Feb. 17, 1936: Stories featured in the Suffolk News-Herald 69 years ago…
Published 12:00 am Thursday, February 17, 2005
Schools to stay closed until Monday
Rain and snow today led to further postponement of the re-opening of Nansemond County schools, closed a week ago on account of the inability of school trucks to travel county roads and prevalence of colds among school children.
Superintendent Hugh V. White had set Thursday as the tentative date for the resumption of school work but today further postponed the opening until Monday, it was announced from his office.
County roads, like many city streets, have been impassable. Vehicles have bogged down on many of the school bus routes where roads were softened by snow and heavy rains.
It will require several days of sunshine to dry out highways sufficiently for all buses to make their rounds. The county schools will open only when sufficient pupils are able to attend to justify operation, it was said. The Monday date for re-opening is tentative, depending on weather conditions through the weekend, it was said.
Work on Suffolk projects delayed
Work on two of the three big construction projects starting in Suffolk yesterday was suspended today when rain and snow prevented outdoor work.
The labor force engaged in erecting a field office and storage warehouse for the new East Suffolk sewer system project were notified not to report to work today. The Norfolk and Western Railway kept the preliminary work on temporary trestle so the Kilby underpass could be halted.
As soon as weather conditions permit, the sewer and railway underpass and the widening of Route 58 between Suffolk and Magnolia projects will be in full operation. The three projects will cost more than $126,000, it is estimated, and will provide employment to more than 300 men for a period of from three to four months.
Machine school opens on Monday
A machine school will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 103 Brewer Ave. in Suffolk on Monday, Feb. 24. The object of the school is to teach women how to clean, adjust and care for their sewing machines.
The morning period is given over to cleaning the machines and the afternoon lecture and adjustments. At the end of each session, each woman has her machine cleaned and adjusted ready to take home. Mr. M. M. Johns, Assistant Engineer from V.P.I. will conduct the free school.
Only 14 women can attend this school. If you want this service, phone or write by Saturday, Feb. 22. Mary L. Thompson is the county home demonstration agent.
No machine will be worked on unless owner is present and unless they are there at beginning of school.
Magician to be presented by Jefferson P.T.A.
Sponsored by the Jefferson Parent-Teacher Association, Bruce the Magician will be presented at the Suffolk High School Auditorium on Friday afternoon at 3:30 in a series of magic performances.
Rabbits from nowhere, bowls of fire, great silk productions, famous rings of China, the wonderful crate escape as made famous by Houdini and shooting through a woman with a regulation 22 rifle will be some of the highlights of the show.
Mr. Bruce will be offering five big prizes to some of the lucky boys or girls attending the performances.
Namely, a beautiful pocket watch, two lovely fountain pens, a pair of roller skates and five autographed books of birds, magic, funnies and drama were awarded.
The funds raised from the event are to be used by the Parent-Teacher Association for the milk fund for the nutrition classes.
Benton Home entertains Bridge Club
Mrs. Major Benton and Mrs. Wellons Staylor were hostesses last night to a delightful bridge supper complimentary to the members of their card club at the home of Mrs. Benton.
The rooms were beautifully decorated with blooming plants and lighted candles. A chow mein supper was served by the hostesses. Four tables of bridge were arranged and prizes were won by Miss Reila Ward, Miss Goode Cohoon and Mrs. Roy Richardson.
Those present were Mrs. Richard Pond, Mrs. Paul Howell, Mrs. Al Elliott, Mrs. Herbert Morrison, Mrs. P. G. Everett, Jr., Mrs. Edward Brantley, Mrs. Roy Richardson, Mrs. Jack Artman, Misses Lula Windley, Caroline Chapman, Goode Cohoon, Rella Ward, Marion Bradshaw, Mary Holmes Butler, Virginia Riddick, Mary Virginia Johnson, Mrs. Major Benton and Mrs. Wellons Staylor.
-Compiled by Jennifer Rose