This issue of The Rockbridge County News was the last one for 1940, so a review of the year was printed. It included stories, events, and photos from the entire year of 1940.
The front page has a segment titled "News in a Nutshell" which are a few short blurbs of national and global news. There is also a story about all of the medically-minded organizations making plans that would go into affect in the case of an epidemic.
Along with a few stories about Christmas events (church services and parties), there is a short report about the weather and the Christmas baskets! It may feel nice to read that the weather here in Rockbridge County at the end of December in 1940 was similar to what we're experiencing, and that our community has been coming together to provide Christmas baskets for families in our area for so long.
Here are some highlights from the 1940 Rockbridge in Review:
January:
- Snow fall of 10 3/4 inches, heaviest since 1934
- Truck again smashes into "Fish Bait House" on lower Main street
- Temperatures for January break all previous records with average of 23.5 degrees. Temperatures during the past week ranged down to 10 below.
February:
- Fifteen hundred dancers attend Kentucky Derby Fancy Dress Ball at Washington and Lee
- Bobby Moore, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Moore, becomes Eagle Scout
- V.M.I. announces millions dollar endowment fund drive
March:
- Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins, speaks at Washington and Lee
- Easter observed with services in local churches. The coldest Easter on record here at 25 degrees
April:
- About 260 pupils have mumps at Brownsburg school
- Washington and Lee Board authorizes spending $400,000 on dormitories and library
- John Graham wins Spelling Bee
May:
- Work began on new dormitory construction at Washington and Lee
- Total of 881 Rockbridge farmers sign for 1940 AAA program [Agricultural Adjustment Act]
- Buena Vista Presbyterian church celebrates 50th anniversary
June:
- Four-H Club members enjoy encampment at camp Okahawis
- War relief workers busy at student union
- Census gives Lexington 3,898, a gain of 148 in 10 years
July:
- Strike ends in Buena Vista Silk Mill
- Thermometer reached 99 degrees in hottest day of the summer
- Report of health officer shows healthy year in county
August:
- Spring Valley A.R.P. Church celebrates paying off of church debt
- Census figures give Rockbridge 22,366, a gain of nearly 1,500
- Miss Marjorie Fitzpatrick named "Miss Rockbridge" at Rockbridge Theater
September:
- Over 100 farms mapped for conservation work here
- James [Jimmy] Stewart, movie star, spends night and creates interest
- Lexington high school opens season with 43-0 victory over Buena Vista
October:
- Lexington women receive medals at District Women's Club meeting
- Draft centers register 2,767 men in Rockbridge
- About 300 women attend achievement day program here
November:
- Lexington High School publications win awards at Southern Press Association meeting here
- Teletype installed in local court house
- Drive put on for iron lung in local hospital
December:
- Bot clinic opens in Rockbridge [for horses]
- Firemen prepare to play Santa Claus with toys
- W.L. Foltz kills bear on hunting expedition
