March 12 through the years

100 Years ago – 1926

The American Legion held a plant sale with all sorts of blooming potted plants and cut flowers and all kinds of ferns, in the vacant room next to the A & P store on Walnut Street.  

75 years ago – 1951

The Red Cross fundraising drive opened, with a goal of $9,845. Five thousand dollars would remain with the local chapter, and the rest would be sent to national headquarters. J. Frank Wilson was the chairman. The need was great due to the Korean War, he said.

50 years ago – 1976

The Nashville Grass and The Osborne Brothers performed at the Bassett Community Center, sponsored by the Bassett Jaycees. Tickets cost $3 for adults and $1.50 for children and could be bought at Leed’s Music Stores in Collinsville and Martinsville or Harder’s Drug and Trent Furniture in Bassett. Lester Flatt was scheduled to perform (the headliner, in fact), but he missed the show due to emergency surgery for his gallbladder.

25 years ago - 2001

Vic Abdelhadi opened Sunbelt Business Brokers at 916 Brookdale St., Suite No. 3. The business helped people buy and sell businesses.

Jimmy and Kathy Mullins opened Mullins Custom Exhaust and Auto Repair at 5839 Oak Level Road. Mitch Jones was a mechanic there.

Gubernatorial candidate Mark Warner visited Martinsville. He addressed about 75 laid off textile workers at The Gallery on Memorial Boulevard and attended a private fundraiser at the Dutch Inn in Collinsville.

— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.