Time capsule
As reported 43 years ago in The Columbia County News, Thursday, Feb. 2, 1961:
Dilapidated schools
Columbia County voters go to the polls Feb. 15, 1961, to decide the outcome of a $230,000 school bond issue which will be used to relieve crowded conditions in the county schools.
The proposed building program calls for a new 14-classroom elementary school at Martinez and additional classrooms at most other schools in the county.
The funds will be used to replace makeshift, dilapidated facilities attended by 175 Evans Elementary pupils, and by 65 Grovetown Elementary pupils. Some Evans Elementary pupils are even attending classes in a voting booth, and will have to move while the election takes place.
Columbia County School Superintendent John Pierce Blanchard and School Board trustee J.E. Eubank have each endorsed passage of the bond referendum.
Harlem honored
The citizens of Harlem can well be proud of their high school students, the basketball team and cheerleaders for their performance at the CSRA Tournament.
Not only did our people play a good game each time, but their sportsmanship and attitude toward their fellow players is to be commended.
Harlem earned their second CSRA crown in a row when they beat Sparta Saturday evening 56-51. Coach Tom Whitfield is to be commended for his management of the Bulldogs.
Whitfield was honored with a big round of applause Monday evening at the regular meeting of the Harlem Rotary Club.
Heart disease toll
Out of a total of 95 deaths in Columbia County in 1959, 42, or 44.2 percent, were attributed directly to disorders of the heart or blood vessels.
Heart diseases were responsible for 52.9 percent of all deaths in Georgia during 1959, more than all other causes combined, the Georgia Heart Association reported.
Service news
Airman Second Class William E. Swift was selected as the outstanding airman for December, 1960 at Presque Isle Air Force Base, Presque Isle, Maine. Swift is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Swift of Harlem.
Louis R. Whitaker, gunner's mate third class, U.S. Navy, is serving aboard the destroyer USS Johnston, operating out of Charleston, S.C. Whitaker is the son of Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Whitaker of Harlem.
Marine Staff Sgt. Lewis A. Starks is serving with the Third Marine Aircraft Wing at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, Santa Ana., Calif. Starks in the son of Patsy Spencer of Martinez.
Stanton H. Morris, aviation machinist's mate third class, U.S. Navy, is serving with Fighter Squadron 51 at the Miramar Naval Air Station, San Diego, Calif. Morris is the son of Mr. and Mrs. S.H. Morris of Harlem.
Capt. C.S. Kirk Jr. was awarded the Army Commendation Medal at Fort Gordon in a ceremony just prior to his retirement Jan. 31, 1961 with 20 years' service. Kirk is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Kirk of Kennesaw.
Airman Richard E. Albert, a graduate of Harlem High School, has completed his initial course of Air Force military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Albert is the son of Mrs. and Mrs. Joseph S. Albert of Grovetown.