85 years ago – December 13, 1940: Laurens men pass the muster

Dublin Courier-Herald, Dispatch, and Press

Not a man of Laurens County’s first selective service contingent was rejected because of physical defects, Board Clerks I.F.Maddox and Walter Daniell said today that they had been informed.

The men, ten in all, were assigned to Fort Screven for induction and left here last Wednesday.

Statistics gained from the first day’s record of all selective service men inducted indicate that the men from Georgia are well above the average in health. 

The ten Laurens County inductees were the following:

Johnnie B. Peacock

Lacy Avant

Alvoid Mullis

Obie D. Myers

Lum Young

Eschel Frances Keen

Bernard Paul Stanley

Blanton James Mullis

William Henry Fuller

John A. Selph

TREE LIGHTING

Illuminated by a huge five-foot neon star and thousands of vari-colored lights strung in aluminum-coated pines about the Courthouse Square, the program will feature an address on the story of the Birth of Christ by the Rev. W.A. Kelley, District Superintendent of the South Georgia Methodist Conference.

Preceding the program, the Laurens County schools’ Drum and Bugle Corps, under the direction of G.H. Taylor and the Dublin High School Band, under the direction of Jack Powell, will give a 30 minute concert.

The Master of Ceremonies will be Dr. C.H. Kittrell.

The invocation will be delivered by Rev. C.E. Vines, and the Purpose of the Display and How it Was Accomplished will be related by R.H. Hightower, General Chairman.

After the Story of the Birth of Christ by Rev. Kelley, he will give the Benediction, and Miss Mae Hightower will illuminate the scene. 

DUBLIN SCHOOLS OUT FOR CHRISTMAS

Dublin city schools will close on Friday afternoon, December 20th, for the Christmas holidays and will reopen on Thursday, January                                                                                                                                           2nd, Superintendent A.J. Hargrove announced today.

Returning for work in the New Year, students will complete first semester examinations in January, and the second semester will begin later in the month.

Superintendent Hargrove said that “the schools have been progressing well during the first part of the school year; the budget set for the year is operating smoothly, and teachers have been paid to date for the year. The outlook for the remaining of the school term is very good, and teachers and students are enjoying a year of splendid work.”

He has been notified that the Dublin High School has been accepted, forthe 28th consecutive year, on the list of accredited high schools in the   Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of Southern States.

Rigid requirements are made of schools placed on the accredited list, and it is a source of pride and gratification to the Superintendent and to the Board of Education that the local school continues to maintain so high a standard. The school was placed on the list this year without any condition, which means that every requirement was met in full.

DEXTER SCHOOL HONOR ROLL

The Honor Roll for the Dexter High School was announced today as follows:

First grade – Jack Warren, Billy Skipper, Hazel Ward, Nellis Mullis, Fay English, Fay Warren, Kathleen Horne

Second grade – Imogene Lord, Franklin Fennel, Carolyn Lord, Betty Sue Mullis

Third grade – Marjorie Davis and Mary Nell Garrett

Fourth grade – Bobby Daniels, Margaret Walls, Dorothy Jolley, Eugene McCant, Sybil Kitchens, Lynara Dykes, Russell  Mackey, Cora Lee Warren, Fay Clark, Joyce Witherington, Mabeline Kight

Fifth grade – Jewel Williams, Lois White, White, Muriel Dozier, John William Warren, Roy Lee Crooms, Jonjhlyn Garrett, D.C. Wall

Sixth grade – Jeanette Lord, Betty Nicholson,  Jewel Patisaul

Seventh grade – Jacquelyn Goodman, Evelyn Daniel, Lawrence Warren, Earl Thomas,Laura Nell Dykes, Robbie Nell Graham, Christine Ezelle, Sarah Kitchens

Eighth grade – Bessie Mullis, Nell Brown, Frances Downs, Edsel Silas

Tenth grade – James Reese, Jr., Emory Collins, Buford Edwards, Mary Reese, Jewel Silas, Opal Davis 

Eleventh grade – Callie Mae Bass and Jane Jolly

CEDAR GROVE PLAY

On Thursday night, December 19, seniors at Cedar Grove High School will present their class play, “Aunt Jerushy on the War Path. In the play are the following seniors:

Eldred Causey

Milton Daniel

Bruenell Manus

Wendell Wynn

Hazel Prescott

Hazel Walker

Christine Gay

Virginia Partridge

Marjorie Nell Wynn

Admission prices are ten cents for grammar school children, 15 cents for high school students, and 25 cents for adults.

