Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

November 18, 1954

The City of Hohenwald acquired enough Christmas lights from the City of Florence, AL, which was selling the materials, to decorate 14 city blocks for the 2nd annual Christmas Parade. The purchase included 54 panels to be mounted on light and telephone poles, along with 4,000 feet of wire with 3,000 sockets for the lighting of the streets.

The Strand Theatre announced that Rod Brasfield would bring his Grand Ole Opry show in person to the theater on November 18th. Admission for adults was $0.50 and $0.25 for children. The Herald added, “we could write thousands of words about Rod, but everyone knows him and that is enough said.”

Billy Grover was named on the All-Mid State Eleven for the second year in a row. Grantland Rice was quoted as saying, “Grover, 188 pound demon from Hohenwald is rated one of the best guards in the state by college scouts.”

The LCHS boys basketball team defeated Hampshire with a score of 38 to 31.

The following births were announced: David Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Sharp; James Patrick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Thompson; Michael Ward, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Pollock; and Linda Lou, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Thomason.

Funeral services were held for Jennie Adcox, 74; and for John Hickerson, 72.

“Sing Me a Song of Texas,” starring Rosemary Lane and the Hoosier Hot Shots, and “Trail of Robin Hood,” starring Roy Rogers and Trigger and Dale Evans, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

November 19, 1964

The Herald published a map showing proposed Army maneuver areas in Middle Tennessee and Northern Alabama to be held in March 1965.

The annual community Thanksgiving service would be held November 24 at the Hohenwald Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Reverend Richard Whitworth, District Superintendent of the Methodist Church, would deliver the message. The service was sponsored by the Lewis County Ministerial Association.

The LCHS Lady Panthers basketball team defeated Mount Pleasant with a score of 48 to 39. Carla Dickey was a high scorer with 20 points.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 322 announced that they would be going from door to door selling light bulbs in order to raise funds to purchase needed scout equipment.

Funeral services were held for Claude Mitchell, 56; Felix Pollock, 75; Jo Ann Staggs, 78; and for Millard Thompson, 33.

Kelley Realty and Auction Company advertised an auction of all equipment and property of the General Café on November 21, 1964.

“Godzilla versus the Thing” and “At War with the Army,” starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, were the Friday and Saturday night movies shown at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

November 20, 1974

The annual community Thanksgiving service was planned for November 27 at First Baptist Church. Reverend Terrel Maynard, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church would deliver the message.

The LCHS Panthers and Pantherettes basketball teams both defeated Lynnville. The Panthers won with a score of 72 to 46, and the Pantherettes won with a score of 42 to 37. Susie Davis was the leading scorer in the girls’ game with 21 points. Rickey Morrow was the leading scorer for the Panthers in their game with 17 points.

James Grimes was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service.

Finnis Barber, Jr. and Ronney Chessor enlisted in the United States Navy.

Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Staggs announced the birth of their son, Andrew Floyd.

Funeral services were held for V.K. Conner, 57; and for Mrs. Jacob Staybrook, 62.

“The Touchables,” starring Judy Huxtable and Esther Anderson; and “Jesse James,” starring Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

November 22, 1984

A city referendum regarding the sale of beer on Sundays that was on the November 6 ballot raised concerns about its validity due to the absence of a specific provision or city charter governing such a referendum. The Election Commission explained that, despite these concerns, they felt compelled to include the measure on the ballot in response to the significant number of signatures from residents opposing the existing ordinance that allowed Sunday beer sales.

A Hohenwald business on Summertown Highway was raided and bonded liquor was confiscated.

Billy K. Edwards was named a delegate to the ISO meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. ISO is the specialized internal agency for standardization.

Wilma Mitchell was presented a Ladies Auxiliary service award by Jerry Risner, Lewis County Hospital Administrator, in recognition for having volunteered the most hours in 1984.

Devin Johns was featured in a film on the Tennessee Outdoorsman television program on PBS channel 8. Johns participated in a pheasant hunt with his father, grandfather, and other family members. The hunt was filmed by Glenn Smith of the Tennessee Outdoorsman.

