This week I have some news from the year 1966.

Social Security and Medicare recipients may be interested to know Medicare C Plus came onto the scene that year.  One of the main differences in that initial offering was the monthly premium. Back then the basic C Plus monthly premium was $2.50.  Medicare

Supplement premiums today range from $125 to $154 per month.

Jim Monroe, local state trooper was recognized for his outstanding service for his efforts keeping our highways safe. He was also active in our Little League and Babe Ruth programs.  And, don’t let me forget my good friend Woody Stewart, who was also a highly regarded state trooper until his retirement not too long ago. Woody joins our gang at the coffee shop fairly regularly.

Jimmy Dean, another local trooper, is very visible to all of these days as he, too, patrols our highways to keep us safe. Jimmy, who also is active in our youth sports programs, is just one of several troopers who is serving our area. I mention these three because I have known them for many years.

Bishop Lyons, Vocational Agriculture instructor at Escambia County Training School, was named “Teacher of the Year” in the county. He later taught at ECHS until his retirement. His work in local civic, church and community affairs was known by all.

Kerr McGee opened a farm center specializing in a diversity of farm products. Cecil McElhaney, who was in charge of this business, was assisted by Wendell Giddens.

Sgt. Bobby H Davis of Rt 3 Atmore was awarded the Bronze Star for Bravery in Viet Nam.  The son of Mr. and Mrs. M O Davis, he also received The Purple Heart for his heroic deeds.

Curtis Forester, Escambia County Florida FHA Supervisor, added another community water system to his long line of water producing units. He was responsible for water works in Bluff Springs, Byrneville, Bratt, Davisville, Molino, Cottage Hill, Farm Hill, Lagoon and Perdido Bay.

Atmore’s new Rotary Officers that year were L. D Horn, John Garrard, Robert McLeod, and Dr. Joe Shackleford.  Directors were Cliff Frazier, Novalee Hale, and George Green.

The Atmore Assembly of God Church brought in   T Texas Tyler, a well known spirited country singer, for special services. Tyler, who retired from the musical recording field in 1958, became a minister that same year. He had several hit recordings including his famous “Deck of Cards” and “Bumming Around”. Tyler passed away at the young age of 55.

Now for some current news Google TV was the talk of the trade a few months ago but now I cease talking to my friends about it because of the advent of 3D TV. I notice the cost of these TV sets continue to fall in price and I am wondering how successful this concept will be. It seems something new is being added each day to TVs, phones, IPods, Ipads and computers.

You know that story I wrote last week about the “Occupy” movement in some of our larger cities. Well, I received an email from a lady yesterday telling me I should come down to Pensacola and take a look at that city’s “Occupy” gatherings which seems to increase in numbers each day.  Let’s hope these leftist activists don’t invade our serene confines. Newt Gingrich said it best a few days ago. Tell these folks “to go get a job right after you take a bath”.

Hey, did you know I can now donate blood.

That’s right I really can. You see my oncologist declared me cancer free after ten years of successful prostate cancer treatment.

And, with the help of my wife, I have no problems sorting outmy pills  for  other ailments.She does it  for me. I don’t think I could do it without her. Each week she inserts my assortment of pills into my pill box making sure I am taking the right doses. She really has become somewhat an authority on heart pills, thyroid pills, “water” pills, potassium pills, pacemaker pills and cholesterol pills.

Finally I read an internet article this weekend on tailgating. It seems a group of tailgaters were trying to hitch up with some compatible folks at  a popular college football game. One tipsy woman in the group said “look lets go hang out with this group”. Her friend asked why should we join that group? The tipsy woman said ” they are all look drunker than the other tailgaiters we visited”.

My, my I hope her kids did not see her in this condition. But considering the condition she was in it probably didn’t matter to her anyway.
More next week from another memorial year in our past.

“….yes….it always to whispers to me…….those days of long ago…”