RENTZ SENIORS ENTERTAINED

Miss Myra Crumpton entertained the Rentz High School Senior Class with a party at her home near Dexter on Friday night, November 29.

The guests were served fruit punch in the living room when they arrived, and games were featured as entertainment until a late hour when they gathered in the dining room where a delicious salad course was served.

Assisting in serving and entertaining were the hostess’ mother, Mrs. J.H. Crumpton, her sister, Mrs. Archie McCook, and Mrs. J.H. Holland.

Seniors present for the affair were Misses Euteva Bass, Julia Horne, Montine Holland, Bertha Ussery, Olga Morton, Carole Warren, Marian Coleman, Myra Crumpton, Alice Dixon, and Doris Burch.

Also present were T.E. Mackey, Morris Browning, R.G. Knight, Loomis Knight, Milo Grinstead, and James Bracewell. 

Invited to enjoy the affair with the seniors were Misses Myrtle Jean Gilbert, Dorothy Knight, Carroll Faircloth, and Shep Witherington, Charles Hill Thomas, Kirkman Jolley, and William Jones, from Dexter.

NEW BETHEL CLASS TAKES TRIP

Mrs. Harold Lee, teacher of the seventh grade of New Bethel School, carried her pupils on an  interesting trip to the National Cemetery at Andersonville, Georgia, and other points of interest and instruction.

After viewing the monuments and tombstones in the Cemetery, they visited the National Park, where they received a thrill when they were shown wells dug by Northern soldiers in their frantic search for water and the spring which is now supposed to have been founded by prisoners in  answer to their prayers for water. 

Some students, for their first time, saw a sun dial.

A picnic lunch was enjoyed on grounds adjoining the spring after their journey was resumed.

The return trip home in the school bus took them through Americus, Cordele, Rochelle, and McRae into Dublin. 

Pupils enjoying the trip were Sara Childers, Douglas Brown, Sara Lee, Claude Bell, Betty Daniel, Owen Wright, Geraldine Alligood, and Nelle Batey.

The class was accompanied by Russell Tomlinson, Joe Johnston, Blondell Moore, Frances Shepard, Selina Burch, Stanley Lee, Willard Shepard, Christine Baggett, Vernon Sanders, Faye Martin, Rosalyn Brown, Ivalie Childers, Williford Nalley, Garey Cooper, Arthur Lee,  Mrs. L.O. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Cooke, Mrs. LLoyd Brown, Miss Polly Lee, Ben Burch, W.A. Lee, Mrs. Margaret  Wright, and Mrs. Ben Burch.

MONTROSE SCHOOL BITS

The Montrose Seniors have been having their ups and downs. Just recently they had them in a pleasant way. It is the plan this year to take three interesting trips.

The first was taken through north Georgia and into Chattanooga, Tennessee. They found their “up” included a climb on Stone Mountain, the Dome of the State Capitol, a stroll through Rock City, and the observation tower on Missionary Ridge.

The”down” was in the form of Ruby Falls, in Lookout Mountain. Then there was a very educational trip with a guide through Chickamauga National Park.

The first issue of the school paper “The Yellow Jacket Speaks,” aroused much interest in the student body. Since the seniors had selected the Yellow Jacket as a mascot, it was thought appropriate to dedicate this issue to them. The paper carried an interesting front page a sketch of a yellow jacket standing on a pedestal in front of a broadcasting microphone. This was drawn by Jack Cook, the school artist.

All the high school students are wondering who is to be the winner in the essay contest on “The Importance of Cotton Mills to Georgia.” A prize of one dollar has been offered, and as the hour of decision is at hand, many of the contestants are wondering who will be the author of the paper to be sent to the district judges.

The series of spelling contests by classes have been givng many students cause to walk around with spellers in their hands. Thefinal match between contestants will be held soon, and each class is pulling for its own representative.

The spellers to date are Wylene Thompson, 8th grade; 9th to be supplied; Rhetta Thompson, Bessie Mae Cannon, and Bob Custer, 10th grade; and Evelyn Branch, 11th grade. 

