The Mathews county school board ruled last Thursday to limit attendance at basketball games played at Mathews High School. The action was taken following a discussion of hazards involved in overcrowding the gym. In a letter this week from superintendent of schools Dennis D. Forrest to H.K. Brown, principal, the following restrictions on attendance were listed: “Once the seating capacity of the gym proper be filled, no one be permitted to enter the building. There is to be no seating on the stage and no one allowed to be standing in the building.” The letter continued, “Once spectators have entered the gym, they will not be allowed to save seats for family or friends who are to arrive later. Seating is to be on the ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.”
50 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 18, 1976
from the Gazette-Journal
The Gloucester Supervisors are considering withdrawing financial support from the regional mental health clinic following an organizational analysis of the clinic which was conducted by the state health department. Mathews supervisors withdrew financial support mid-December.
The supervisors voted unanimously March 10 to adopt a detailed resolution concluding with the warning that they “deem it necessary” to consider withdrawing financial support until the state health department makes “a definitive decision” concerning the administration and management deficiencies of the local clinic.
The regional clinic, which is located in Saluda and serves nine counties in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck, came under criticism recently for alleged laxness in management and organization.
40 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 20, 1986
from the Gazette-Journal
Zion Baptist Church at Miles will hold its annual Spring Rally at 4 p.m. Sunday. The speaker will be the Rev. William Upshaw, pastor of Union Zion Baptist Church, Ware Neck.
“Service of Shadows,” a portrayal of people turning away from Christ, will be presented by the choir at Providence Baptist Church, Ordinary, at a special Palm Sunday service at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. It will be directed by Donald Ambrose, associate minister.
Louise Whitley and 24 other members of Ware Episcopal Church have been working on needlepoint designs since last May, and the Ware Chapel will have 28 kneelers when the project is completed. Each will honor loved ones, living and dead.
A Lenten plain-fare dinner will be held at St. Therese Roman Catholic Church, Gloucester, at 6:30 tonight, with proceeds to be given to the Bread for the World and Potato Project. A discussion on hunger and justice, led by the Rev. John E. Dougher, pastor of Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church, Mathews, and Visitation Church, Hartfield, and Rhoda VanDyke Colby, will follow the dinner.
30 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 21, 1996
from the Gazette-Journal
The Gloucester Post Office is planning to set up a Customer Advisory Council, a group to help identify and resolve service problems.
Thomas M. Crawley Jr., officer-in-charge of the local office, said he randomly sent notices to approximately 1,500 of the office’s 8,000 patrons March 12, asking if they might wish to serve on the council. Crawley would like the advisory group to have 7-12 members, and include many facets of the population.
According to Crawley, the council members can provide the postal managers with recommendations and ideas to improve local service.
20 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 16, 2006
from the Gazette-Journal
Early bloom: Warm weather and sunny skies have brought out the King Alfreds and Carltons so early at Charles Daffodil Farm that owners Charles and Jean Ingram don’t have a market for all of them, so they’re inviting area churches to come out between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and pick all they want, free of charge. “Nature’s funny; we have no control,” said Jean Ingram. “They’ll all be dead by next weekend.”
10 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 17, 2016
from the Gazette-Journal
Rocket Sauce, the Mathews High School Robotics team will compete this weekend at the FIRST Chesapeake District Hampton Roads event at Churchland High School in Portsmouth. The robot, named “Pepe the Dragon,” is bagged and ready to go. Saturday’s opening ceremonies will start at 10:30 a.m.; Sunday’s opening ceremonies at 9. The competition is open to the public.