REMEMBER WHEN?
50 Years Ago
Nov. 2, 1971
The Fayette County Record began its 50th year as a newspaper. The editor, Bonner McMillion, stated there would be no birthday celebration because the staff of most newspapers like The Record celebrated inwardly every time another issue went to press. Had the newspaper decided to have a cake it would have close to 4,500 candles to represent all the issues that had been published. The Record had 4,500 patrons, more than one-and-a-half times as many paying subscribers as La Grange had households within its corporate limits, according to the 1970 census.
A 17-yard pass completion with 22 seconds left in the game gave the Columbus Cardinals a 33-27 victory over the fighting La Grange Leopards Friday night in Columbus. It climaxed one of the best all-around efforts the Leps of Coach Butch Blume and aides had turned in for that season. The Leps received the game-opening kickoff, couldn’t go and James Urban punted short to the LG 44. On the second play, Columbus quarterback Carl Andress teamed with James Rhodes on a 47-yard passrun for a touchdown with 9:27 to go in the first stanza. Andress also kicked the extra point, making it 7-0. But the Leps had ideas of their own. Ronnie Stevenson returned the kickoff to the La Grange 42, but a hitting late call against the Cards spotted the ball on the Columbus 43. Jim Quinn and Paul Risper alternated to lug to the 22.
Burglars broke three locks to enter the Thorstenberg Materials Co. warehouse south of Columbus Saturday night and got away with 16,350 feet of copper wire valued at $25,000. The thieves used one of Thorstenberg’s 2-ton flatbed trucks to haul the wire and other loot away, abandoning the empty vehicle on FM 102 between Alleyton and Eagle Lake. Other items stolen included tools, two tires, a rifle, various materials containing copper and about $20 from a cold drink machine.
A minor auto accident in La Grange at 4 p.m. on Friday led to two dope charges being filed in Judge A.V. Smith’s justice of the peace court. A deputy who went to the scene learned that something had been thrown out of the 1969 Volkswagen shortly after it crashed with a 1962 Volkswagen. A search of a nearby lawn yielded a smoking pipe filled with suspected marijuana, according to Sheriff T.J. Flournoy. Two suspects, aged 24 and 17 from out of the area, were charged with possession of marijuana. A bond of $5,000 was set for each subject and the case was bound over to the grand jury. The pair was also charged with failure to remain at the scene of an auto accident and provide information.
One of the largest attendances in the history of the La Grange PTA’s annual Halloween Carnival was recorded Saturday night. The climax of the evening was an hilarious ‘Fayette County Queen’s Contest.’ A record 1,300-plus tickets were sold for the turkey dinner that kicked off the carnival. The sixth grade won a one-day educational tour for selling the most advance tickets. The winner of the colorful queen’s competition was “Charlene Rose” Larrimore, who also went by the name of Charles W. Larrimore. The winner offered a vocal number by the name of Roses Turn with some help from a record player. After being appropriately crowned and robed, he promenaded up and down the aisle to the amusement of the large crowd crammed into the auditorium. First runner-up was “Edwina’ Voelkel, alias Aubrey D. Voelkel, who twirled a baton. Second runner-up was “Charlette” Ebel, aka Dr. Charles E. Ebel, who did a unique and exhilarating dance based on a number by the Baja Marimba Band.
A funeral service was held for John T. Sommer, 87, formerly of Nechanitz.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Chovanec of Fayetteville celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at their home on Sunday, Oct. 24. A baked turkey and sausage dinner was served at noon by their children: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Knesek and family, Rosenberg; and Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Krenek and family, Mr. and Mrs. Justin Malota and girls, and Peter James Chovanec, all of Fayetteville. The couple was married on Oct. 26, 1931, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Frydek by the Rev. A.W. Nesvabda.
The first pack meeting of the year for the Cub Scouts was held on Tuesday night, Oct. 26, with over 100 in attendance. Den 3 received the attendance board for the year. It was presented to Den Mother Mrs. Judy Kinslow. Mrs. Carrie Adams served as her assistant. Receiving Bobcat pins in Den 1 were: David Akers, Ricky Earl Dockery, Pat Fowler, Davis Garrett, Greg Matocha and Todd Wolff. Mrs. Deal Fowler was Den 1 mother, assisted by Mrs. Lou Akers. Four boys in Den 2 received Bobcat pins: Timothy Michalsky, Joe Rhemann, Craig Satterwhite and Darryl Wilkerson. Mrs. Rosalie Rhemann served as Den 2 mother with Mr. and Mrs. Ernestine Wilkerson as assistants.
Mr. and Mrs. Emil Coufal of Fayetteville were honored on their 58th wedding anniversary at their home on Sunday, Oct. 24. The date also was the 23rd wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Lad Vasut and the 18th for Mrs. and Mrs. Emmett Coufal, as well as the birthday of Mrs. Eddie Vasut and Laddie Vasut.
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