WILKES SENIORS NEWS 

     Jewel Hester

The seniors of Wilkes High School were entertained at a party by their teacher, Oris Bracewell, last week. After games were played, delicious refreshments were served.

Present were Katherine Donaldson, Maxine Graham,  Ruth Sanders, Doris Lee, Julia Renfroe, Addie Lee Fulford, Ira Fluker Maddox, Edward Smith, Ellie Jay Young, Earl Wilkes, Coolidge Meeks, Warren G. Douglas, Garnett Woods, and Lincoln Loyd.

They also elected Who’s Who in the class, and those elected were these:

Prettiest Girl – Jewel Hester

Most Handsome Boy – Edward Smith

Most Studious – Rosalyn Graham and James Snow Neatest – Katherine Donaldson and James Snow

Best Dressed – Jewel Hester and Ira Maddox

Wittiest – Maxine Graham and Ira Maddox

Most Athletic – Katherine Donaldson and Ira Maddox

QuieTest – Rosalyn Graham and James Snow

Cutest – Julia Renfroe and Ira Maddox

Most Conceited – Rosalyn Graham and James Snow

Other members of the ’40-’41 class are Addie Lee Fulford and Ruth Sanders. 

CONDOR SCHOOL NEWS

This last week, being before the Christmas holidays, has been full of interesting affairs.

The local Board of Trustees, District Engineer Walton of the Macon Office WPA, Mrs. W.W. Wells, Office Assistant for School Superintendent Mullis, Mrs. W.T. Roach, Secretary of the County Board of Education, and Superintendent Elbert Mullis were guests of the school on  Thursday when the school entertained them as guests of honor at the annual dinner.

A delicious chicken dinner with all of the fixings was served, and the table was centered with Christmas decorations of evergreens and fruit.

The lunch room has been recently been added as one of the main features of the school. Over two hundred children are furnished luncheon every day at school for the small sum of five cents or the value of commodities brought from home.

Mr. Walton left the school with the news of a Christmas present that will benefit the school very materially. The building program, in which five new rooms and other facilities will be added to the present equipment, has met his approval and is qualified for WPA aid. This improvement will start at once.

Each grade had is own Christmas tree, beautifully decorated. As a visitor exclaimed, “It looked like every room was given a ten. “Students exchanged gifts, and teachers supplied “goodies.” The best part of the giving was the spirit of sharing. This was true in that each grade packed a basket to be distributed in the community. Fruit and clothing were included, and best of all was the very fine spirit in which this was done.

On Friday morning, the following program was given with Mrs. Bonnell Jarrard and Mrs. McDaniel in charge:

Song “Joy to the World” – Assembly

Prayer – Superintendent Roberts

“Why We Celebrate Christmas” – Gertrude Graham

“Christmas in Other Lands” – Mrs. Bashinski

Song “Little Church of Bethlehem” – Assembly

Poem “While Shepherds Watched their Flocks” – Dorothy Josey

Christmas Acrostics:

“Merry Christmas”  – Lynette Hayward, Mona Fay Harden, Elizabeth Chafin, Ruby Senn, Betty Bidgood, Elsie Curl, Johnnie Faye Beasley, Louise Scarborough, Sara McCord

Story “Christmas Morn” – Mrs. Kellam

Message – Rev. R.W. Eubanks, Pastor of Jefferson Street Baptist Church

Condor School plans to have 100 per cent of the pupils in attendance at the singing of the Christmas carols in Dublin on December 23. They have been at work learning these songs, and several teachers are remaining in town to cooperate in this beautiful ceremony. The bus drivers for the school are  also very obliging and take a special delight in doing these things that will help the school.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AT JOHNSON STREET

A Christmas program will be given on Tuesday night at 7:30 at Johnson Street School in the form of a pageant portraying the story of the Nativity and the journey of the Wise Men to Bethlehem.

Pupils of Johnson School have made this Scripture story and song an annual program for several years. Since the arrangement of the pageant is always made by the faculty and pupils, it is quite different each year. Friends and patrons are invited to attend and enjoy this most beautiful of all stories, in song and scripture.