The LCHS Lady Panthers defeated Perry County with a score of 50 to 39. Jill Tharp led the team in scoring with 19 points.

The following members of the LCMS Raider yearbook staff toured Josten’s American Yearbook Company: Shane Duncan, Kellie Hurt, Tim McAdoo, Kenny McGill, Jeff Thomason, Lisa Tibbs, Donald Turner, and Michael Wright.

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Lawson announced the birth of their son, Rook Lee.

Funeral services were held for Wilma Brown, 56; Thomas Harris, 64; Slayden Rector, 94; Reginia Turnbow; and for Sallie Wright, 82.

“C.H.U.D.,” starring JohnHeard and Daniel Stern, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

November 17, 1994

The LCHS Panthers defeated Harpeth with a score of 30 to 0 in the first round of the 1994 TSSAA playoffs. Wesley Duncan completed seven passes behind good Panther blocking. The rushing attack was led by Donald Sparkman with 86 yards on 14 carries.

Maryland “Yogie” Spears was named Grand Marshall for the 1994 Christmas Parade. “Swiss Christmas” was the theme for the parade.

The Wilhelm Tellplatz moved nearer completion as landscaping work was finished.

Teddy Arledge was named as Conservation Farmer of the Year at the Lewis County Soil Conservation’s 12th annual awards banquet.

James Brown was named Reserve Officer of the Month at the Lewis County Sheriff Department.

Kenneth Kistler and Vera Weaks were named Lewis County Senior Athletes of 1994. Lester Bartley and Luella Carroll-Morris were named South Central District Athletes for 1994. Mrs. Carroll-Morris was also named the 1994 Senior Ambassador for the South Central District.

The Lewis County Athletic Booster Club was reorganized with three people being named Chair: Mann Nutt, chairing fall sports; Jerry Risner, chairing winter sports; and Bobby Page, chairing spring sports.

James Franks was deployed to Iraq with the Marine Corps.

A “Trash the Tax” petition was published in the newspaper, encouraging residents to sign, cut out, and mail the petition form in an effort to urge the Lewis County Government to repeal the recently enacted $84.00 Solid Waste Tax.

Funeral services were held for George Love, 64; and for George Simpson, 80.

November 18, 2004

Residents were reminded that the annual Christmas parade had been moved from the first Thursday in December to the Saturday evening following the Winter Fest activities.

American General Life/Accident Insurance Company and agent Chip Spears were featured in the “Chamber Spotlight” column.

A basketball game featuring live donkeys was planned for November 20 at the LCMS gym. The event which would feature a bucking and kicking performance by “Circle A Donkeys” was a fundraiser for LCMS basketball programs and was sponsored by the LCMS cheerleaders.

An organizational meeting was scheduled for November 18 to organize a community arts and theatre guild organization.

The Lewis County Chamber of Commerce hosted a Quilt Walk, where participants traveled on foot or by car to designated homes and businesses in Hohenwald’s Historic District to view and judge quilts in seven categories. A total of 94 quilts were entered. The winners included: Martha Edwards for the oldest quilt, Ramona Nicholson for the best hand-pieced quilt, Dorothy Ashwood and Sallie Pollock for the best machine-pieced quilt, and Annette Peery for the best child/baby quilt.

Quinten Crowell visited the movie set of Daltry Calhoun, which was being filmed in Maury County and starring Johnny Knoxville.

The following births were announced: Alivia Lauren, daughter of Jason and Darla Helton; and Elizabeth Jean, daughter of Randall and Michelle Hinson.

Funeral services were held for Mary Sue Bailey, 71; Jeffrey Baker, 40; James Brown, Sr., 63; and for Frances Ransdell, 81.

This article was written using local history resources available at the Lewis County Public Library and Archives. Libraries are guardians of history. Visit the library and archives to learn more about our community’s unique past.