100 YEARS AGO Thursday, Sept. 1, 1921
from the Gloucester Gazette
Mathews County’s disastrous fire last week has turned the thoughts of Gloucester C.H. citizens to their own lack of adequate fire protection. About all the village boasts of in the way of fire protection are some ladders that are nearly worn out, a wagon that probably needs repairs, a few buckets, chemical fire extinguishers and axes.
Should a fire such as visited Mathews last week start here this equipment would be well-nigh useless in fighting the flames. A prominent business man discussing the matter this week declared that Gloucester C.H. ought to have a chemical engine and other modern equipment for fire protection, and that organization and drill are also vitally needed so that, in case of fire, efforts to save property could be intelligently directed.
It is probable that a meeting will be called shortly to consider the taking of steps for more adequate fire protection.
from the Mathews Journal
We, “The Ladies Aid” of Holly Grove, desire to extend to the public our heartfelt gratitude for their generous support in our “Sock Social” held at the home of H.C. Jones. Especially we do appreciate the liberal contribution given by our loyal citizen Hon. Boyd Sears. We exceedingly regret his inability to be with us on this occasion as we looked forward to an address from him which is always cheery and elevating but aside from this we hope the crowd was favorably entertained. Our total sum was $101.60. We also wish to thank our kind friend, Mr. Jones, for the use of his spacious lawn.
90 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 3, 1931
from the Gloucester Gazette
An appropriation of $200 was made to the Gloucester Nursing Activities by the Board of Supervisors at its regular monthly meeting last Thursday toward the payment of the salary of Miss Mary C. White; Mrs. George Mackubin, Miss Ann Withers and Mrs. W.A. Robinson appeared before the board in behalf of the Nursing Activities, and the action of the Board was by unanimous vote.
The Tidewater Mortgage & Loan Corporation, through its attorney, Charles S. Smith Jr., proposed that it be allowed to use water from the well on the Court Green, agreeing that it would keep the well and pump in good order or furnish a new pump if necessary and furnish water without cost to all county buildings now using water. The offer was accepted on condition that in case of a shortage of water the county buildings should be first supplied.
from the Mathews Journal
In news from Diggs, Mrs. A.F. Hudgins, of Tabernacle, visited her daughter, Mrs. Mamie Diggs, on Friday last.
Mr. Charlie Hart and family, of Baltimore, recently visited Mrs. Mollie Bet Diggs and family at Laban.
Miss Stella Brownley, of Portsmouth, spent the week-end with her grandmother, Mrs. J.D. Brownley.
Mrs. Ada Bragg and Mrs. Tilton Todd are visiting their brother, Mr. Ashley Brownley at Laban.
Mrs. Ashley Brownley entertained relatives from Gloucester on Sunday.
Miss Henrietta Hudgins (Spinster) has the remarkable record of having reached her 90th year without ever having taken a single dose of doctor’s medicine, or even having a doctor attend her only for a broken arm. Miss Hudgins thinks this should be printed in The Journal.
80 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 4, 1941
from the Gazette-Journal
At the regular August meeting of the Gloucester Board of Supervisors, held Thursday, the Board appropriated $305.35 as Gloucester County’s share of the expense of the Hampton Roads Regional Defense Council.
Brown Farinholt was given permission to connect with the water system of Sanitary District No. 1.
The Board approved the proposal of the School Board to borrow $3,000 from the State Literary Fund for a new cafeteria building at Achilles High School and $3,500 for additions and improvements at Gloucester Training Institute.
70 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Aug. 30, 1951
from the Gazette-Journal
The appeal which appeared in the Gazette-Journal recently for funds to rid the Gloucester library building of termites received a most encouraging response. The work has been completed and the Library board expresses its thanks to all those who contributed so generously.
A number of important titles have recently added to the Memorial Shelf which contains those books given in memory of departed ones by friends of the library.
