Feb. 27, 1954

Staff

Published Thursday, February 27, 2003

The lead story in the Suffolk News-Herald on this date 38 years ago:

U.S. is more optimistic over Middle East alliance

WASHINGTON (AP) - American officials were reported more optimistic today than in some time over prospects for a Middle East defense alliance, despite political upheavals in Syria and Europe.

While these countries are not envisioned as part of defense chain to ring Russia's southern border, their affairs naturally influence the actions of their neighbors.

The council of 14 young officers who rule Egypt made a point of announcing their would be no change in Egypt's friendly attitude to the west.

CS property sold to realty firm

Sale of the former Colonial Store location on the south side of W. Washington St. by the Nurney Estate to a realty firm owned by the Thornton Furniture organization of Suffolk was completed this week at price of $120,000.

George A. Thornton, president of Thornton Stores Corp., confirmed the sale price after deed filing with the Municipal Clerk's office.

Included in the L-shaped parcel of property is the old Colonial Store building, the parking lot that adjoins the building to the rear and west (with frontage on West Washington and South Saratoga now occupied by Carr Jewelry, and a parking area-driveway adjacent to the south of the jewelry firm.

An entire section of the newspaper was devoted to the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad's fifth anniversary:

Rescue Squad takes giant steps in growth

To people recently moved to Suffolk, the accomplishments of the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad in its scant five years of existence have been remarkable.

From a start of nothing but high hopes, the volunteer organization has grown rapidly in multi-vehicle status, equipped with efficient and well-trained emergency crews working in unison and housed in a modern new headquarters paid for solely by private contributions. Neither city nor county governmental funds go into its building or equipment, nor into its maintenance and operational budgets.

And yet, the members of the squad go wherever they are called, at any time they are called. The service of the volunteers is without regard to color, creed or race and without regard to financial standing.

The volunteer organization go its start on the night of Aug. 15, 1960, when about 80 interested people gathered at the Nansemond County Courthouse to get the details on how such an organization could be formed.

'Good old days' weren't so good for local squad

In operation for five years now, the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad today lacks nothing in sufficient funds for its operation, due to the generosity of the people of the area it serves. Neither does lack a new modern and comfortable headquarters, thanks again to the help of the area and work and determination of squad members who helped build the new facility.

But the volunteer unit did not always have it so good, as evidenced by the official minutes of its October 1961 meeting. The unit, at that time, was housed in a shack, cold in winter and hot in summer. Financially, it led a day to day existence. Moneymaking projects were planned at a furious pace.

These items were taken directly from the minutes:

Lt. Hubert Young reported that he had a request from the police department to remind squad members not to use the vehicle sirens unnecessarily.

President Hugh West mentioned seating facilities and suggested each member bring a chair or that the squad build wooden benches.

Heating the garage portion of the headquarters was discussed and one member was appointed to talk with J&E Auto about a gas blower heater J&E was not using.

Local rescue squad elects new officers

New officers take office in the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad tomorrow to handle for a year the business affairs of the volunteer unit and to plan the program for its activities.

Fred L. Nelms, long-time member of the unit and warehouse superintendent at Lummis Peanut Co., is the new president. He succeeds William H. Burkett in the post.

Other new officers are Phillip Hill, vice president; Burkett, treasurer; and George Jenkins, secretary.

Mrs. W.D. Holley Jr. is the new president of the auxiliary. She succeeds Mrs. Gary Saunders. Other new officers who will preside for the first time in January are Mrs. Ralph Hobbs, vice president; Mrs. Randolph Duke, recording secretary; Miss Betty Lou Wormwood, corresponding secretary; Mrs. R. Gary Saunders, treasurer; Mrs. John Franks, chaplain; Mrs. Sarah Fletcher, parliamentarian; and Mrs. James Willis, historian.

Planters Peanuts took a full-page ad in the paper congratulating the rescue squad on its 5th anniversary.

Members pictured in the ad were Ed C. White, William L. Bangley, Douglas Barnette. William H. Burkett, Bill Gilliland, Leon Old, Earl Smith, Melvin Smith Jr., Robert R. Solomon, G. William Willman III and Newell S. Wormwood.

H. W. (Billy) Fanney, Coleman L. Davis, George E. Eure, Mills W. Fanney, Clyde M. Griggs, Raymond E. Hampton, Donald L. Harrell, Philip B. Hill, R. Gary Saunders, William L. Byrum, Everett E. Bowman, Glenn S. Bunch; Randolph Duke, William (Bill) Hines, M. Dewey Howell Jr., J. Carlisle Johnson, Billy Kennedy, Jimmie Meadows and G. Millard Sherman.

Orion R. Turner Jr., Johnnie Franks, William T. Harris, J. Ralph Hobbs, George R. Jenkins, Fred L. Nelms, J.G. Rountree and James A. Willis.

Holland sweeps Whaleyville on the court

Holland's boys and girls basketball teams defeated Whaleyville in the opening round of the District Three basketball tournament at Windsor. For the Lady Bulldogs (the regular season district champions), it was the third victory of the season over the Lady Panthers. The boys' team had an easy time of tings, defeating the Bulldogs 63-40. The girls game was much closer, as Holland held only a five-point advantage at halftime and had to fight off a late charge by the lady Panthers to win. Nita Rawls led Holland with 26 points and Betty Jean Underwood was close behind with 20. Anita Copeland of Whaleyville led all scorers with 30 points

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