100 YEARS AGO...
The Rockdale Public School boasted the largest enrollment in its history, and Supt. Marshall informed The Reporter that he and the teachers were hard pressed to meet the requirements of the situation, and that another teacher for the remainder of the term would be a blessing to the school.
The Philomathean and Athenum Literary Societies of Rockdale High School provided joint entertainment in the school’s study hall, to which members of the school board and others were invited. The afternoon proved to be something of a gala day affair which would long be remembered by all attending.
Rockdale Lodge No. 414, AF & AM enjoyed one of the most inspiring sessions in its history, when the Master Mason’s degree was conferred upon J. N. Weeks, the degree team from San Andres Lodge No, 170 Cameron officiating.
FORTY YEARS AGO...
Two Milam County men were in custody and two more were chased on foot through a hilly, wooded region south of Rockdale by “just about every officer in the county,” according to Sheriff Leroy Broadus. The arrests and manhunt were in connection with a burglary of a downtown Rockdale grocery store.
A standing room only crowd of 225 packed into the RHS cafeteria and served notice to the Rockdale Independent School District board that they were dissatisfied with more than recent changes in the athletic department. The meeting was called by the Rockdale Athletic Association where question were compiled to ask the board, none of whose members were present that night.
A man brandishing a shotgun tried to force his way into the Milam County Jail, but was stopped and arrested.
TWENTY YEARS AGO...
Another taxing entity in the Rockdale area, perhaps even within the Rockdale city limits? Not if the Milam County Commissioners had any influence. The commissioners voted to oppose any new property tax property tax proposed by the virtually dormant Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 board of directors.
The much-hyped, long-awaited drag strip proposed between Thorndale and Rockdale could break ground by the end of the month, Bill Davidson, Central Texas Raceway Park president indicated.
Rockdale ISD officials were adopting a “wait and see” attitude before taking any specific action on school rush hours to deal with closing of a major intersection serving the school. TxDOT was closing US 79 and Childress to widen the highway and Childress links the highway to the school.
Rockdale ISD’s technology department opened a late Christmas present – the first 75 of 500 laptop computers, part of a $750,000 grant received by the district. By next fall, every Rockdale student could have a laptop computer, said Marcia Proctor, RISD technology director.
TEN YEARS AGO...
This “early out” proposal doesn’t mean leaving school at noon before Thanksgiving or Christmas. Rockdale ISD trustees were set to act on an early resignation incentive option for most school district employees. The proposal was a reaction to expected cuts in state education funding which have sent districts throughout the state scrambling for ways to reduce spending.
Everyone needs a little cooperation during those rare times when Rockdale is paralyzed by ice and snow. Add the Rockdale Police Department to that list. “We get inundated with calls from people reporting their power is out,” Lt. J.D. Newlin said. “Of course we are always here to serve,” he said, “but there’s just not really a lot we can do about that.”
Monday was the first day to file for the May 14 area city and school elections. Terms of two city council members and two school trustees are expiring in 2011.
A crowd of thousands enjoyed Rockdale’s Tejas Fest in 2010 and organizers expected the same this March 4-5 for the fifth annual event. Artists and authors were also set to visit local schools. Ventriloquist and motivational speaker Dena Britton of Hutto, and her partner “Dandy” were to perform on two campuses.
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