A look back
March 31, 1961—Funeral services were held this afternoon at Hartselle First Methodist for Mrs. W. F. Groover, 86, a Heflin resident who passed away a few days ago. Rites were conducted by the Revs. Edward Paulk and O. C. Morton. Mrs. Groover’s survivors include W. L. Groover Hartselle. Interment was in Bethel cemetery.
March 31, 1961—W.H. (Bill) Stewart, owner of Stewart Bros. Motor Co., has returned from Biloxi, Miss., where he attended the annual meeting of the Alabama Automobile Association.
March 31, 1961—Virginia Lee Wilder, a student at Howard College from Eva, is currently hospitalized as a result of the collision of her 1956 Mercury with a 1-ton truck driven by a Hartselle man.
April 1, 1961—A day of festivities honoring alumni of Falkville High School was held this afternoon and tonight at the school. A booklet, “Now and Then,” was made available to all those in attendance. David Hardwick, class of ’35, served as emcee for the program. Most of the work preparing for alumni day was done by Mrs. Sherman Powell and Mrs. Burl Vest. Bob Hargett, talented Hartselle pianist, provided music. John Cloud is the current mayor of Falkville.
April 1, 1961—Hartselle motorists traveling to Birmingham had 16 more miles of I-65 to travel on beginning today. The new section extends from four miles south of Cullman to 5 1/2 miles north of Warrior.
April 2, 1961—Falkville Easter sunrise services were held at the Little League baseball field. Music was provided by the community choir. The Rev. Gilbert Speake conducted a sunrise service at the Bowline Drive-in Theatre. The Holiday Inn offered a baked, sugar-cured ham luncheon with vegetables and salad for $1.15.
April 2, 1961—Many Morgan County gospel singing enthusiasts were at Caddo today for a regular session of the Lawrence County Singing Convention.
April 2, 1961—The sister of Mrs. Marvin Eddy of Hartselle who lives with her family near Moulton was critically burned tonight when she was starting a fire by pouring kerosene into a heater which exploded. The sister is Mrs. Opal Shields, 39.
April 2, 1961—Elvis Presley is currently starring at the Ranch Drive-in Theatre in “G.I. Blues.”
April 3, 1961—Spring football training for the MCHS Tigers has now ended. Head Coach J. P. Cain has only six veterans from last year’s squad—Wayne Brown, quarterback; Ferrell Clemmons, end; Tommie McDaniel, end; Charles Penn, halfback; Joe Sparkman, Tackle; and Lynn Thompson, center. The other 16 lettermen from the ’60 campaign will graduate in May.
April 3, 1961—The Morgan County Board of Education met this morning at the courthouse.
April 4, 1961—Jim West is now serving as acting postmaster in Falkville. He replaces Fred Wilcutt, who had been serving in the same capacity by appointment of former President Eisenhower. His appointment wasn’t confirmed before Ike left office in January, however.
April 5, 1961—Ceremonies were held in Decatur this morning to mark the opening of the new bridge that will make motorists’ travel across the Tennessee River much safer and more pleasurable. The bridge cost about $2.2 million to build. Construction began back in 1958.
April 5, 1961—Hartselle evangelist the Rev. Junior Hill is currently conducting a revival at New Friendship Baptist Church.
April 6, 1961—There was a big Wally Fowler all night singing at the MCHS gym tonight. Featured artists were Hovie Lister and the Statesmen Quartet. Appearances were also made by the Johnson Sisters, the Calvaleers (featuring Hartselle native James Mays), and the Glorylanders. The concert was sponsored by the Jaycees.