The Program:

Introduction – Dot Martin

Cast of the Pageant:

Mary – Merle Sheppard

Joseph – Louis Parker

Readers – Hazel Payne, Ann Hobbs, Annie Mary Hudson

Wise Men – Beeman Price, Carl Bryant, Sonnny Vaughn

Shepherds -Ray Wyatt James Daniel, David Isom, William McDaniel

Angels – Imogene Walker, Sue Garner, Joy  Holton, Jean Brantley, Waudia Foskey, Eloise Adams, Susie Nelson, Genine Porter 

Carolers – Arnold Atkinson, Mickey Golden, Earl Mimbs, Jimmy Page, Elmo Hutchinson, John Knox  Porter, Horace Ethridge, E.J. Mullis, Tommie Brantley, Crumpton Welborn, Tommie Lester, Louise Lanier, Louise Hall, Ethel Nelson, Patricia Allen, Fay Maddox, Ruby Wiggins, Evie Jean Mimbs, Edward Mimbs, Everet Corsey, Bill Finney, Elene Walker, Fay Scarboro, Caroline McDaniel, June Beacham, Gene Register, Greer Coursey, Bill Fenney, Elene Walker,Charles Jones, Bobby Scarboro, Zelda Starley, Elizabeth Powel, Ann Maddox, Betty Ann Drew, Grace Register, Rose  Holmes, Patricia Freeman, Kathleen Coleman Margaret Warren, Mamie Lou Morris, Helen Evans 

The setting was simple but impressive. The manger crib was the central setting with Mary and Joseph leaning over the crib while angels hovered near by. While they worshiped, shepherds arrived, followed by the Wise Men bearing their precious gifts. Pines and holly were background for the scene.

The pageant was under the direction of Mrs. W.W. Ward, Principal, assisted by Misses Ruth Arnold, Cinderella Brunson, Mildred Bishop, and Ida O’Neal. 

Miss Annie Moore presided at the piano.

CANDLELIGHT SERVICE ON SUNDAY

An impressive and beautiful candlelight service will be held in the Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church on Sundday afternoon at five o’clock. This service, which is presented each Christmas season by the Woman’s Auxiliary of the church, is one of  the outstanding services of the glorious season, and the public is invited to worship with the church members.

The pastor, Rev. Ralph Giliam, announces that this afternoon service will take the place of the usual evening worship hour. The program for the service is

Prelude – Mrs. James English, piano, and Miss Leah Kittrell, violin

Song -“Silent Night” – Concealed Choir singing

Processional: “O, Come, All Ye Faithful” – Senior High Music Club

Invocation – Rev. Ralph Giliam 

Trumpet Solo – Miss Blanche Coleman

Scripture Reading – Rev. Giliam 

Chorus – “Calm on the Listening Ear” – Senior High Music Club

Presentation of Joy Gift – Col. C.C. Crockett

Offertory – Violin solo – Miss Leah Kittrell

Dedicatory Prayer – Rev. Giliam

Solo – “Contigue de Noel” – Charles Alexander

Candle Lighting Service:

Chorus – “Birthday to the King: – Senior High Music Club

Prayer – Acceptance of Worship – Rev. Giliam

Chorus – “Silent Night” – Senior High Music Club

Benediction – Rev. Giliam

The soloists are Miss Sara Veal, Charles Alexander, and Noble Marshal.

The director of the Senior High Music Club who is in charge of the music is Miss Maybelle Stith.

DOWLING CHRISTMAS RECITAL

Mrs. E.E. Dowling presented her music pupils in a recital in the studio at her residence on North Church Street for a large group of parents and friends who had gathered to enjoy the delightful program.

Pupils who appeared on the program were 

Grace Register 

Gene Register

Mary Frances Register

Hazel Roberts

Caroline Gilder

Margaret Gilder

Corky Scarborough

Ellen Smith

Nell Tyre

Margaret Stephens

Bobby Garrard

Clyde Chivers

Miriam Burnham

Blondell Robinson

Gloria Wiggins

In the living room of the home, a Christmas tree, gayly lighted in crimson lights, and other arrangements of Christmas greenery lent a festive note. In the dining room was a pleasing scheme of silver and blue, expressed in silvered leaves and soft blue lights.

Dainty cakes and fruit punch were served after the program, the cakes tied in Christmas packages. The crystal punch bowl was decorated as a Christmas gift with bright ribbons and cellophane.

Misses Clyde Chivers and Nell Tyre played popular piano selections during the social hour.