Nov. 21 through time
100 Years ago – 1924
The first appearance of the year of Santa Claus and Christmas sales was in the Nov. 21, 1924, edition of the Henry Bulletin. It was a full-page ad by Millner Department Store (Walnut Street) which warned, “Thirty two more days until Xmas Eve” and proclaimed, “Nothing Is Too Good For The Children!” Offerings included “DOLLS! DOLLS! DOLLS! For the Little Girl – Miss and Baby. Girls our line includes everything from the smallest to the largest. The most complete line ever shown in Martinsville. SEE THESE WONDERFUL BABIES.” Also: electric trains, drums, automobiles, animals, wagons, clowns, tool chests, tri-cycles, balls, rocking horses, beautiful toy autos and “a big line of underwear, sweaters, gloves and caps.”
75 years ago – 1949
The hunting season opened. Many hunters reported difficulty approaching quail as the birds flew away quickly when flushed by dogs.
1960
Martinsville Machine Works in conjunction with Nosco M. Lewis of General Equipment Inc. in Statesville, N.C., developed and made an unusual machine for the furniture industry, an automatic edge and shape sanding machine, the first of its kind in the world. It sanded various edges and shapes according to adjustments made to the belt and the serrated platen behind the belt.
50 years ago – 1974
The Hop-In Market at Ridgeway was robbed by a gun-wielding bandit to took about $53.
25 years ago - 1999
Smith Memorial United Methodist Church started a new contemporary worship experience, Seekers Church. Seekers Church was at 8:30 a.m. Sundays, starting Nov. 21, and traditional worship was at 11 a.m.
Riverside Furniture advertised “the perfect gift”: La-Z-Boy recliners, starting at $299.
The Carlisle Madrigal Singers performed at Piedmont Arts.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.