OPINION
A Section
w w w.c h iple y pap er.c om
Page 4
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Historic water tower taken down Today marks another shown in the background, milestone in Chipley’s tells the viewer that the colorful history as the date was as early as 1933. beloved water tower, which Denny Wright, Chipley has served so faithfully, resident, told the writer lies in a mass of steel on that he was born in 1936 the ground after being and that the Chipley Water professionally demolished Tower has always been a last night. landmark in his life. Careful safety Linda Hayes measures were Cook, longtime in place with the Clerk of Court closing of sixth in Washington street in the area County and of the tower remembers the and provisions tower all of her were made for life while living interested onlookers in Chipley. She PERRY’S to remain in a reports that PRATTLE designated place to her brother, Perry Wells ensure safety while Francis Hayes, a watching the dismantling descendant of a pioneer of the historic landmark. Washington County Family, The longstanding and the local barber who edifice of Chipley’s is still working, has fond heritage had not been memories of the old water in use for many years tower: “He would walk as the town’s source of to Chipley from our rural water supply was moved home to see his girlfriend, to the Tommy McDonald Mellie Lane. He would Industrial Park when then go the water tank late the new water tower was at night to meet the Town erected there. City fathers Night Marshal, W.D. Sapp, were advised a few months as he completed his duties, ago that the aging water and catch a ride home tower was fast becoming as the officer was our a menacing safety neighbor.” hazard and plans were Linda also confirmed, immediately begun for it’s that at one time, some safe removal. of the youths of the area The picture would climb the tower, accompanying today’s especially at graduation article, also from the time and bravely write Kyle Ray album of old some crude graffiti on the photographs, was made at tank, usually the initials the railroad and give the of the school and the year view of the town business of their graduation. Our district while looking son, Tim, commented south. The old water tank that climbing the tower stands tall and proud at as youngsters probably the time this picture was brought the training made and the automobiles, for these young men
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to apply for a job with local resident, Robert Strickland, who headed the company of installing water towers and painting existing towers. Tim remembers that several local young men of that era worked for Robert. Today also finds the local McDonald’s Restaurant missing from the landscape of Chipley as it, too, fell victim to the demolition wrecking crew early in the week. May 18 was the last opportunity for McDonald’s customer to eat their last Big Mac in the Chipley facility prior to its being razed for a much improved and beautiful structure. The original McDonald’s eatery made its debut in Chipley in 1981 and was owned and operated by Cecil Sandifer, who also owned the Bonifay and Marianna stores. Don Barnes, Jerry Smelcer, Sr. and Paul Drayon are remembered as long time employees of the previous owners. Two others owners followed Cecil Sandifer before Dennis LaRue and wife, Linda, Chicago natives, took the reins of the three business seven years ago. Dennis told me that he was in the banking business when the opportunity came to become associated with McDonald’s. He reports receiving training in Los Angeles before beginning the businesses in this area. Harold Stansell, who built
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the original McDonald’s store here, will be the builder for the new facility, according to Dennis. The present owners are excited about the new building, which is to be immediately under construction. The new structure is designed for easier access to the two drive-through windows. There will also be provisions to exit the premises to avoid re entering Highway 77. There will be other improvement inside the restaurant, which will be beautifully decorated using historic pictures, and other items, depicting the heritage of the area. Today also marks 31 years since the mammoth and historic two-day Railroad Centennial Celebration held in Chipley May 22-23, 1982.
It was headed by Dick and Polly Kneiss, then relatively newcomers to our town. (The full story of this event is recorded in the “Heritage Book of Washington County,” page 76). Also today, John Donald Brock and wife, Virgina of Panama City, could well be reading the above book as they purchased one May 7 while in town for the Vernon High School Alumni monthly luncheon. His family of Brocks was included in a story for the above book, page 158, written by his sister, Dorothy Brock Peters, of Marianna. Also enjoying the abovementioned treasured book is Joe N. Hays of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He called me after leaning of the book in “Perry’s
Prattle.” This gentlemen is 89 years old and was reared on Brickyard Road in Chipley by parents Charley Hays and wife, Martha Jane Levins (Leavins) Hays. His book was mailed on May 8 and confirmation of delivery was shown as May13. If the above Heritage Books needs any further promoting, I will report that copies can be obtained from both the Vernon and Chipley Historical Society museums. My “limited supply” is down to 35 books and I hope to close out sales by the end of June. Call me at 638-1016, or email perry1000@bellsouth. net and don’t miss out on getting your copy. They remain at $64.20, or $72.00 when mailed. See you all next week.
