Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

December 11, 1952

J.H. Warf, County Superintendent of Schools, announced that he received notification from the State Department of Education that LCHS was given an A-1 rating. The A-1 rating was the highest rating a school could receive in TN; out of 350 to 400 high schools in the state, only 31 qualified for this rating.

The newspaper reported that “with but 14 days until Christmas, Hohenwald has taken on the holiday atmosphere.”

Members of the Hohenwald Volunteer Fire Department and their wives were to be treated with a banquet on December 15.

It was announced that the General Café, having been owned and operated by James Hasken for seven years, was sold to Jessie James, Jr.

E.M. Adcox was appointed Assistant County Chairman of the Crusade for Freedom program in Lewis County. The Crusade for Freedom was an outgrowth of the National Committee for a Free Europe and was launched in 1950 to raise funds for Radio Free Europe.

The Strand Theatre announced that the actor Al “Fuzzy” St. Johns, who was on tour from Hollywood, would appear in person at the theater on December 17.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Mt. Pleasant with a score of 48 to 44.

Funeral services were held for Kate Cothran, 72; Claude Davidson, 51; and for Roy Talley, 51.

“Cyclone Fury,” starring Charles Starret and Smiley Burnette, and “Let’s Go Navy,” starring Leo Gorcey and the Bowery Boys, were the Friday and Saturday double feature showing at the Strand Theatre.

December 13, 1962

Approximately 7,000 to 8,000 people were in Hohenwald to view was touted as Hohenwald’s largest Christmas parade.

Bobby Skelton completed Army military police training at Fort Gordon, GA.

Douglas Barber, Airman Apprentice, USN, was serving at the Naval Air Station in Barber’s Point, HI.

Civil Air Patrol Cadets announced that they would be selling boxed candy, house to house, in order to raise money needed to purchase uniforms for the cadets.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Spears announced the birth of their son, William Marty.

Funeral services were held for Hubert Pierce, 70; and for Sally Poag, 78.

“The Sad Sack,” starring Jerry Lewis and David Wayne; and “Jack the Giant Killer,” starring Kerwin Matthews, were the Friday and Saturday double feature shown at both Highlands Drive-In and Strand Theatres. The drive-in also advertised that they had electric in-car heaters for wintertime comfort at no extra charge.

December 14, 1972

A large storm front brought 5.20 inches of rain to Lewis County on December 8 through 11. Of the 5.20 inches, a large portion fell on December 9. Highway Commissioner Finley Brown reported homes in low lying areas were flooded and that 40 to 50 bridges and culverts were washed away.

James A. Carroll enlisted in the United States Air Force.

Robert Black graduated from Military Airlift Command training at Norton, Air Force Base, CA.

LCHS Pantherettes defeated Collinwood with a score of 44 to 35. Diane Fite was the top scorer for the team with 18 points.

The Panthers defeated the Collinwood Trojans with a score of 77 to 67. Terry Cotham led the team in scoring with 21 points.

Funeral services were held for Mary Galloway, 89; and for Kathryn Walker.

“Slaughter,” starring Jim Brown, and “Private Duty Nurses,” starring Kathy Cannon and Joyce Williams, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In.

December 9, 1982

It was announced that the local Henry I. Siegel (HIS) plant would close on February 1, after 29 years of operation. A shortage of orders caused by the recession was stated as the reason for the plant closure.

Approximately 200 sticks of old dynamite, caps and primer cord were discovered in a storage building at the Lewis County Highway Department when staff were looking for needed supplies. The Civil Defense and a bomb squad from the TN Highway Patrol were called in. About 70 sticks of dynamite were exploded and the balance was burned. It was estimated that the explosives were about 20 years old.

Two residents were arrested after opening up fire at each other in the Sycamore center subdivision. No injuries were reported.

Two Wayne County men were arrested here by FBI agents on charges of extortion in an alleged plot that threatened the life of one’s suspect’s daughter.

Jamie Crews, Nicki Gandy, Misty Hale, Terry Harris, and Debbie Higginbotham were serving in a teen advisory role to recommend books for Lewis County Public Library and the Regional Library System.

The LCHS Lady Panthers defeated Clifton with a score of 68 to 33. Kathy Dye and Denise Goodman led the team in scoring with 17 points each. The Lady Panthers also defeated Summertown with a score of 54 to 52. Melody Runions was the top scorer for the team with 17 points.

The following births were announced: Millary Raye, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Lomax; Jennifer Lee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jackie White; and Tyler Edward, son of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Messina.

Funeral services were held for Grace Kistler, 92.

“Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” starring Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Judge Reinhold, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

December 10, 1992

Plans for a school building program were presented at a community breakfast held on December 5 at LCHS. The event was hosted by Dennis Whittenberg, Superintendent of Schools, and Terry Bunch, County Executive.

The Lewis County Jaycees reported that the 1992 Christmas parade was a huge success with a total of 99 entries, up from 89 entrants in 1991.

Summer Anglin waived a wand to light the evergreen tree planted by the Pilot Club and Chamber of Commerce on the lawn of the Hohenwald Depot.

LCHS senior Amy Tatum was chosen to serve as a member of the Youth Staff for the 1993 Governor’s Conference for a Drug-Free Tennessee. Approximately 50 participants were chosen statewide to serve during the two-day event.

Jamie Spears and Gwen Denton were selected as LCMS People of the Week.

Randy K. Denton enlisted in the U.S. Army under the Delayed Entry Program (DEP).

Parasada Riley and Lucille Cotham were featured in the Lewis County Schools Staff Feature column.

First Citizens Bank announced that within two weeks it would open its new branch located in the Hohenwald Shopping Plaza, next to the-then E.W. James and Sons building.

The following births were announced: Kristianna Michelle, daughter of Kirk and Janice Branch; and Collin Wayne, son of Ginette Townsend.

Ethel Holt was honored for her 100th birthday with a dinner at the Lewis County Senior Citizens Center.

Mr. and Mrs. Pickard Griner celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception hosted by their children and grandchildren.

Funeral services were held for Irene Baker, 60; Jesse Himes, 74; Alton L. McLemore, 85; Joseph Robnett, 61; and for Thelma Yates, 79.

December 6, 2002

U. S. Congressman Lincoln Davis held a Town Hall meeting in the High Forest room at the old Genesco building.

Boy Scout Troop 322 attended the December meeting of the City Council where they asked the council to list the City services that are funded out of tax money paid by their fathers and mothers. They were given a list of tax-payer funded services and presented with a lapel pin and ball cap with the City of Hohenwald logo.

The LCHS Lady Panthers defeated Loretto with a score of 61 to 61. Delicia Brugman was the top scorer for the team with 25 points.

The following births were announced: Brandon Dalton, son of Chris and Michelle Galloway; and Bradley James, son of Kevin and Colleen Nickell.

Mary Blair Fielder was honored for her 92nd birthday with a surprise party attended by family and friends.

James Zimmerman was honored for his 72nd birthday with a celebration attended by family and friends.

Angela Floyd was honored for her birthday with a surprise dinner held at The Farmhouse in Hickman County.

Funeral services were held for Floyd Baker, 74; Leonard Smith, 75; and for Mable Tibbs, 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.