Oct. 12, 1934, in The Star: "Work on a new colored school building in West Anniston will begin [Oct. 15], it was announced today by A. J. Hunnicutt who was awarded the contract last night at the meeting of the City Council. Immediately after the council session was concluded Mr. Hunnicut and Mayor W. S. Coleman signed the papers." [The builder's name might also have been "Honeycutt," because it was spelled both ways twice in the four times the writer used it in the story.] Also this date: Walter D. Ross of 1021 Glenwood Terrace, Anniston, won two first-place prizes in the annual amateur gardeners' flower show in Birmingham this week. A variety of white chrysanthemum and a variety of pink resulted in the prizes. Additionally: The Bennett family reunion held recently 16 miles north of Heflin at Bentley's Mill drew a large crowd of relatives from two states. Leading the list of some of those attending are Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Bennett, Oxford; Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Harper and family, White Plains; Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Bennett and family, Heflin; and Mr. and Mrs. Odis Bennett and family of Tallapoosa, Ga.

Oct. 12, 1984, in The Star: The Anniston Jaycees voted 14-5 last night to sponsor the Calhoun County Fair for one more year despite low attendance and little community support during the past five years. Also this date: Not wanting to blow up their probate judge, Arthur Murray, the Calhoun County Commissioners voted yesterday morning to approve an emergency expenditure to repair the courthouse heating system. The heating unit itself, located below Judge Murray's office, has bad condenser pumps and could therefore explode — taking the judge with it — commissioners were told before they voted to spend the $2,800.

This is Columbus Day in the United States, as well as Thanksgiving Day in Canada. On October 12 in
1870 — Gen. Robert E. Lee died in Lexington, Va., at age 63.

Monday's birthdays: Actress Antonia Rey is 82. Comedian-activist Dick Gregory is 77. Actress-singer Susan Anton is 59. R&B singer Claude McKnight (Take 6) is 47. Rock singer Bob Schneider is 44. Actor Hugh Jackman is 41. Actor Adam Rich is 41. R&B singer Garfield Bright (Shai) is 40. Country musician Martie Maguire (The Dixie Chicks) is 40. Actor Kirk Cameron is 39. Champion skier Bode Miller is 32. Actor Josh Hutcherson is 17.