Garden clubs win honors at spring meeting Sandra Devine, went to the Vernon Club. immediate past president They have earned a of Bonifay Garden Club $500,000 grant through DOT and I attended the District for highway beautification II meeting of Florida of Vernon following the Federation of Garden completion of the Highway Clubs this past week. The 79 four-lane project. My meeting was held congratulations to in the historic Pam Shores Cates Centennial Building who spearheaded built in 1938 to the grant writing commemorate the process and 100th anniversary to Margaret of the convening Hutchinson of the Continental Chesnut and other Congress in old St. HAPPY CORNER Vernon Garden Hazel Wells Tison Club members who Joseph to write the charter for Florida’s assisted her. They statehood. District II appreciate the cooperation FFGC encompasses the of the DOT, The City of counties of Bay, Calhoun, Vernon, and all who helped Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and obtain the grant. Once Washington Counties. the highway construction Chipley Garden Club through the town of my brought home the honor of Alma Mater is complete, State Garden Club of the The Vernon Garden Club Year. Other awards the has its work cut out, but I Chipley Club won include look forward to seeing the Civic Beautification Award, beautiful place it will be. and the president’s award The Vernon Club is also for carrying out the “Grow” participating with Vernon part of the 2012 “Know, Sow, High School FFA and their and Grow’’ theme of FFGC. advisor, Donna Keith, in Their work with school introducing agricultural children earned them this education in the elementary award. Chipley also won school. Vernon has recently a third place statewide formed an FFA Alumni in Horticulture. Wausau Association with retired club member, Judy Solger, former advisor, Hiram win 2 state awards for her Tison, as its president. I am “Digital Photography.” sure they will be involved The biggest recognition with the beautification
project when it gets going. Marianna Garden Club where my sister, Muriel Turner is a member won a First Place state award in Garden Therapy Geriatric. They will be hosting the fall District II FFGC October 9, at a place to be announced. Bonifay Garden Club elected new officers for the coming year. They are Adonna Lynn Bartlett, President, First Vice President, Susan Pittman, 2nd Vice President, DiAnn Shores, Secretary Hazel Tison, Treasurer Eileen Wright, and Chaplain Peggy LaPlante. Some of our on-going activities are providing a member on the cemetery committee as well as a financial contribution; participating in the Down Home Street Festival; working with Intermediate Gardeners and Mrs. Barone’s 6th grade; keeping the planter at the entrance to Veteran’s Blvd; providing and maintaining the plants in the courtyard at Doctor’s Memorial Hospital in cooperation with the Hospital Auxiliary,; planting trees at Bonifay Elementary, and assisting all first graders at Bonifay Elementary to make a live greenery arrangement to
take home. A new project for the coming year is replanting and maintaining the serenity garden at The Bonifay Nursing Home and Rehabilitation. Our new President has plans for celebrating National Garden Club Week in June. We will be planting and maintaining 2 of the large city planters which will be moved to highway 90 and 79. A banner, courtesy of SIM’S SIGNS, will be placed at that intersection as well. In addition, ribbons will be tied up and down Waukesha St and tea cup arrangements of blooming plants will be placed in the local banks. A workshop is planned at Tison’s Blueberry Farm to make the arrangements on May 30 at 9:00 A.M. Bonifay Garden Club welcomes new members, both men and women to join us. You may contact Adonna at 850 259-6019 or me at 5474696, or any Garden Club member. We look forward to a productive and informative new club year which begins September 13 and meets each second Friday through May. Our first meeting will be at Doctor’s memorial Hospital at noon.
Letter to the EDITOR
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CONTACTUS
Chipley’s Main Street, also known as 6th Street, as it appeared in 1933. Note the water tower was already standing.
Dear Editor, Recently, Holmes County voters vetoed a measure that would have increased the number of places where alcohol could be purchased. Good move. Now the legislature, apparently thinking they know what’s best for the small counties, not just Holmes, wants to increase the
number of places alcohol could be served, obviously for a miniscule amount of revenue. Why? Most tax revenue is wasted anyway. There are more than enough places to purchase alcohol now. Too many, we need less. How many more lives must be lost before enough people realize alcohol kills? I’ll never
forget hearing of the two young boys killed around Westville approximately in the year 2000. The mother was drunk and driving. Someone got a few pennies revenue. Sure wasn’t worth it, was it? About this time last year a drunk driver killed an innocent woman on I10 going the wrong way in
Holmes County, again, a few pennies of revenue. Big government took on tobacco and look what happened. Like them to do the same with alcohol? Think of thousands of lives saved, not only in accidents but diseases prevented and the billions of dollars saved.
Dick Basht Bonifay