By By Lowell McGill
The US Government began “looking out” for seniors in 1935 when the National Social Security Act was passed and signed into law by President Roosevelt.
And, for the past number of years those seniors have received a cost of living increase.
That will not be the case in 2010. There will be no COLA, but there will be another $250 stimulus package for all of us senior citizens.
Several internet sources are now telling us that payment can be expected before the end of March next year.
It will be processed just like the 2009 stimulus, targeting SS, SSI recipients and certain veterans. In other words if you received a check this year you will get another one next year.
According to White House officials, the new stimulus will cost $13 billion. We learn that the government is doing this in a continued effort to stimulate the economy. Putting extra money into the economy is projected to help turn around the downfall.
Let us hope it works. I cannot even remember what I did with my $250 early this year. Can you?
Well, let’s take a look now at some news from the year 1975.
Atmore’s Jim Spears was appointed assistant regional manager at St. Regis. Having joined this firm in 1960, he served as District Forrester prior to his new appointment.
Jim was active in local community and civic affairs for many years and he devoted several years working in our Little League programs. A native of Arkansas, he played professional minor league baseball. He told me he has had other relatives who also played in the minor leagues.
Coleen Millson, wife of Wynn Millson, was recognized for her art talents at the University of West Florida. Her design of the 1975-76 UWF yearbook cover was chosen from more than a dozen contestants. She was an art major at that school.
Dedication of Canoe First Baptist sanctuary was held in 1975. The Rev. Tony Gibson was welcomed as new pastor at that time.
The Golden Dawn Nursing Home had a grand opening ceremony in February. Tony Chamberlain was the nursing home administrator.
New Northwest Florida Little Leagues officers were elected that year. They were Claude Payne, Charlie Hall, Kenneth Bryan, Harrell Robbins, Curtis Amerson, Wayne Boudrea, Douglas Hadley and Randy Baker.
Ladies Auxiliary officers were Joan Boudreau, Ruby Amerson, Nita Coker, Ernestine Gunn, Sharon Davis, Ouida Wiggins, Joan O’Farrell, Marie Bryan, Betty Amerson, Bonnie Davis, Daphene Payne and Mildred Hall.
My longtime neighbor B.W. Carter retired from Swift’s. He worked for 58 years in lumber-related business, many of those years with Swift’s.
Speaking of Swift’s, I received a very interesting email recently from a lady who told me she visited Atmore often during her youth. She said, “I will always remember that loud whistle out at the mill.” I told her that nostalgic whistle still “blows” today. In fact it would not seem right, somehow, if we did not hear that familiar whistle today.
Escambia Academy chose Marty Hadley as their best all-around athlete that year. Auburn assistant coach Saia was the guest speaker at the Academy awards banquet.
Those close to our youth program will be sad to learn of the death of Andalusia’s Fred Taylor. Back in the 60s and 70s Atmore and Andalusia worked closely together in baseball All-Star play. The 84 year old was the District 5 Little League administrator for 40 years and he served on that city recreation board for 50 years. Fred liked our ballplayers and all those who worked in our youth programs.
He, Q.V. Lowe, Larry Tubbs, Murray Johnson and Melvin Middleton worked so closely together back then. I remember the night our Atmore-Andalusia team defeated the North Carolina team, which propelled us to the 16-18 year old Advance World Series in Newark, Ohio.
Fred, I am sure was one of Andalusia’s most respected citizens.
Q.V., who was the head baseball coach at Lurleen Wallace Junior College in Andalusia, is now the head baseball coach at Auburn University Montgomery (AUM). He and Don Sutton pitched together at Gulf Coast Junior College. Q.V. went on to Auburn University where he set pitching records that still stand today. My three sons had the opportunity to play for him as 16-18 year olds. Bryan, my youngest son played his last two years with Q.V. at AUM. Under His coaching guidance Q.V. carried AUM all the way to a second place finish in the NAIA College World Series in Lewiston, Idaho in 1989.
In some current news, Dr. Frieda Hall was appointed the state’s new college chancellor recently. And, get a load of that salary. She will receive $289,900 annually for the job. She gets this at a time the state is struggling to keep teachers on their rolls. Having taught school, it is my belief that schools need more teachers and fewer administrators. Fortunately our county school system appears well operated and in apparently “good shape.”
For those of you who watch TV as your main past time I am putting together a story about internet TV. From what I am gathering this new concept is “just around the corner.” Basically you will be able to watch TV without a dish or cable. I am already using some of it right now in my home and I have saved money on my monthly TV bill. Much of the information about this trend is out there for you to research for those who will take the time to look into it.
Next week, we take a look at more news about people, places and events from years gone by.
Lowell McGill is a historical columnist for The Atmore Advance. He can be reached at exam@frontiernet.net