MID-SOUTH MEMORIES

25 years ago — 1997

What is going on at the Western Steakhouse and Lounge? First, owner Lil Thomsen launched an essay contest to pass on the landmark Elvis haunt at 1298 Madison to the person who best writes in 250 words or less why “I would like to own and operate a restaurant like the Western Steakhouse and Lounge.” Then word got around town that Bill Stalls, a partner in computer company Kiwi Systems, was buying the place and the contest was off. Everyone who entered was supposed to get their money back. But, as of our press time Monday, Thomsen said the deal with Stalls was off, and the contest would continue as planned. Stalls has been trying to raise funds to buy the place for weeks, but on Monday he said it wasn’t going well. His plans included cleaning the restaurant up, expanding the menu, getting a full liquor license, setting up valet parking and more. His aim was to keep Thomsen on as a partner. Stalls said Thomsen was hoping to get at least 350 contest entries - which, at $100 per entry, would have given her a little to retire on. But he said entries have fallen far short of that goal.

50 years ago — 1972

SPACE CENTER, Houston – Apollo 16’s ambitious explorers roamed longer and climbed higher Saturday than man has ever gone in search of secrets to the moon’s childhood. But the material John Young and Charles Duke found is the battered mountain highlands seemed very different from what they went looking for, and scientists on Earth were surprised. Rover II lost a fender, a real wheel drive became partially disabled and the navigation system got knocked out — although engineers hoped it could be fixed.

75 years ago — 1947

The Baptist Hospital will not buy the Forrest Park Apartments at 777 Court. The decision was reached at a meeting of the hospital’s Executive Committee which voted not to recommend the purchase to the board. “After careful consideration, it was decided that the cost of operating two institutions at such a distance apart would be too heavy,” Frank S. Groner, hospital administrator, said. 100 years ago — 1922

NASHVILLE – Little hope for the recovery of Rt. Rev. Troy Beatty, bishop coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee, who is critically ill with double pneumonia at his home here, was entertained at midnight tonight by physicians. His condition was described as extremely low.

125 years ago — 1897

At the Chickasaw Guards entertainment last night, the “Chickasaw Guards’ Two Step” was dedicated to Miss Mary N. Mallory of Memphis.

JIM WEBER/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL April 19, 2016 — St. George’s student Noah Pope helps install an exhibit on the WWII era in Collierville at the Morton Museum, an exhibit that he and fellow AP history students at the school researched and designed throughout the school year.