Looking Back on New Year’s Eves

1924

Advertisement for Parker’s Shoe Hospital, Anderson Building, Bridge Street: “I now have with me Mr. J.H. Barringer of North Carolina, one of the best shoe repairmen in the South. All work guaranteed to be the best to be had. Leave it to him.”

A combination store-apartment building at 406 West Church Street was damaged by fire. On the same day, Dec. 31, there also was a fire in a drying room at Pannill Knitting on Cleveland Avenue.

1949

Horsepasture shopkeeper J. Lester Roberson recognized merchandise stolen from his store by his priced tags still on them, the Martinsville Bulletin reported in 1948. The stuff was found in an apartment in Richmond. Roberson’s store was entered first after explosives were used to blow open the door, and again a second time.

Mrs. Ina McKee and the staff of McKee Funeral Home held a banquet for the more than 70 members of the City Police and Fire departments, county officers and state police.

1974

Bassett Furniture Industries Inc. announced it would spend more than $1 million installing pollution control and noise abatement devices, the Martinsville Bulletin reported. It should take about a year and a half to get it all done.

Gas shortages severely discouraged holiday travel. Gas stations stayed open for the time they had gas, then would close. The American Automobile Association reported that less than half the service stations in Washington D.C. would be open on Dec. 30.

1999

Piedmont Community Services, AmeriStaff, Drug Task Force of Martinsville and Lawrence Nester Distributing Co. of Danville sponsored free cab rides by Yellow Cab Co., on 717 Memorial Boulevard, from 10 p.m. New Year’s Eve to 4 a.m. New Year’s morning. This is the 10th year of the free cab-ride program.

New Year’s party at Danny’s 220 in Price, N.C., ¾ miles south of state line, with music by Austin with Janie McBride. Admission: $13 in advance, $16 at the door.

New Year’s Eve Dance with music by Rockn Country at the Bassett Moose Lodge.

New Year’s Eve Dance at Fraternal Order of Eagles with music by About Time.