August 13 through the years
100 Years ago – 1925
Rippe-Prager’s Woman’s Shop advertised “Exquisite Fall Millinery in Velours. This preliminary showing of Fall millinery delightfully forecasts an interesting Hat season. Captivating models – Paris inspired – all distinguished by subtle details and a rich scale of color are here in diversified styles.”
75 years ago – 1950
Martinsville’s Recreation Department was finishing a season of summer programs that included new offerings such as tennis and basketball instruction for girls, inner-city softball matches and a softball league. Lee Moore Jr. was the recreation director. Jane Stafford taught tennis and basketball. Al Waleski headed the softball league. The city had four playgrounds, North Martinsville, Southside, Albert Harris and East End, and each one had at least one trained supervisor who oversaw activities there. Activities at the parks included paddle tennis, volleyball, basketball, boxing, softball and quiet activities for small children. The North Martinsville playground had a wading pool, swing and other equipment, a skating rink, a softball diamond and volleyball courts. The city held day camps and gave swimming lessons at Lester Pool (later called Liberty Heights Swimming Pool).
50 years ago – 1975
City Sheriff James L. Carter asked Martinsville City Council for funding for two new employees for his department. He had a dozen on staff and asked for an additional man and an additional woman. The woman could act as a guard in city courtrooms when it female prisoners were taken to court. To demonstrate the need, he showed an 8-inch-long knife that Davnille jail guards found on a female prisoner whom he had transported to Danville, unaware that she carried a knife.
25 years ago – 2000
Ruby Balabanis and Colleen Butker opened Enchanted Garden at 1936 Virginia Ave., Collinsville. They sold floral themed baskets, antiques, artwork and other items, and they rented costumes.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.