100 YEARS AGO
Maxie’s Theatre had the following movies playing 100 years ago this week: Viola Dana in “Home Stuff” and a two-reel Christie Comedy on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursdays showing was “Passion Flower” staring Norma Talmadge. Friday featured “The Village Sleuth” and the first episode of “Adventures of Tarzan billed as the best one yet.
Baldridge Brothers and Perry & Quebe pharmacies were both offering Stella-Vitae, a treatment for women. “Stella Vitae gives freedom to women and girls on the distinct agreement that if the first bottle does not benefit, money will be refunded.”
Another woman’s tonic called Cardui was also being offered. One customer said after six bottles she was completely cured of her illness after having a baby.
40 YEARS AGO
Cecil Owens became Rockdale’s first 100-unit (12.5 gallons) blood donor as the Red Cross Bloodmobile visited the Knights of Columbus Hall. Joyce Lane and Otis Harris became one-gallon donors.
The Rockdale Sonic was celebrating its three year anniversary with special prices all week. Pictured in the ad were Sophia Barrera (now Norman) and Mary Allen who were the only two employees who had been there since opening.
Kathy Johnston was reelected president of the Rockdale Tennis Association as the RTA had a meeting to plan for 1982 plus a round-robin doubles tournament at city park.
Exquisite Sleepwear by Deena was being offered at 30% off by The Mary Ann Shoppe owners Edward and Mozelle Williams.
20 YEARS AGO
County Judge Frank Summers announced that the county budget grew by $400,000 but the tax rate would remain the same.
The 26th Rockdale Fair announced that Miss Texas, Stacy James, would be on hand, and two of the acts were to be Chris Cagle and Kevin Fowler.
Matinee Musical Club heard the life story of Lorenz Hart, acclaimed lyricist, at the home of Judy Hudson with Dixie Whitmore as co-hostess.
10 YEARS AGO
Volunteers restoring the Kay Theatre had $5,000 more to add to the restoration “box office” after the sixth annual 5K run. The 5K “run-unrun” included divisions for walkers, runners and those who chose to watch and enjoy the music by the Communities in Concert Band. There was also a 1K run for kids. Seventy-five persons participated. The 1940s-era theatre was being restored as a community center and performing arts venue.
It was far from one of Rockdale’s worst fires at 2:52 p.m. Friday at the corner of Wilcox and Murray, just one of the strangest. A buzzard (turkey vulture) made contact with power lines, causing them to arc and set a couple of small grass fires. Fires of any size in the super-heated, super-dry fall of 2011 were nothing to take lightly so the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department and the Rockdale Police Department teamed up to knock down the fires which burned within a few inches of one house. The incident also triggered a power outage which lasted more than two hours in some parts of western Rockdale. There was one fatality—the buzzard.
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