June 11 through the years
100 Years ago – 1925
The Red Cross sponsored a clinic for sick or undernourished children from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Martinsville Grammar School. Noted child specialist Dr. Samuel Newman was in charge. Members of the Henry County Medical Association assisted. The purpose of the clinic was purely diagnostic, with treatments to be carried out by local agencies. Patients would pay as they were able, or would be treated for free if unable to pay. The first such clinic was held just one year before, and there were plans to make this a regular event. The public was asked for patience and understanding as the process was being ironed out.
75 years ago – 1950
It was a crowded race for City Council, with 10 candidates: R.S. Brown, R.S. Hodnett, O.V. Huskey, J.R. Walker, C.P. Craig, W.T. Turner, John W. Richardson, Julius Hermes, William D. Hobson and Gus R. Ashworth. It was described as an unusually quiet campaign, with most of the campaigning being done by personal contacts, with letters and advertisements in the newspaper by some. In Ridgeway, eight people competed for six spots on the town council: incumbents Dr. R.L. Mason, J.L. Shropshire, J.D. Holland and Jessie B. Odell, and the others were Dennis A. Dalton, Joe E. Pace Jr., Charles L. Isley and Arnold D. Miller. Acting mayor George V. Cooner was running unopposed for mayor.
50 years ago – 1975
Martinsville Drive-In Theatre in Rich Acres previously had been showing Rated X movies, but stopped doing so after tremendous community outcry and potential legal problems. The owners said they’d stick to no more than Rated R going forward. The movies being shown this week in 1975, both rated R, were “Swingin’ Swappers” and “The Young Seducers” (with an ad showing a very young woman wearing a dark barely-there bra). Meanwhile, Castle Drive-In Theatre in Collinsville was showing “The Strongest Man in the World” and “Old Yeller,” both by Walt Disney.
25 years ago - 2000
Rives S. Brown salespeople of the month were Cathy Spencer and Teresa Weaver.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.