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The Roanoke Times | File 1984

The Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Virginia, on Jefferson Street Southeast, was dedicated in Roanoke on May 5, 1984.

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• 1999 (10 years ago)
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1999 (10 years ago)

• "The proposed construction of a 16-screen movie house near Valley View Mall moved closer to reality with approval Wednesday of site drawings that situate the large building between homes and a school. After a blueprint check, construction can begin on what will be the largest movie theater in Western Virginia."

• "Rainbo Bread bakery's enticing smells will soon tantalize Roanokers no more. Interstate Bakeries Corp. announced Friday that the plant will close July 9. Its roots in Roanoke date to 1903. Thus ends the bread-, roll- and cake-making at a plant that has employed and fed generations of Roanokers."

• "The best East Coast Hockey League playoff run in Roanoke history is over. The Express reached the heretofore unexplored heights of the Northern Conference championship series, but were swept in four games by the Richmond Renegades."

1984 (25 years ago)

• "The Norfolk Southern Corp. has signed a definitive agreement with PepsiCo Inc. to acquire all the stock of North American Van Lines, the nation's fifth largest motor carrier."

• "Nearly 1,300 overdue books were returned to the Roanoke Public Library during National Library Week last month when fines were forgiven, librarian Al Whitelock said Thursday."

• "Memories stared down from the walls and stirred in the minds of many of the people at the opening of the exhibit of O. Winston Link's steam-train photographs Thursday."

• "Lewis-Gale Clinic opened a $6 million, four-story addition Monday that includes a unit allowing patients to have surgery and return home the same day."

1959 (50 years ago)

• "A record smashing -- attendance and heat -- festival yesterday put Vinton a year closer to becoming the dogwood capital of Virginia. If it is not already."

• "Salem Rescue Squad members consider death, wrecks, and heart attacks among the normal run of things in their work. When a man swallows his teeth, that's different."

• "An astronomical observatory will be constructed near Bonsack for use by amateur astronomers and the public."

• "East Church avenue residents yesterday renewed their plea that a 'hobo jungle' a block from the edge of Roanoke's business district be cleaned up."

• "Some of Roanoke's foot patrolmen are wearing earphones these days but it's not because they are hard of hearing. The earphone comprises part of a new handie-talkie pocket radio being tried out by the Roanoke Police Department."

• "Traffic in downtown Roanoke was snarled for more than an hour today when an electric failure put all the lights in the business section on the blink."

• "A crowd estimated at 10,000 people -- and each one supposedly clutching 12 soft-drink bottle caps -- staged a near riot last night at Lakeside pavilion. The caps were the admission to dance to the rock 'n' roll of recording star Lloyd Price and his orchestra."

1934 (75 years ago)

• "Complaints are coming daily to [Vinton] Mayor Dowdy in regard to roller skates, gravel shooters and chickens."

• "Purchase of the assets of the Roanoke Glass and Door Company by the Hutting Sash and Door Company, of St. Louis, Mo., and leasing of the building formerly occupied by the local company for a period of one year ... was announced here today."

• "Katharine Cornell came to the Academy of Music last night in 'The Barretts of Wimpole Street,' and brought before the eyes of her audience one of the most beautiful portraits in the history of the theatre -- that of Elizabeth Barrett, the poetess." Basil Rathbone played Robert Browning.

• "Two villains of the padded canvas are scheduled to collide Monday night in the Roanoke Athletic and Pastime Club's show at the City Market auditorium."

• "The temperature had scooted up to 93 degrees at 1 o'clock today, which explains several things, among which are why you feel hot, and why the tar on the streets is bubbly."

• "J. Sidna Allen, now 65, who was pardoned in 1926 by former Governor Harry Flood Byrd after serving a little more than 13 years ... for his part in the Hillsville courthouse shooting ... is to exhibit a group of inlaid pieces of furniture and other work here."

• "Formal opening of the Roanoke Livestock Market, Inc. ... will be held Monday ... The market, first of its kind in Roanoke, will sell at auction each Monday at 1 p.m. all kinds of livestock."

1909 (100 years ago)

• "C. Markley returned from Richmond yesterday, where he concluded a deal with Messrs. Travers & Dessesaure by which he acquired about ninety per cent of the stock of the Vinton-Roanoke Water Co."

• "As has heretofore been announced in these columns, St. James church and Sunday school will on Sunday appropriately celebrate Mothers' Day by wearing a white flower, carnation preferred."

• "Jack's Cave is at last to be systematically and carefully explored. This cave is situated in the hills between Roanoke and Salem."

• "After playing six innings of superb ball yesterday, the Highlanders took a journey in a Wright aeroplane and allowed the Clarkites to tally five times and cinch the game before they returned to terra firma."

• "The formal opening on Saturday of the new model 'Sanitary Grocery,' was indeed, a revelation to all who took advantage of the cordial invitation ... to partake of the liberal hospitality of Mr. E. S. Becker. We feel that Roanoke is to be congratulated upon having what is probably the only absolutely sanitary grocery store in the State."