By By Lowell McGill
Bringing to a close the last day of 2008 our column also takes a final look at the year 1955.
A longtime Walnut Hill family business went up in flames in October of that year. A.F. Vaughn Supermarket-Caf/-Service Station was leveled by blazes throughout the entire structure. Firefighters from Atmore, Walnut Hill, Fla., Molino, Fla. and Cantonment, Fla. responded without success as fire was too severe to the extinguish
Another Walnut Hill resident made news that month for her own media savvy. Mrs. Campbell Justice published an interview she held with Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. Dr. Peale, who was the pastor of New York’s Marble Collegiate Church, was the guest speaker at a Pensacola Personal Development Forum. Mrs. Campbell was of only a few who was permitted an interview with the renowned religious leader.
Two Atmore men became ordained Baptist Ministers in the fall of 1955. Douglas White and Bill Meadows were ordained and became pastors of Pineville Baptist Church and Atmore Baptist Temple, respectively.
Residents here welcomed a new grocery store. The Yellow Front Store, a Tuscaloosa based firm, opened for business with a full line of groceries and general merchandise. The store was located on North Main Street
Local State Farm agent, Ray Zweifel, received recognition for outstanding property insurance sales. Zweifel was a long time sponsor of Ray Johnson’s weekly music show on WATM. Johnson was a crop duster and played the Hawaiian guitar.
Doris Dawe, talented daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Dawe was selected ECHS Homecoming Queen.
Building contractor Paul Graham was awarded the contract to construct a seven room addition to the Greenlawn Hospital. The addition increased from 35 to 42 patient beds.
Former ECHS football standout James Kennedy help lead his Army football team to a 14-6 win over arch rival Navy. In later years ,Kennedy contributed to the development of the round box which packaged Pringles