Years ago in Madera for the week of Sept. 17
Madera County historical Society
Twenty-five years ago, Masonic Lodge Grand Master Stan Cazneaux conducted a ceremony dedicating the cornerstone for Madera High School South Campus. Twelve members of the Masonic Lodge participated in the ceremony, and students provided items for the cornerstone’s time capsule.
25 Years Ago Week of Sept. 17, 1992
STUDENT KILLED, 2ND INJURED IN ACCIDENT — Maderans were shocked and saddened at the news that one Madera High School student was killed and another injured Friday night when their car was hit by a hit-and-run driver. Amy Wall, 17, and Michelle Jones, 18, were coming home from the Clint Black concert in Fresno when the accident occurred, killing Wall. Jones was taken to Valley Medical Center with injuries to her leg and a concussion. Amy had been a cheerleader and peer counselor and was active in the Sunset Avenue Church of Christ. Joseph Avila, 42, has been arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter, felony drunken driving, and felony hit-and-run driving in connection with the accident.
MADERA DISTRICT FAIR ATTENDANCE DOWN BY 15 PERCENT — A 15 percent drop in attendance at the Madera District Fair has caused Secretary/Manager Tom Musser to lament this year’s turnout of 46,177. The attendance last year was 54,600. Two things contributed to the decline, Musser said. “One, of course, was the economy and two, we just got beat to death by the competition.” The Madera Fair played against the Tulare County Fair and several smaller celebrations commemorating Mexican Independence Day. The Fresno State football team also played its first Western Athletic Conference game of the year.
DESMONDS NAMED OLD TIMERS’ KING, QUEEN — If there is one local couple that reflects the history of Madera, it would have to be this year’s Old Timers’ King and Queen, Jack and Nelle Desmond. Jack was born in 1912 at what is now Road 26 and Country Club Drive. His great-grandfather, Henry Clay Daulton, was the first chairman of the Madera County Board of Supervisors. He was a trustee for Madera Unified School District, a member of the Rotary Club, and a charter member of the 20-30 Club. Nelle has lived in Madera since 1926 and was a charter member of the Sigma Phi Sorority. She also worked with the Cub Scouts and Camp Fire Girls.
PROMOTER CONFIDENT MUSD BOND WILL PASS — Jeremy Thorn fully expects to win any bond election he’s hired to oversee. Tuesday night he made no bones about being confident that he can help Madera Unified pass a local school bond on March 2 and provided the references to prove he is good. Thorn told the school board that he was won six of the eight bond elections he’s run and lost the other two by just a whisker. Thorn’s strategy is to focus on supportive voters and not waste energy trying to sway people who are unsupportive. Thorn said he would move into the community to oversee the day-to-day campaign.
COUNTRY STAR BLACK ‘DEEPLY SADDENED’ BY ACCIDENT — Country superstar Clint Black responded to the news that one of his fans, Amy Wall, was killed after attending his concert in Fresno. Black wrote a lengthy card and sent flowers to Amy’s parents. “I am deeply saddened by the tragedy that has taken your daughter, Amy, from all of you,” Black wrote. “My prayers are with you, and you have my deepest sympathies.” Black also sent flowers and a card to Michelle Jones, who was hospitalized after being in the accident that took Amy’s life. “I was very sad to hear of your terrible accident,” Black wrote Michelle. “I wish you a very speedy recovery.”
50 Years Ago Week of Sept. 17, 1967
MADERAN HONORED FOR VIET VALOR — Capt. Kent Jackson, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Jackson of Madera, has been awarded two distinguished crosses, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and several air medals for valor in Vietnam. Capt. Jackson, a career member of the U.S. Air Force, served 13 months in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. The medals were presented in ceremonies conducted at the captain’s present duty station in Germany. Lt. Gen. A.R. Boyle made the presentations. Capt. Jackson entered the Air Force four years ago after nine years in the National Guard.
CITY EMPLOYEES MUST APPEAR CLEAN SHAVEN — City employees growing beards for the Old Timers’ Day program are going to have to come up with a new excuse or appear for work with a clean shaven face. City Manager Philip Brown said some of the employees began growing their beards as much as nine months ago. He told the council that he has learned that this year’s Old Timers’ Day program does not include a “Whiskerino contest” but that some employees want to grow beards anyway. The council ruled that Brown could make the decision on the beards. Brown said that all male employees would be clean shaven unless they could come up with an excuse as good as the “Whiskerino contest.”
MUSD SETS BOOSTER BUS FEE AT 25 CENTS — It will cost 25 cents per person to ride the Madera High School booster bus, starting with the next out-of-town game with Edison in Fresno. Trustees agreed to set the fee to offset transportation costs for game spectators. Players and members of the band will not be affected by the new charge. Establishment of the fee is part of a new transportation policy designed to ease the district’s budget so that more educational field trips for elementary students can be made. Other features of the new policy include a ban on “reward” field trips and require teachers to justify each field trip in terms of its educational value.
COYOTES TRIP MERCED 27-12; TAKE THE HAT — Friday night the Madera High School Coyotes won their home opener with an impressive 27-12 victory over arch rival Merced. The traditional trophy, Gov. Goodwin Knight’s Stetson hat, was won by the Coyotes for the seventh time in 14 contests. The hat will now stay in possession of Madera until the Bears can gain it back. The first quarter ended with Madera 7, Merced 0. Merced managed to score in the second quarter, and both teams scored in the third quarter. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Madera led 13-12. With Madera fans shouting, “We want the hat,” the Coyotes produced 14 more points.
TV STARLET TO BE GRAND MARSHAL — A television starlet appearing on “The Man from Uncle” was named today as the Grand Marshal for this year’s Old Timers’ Day Parade. Brown-haired, green-eyed Barbara Moore who appears in the series as Lisa Rogers, secretary to Mr. Waverly, will lead the parade and later will present trophies to the winners. Madera Junior Chamber of Commerce officials announced that the glamorous Miss Moore will ride in a convertible at the head of the parade. Her video credits include episodes in “I Dream of Jeannie,” “The Hero,” and a comedy, “And a Baby Makes Five.”
