December 13, 1963

JAYCEES KICK-OFF THEIR CHRISTMAS PROGRAMMING

It was a beautiful day for a parade. On Saturday afternoon, crowds, in eager anticipation, lined both sides of Main Street to view Franklin’s well-organized annual Christmas Parade. The temperature was in the mid-fifties. When the parade ended, a drawing was held for a $300.00 gift certificate. John Lowe, Jr. of 844 Hunterdale Road was the winner.

Sponsored and conducted by the almost fifty-member Franklin Jaycee organization, the parade is a part of the Jaycees’ multi-faceted annual Christmas program.

“Operation Merry Christmas”, a project designed and organized to make sure that our less fortunate citizens have a merry Christmas, too, is now being organized for this year. The Jaycees will purchase food, clothing and toys from local merchants. In addition, donated used toys, such as bicycles, are reconditioned by Jaycee members for re-distribution.

Food baskets for the elderly and disabled are prepared and delivered personally by Jaycee members.

John Underwood, Project Chairman, said “we are now estimating that we will need approximately $3,500 to finance our Christmas projects.”

So, not only do the Jaycees conduct the projects, but also raise the necessary money to put on the parade – and to purchase food, clothing and toys for “Operation Merry Christmas”.

Several corporate sponsors are very generous with their support.

“Radio Day”, also an annual Franklin Jaycee project, was conducted last Saturday under the direction of Jaycee member Rice Day. Thomas Clark of WYSR Radio very generously turned his radio station over to the Jaycees for the entire day.

Jaycee Richard Bowen headed up the advertising sales committee.

Other Jaycee members sold and wrote the advertising copy, composed the programming, did the announcing, played the music, read the news, and forecast the weather. Just in case, Augie Biedenbender of WYSR Radio was on stand-by.

All proceeds derived from this event are being retained by the Jaycees and will go toward financing its Christmas projects.

At the Virginia Jaycee State Convention that was held this past May, the Franklin Jaycees’ overall Christmas Program for 1962 was recognized with the “Lacy McClelland Award” as being the best in the State.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROLS IN THE PARK

Again this year, Christmas Carol singing around the community Christmas tree in Franklin Memorial Park on Clay Street will take place. The tradition has continued for decades, going back to when the event was held around a Christmas tree next to the Stonewall Hotel on Main Street.

The singing will start at 7:30 PM on Christmas Eve. Dellie Cotton, Jr. will play the organ, Bob Phillips will lead the singing, and the Reverend Robert Davis will give the invocation and the benediction.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WEEK

During Chamber of Commerce week, the Franklin Chamber of Commerce is recognized for all of its efforts. We use this means to reflect on its origins and restate its purpose and mission. In 1954, the forerunner to the present-day Franklin Chamber of Commerce was organized by a group of business and professional men for the purpose of promoting and advancing the agricultural, civic, industrial, retail and general interest of the Town of Franklin and its trade area.

It was on April 1, 1954 that the Chamber office first opened for business. It was located in a small two-room building located on First Avenue right next-door to the old town hall and just a few feet from Roy Edwards’ livery stable.

Sol Rawls, Jr. was the Chamber’s lead organizer and was elected as its first president. In looking for an able secretary, Rawls became aware through his Uncle James L. Camp, Jr. that Miss Lois Milner, his secretary at Camp Manufacturing Co., was getting ready to retire. “I quickly offered her the job as secretary at the Chamber and she quickly accepted,” Rawls said. “And she is still with us.”

The first vice presidents were Cecil Vaughan III, Ernest Gatten, Jr., Bob Ray and Herbert Lewis. Ashby Rawls was the first Secretary-Treasurer.

Members of the Charter Board, in addition to the aforementioned officers, included R. H. Allen, Leggett’s Dept. Store; W. R. Atkinson, Jr., Virginian Drug Store; E. A. Davis, Southampton County Agricultural Agent; Carl Steinhardt, International Tractor and Farm Supply; Irving Beale, Franklin Peanut Co.; Clyde Tuttle, The Tidewater News; Vaughan Beale, Attorney; James Camp, Jr., Camp Manufacturing Co.; and George Parker, Parker Drug Co.

Ex-officio members of the Board were: Franklin Mayor W. J. M. Holland, Jr., Franklin Town Manager Thomas Nolan, and Edward Gilliam of the Town of Franklin Planning Commission.