MID-SOUTH MEMORIES

25 years ago — 1994 A few ceiling tiles in Kassandra Berry’s room at Larose Elementary School have tumbled in recent years. Water leaks through the roof into other classrooms when it rains. Buckets and trash cans catch the steady flow, but some of it usually winds up in dark brown puddles on the floor. During winter months, teachers in the part of the school built in 1923 fume about the boiler system. It overheats some classrooms while leaving others cold. Then talk turns to the absence of air-conditioning. City school officials say there may be more than a half dozen Memphis schools in worse shape. The most severe problems are generally found in school buildings built before World War II that haven’t undergone major renovation. Some schools built to handle the Baby Boom following the war are also in need of major repairs. 50 years ago — 1969 The University of Tennessee has proposed a broad health care plan for Memphis and Shelby County that calls for more involvement by voluntary hospitals and includes construction of two new city-county supported hospitals. Dr. Homer Marsh, UT Medical Units Chancellor, said UT was forced to submit the plan because the federal government is withholding federal construction funds for new medical facilities until Memphis and Shelby County have a comprehensive health care plan. UT’S plan, conceived largely by Dr. M.K. Callison, College of Medicine dean, has been submitted to the Mid-south Medical Center Council for evaluation. 75 years ago — 1944 The first substantial profit in history of nationally famed Shelby County Penal Farm will be reported to the County Court today. While the Penal Farm has been self-supporting for several years, its operations during the year ending Sept. 1, 1943, resulted in a profit of $90,949. This profit was credited to the farm’s enormous livestock program and it is most likely that this year’s will be equally as profitable. 100 years ago — 1919 Trustees of Baptist Memorial Hospital announced plans to erect an addition to the present building at a cost of about $250,000. Included will be a nurses’ training school and a dormitory. When the project is completed Baptist will have 500 beds and one of the most complete hospital facilities in the South. 125 years ago — 1894 The Peabody Hotel Handicap for 3year-olds was run yesterday at Montgomery Park for a purse of $1,000. Winner in a driving finish to the wire was Vassal, who had come to the starting gate with 8 to 1 odds against him.

THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL Highest performance would be necessary in the Mid-south High School Relays on April 17, 1954, before some outstanding athlete would carry off this trophy, given by Ersell “Red” Cavette of the Lawson-cavette Sporting Goods Store. It will be presented to the relays’ most outstanding athlete in the event at Hodges Field.