March 22
By Holly Kozelsky and Pat Pion
100 Years ago – 1924
For three nights, the Globe Theatre in Martinsville hosted Mary Keane and her Love Nest Girls, a 12-person musical comedy company from Charlotte, N.C.
On Saturday, March 22, a petition for an election to determine whether or not to change the form of Martinsville government to the “City or Town Manager” form was presented to Judge Clement of the Circuit Court. It was signed by more than the required number of voters (10% of those who voted in the last election). The proponents of the movement for an election were Messrs. K.C. Whittle, John W. Carter, A.L. Tuggle, O.R. Easley and W.M Whittle. The matter had gone before the Kiwanis Club and two other civic organizations to see whether these groups would vote to endorse the movement, but none of the groups took action and instead determined that their members should act individually on the matter.
75 years ago – 1949
Ad for Snow White Diaper Service: “Thoroughly sterilized – two deliveries weekly – Our New Telephone Number Phone 5237”
1960
Congress saw sharp divisions as the discussion about adding health care to social security benefits began.
In contrast to the close to 50 inches of snow which had fallen in the last several weeks, two Henry County deputies returned from Idaho, where they had picked up a prisoner. They reported that the snow was seven to 9 feet deep in some sections of Western states.
The Spencer Boy Scout Troop sponsored a Sock Hop and Social at Spencer-Penn Elementary School. Students elected and crowned a king and queen, followed by musical selections from Jane Ward, Gloria Reynolds, Lena Scott and Sharon Jefferson. Games and contests were also an enjoyable part of the evening. The proceeds went to pay for library books and a spring trip to Williamsburg.
50 years ago – 1974
Coupons for Mason’s, U.S. 220 and State Road 667: Breck Shampoo, 15 oz., $1.19 (regular $1.49); Arrid Extra Dry Deodorant, 6 oz., 77 cents (regular $1.07); 7-piece Teflon cookware set, $11.88 (regular $14.99); 10- by 10-foot storage shed, $119.99 (regular $159.99); terry bath towel, 99 cents (regular $1.59).
25 years ago - 1999
The 1999 Blue Ridge Business Expo in Patrick County was held Monday, March 22, and Tuesday, March 23, at Rotary Field in Stuart. Eighty businesses and industries participated -- more than 80% of Patrick County’s businesses and industries, Economic Development Coordinator Michael Burnette had estimated. About 700 people attended opening night. On the second day, about 1,300 people attended, including juniors and seniors from Patrick County High School.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin accessed on microfilm at the Martinsville Branch Library.