For the past several months I have taken notice of people who wear tattoos and I have come to realize this is apparently a highly profitable business. I say this because there are many, many more people wearing them now as opposed to years ago.

Thus, this influx of growth tells me the need for more tattoo artists is growing.

Now let me tell what I know about the tattoos business. Nothing! I have no idea how they are placed on one’s body, ankle, foot, neck, arm, etc. I have, however, come to realize that it is an “in” thing or the “going” thing.

It seems many of the young recording artists are setting the tone for this outbreak in tattoo interest. And arms on football players appear to be wrapped in snakes. This makes me wonder if their arms will look this way thirty years from now or is there a way to remove this art work. I don’t know and the reason I don’t know is because I never wanted a tattoo.

Again, I do know these artists are making lots of money.  I suppose one would need to attend a tattoo training school before he or she could become qualified to perform this art work. Surveys indicate interest in this field is expected to grow by leaps and bounds. At the same time I express no desire to get one I am saying this is a field where one can make good money.

In the 1940s and 1950s tattoos were observed mostly on sailors and merchant seamen. These service men went to a “tattoo parlor” to get the work done. Few parlors were located in seacoast cities like Pensacola and Mobile.  But today more and more parlors are popping up in these cities as well as smaller towns.

In some current news cardiologists are excited about a new discovery that may prove beneficial to those suffering from congestive heart failure. University of Alabama biologist Steven Secor says his study of heart growth in large snakes has created this excitement in the medical field. The study wants to do with treating fatty acids in the snake’s stomach and applying results to the human body.

According to Jeff Hansen of The Birmingham News ,“Secor fell in love with snakes in college. He spent his graduate years chasing venomous snakes across the Mojave Desert learning what they ate. He also studied the Burmese python.”

Now we will take look at some news from 1955 1974 and  1975.Glen Latham, head football coach at ECHS, was named Coach of the Year by the Birmingham Post Herald Newspaper. Latham guided the 1974 Blue Devils to the 1974 3A championship. Lou Ikner, a standout on that team who went on to play football at the University of Alabama, was named to the All-Southern High School Football Team. Other team members garnering recognition included Joe Latham, Jimmy Woods and Curtis Coleman.

Another local football standout, Jimbo Walker, was named to the All-Southern Conference football team. The former Escambia Academy grad was a member of the Pat Dye-coached University of East Carolina team.

In 1955 Auburn University conducted a unique “Shearing” school here. The idea behind the school was to eliminate pain for sheep as their wool was sheared. They even brought in a special instructor from Australia to conduct the school. While there were not many sheep herders from our area in attendance it was learned that many came from other states mainly, Mississippi, Florida and Louisiana.

Wyona Dunn, a former ECHS beauty, was named to the 1955 Azalea trail Court in Mobile. She shared the spotlight there with Lee Ann Meriwether, the reigning Miss America.

Atmore boasted of five dry cleaning firms that year. They were John’s Cleaners, Merit Cleaners, Atmore Cleaners, City Dry Cleaners and Singleton Laundry and Cleaners.

Atmore’s youth leagues took on a bright outlook with the announcement by Vanity Fair to build a new Little League park near their main plant.

John G. Wingard, owner of Wingards Jewelers, was recognized as one of a few “Certified Watchmakers” in the state.

Dedication for the new Escambia Baptist Secretary office in Wabeek was held that year. Rev. N.H. McCrummen of Selma was the guest speaker. The popular pastor had previously served at Atmore First Baptist Church.

.Next week we will have more news about people and events from years gone by.

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

Lowell McGill’s email is exam@frontiernet.net.