100 YEARS AGO…
The local Post American Legion was planning to hold a big Fourth of July picnic and celebrations in Rockdale, with committees being active to that end. It was planned to make the affair an old-fashioned basket picnic, with a cordial invitation issued to everybody in Milam and adjoining counties. Among the amusement features would be goat roping, baseball, etc., while the candidates would be given an opportunity to make their announcements. An address was to be arranged for by some speaker of state-wide fame. The boys were entitled to, and requested, the earnest cooperation of all in their efforts to make the affair a big success.
Several of our Boy Scouts were financially unable to buy the regular Boy Scout uniform. These boys, 12 and 13 years of age were willing to work to make the $9 necessary. If any of our good people of Rockdale could use these boys in any capacity to help them earn this money, they were to kindly let the Scout Master N.H. Melbert know so he could assist them.
The anti-mosquito campaign accomplished one good thing—the sealing over of the old cistern on the vacant lot near the post office. This had been a prolific breeding place for mosquitoes for many years.
40 YEARS AGO…
Alcoa Lake—a favorite Central Texas fishing spot since 1954—was to be closed to the public “indefinitely” July 1 while temperature effects of recycling hot water into the lake from the nearby Sandow power plant were evaluated.
Lisa Davidson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Davidson, was crowned queen of the annual Roping &. Cutting Club Jubilee Days Rodeo at the Fair Park arena.
The Annual Aycock School reunion would be held primarily at the KC Hall, but the first event would be a memorial service at Rising Star Baptist Church.
Raymon Puente, assistant principal for the past two years at Rosebud-Lott High School, was named the new Rockdale Assistant Principal effective Aug. 1.
20 YEARS AGO…
Rockdale Christian Services downtown resale store was to be back open by mid-August after a task force found ways to update the facility and make its operation more efficient. “It closed Good Friday and created kind of a wake up call for area churches and community,” said Rev. Margaret Ingram chair of the RCS task force and pastor of First Christian Church.
One of Central Texas’ most successful tennis events—the Rockdale Open—was scheduled for its 2002 run July 24-28.
10 YEARS AGO…
Rockdale city council members were ready to get the city back into the business of demolishing “unsafe or dilapidated” structures. Meeting in regular session Monday at City Hall, the council gave first-reading approval to an ordinance designed to start the wrecking ball rolling on as many as 40 old structures throughout the city.
A long-standing lawsuit over 2011 taxable values by Milam County’s largest taxpayer appeared to be on the way to resolution. Milam Appraisal District (MilamAD) directors okayed Luminant’s offer of $410 million as an agreed-upon figure after emerging from an executive session with their attorney.
All 150 in attendance at the 78th annual Rockdale Homecoming made some “re-connections” but for one family it was even more special. Bill Dessens was presented original letters, dating back to 1877. Local historian Vickie Pounders Everhart had purchased the letters online and had been corresponding with the family for some time.
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