July 29 through the years
100 Years ago – 1925
The town of Martinsville had a shortage of electricity, going without from 1-6 p.m. each day, because the water level on the Smith River was too low to power the plant. Aaron Mills took advantage to advertise that since it operated on its own power, it was open at all times and was ready to do any customer’s grinding at any time, with prompt service.
75 years ago – 1950
It was difficult to find cars to buy in the area as most dealers were running out. Frank Richardson of Richardson Motors said that they were all sold out and not getting any more cars until November. Paul Epling at Chaney Motor Company said that they weren’t getting enough cars to fill their quotas. Joe Meadows of Mitchell Motor Company said it would take 60 days to fill an order.
50 years ago – 1975
First United Methodist Church was preparing for the arrival of a refugee family from Vietnam. United Methodist Associate Pastor Jack Bartee kicked off the effort, after he was moved by seeing a television report about refugees in Camp Pendleton, California. Terry Mitchell headed the task force which formed on June 3. Church World Service asked the Martinsville group if they could host 23 Vietnamese people across three families. FUMC would bring one, Jones Chapel Church of the Brethren would bring another family, First Presbyterian Church voted to bring a third family. First Baptist Church was about to vote on bringing a fourth family. FUMC had rented and furnished a house at 704 Watt St. for its family.
25 years ago - 2000
Themes for vacation Bible school in July 2000 included “Road Rally 2000: In The Race With Jesus” (Horsepasture Christian Church, Chatham Heights UMC, Stone Memorial Christian, Mt. Sinai Holiness and Fort Trial Christian Church DOC); “Racing With Jesus” (Orchard Drive Baptist), “Walking With Jesus” (Solid Rock Apostolic Church Word of Warning Outreach Ministry), “In The Beginning” (Granberry UMC), “New Beginning” (Chatham Heights Baptist), “Celebrate Life From the Beginning to Eternity” (Highland Baptist), “Fantastic Good News Ocean Odyssey” (Kearfott Memorial Baptist, Blackberry Baptist and Grace Baptist), “The God Hunt” (Preston Wesleyan), “Celebrate: Jesus Loves Me” (Kitson Memorial Baptist), “Outback Games: Hope of Glory” (New Hope Church of the Brethren and First Baptist), “Outback Adventures” (Community Baptist), “Club Can Do, Kids Called to Care” (Smith Memorial UMC), “The Farm” (Oak Level Baptist), “To Infinity and Beyond” (Harvest Worship Center) and “Son Zone” (Rich Acres Baptist); and many churches had VBS’s without themes.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.