For this week in history, 1963, The Luverne Journal highlighted local coverage of outstanding students and upcoming changes to postal services. Waterway systems were highlighted on the front page in the June 26, 1963 issue. 

Local highway post office discontinuance opposed

The Highway Post Office, a bus that guarantees dispatch of mail from around Southeast Alabama, proposed the removal of two towns within Crenshaw County from their delivery schedule. The service, which had operated from Dothan to Hartford, Geneva, Samson, Opp, Andalusia and Luverne to Montgomery, proposed to eliminate Dozier and Gantt from their schedules. After this change, the only service to their offices would be by Star Route trucks. However, the change would result in postal service to be delayed by at most a day. 

Brantley gets grant, loan

On Wednesday morning June 19, 1963, the mayor of Brantley, Donald Bailey, got word that the town of Brantley received a grant for the expansion of water facilities. 

The city of Brantley was extended a $56,000 grant by the Area Redevelopment Act (ARA) with an additional $30,000 loan approved. Included in the expansion of water facilities was a new tank and additional lines to serve two industries in Brantley. 

Crenshaw 4-H’er has fine record

Elaine Richardson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.P Richardson, was selected as the most outstanding 4-H girl in the county. 

Richardson, the vice-president of Crenshaw County’s 4-H Council, had been a member of 4-H for nine years. During her time, she served as the secretary, reporter, president and vice president of the 4-H Council; participated in radio and television programs and served as the junior leader of the Luverne 4-H club. 

Richardson had also received “about every 4-H award offered in the county.” 

Trade at Home Series has a new installment

The “Trade at Home” series, launched in 1963, aimed to highlight local businesses and write a short article about one in every other issue. A local business highlighted first in the series was the Summerlin Furniture Company — a five-year-old furniture store owned and operated by Vernon Summerlin.