Forty-five years ago, in 1972, I noticed some names I hadn’t seen for many years.

What today is more of an eyesore than anything else, was once a thriving business on Douglas Ave.

In 1972 John Rogers Motors Inc. was located just across Douglas Ave. from where New Beginnings Thrift Shop is now located. They were having a sale with a 1964 Ford pick-up for $295; a 1966 Chevrolet Caprise for $495; and a 1968 Volkswagen sedan for $949.

Now these were some pretty good prices. We will never see such again.

Sen. John Sparkman’s wife was visiting town campaigning for her husband.

Here is an interesting thing that I have noticed in the newspapers of yesteryear. Today when we get a person’s name, a woman is not listed as Mrs. Somebody. She has a name of her own. Forty-five years ago, women were listed as Mrs. Somebody. I guess we have made a little progress since then. I am not a feminist, but all of us deserve to have a name of our own.

All area bands took place in a contest in Tuscaloosa and they all received excellent ratings. That continues through the most recent contests. We have a lot to brag about with our local bands today.

There was a public hearing held at the courthouse about the proposed by-pass with the Alabama State Highway Department.

Jack Hines of Brewton, who constructed the Brewton Heights Shopping Center, announced the stores that would be located in the new section.

This was not too long after we came to Brewton. My husband, Jim, was moved here to manage the A&P Grocery Store, which was located in this shopping center. We moved here in 1966 and he managed this store until 1990 when the store was closed down. I remember the time well, as they were closing the store, we welcomed our new granddaughter, Natalie, and my dad’s death all came at the same time. I was either in Ozark, Montgomery, Brewton, or on the road to one or the other.

Mrs. Jim Martin (see, another Mrs.) was in charge of the crafts program at the Brewton Civic League.

T.W. “Bill” Hagood and also Mildred Newby were running ads in campaigning for tax collector.

Prisoners at the Atmore Prison Farm were given the opportunity to construct ponds under the Manpower Training Program by the Alabama Board of Corrections.

I don’t see why these types of programs are not done more often. I am sure that prisoners would rather work at some sort of job than to sit in a cell and do nothing.

It was announced in The Brewton Standard that 59 oil wells had been completed in Jay Field and Little Escambia Creek Field.

I sure do wish one of those had belonged to me, but alas, it didn’t.