ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, November 28, 1996            TAG: 9612030005
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                PAGE: E-15 EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS 


PAST TENSE

10 Years Ago (1986)

Nov. 13: Mick-or-Mack, a food store chain of long standing in the Roanoke Valley, begins a sale of 20 percent off on all items in its six remaining stores. Mark Batenic, president of the Fleming Co., owner of Mick-or-Mack, says the stores would close, but no date is set. Two other Mick-or-Mack stores, on Brambleton Avenue and at Towers Mall, were sold earlier to Harris Teeter.

Nov. 20: The congregation of First Baptist Church in downtown Roanoke approves a building program that will cost nearly $12 million. It will result in a new worship center and a parking garage. The church has about 4,000 members and about 2,000 attend each Sunday.

Nov. 26: Roanoke is still cleaning up from the big flood of 1985, and City Council finally agrees to buy all flood-damaged houses on Shadeland Avenue in the Northwest section. Property owners had been pushing council to complete the transaction before the end of the year when a new federal law will increase capital gains taxes by 60 percent. In the flood, water along Shadeland reached a depth of nearly 20 feet, demolishing 25 houses.

25 Years Ago (1971)

Nov. 2: Isolation finally ends for Rufus, the people-loving deer at Mill Mountain Zoo. Rufus arrived at the zoo in August from Norfolk and was put into isolation because it was feared he had a blood disease. But he was found to be healthy, and was put in a large pen. In Norfolk, Rufus escaped several times from an animal preserve to join children at a nearby play area. At the Mill Mountain Zoo, he stays close to people whenever possible.

Nov. 9: A $500,000 addition to the downtown public library in Elmwood Park is proposed to City Council by the library board. Elizabeth Drewry, president of the board, says an addition on the south and east sides should contain more shelf space and rooms for music and arts.

Nov. 16: The Virginia State Council of Higher Education rejects a proposal for establishment of a four-year state college or graduate university in Roanoke or anywhere in Southwest Virginia. Council members do say the area needs more higher education opportunities for working adults, but another state-supported college or university would draw students away from private colleges.

50 Years Ago (1946)

Nov. 9: Woodrum Field, Roanoke's municipal airport, enters a new era when a scheduled passenger plane makes a night landing and takeoff. An Eastern Airlines flight from Detroit to Miami lands at Woodrum about 8:30 and takes off about 30 minutes later. At the same time, American Airlines announces that it will begin night operations at Woodrum soon. The airport was cleared for night flights recently by the Civil Aeronautics Authority after installation of beacon lights to help guide planes in.

Nov. 12: The cornerstone for the Vinton War Memorial is laid in a ceremony organized by the town's Masonic lodge. The stone is laid by O.M. Miles of Roanoke, past grand high priest of Royal Arch Chapter of the Virginia Masons. The building is designed to be a meeting and recreation center in memory of all military veterans.

Nov. 27: Restoration of the old Raleigh Tavern on Lynchburg Road is reported to be unfeasible because of the building's poor condition. Dr. L.C. Downing, chairman of a study committee organized by the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce, said renovation would require virtual rebuilding. The old tavern dates back to the earliest settlements in the Roanoke Valley.


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