Looking back: The region's history, Aug. 12

1988 (25 years ago)

• "Budding novelists and experienced writers have been lighting up the Hollins College switchboard this week in response to an article published Sunday in The New York Times Book Review."
• "It's an error that's paying off. A misspelled word discovered last week on Roanoke County's sesquicentennial coins has increased the popularity - and maybe the value - of the coins."
• "The non-profit group that runs Mill Mountain Zoo is turning itself into the Blue Ridge Zoological Society of Virginia as a way to expand its membership and activities beyond Roanoke."
• "Neil Simon wrote ‘The Odd Couple' to make us laugh. Stephanie Rowe directed the Showtimers' female version of the play to make us laugh. Both succeeded."
• "Roanoke Valley air conditioner dealers and installers are counting their overheated little blessings this summer."
• "Three Roanoke-area movie theaters have received word from their management that they will not show ‘The Last Temptation of Christ,' a controversial film that has aroused protests from religious groups across the country."
• "John Tortorella, who guided the Virginia Lancers to minor-league hockey championships the past two seasons, has resigned as the club's head coach."

1963 (50 years ago)

• "A crowd of about 400 persons gathered in Elmwood Park Saturday night to hear American Nazi Party leader George Lincoln Rockwell plea for support of his march in Washington this month."
• Something new on the midway will be a feature of the Roanoke Fair this week at Maher Field. It's the 90-foot-high Sky Wheel of the Cetlin and Wilson Shows. The Sky Wheel is a double Ferris wheel."
• "A Roanoke Negro was refused admission Wednesday to Virginia Southern College, a local business school."
• "At least one bus has been chartered by the Roanoke Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to take local residents to Washington, D.C., for the scheduled civil rights rally Aug. 28."
• "Those grunts and groans all about town this morning came from over 600 prospective young football players, starting the long conditioning grind that will conclude with opening games on Sept. 6."
• "Fishermen and boaters won a decisive victory Monday when Roanoke City Council voted to proceed with construction of the rest room facilities at the picnic and Bennett Springs areas of Carvins Cove."
• "Mayor Murray A. Stoller has decided to support Vice Mayor Robert A. Garland's proposal for a firearms registration law in Roanoke."
• "The Harlan Yankees made their visit to Salem's Municipal Field about as successful as Sherman's march through Georgia Friday night, dumping the Salem Rebels 13-8 before some 3,000 fans."

1938 (75 years ago)

• "Automobiles bearing out-of-state license plates are parking on the downtown streets in greater numbers than ever before, since the installation of parking meters, in the opinion of Motorcycle Officer W.F. Tickle, who supervises the parking in this area."
• "Rallying fiercely to overcome an 8-1 deficit, The Times-World yesterday nosed out the policemen, 12 to 9, at Maher field."
• "Manicured, painted and polished to the final degree of accepted beauty, the Roanoke Gun club today is expected to receive one of the finest trapshooting fields in the history of the Virginia State association."
• "Roanoke Police Department's baseball outfit was far from being ‘hot' yesterday afternoon at Maher Field but they were fit to burn when the Fire Department lads finished with them. They were ‘extinguished' 32 to 0 by the final check."
• "A kind-hearted weather man took pity on sweltering Roanokers yesterday as the thermometer failed for the first time in five days to reach or exceed 90 degrees."
• "The funeral for Miss Matty L. Cocke, 83, president emeritus of Hollins college and last surviving member of the family of the founder, Charles L. Cocke, who died Monday afternoon at ‘Eastnor,' her home on the college campus, will be conducted ... at 4:30 o'clock this afternoon."

1913 (100 years ago)

• "As the result of a cloudburst in the territory north of the city drained by Lick Run, a creek which empties into the Campbell avenue drain near the city stables, considerable damage was done by flood waters in the north east section of the city."
• "A few days ago the residence of J.H. Feather in the country, caught fire and was right badly damaged. They tried to phone for assistance but could not get Vinton central."
• "The Norfolk & Western has received its first all-steel car for passenger service."
• "With chickens in moderate supply, but weak, eggs and butter scarce and firm, and green goods holding at good prices, especially tomatoes, yesterday's market was brisker than was anticipated in view of bad weather."
• "While drought conditions in Roanoke valley have not been particularly alarming, it is known that almost every crop of vegetables has suffered more or less for lack of moisture, especially tomatoes."
• "The Ponce de Leon Hotel, corner of Commerce street and Campbell avenue, was sold yesterday to Roanoke capitalists syndicated under the name of ‘The Ponce de Leon Hotel Company' for $155,000."
• "Chief of Police E.R. Moore has received the ‘green cross' automobile tags, to be used by physicians in order that their cars properly may be identified in enforcement of the traffic laws."
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