Flashback: Tracking NRV history

The HighTechs, members of Virginia Tech’s dance troupe, wore knee pads while rehearsing a number before their trip to San Diego, Calif., for a national competition. | The Roanoke Times File 1988

1988
(25 years ago)
-  “Shopping around for a job? Try the New River Valley Mall. With the opening of the 456,000-square-foot shopping center just two months away, stores are beginning to take applications for about 900 jobs.”
-  “Virginia Tech officials are planning a major reorganization of the management of non-academic university activities as well as a formal review of the effectiveness of top and midlevel university executives.”
-  “So those Radford Highlanders know how to shoot after all.”
- “Floyd County has one stoplight, no liquor store and hundreds of acres of white pines – and most of the 12,000 or so residents would like to keep it that way. But, merchants in the small town of Floyd would like to see more business coming their way.”

1963
(50 years ago)
- “A major burglary ring that spanned four states and involved thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise has been cracked by Giles County authorities.”
-  “Nine Roanoke residents gave a few minutes of their time and nine pints of their B-positive blood Monday so that an 18-year-old Pulaski County woman could undergo a delicate open-heart operation this morning.”
-  “VMI abruptly quit making points in the second half here Tuesday night, and Virginia Tech stormed from behind for a weird 74-70 basketball victory – No. 41 in a row at home.”
- “Narrows won the battle of undefeated New River District clubs Friday night, knocking Dublin out of the district lead, 56-52.”

1938
(75 years ago)
-  “Winning all except the backstroke event, Virginia Tech’s swimming team opened the season here Saturday night with a 61 to 14 win over the tankmen of Concord college, of Athens, W. Va.”
-  “To date, but one marriage license has been recorded in the [Pulaski] county clerk’s office for 1938, which is considered rather unusual.”
-  “Inability to have their gym floor repaired from the recent fire, the Radford high school authorities today announced that they would be forced to cancel the 1938 basket ball schedule.”
-  “Greeks would have enjoyed a look inside Virginia Tech’s gymnasium this afternoon. Exponents of the manly art of ear-bending, grappling groaners and the more gentle race of basket ball gentlemen swarmed all over the place with something like reckless abandon.”
-  “The state port authority submitted a report today to Governor Peery announcing plans for a nautical school for merchant marine training at Virginia Tech…”

1913
(100 years ago)
-  “R. T. Johnson,, Sr. [of Narrows], is able to be out again, after having been confined to his room for several months with erysipelas.”
-  “Feeling that further investigation of the merits of the men suggested to succeed Dr. Paul B. Barringer as president of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute should be had, the committee of the board of visitors in charge of the matter will ask for a small appropriation to defray the necessary expenses.”
-  “A shooting affray which took place a few days ago near Pizzaro in Floyd county is reported.”
“The weather is unusually warm for this time in year [in White Gate].”
-  “The installation of the double daily train service between Pulaski and Galax, which goes into effect next Monday, the 13th, will be fittingly celebrated here [Pulaski].”
-  “The usual after-Christmas dullness and lethargy has been prevalent in the community [Blacksburg] during the past week and little of social interest has transpired.”

– Compiled by Roanoke Times librarian Belinda Harris

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