110 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 14, 1907
from the Mathews Journal
The Mobjack public school is well attended and the pupils are doing good work. Mobjack School Roll of Honor for October 1907: Alvin Philpotts, Stanley Walker, Gayle Walker, Clara Green, Clara Glenn, Estelle Philpotts, Vivian Philpotts, Myrtle White.
Wanted: 50 additional lady operators in the overall factory at Urbanna, Va. Present force earning from $30 to $40 a month. Light work, refined association. Board paid while learning. Apply Urbanna Manufacturing Co.
Piano lessons: Miss Ruth Shackelford, teacher of piano. Lessons given at the residence. Up-to-date methods. Can refer to parents of former students. Terms reasonable.
90 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 17, 1927
from the Mathews Journal
There will be a modern 5 and 10 cent store opened in the building on the corner of Main Street and Maple Ave. at Mathews Court House. Carpenters are now at work arranging shelves, counters, etc., for the display of an up-to-date stock.
This store will be under the management of R. Wesley Foster. The date of the opening will be announced in a few days. There will be the usual 5 and 10 cent values and a special line of Christmas goods and gifts.
80 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 18, 1937
from the Gazette-Journal
Mathews: At a meeting of the Mathews Fire Protective Association Friday night it was decided to have the fire siren sounded every day at noon, subject to approval of the East Coast Telephone Co. The siren is mounted atop the Foster building and is operated by telephone operators in the local exchange. Recently the siren was found to be out of order and it is thought advisable to test it daily.
70 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 13, 1947
from the Gazette-Journal
Ebenezer Baptist Church is sponsoring a Country Store to be held at Botetourt Cafeteria, Friday, Nov. 28, beginning at 5 p.m. A large stock of country produce, groceries, canned fruits, needlework and other items will be offered for sale. Refreshments consisting of cakes, ice cream, sandwiches and coffee will be available.
60 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 14, 1957
from the Gazette-Journal
The True Helpers Class of Mathews Chapel Church will sponsor an oyster and ham supper with all the trimmings at Cobbs Creek School Nov. 15 from 5:30 until 9 p.m. There will be a novelty table, also an apron booth. A good place to buy some of those Christmas gifts. Price of supper, $1.00.
50 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 16, 1967
from the Gazette-Journal
Local law officers were honored at the annual Veterans Day dinner held Saturday night by Mathews American Legion Post No. 83.
Sheriff Spencer R. Hodges Sr., Deputy Sheriff Spencer R. Hodges Jr. and State Trooper E.G. Goin were honored for “outstanding service to the community through carrying out their duties as police officers in a manner which reflects credit upon all police officers, and for dedication to their profession.”
Presentations to the officers were made by Benjamin M. Thompson, a member of Post No. 83 and a district vice-commander.
40 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 17, 1977
from the Gazette-Journal
If all goes according to plan, Gloucester County will shortly have a new source of revenue: traffic fines.
Though the sheriff’s department currently issues traffic tickets and the court levies fines, money collected for traffic violations goes not to the County, but to the State. At present, most violations are of state rather than County laws.
In a move to change that situation, the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors voted on Nov. 9 to advertise for public hearing a new proposed Gloucester County Traffic Ordinance.
The ordinance would make it possible for the county to assess its own fines for traffic violations. A public hearing on the proposed ordinance will be held Nov. 30.
30 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 19, 1987
from the Gazette-Journal
Following a 30 minute executive session, the Mathews County School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to cut back a preschool program for handicapped children to half-day sessions.
Director of instruction Mary R. Helliesen explained that the reduction was necessary to provide an extra half-day instructor for children with learning disabilities.
The present preschool program serves three handicapped students, Dr. Helliesen said.
20 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 13, 1997
from the Gazette-Journal
Food will be accepted in place of overdue book fines from Nov. 17 through Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, at Mathews Memorial Library.
The non-perishable items collected will be donated to Hands Across Mathews to help persons in need, said library director Martha Story.
She urged library patrons to bring in all late materials along with canned or boxed food during the upcoming period.
10 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007
from the Gazette-Journal
Growth in Mathews sparked a lively discussion during the “Second Tuesday” forum held Tuesday night in Mathews Memorial Library. This was the second in the series, with more than 50 people attending, exceeding the full house experienced at October’s session.
Lewis Lawrence, Director of Regional Planning for the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission, spoke on the topic, “Growth: What’s Happening In and Around Mathews.” His presentation portrayed Mathews as growing much slower than surrounding communities.
“The elder population is changing,” Lawrence said. “By 2030, the number of residents 65 and older is expected to increase by 267 percent (from 12,685 to 33,814 on the Middle Peninsula). “This could cause significant consequences for the delivery of public services,” he said, including a shortage of healthcare providers, social outlets, etc.