Look Back ... to the value of the Teen Canteen, 1948
Oct. 7—Oct. 7, 1948, in The Star: One of several agencies that stands to benefit from a successful fundraising drive by Community Chest solicitors is the "Teen Canteen." The canteen was organized during the war to give the young people of Anniston a supervised place to gather for enjoyment of those activities that are primarily a part of "growing up." Previously, these teen-agers had hung out at corner drug stores, barbecue stands and poolrooms, or at even less desirable "joints" where contact with Fort McClellan soldiers was perceived as contributing to a general decline in moral behavior (a phenomenon noted in other military towns, too). Since the war, the canteen has flourished and continued to exert its positive, wholesome influence — the place is even endorsed by the Anniston Ministerial Association — over a membership stabilized at about 300 boys and girls between ages of 13 and 19 from all parts of the county. School-year operational hours are every weekday from 3:30-7 p.m., and on Saturday nights it remains open until 11 p.m. Summertime hours were longer. The canteen's director is Asa F. Self, assisted by Miss Margaret Griffis. [The canteen was located on the second floor of the county automotive repair shop building on Gurnee Avenue.]
Oct. 7, 1998, in The Star: Two water line projects and a bridge replacement are soon coming to Calhoun County communities. Checks were delivered to the county commission yesterday for a water line extension on Glade Road in Saks and for improvements to the line along Richeytown Road in Oxford. The bridge replacement will be for a crossing on Jacksonville Street in Bonny Brook.
