Thirty years ago. When you say it, it seems as if it was a very long time ago. The truth is that the it was not that long ago. My mother always said that the older you get, the faster time goes, and I believe her.

It was in 1981 that W.S. Neal Elementary School had a grand opening at the new facility located on Williamson Street in East Brewton. It was state of the art and a capacity of 600.

New mailboxes had to be installed at the Brewton Post Office to handle the need. There was then about 1,400 boxes available.

I had no idea there were that many mailboxes in the post office. I guess it’s because I hardly ever venture to that side of the building.

Alabama Power was looking to build a new office and to locate it on two lots between Mason Street and Liles Blvd.

Well, something didn’t work out because we all know the office is located on Douglas Avenue, next to city hall.

There was to be a big benefit to raise funds for the Alabama Sheriff’s Boys and Girls. It was to be held in Montgomery and  the featured entertainer was Barbara Mandrell. There was a large story written about the fundraiser and brought a lot of attention, even in this area.

The W.S. Neal Blue Eagles were ranked number one in Area 2. Go Eagles.

Miss Sallie Davison celebrated her 94th birthday.

For those of you who did not know Miss Sallie, she was one of the sweetest ladies around. She was one of the first people we met after we came to Brewton. My next door neighbor introduced us and when my son was little, Miss Sallie gave him his first Bible story book.

I guess the seniors at the SAIL site in East Brewton were getting a head start on Halloween. They had a “Tacky Party” complete with costumes. The Brewton Standard carried a whole page of photographs taken at the party. Some were pretty tacky.

Katherine Simmons was named T.R.M. Band Director.

Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home had a grand opening.

Now it certainly does not seem as if it has been there that long.

Over in East Brewton the city council voted to change some of the speed limits inside its city limits.

Plans were going ahead for Harvest Jam, which was coming up on Oct. 10. It was advertised to be a family affair and not a rock festival.

If you do not remember this event, it was one of the biggest to be held here in this area. I don’t know how many people there were in attendance, but the traffic was the biggest mess we have ever seen here in our small town. Entertainment was some of the best, such as Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Daniels and a number of other entertainers.

We have an ariel photograph of the event here at the office of The Brewton Standard and the airport, where the event was held, was absolutely packed with people, stages, trailers and equipment.