Flashback: Tracking NRV history

In 1937, “Robert G. Henderson, assistant pathologist at the experiment station at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, was awarded the annual research prize of the Virginia Academy of Science. … Mr. Henderson won the prize for his paper on ‘Studies in the Downy Mildew of Tobacco.’ Above, Mr. Henderson is shown in one of the greenhouses at V.P.I.” — The Roanoke Times file 1937

1987
(25 years ago)
- “Jogging and flying are not a welcome combination at the Virginia Tech Airport. Officials are cracking down on joggers and bicyclists who have been taking shortcuts across the airport runway.”
- “A pitcher’s duel for six innings turned into a home run derby for two, then concluded with a masterpiece of relief pitching. When it did, Virginia Tech was left one step from elimination from the Metro Conference baseball tournament.”
- “The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech was officially dedicated Friday afternoon with the snip of a red ribbon.”

1962
(50 years ago)
- “Six contemporary homes in the Blacksburg area will be opened to the public May 20 … during a tour sponsored by the Blacksburg Branch, American Association of University Women. Five of the houses were designed by members of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute’s Department of Architecture.”
- “Poetry that can be understood is gaining in popularity, and no one could be more pleased with this trend than Ruby Altizer Roberts, Virginia’s poet laureate and editor of The Lyric.”
- “Bill Matthews, quiet, angular assistant coach, was named Monday as head basketball coach at Virginia Tech, replacing firebrand Chuck Noe, who resigned ‘for personal reasons’ to accept the head coaching job at South Carolina.”
- “The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors took action Tuesday on a question it has been tossing around for five months — it voted to join the New River Valley Industrial Commission.”

1937
(75 years ago)
- “Extensive repairs and improvements are planned to the circuit court room at the [Pulaski county] courthouse during the summer.”
- “Sentence of 12 months in jail was imposed on Hugh Rakes in Floyd circuit court today following his conviction yesterday on a charge of embracery — an attempt to corrupt the administration of justice.”
- “Batsmen of the V. M. I. freshmen nine hit opportunely here today to down Virginia Tech freshmen, 7 to 2, in the final home event of the season.”
- “The Ingles and Pocahontas societies, the oldest organizations at Radford State Teachers’ college, held a joint banquet … at the college Friday evening.”
- “Stafford Nolan, 12, has a perfect attendance record for four years despite the fact that he had to walk four miles daily, covering approximately 2,800 miles afoot during his four-year term in school [in Floyd county].”
- “Under the National Youth Administration, classes in shorthand and typing began at Pembroke high school Thursday afternoon with 18 enrolled.”

1912
(100 years ago)
- “Mother’s Day in Christiansburg was universally observed.”
n “Maj. W. J. Shelblurn of Meador Creek was in town [Christiansburg] shaking hands with his many friends today.”
- “The work on the new concrete sidewalks [in Narrows] is progressing nicely under the management of Odell, from Pearisburg.”
- “The postoffice at this place [Narrows] was moved Wednesday to the Givens and French building on Main street, which will be of a more central point than it has formally been.”
- “A slight wreck of freight cars in the west end [Radford] this morning caused several hours’ delay of both passenger and freight trains.”
- “The brass band of Pearisburg was serenading on Friday, and was much appreciated.”
- “The inclement weather during the past week has greatly retarded spring work on the farms hereabouts. [Whitethorne] …Some of the creek bottom lands are under water.”

-Compiled by Roanoke Times librarian Belinda Harris

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