Look Back ... to good ol' days, according to Methodist pastor, 1949

Bill Edwards, The Anniston Star, Ala.
·2 min read

Jun. 21—June 21, 1949, in The Star: On the evening of June 24 an anniversary-themed party will mark the fifth year of the opening of the Teen-Canteen, the recreation center for young people in Anniston. Located on Gurnee Avenue, the Teen-Canteen attracts about 100 young people each day, with the greater numbers being on the weekends. It was established by a committee of adults representing the Inter-Club Council. Miss Margaret Griffis directs its activities. Also this date: Dr. Waights G. Henry, retired pastor of First Methodist Church in Anniston, told a Civitan Club audience yesterday, "We are now enjoying the same things that people enjoyed just before the fall of the Roman Empire," his point being that the U.S. needs to take a "right about face" in the present ways of living. He stated his opposition to movies, baseball games and other such public amusements taking place on Sundays, and for good measure threw in an endorsement of states' rights in the South. "The America that must be, must give to the states their rights. Life must be as it was in the Southern states at the time of the adoption of the Constitution."

June 21, 1999, in The Star: Smoke from a massive tire fire darkened the skies above Eulaton Road yesterday afternoon as the flames consumed what the owner estimated were 5,000 tires and 25 junked cars. The fire started at Elkins & Sons Auto Parts yard around 3 o'clock yesterday. Fourteen of 20 on-duty Anniston firefighters were at the scene for four hours extinguishing the difficult blaze. "This is going to lose me about twenty thousand dollars," said property owner Donald Elkins, who suspects arson was the cause of the fire. Also this date: Robert E. Haynes III, Munford High School '98, has been elected president of the Student Government Association at Gadsden State Community College for the upcoming school year. He'll receive a full scholarship for the honor. Haynes is a member of the GSCC Show Band and A Cappella Choir and is the 1999 GSCC Homecoming King. He's the son of Bobby and Cathy Haynes of Munford.

Assistant Metro Editor Bill Edwards: 256-236-1551. On Twitter @bedwards_star.