LOOKING BACK

100 YEARS AGO...

Hon. Cullen H. Thomas of Dallas, will deliver a patriotic address as the guest of the Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Watson surprised their little son Billie on his 10th birthday July 20 by giving him a surprise party. He was spending the day with his aunt when 23 of his friends gathered at his house. On Billie’s return, they met him at the door with 10 rah-rahs.

Martin Meitzen, the courteous and efficient clerk at the Sap station, has been on a two-week vacation, visiting Galveston, Halletsville, Rose bud and other places of interest.

H.M. Calloway had information by phone from Mrs. Calloway that their 5-yearold son, Edwin, had happened into a motorcycle accident in Temple, resulting in the breaking of his leg.

40 YEARS AGO...

The 3,600-square-foot George H. Patterson Community Center is “virtually complete” and the grand opening ceremonies have been set for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 9, according to Milford Henry, chairman of the city’s Community Center Board.

Largest increases in school property taxes in Texas history were adopted by school boards across the state last year, but Rockdale’s 4.4% increase was only a drop in the bucket compared to most tax boosts.

A public hearing on the proposed annexation of 161 acres which includes the new junior high and bus barn as well as a large area to the west of FM 908 and areas in the Linwood Acres subdivision, was held in Rockdale State Bank.

Rockdale High School and elementary league girls softball all-star teams won their divisions of their invitational tournament over the weekend at the city complex in a three-team round robin competition.

20 YEARS AGO...

A 24-year-old Rockdale man received four 20-year prison terms in 20th District Court after being convicted of kidnapping last month in a jury trial

Rockdale’s Roger Hashem Juvenile Justice Center will be the site of a new voting box for primary and general elections if a plan worked out by Milam County’s two party chairmen is approved by county commissioners.

Preserve Our Past committee met at the Blake Building in Cameron and reviewed fundraising efforts and heard an update of the Milam County Courthouse restoration project.

Season football tickets went on sale for the Rockdale Tigers on Aug. 13. There were six home games that season.

10 YEARS AGO...

County Judge Dave Barkemeyer may propose creating a fifth road and bridge fund to facilitate paving in the 2011 county budget but don’t look for it to be smooth sailing through the commissioners court. “I don’t think it’s going to fly with the four commissioners,” Dale Jaecks, Precinct 3 commissioner said.

The city of Milano will sponsor it’s “Fall Fest” in downtown on Oct. 1 with food booths, tractor pulls, car show and much more.

A former Rockdale resident and a 1990 RHS graduate was noted for his bravery as a Texas Department of Public Safety officer during a recent traffic accident in Atascosa County, south of San Antonio. He pulled the driver out of the vehicle and began CPR, continuing 30 minutes until EMS back up arrived.

When football teams get together early in the season to workout, defense is always ahead of the offense. That wasn’t the case this time in College Station. In pool play, Rockdale fell to Sanger 45-33, Somerset 46-34 and Abilene Wylie 34-14 and never led in any of the games.