10 Years Ago
September 22, 2016
With the Versailles City Council seats on the ballot in the fall election, the Sun was full of candidate advertisements.
The State Transportation Cabinet has placed the historic Weisenberger Mill Bridge up for sale, which includes disassembly and relocation within Kentucky. This is in advance of a new bridge being constructed, which will meet the need for heavier loads. The bridge was built in 1935.
Mildred “Mimi” Chandler of Versailles, the daughter of Gov. Albert B. “Happy” Chandler and his wife Mildred Watkins Chandler and sister of Sun publisher Albert B. “Ben” Chandler, passed away. She had a varied and interesting career – she had been an actress with Paramount Studios in the 1940s appearing in movies starring Fred MacMurray and Dorothy Lamour, a morning radio personality with WVLK, and a state tourism official. She was survived by three children, Jeffrey, Bruce, and Celeste Lewis, as well as four grandchildren.
Ziggy Washington, a senior, was crowned Homecoming Queen at halftime of the WCHS -Nelson County football game. Queen Ziggy’s court was comprised of Emma Oberlander, freshman attendant, Maddie Gatewood, sophomore attendant, Kirsten Taylor, junior attendant, and Kaitlyn Cochran, senior attendant.
The Sun published four letters to the editor complaining of the judgment and lack of respect Woodford County Chamber of Commerce executive director John Soper showed in his guest column where he attacked farm owners in the Pisgah-Paynes Mill Historic area for filing a lawsuit over the rezoning of the Edgewood Farm. Soper had referred to the group of farmers as “lords of the land,” “acting like feudal lords,” “landed gentry,” and “Thoroughbred millionaires.” Two of the letters were from row-crop and cattle working farmers (tobacco, soy bean) who did not breed horses. Ed Brown was particularly troubled that Soper seemed intent on “encouraging disagreement and hostility,” and implying that Woodford Countians were “simple-minded and unaware of the difference between a monarchy and a democracy.”
The WCHS football team continued developing a new tradition of winning by smashing Nelson County 29-0 in this year’s homecoming game. The Lady Jacket soccer team went 1-1-1 on the week, with a “mercy rule” win over District foe Franklin County, followed by a tough loss to top-ranked Henry Clay, and drawing against another difficult team in Scott County.
Midway held its annual Fall Festival last weekend, which saw good and well-behaved crowds enjoying the charms of Woodford’s small town.
25 Years Ago
September 27, 2001
A memorial service was held in front of the Woodford County Courthouse Friday in honor of those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S.
Versailles native Kent Little was among the volunteers who helped serve meals to rescue workers trying to save lives at Ground Zero following the attack.
Stacy Murphy was crowned Woodford County High School’s homecoming queen at Friday night’s football game, won by the Yellow Jackets, 38-0, over Lexington Lafayette.
Citizens Commerce National Bank has named Frank Stark as director of business development.
A Versailles native, Lt. Col. Keith Gunter, was recently named the new commander at Fort Knox, Ky.
John Foster Ruggles Jr. 87, of Lexington, founder of Ruggles Sign Company, died Sept. 23. Ruggles Sign Co. is located on Crossfield Drive in Versailles.
40 Years Ago
Septmber 25, 1986
Dr. Joe D. Gormley, superintendent of Woodford County Schools since July 1, 1969, has announced plans to step down on June 30, 1987.
Barbara Moraja, 44, a teacher and civic leader in Woodford County and one of its most popular citizens, died of cancer Tuesday.
Bobbie Benson, retiring member of the Woodford County Library staff, was honored at a reception on Sept. 14.
The enrollment at Midway College has increased from 314 last year to 340 this year.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Johnston of Midway have returned from two weeks visiting relatives in Panama City, Fla.
The Woodford County High School Yellow Jackets evened their record at 2-2 Friday night with an important 16-8 victory over district rival Western Hills.
Mac McCauley of Versailles recently competed in a triathlon at Boonesboro State Park. The course consisted of a one-mile river swim, a six-mile run, and a 24-mile bicycle ride. Susan Cox, formerly of Midway, was the women’s champion.
Bill Ahern of Versailles is in his second year as a varsity cheerleader at the University of Kentucky.