Looking back...

100 YEARS AGO

The Matinee Musical Club met at the home of Mrs. E.A. Camp. After the guests arrived they were refreshed with punch. The president then took up the regular procedure of the meeting. Then a most helpful and entertaining program was rendered. In a contest of composers, Miss Flora Sharp was successful and was presented with a piece of music. Refreshments of cake and cream with the club flower (the daisy) were served to all. Then favors of dainty white fans with daisies were given each. Everyone spent a very pleasant afternoon.

The Rockdale Boys Band listed members as director Louis Diehl, Percy Diehl, solo coronet; William Seibert, coronet; William H. Cooke, coronet, Rex Steward, coronet; Emory Camp Jr., coronet; Charley Robinson, piccolo; Will Herman, clarinet; James Johnson, trombone; Preston Perry Jr., trombone; Sam Raymon, tenor; Ray Catchings, alto; Harley Stone, alto; Harley Stone, alto; Horace Lightfoot, alto; Welborne James, alto; Lee Bartlett, alto; Claud Eads, alto; J.D. Peeples Jr., tuba; Fred Eads, tuba; Walter Talley, drums; Dave McCoy, drums.

40 YEARS AGO

Midway Grocery was robbed on September 2, 1981 and the suspects were arrested this week and were put into the Brazoria County Jail in Angleton.

The Rockdale Community Players were getting ready for opening night of their production of “Any Wednesday.” Director was Frank Summers, and the play starred Collie Parker, Joel Cagwin, Marti Campbell and John Wilkey.

20 YEARS AGO

The Rockdale community held several events to help the New York City victims of the twin tower bombings. Two blood drives were held by the United Steelworkers Local 8495, local businesses with the help of the Chamber of Commerce raised money for the Red Cross and the Rockdale High School Student Council raised nearly $1,900 in Walmart’s parking lot in about three hours. The Rockdale VFD had a “Fill the Boot” event at Wilcox and Cameron Ave. and all the money they raised went to the firefighters and their families of New York City.

Alton and Eunice Coldiron of Milano celebrated their 74th anniversary.

10 YEARS AGO

A standing room only crowd of 3,500, an 11-10 victory over Cameron to re-claim the Victory Bell and a posting of the colors by the Army’s First Cavalry Detachment Horse Cavalry Division. It doesn’t get any better than Friday night did for Rockdale football fans. The game ball was presented to Art Free, RHS science teacher and Iraq War veteran.

Two teenaged boys who left a youth therapeutic residential facility near Cameron without permission were struck by a train near Gause. The boys, ages 16 and 17, were reported in critical condition at Scott & White Hospital, Temple, at mid-week.

Rockdale’s newest business, Elements at Main held its “ribbon cutting” for the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday morning with a twist. Instead of cutting a ribbon, owners Leanna Applegate, Wendie Upson and Janet Leininger chose to dedicate a tree to the city as a symbol of new beginnings, not only for their new shop, but for all businesses within Rockdale. Located at 219 N. Main, Elements at Main is an eclectic boutique featuring apparel, jewelry, unique gifts and art.