MID-SOUTH MEMORIES

25 years ago — 1996

More pigs are flying out of Memphis: The Rendezvous is getting back in the rib-shipping business. Years ago, Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous and other barbecue joints around town were shipping ribs for mail order. But the U.S. Department of Agriculture put a stop to that when it was discovered that many of those restaurants were shipping ribs made (feign sarcastic look of horror here) in the restaurant’s kitchen! It seems there are some regulations about shipping meat only from federally approved commercial kitchens separate from the restaurant’s facilities. Currently, only Corky’s and Gridley’s offer mail-order shipping. Now the Vergos family, which owns the Rendezvous, is building a rib-shipping facility in the Pinch District downtown at 355 N. Main. John C. Vergos, Charlie’s son, said they are racing to be up and running for the holiday season — though it sounds like it will probably be the latter part of the season.

50 years ago — 1971

SUN got it done yesterday. C. Bennett Harrison, chairman of the Shelby United Neighbors campaign, announced to about 1,000 people attending the final report luncheon at the Holiday Inn-rivermont that the $4,316,000 goal had been reached. The total raised was $4,317,115, which is $1,115 over the goal. 75 years ago — 1946

Rumors circulating in Memphis and the state that Sen. Mckellar had died and announcement of his death was being withheld until after the election were spiked by E.H. Crump, Shelby County political leader, last night with a blunt statement. “These hungry vultures who couldn’t beat Senator Mckellar in August, have put it out for the past week that he was dead,” Mr. Crump asserted.

100 years ago — 1921

WASHINGTON – A proclamation setting aside Nov. 11 as a legal holiday, “as a mark of respect to the memory of those who gave their lives in the late world war, as typified by the unknown and unidentified American soldier who is to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery on that day,” was issued tonight by President Harding.

125 years ago — 1896

NASHVILLE – Complete returns from all counties in Tennessee show that R. L. ”Bob” Taylor has been elected governor by a good majority.

THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL FILES Nov. 2, 2015: Rosalyn (far right) and Jimmy Carter work at a Habitat for Humanity build site alongside singers Trisha Yearwood and her husband, Garth Brooks, (left) in the Uptown neighborhood.