WE DO love our nostalgia.The Statler Brothers proved that in song, you have proven it again with the phone and emails still pouring in off a question I asked a couple of weeks back:
Did Hank Williams ever play the Ritz Theater?
Some of you didn’t stop with Hank and I can’t use all of them, but . . .
From Louie Feazell, an old buddy from Saks, came:
“Hank did play the Ritz and he and Curly Williams – he lived over Williams Grocery across from the Radio Building – co-wrote ‘Half As Much.’ I remember once Curly gave some of us boys a bunch of quarters to put in the jukeboxes and play his song. It went to number one.”
From Dot Simpson:
“Me and a friend, Ressie Brimer, went to see Hank Williams and Hank Snow at the old USO Club (on Gurnee). We both had babies and carried them. I remember the two singers each had big white Cadillacs. I also remember Hank Williams saying, ‘The more of my records you buy, the more biscuits I can eat.’”
Another old friend, Amos Jones, had this:
“Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl did come to Ohatchee in the early 1940s. People packed the gym out, some were sitting atop the basketball goals. Lonzo and Oscar also came to Ohatchee.”
From Jeanette Cason Phillips:
“Jeff and Minnie Little ran a grocery store in Ohatchee. They had a radio and on Saturday night people would gather inside their store to listen to the Grand Ole Opry. When Roy came to town – I think it was in 1939 – kids got in for 10 cents, grownups for 25 cents. “We saved for the longest time so we could go.”
Thanks to all of you . . . and I promise, this is the final chapter of this little journey back in time. It has been enjoyable.
A translation is the Anniston Army Depot retirees reunion “under the bridge” on U. S. 431 just south of Hollis Crossroads is Saturday.
Hosted by Earl Huddleston, it is a time for visiting old friends and chowing down on catfish and hushpuppies.
“There may even be a bit of barbecue, too,” says Earl, who is in his 86th year.
Again, if you’re an AAD retiree, all you have to do is show up around 9:30 or so Saturday morning.
“We’ll eat along about 11 or so,” says Earl. “The main thing is to see old friends. Tell everybody to c’mon down.”
Jasmine is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the FBLA, Spanish Club, HOSA, and the Legacy Club.
As a junior, Jasmine was honored as one of the top students at AHS.
“Jasmine has tremendous depth, sense of purpose, and drive,” says Sherry Baxter, senior counselor. “She is happiest when learning something new, taking a difficult course, and moving beyond the limits of her experience ... she is an exceptional young woman who will continue to excel in future endeavors.”
Proud parents are Alonzo and Medral Leonard, Old Ivy Place, Anniston.
Let’s hear some applause for one of our finest . . .
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George Smith can be reached at 256-239-5286 or e-mail: gsmith731@gmail.com
