Some of you will remember those department stores of the 50s and 60s that we today refer to as “our Walmart stores.”

Olins and TG&Y, in particular, filled that void during these years, and in later years K Mart and Fred’s were the popular outlets.

Now, today, Walmart, Target and a few others are destination for shoppers.

Odd, isn’t it that Sears is not listed as one of the popular stores of our time. In fact, many of these old established stores are on the way out. For some reason, this business, which dates back to the 30s and 40s, was never able to make a go of it as an online shopping location.

There are a couple other large firms now having problems with sales and must close down some of the failing ones. Those stores are J.C. Penny and Macy’s. There is one other firm announcing its closing. It is Gander Mountain, a firm many of us are not too familiar with.

Perhaps one day the old “Mom and Pop” small business will return and provide us sidewalk strolling and shopping we enjoyed so many years ago.

Can’t you just hear your parents tell you “we are going down to Bowab’s to get you a new pair of shoes.” Or “we will find you a nice dress at The Cinderella Shop.” Back then, there were so many clothing stores, which carried all types of clothing for the entire family. Businesses like The Tot Shop, Johnsons, The Smart Shop, Andersons, Stallworths and The Economy Shop stood out as popular shopping locations. By the way, Carl still has his long time family business, The Tot Shop, in a very successful operation.

Because of the closings of so many smaller stores in small towns, newspapers and radio stations find it almost impossible to sustain a profitable operation. Advertising, the lifeblood of these outlets, is no longer available. Only those old established media outlets affiliated with national chain firms can really make a go at it. Some will boast that online news and information outlets are ascending in popularity. But a recent survey indicates there is a long way for these firms to grab the spotlight. You see, there are many, many folks who have not yet “got on the internet.” In fact, some say over half the population does not know what the Internet really is. However, this “digital world,” as it is now called, is certainly upon us.

In some current news, I am sure you read or saw on TV the amazing story about Crayola. That’s the firm that makes crayons. It seems that one of their “colors,” Dandelion has been “retired.” Why, after all these years would they want to eliminate this one? I suppose it is because it was not used as much as other colors. Wow, I wish they had removed the red color when I was in early school. That was the color my teacher used to mark my bad grades.

Now, here is some news from 1986.

Coyotes went on a rampage and killed several cows in Little Rock back then. Floyd Bell and his son initiated a unique trapping method in an effort to snare these animals. The county animal control destroyed these “bandits,” but not before concerned onlookers rode by his place to catch a quick view of them. Their skillful trapping enabled neighbor’s cow to gaze peacefully from then on.

In other 1986 news, Ike Northrop was feted on his 100th birthday by many relatives and friends.

Ellen Maddox was named Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year and Gerald Philen became the new manager of Blanton’s Roller Rink, which was located at the old Graham Oil Company building.

Former Atmore resident Murray Greer passed away at his home in Eufaula. He had worked in an execute capacity for a number of years with Alabama Power Co.

The late Jeff McGhee took some time off from his busy traveling schedule to chair the 1986 Rotary Club sponsored Fiddlers Convention.

The Marianna, Fla. native who was affiliated with our local telephone company often said Atmore would become his permanent home. But after an unexpected illness he moved to North Carolina, where he passed away. Jeff was involved in numerous community activities and he was responsible for many telephone employees receiving good retirement and insurance benefits.

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association presented an award to James Black upon retiring from Production Credit Association.

In 1974, R.L. Watson and Steve Peterson were named football and baseball coaches respectively at Escambia Academy. Steve, who is married to Tony Albert’s daughter served for a number of years as head baseball coach at Middle Tennessee State University.

Do you remember that little Fujifilm instant camera? It was introduced in 1986 and boy was it ever popular. A record number of these cameras were sold that year. And a record number of “one hour” developing studios also came on the scene. Now look at it. The digital revolution entered the picture and sent these items into obscurity. You can hardly find a “one-hour” studio today.

Next week, we will have more news from years gone by.