The younger as well as the older patrons will find may new books and even the very “small fry” have been remembered too.
The library will reopen Sept. 5 and will be open each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 to 4. Come in and browse around!
60 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Aug. 31, 1961
from the Gazette-Journal
The 149th Fighter Squadron, Air Force National Guard Reserve, of Byrd Field, Richmond, has been called for a one-year tour active duty effective Oct. 1.
Mathews County members of the Squadron are Bobby Hudgins, Gerald Rowe, Gary Wayne Brownley, Harold Rainier Jr., Lewis Dixon and Gordon Mason, all of Mathews, and Morgan Pritchett and Larkin T. DuVal Jr., of Richmond.
50 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 2, 1971
from the Gazette-Journal
A traveling unit of the Rappahannock Community College will be at the Edgehill Shopping Center, Gloucester, tomorrow and the Hayes Plaza Shopping Center, on Saturday.
The mobile unit will visit all counties served by the South Campus at Glenns prior to the school’s opening later this month. It will feature visual displays, a TV monitor, informational materials, and will give some residents their first opportunity to talk with a member of the college staff. A counselor will be available to answer individuals who wish to apply.
40 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 3, 1981
from the Gazette-Journal
For the first time, the Gloucester County Fair and Mathews Market Days will occur on the same weekend, Sept. 10, 11, and 12. The Gloucester County Fair will be held at the Gloucester Intermediate School, and Mathews Market Days will center around the Court House.
The fact that the two county celebrations will occur on the same dates was merely coincidental according to Mrs. John Burnette, publicity chairman of the Gloucester County Fair, and Mrs. William A. Rau, chairman of Mathews Market Days.
“The Gloucester County Fair was tentatively scheduled for the last week in August at the fairgrounds,” said Mrs. Burnette. “But when that became unavailable, the only time the Intermediate School could host the Fair was Sept. 10-12.”
Mrs. Rau said that “Mathews Market Days have always been the first weekend after Labor Day, ever since they began seven years ago.”
Both chairmen are hopeful that the two events will not interfere with each other, or force visitors to choose between them.
30 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 5, 1991
from the Gazette-Journal
The Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad has won the 1991 Beautification Award presented jointly by the Garden Club of Mathews and the Mathews Chamber of Commerce.
Lyn Layer, representing the Club, and Arlene Jones, chamber representative, presented the plaque Saturday to MVRS president John Whalen and to squad member Pat Harrington, one of several who have worked on landscaping at the squad house.
20 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Aug. 31, 2001
from the Gazette-Journal
The Gloucester County Tourism Committee is trying to work in local ties with the opening of the “Minority Report” movie next year. Portions of the film were filmed earlier this summer in the county.
Carol Steele, Gloucester’s director of parks, recreation and tourism, discussed various ideas for the “Minority Report” release with the committee during a meeting Aug. 20 at Page Middle School, White Marsh. It’s important to have local recognition for the film, which stars Tom Cruise and is directed by Steven Spielberg, Steele said.
There are all kinds of possibilities being explored, Steele said, including promotions with local movie theaters. Some scenes of the film were shot at Beaverdam Park, on the road by Nuttall Store at Ware Neck, and on a private island off the Ware Neck shoreline.
10 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011
from the Gazette-Journal
Most Middle Peninsula residents seemed to fare pretty well during Hurricane Irene Saturday. Up and down Route 17 early Sunday morning, residents in Gloucester were seen heading out on the roadways to assess the damages in their communities.
Lines at fast-food restaurants were stretching out toward the main road with residents who’d lost power seeking a hot breakfast.
Garrey Curry, interim emergency management coordinator for Gloucester, said an estimated total damage loss in Gloucester from Irene was $1,005,000 as of Tuesday afternoon. This includes varying impacts to 64 single-family home, one manufactured home, five businesses and one non-profit organization.
Mathews County came through Hurricane Irene Saturday with little damage and a lot of goodwill among neighbors.