By By Lowell McGill
My column last week apparently stroked the ire of a few of my readers. If you recall one of my topics was about Sarah Palin drawing no support from The National Organization Of Women (NOW) after she was belittled by Dave Letterman, the late night TV host.
One reader told me Letterman’s so called chuckling apologies to Palin were no more than “gee, I wish had never said that.” That reader told me she was so upset over his treatment of the Alaska Governor that she took her family out to Olive Garden for a nice meal. That family restaurant, if you remember, pulled its advertisement on his show after he ridiculed her. The reader also had no kind words for NOW stating this group should change its name to LRFOTL-liberal, radical, females of the left.
You know, I bet CBS now wishes Letterman had not said that.
According to George Talbot, political editor for “The Mobile Press Register,” some apparent good news about the Northrop Grumman vs. Boeing tanker contract surfaced this week. Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha said Wednesday he is continuing to push for a split contract between these two rivals-and the Pentagon may begin listening to him. Murtha, who visited Mobile earlier this year, seems to have taken a favorable view of what the Mobile area has to offer. It was reported a few months ago he liked Mobile plans for building the much needed tanker here. Adding more weight is Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye’s announcement that he was supporting Murtha in an effort to sell congress on the idea that a dual buy is the only way to break a political deadlock.
Let’s hope both these legislators can sway the defense department to award us at least half of the contract.
Our story on Little River generated an email from Atlanta’s Jackson Long who lived in the Atmore area until he was fifteen years of age. He said he remembers his brother working at the CCC Camp near Little River when he was a small child. This organization, Civilian Conservation Corps, began in 1933 and provided jobs for young men. Those jobs included planting trees to combat soil erosion, maintaining national forests and creating game and bird sanctuaries. Mr. Stallworth remembers walking on the many dirt roads in and around the Little River area.
And now let’s take a brief look at people places and events from 1974.
Greenlawn Hospital became fully accredited by the National Hospital Board. Sandy McGill, who served as administrator resigned his position as hospital administrator to move into a similar position at the South Baldwin Hospital in Foley. Dutch Henry, a Baldwin county native, was hired as his replacement.
In education news, Eunice Broughton and Mrs. Frank Currie retired after serving many years in the Escambia County teaching system.
R.L. Watson and Steve Peterson were named new football and baseball coaches respectively at Escambia Academy. Steve, who is married to Tony’s Albert’s daughter, is the head baseball coach at Middle Tennessee State University. He has served as coach for that college for several years now.
In medical news, Dr. Hugh Long moved to Atmore and assumed the chiropractor practice of Dr. Cecil Thornbloom.
The Alabama Forest Commission recognized Escambia County for growing some of the largest cedar trees in the state. One tree, located near Big Escambia Creek and I-65 was said to be over 80 feet tall.
James Kennedy, former ECHS football standout was recognized for his input in developing the Pringles Potato Chip “round can.” James was employed as an engineer with a major corporation at that time. Sam Ford, former Atmore resident and President of the Atmore Chamber of Commerce played an important role in helping James obtain his college scholarship in 1954. Sam was also the business manager for WATM radio back then.
Attorney Bert Rice and his family moved to Atmore that year and joined the Robert Maxwell Law Firm. Rice later served our community well, working with youth sports leagues and eventually became a well respected judge.
Former Ernest Ward High School football standout Liston Eddins was named one of the National Linemen of the week as a member of the Auburn Tigers football team.
Some local L&N and Frisco depot agents were omitted from an earlier 1974 story I wrote about the railroad. They include Wilmer Turnquist, Green A. King Sr., J.A. White, J.L. Sims, N. McMullen, Andy Driscoll, J. L. Wachob, Walter Jones and Abe Mixon.
Everyone is cautiously waiting congressional ruling on Amtrak’s possible return to our area. Congress is expected to act soon on this train’s request for additional funding.
Freddie Cantanne told me recently the passenger train, “Hummingbird,” was known to railroad men as numbers five and six because it traveled both north and south. That train was known to all back then as the fastest passenger train making regular runs through our area.
I heard from some of my friends who enjoyed Adam’s article in The Advance about the Creek Indian Blimp. Adam saw that air ship while visiting in Birmingham last week. One of my friends said he also saw it while traveling through Birmingham.
It’s great to see the Creeks offering so many jobs and opportunities for so many here in our area. And, they tell us much more is planned for the future. Talk is buzzing about Reba and Hank Jr. coming here next month.
Look for even more big name stars to appear in the future.
Lowell McGill is a historical columnist for The Atmore Advance. He can be reached at exam@frontiernet.net