It's the first day of spring! We're going to look at an issue of the Rockbridge County News, from March 1942.
The newspapers we're accustomed to seeing have at least one large picture on the front page, and often have a few smaller ones. This makes it easy for us to see which stories hold the most importance, according to the editor. Conversely, newspapers during the 1940s had front pages that were dominated by text and generally only featured one moderately sized picture. This issue has two small photos on the front page, one of a singer named Frances Sims and the other was the newly appointed acting attorney for Rockbridge County - Dan W. McNeil.
Here are just a few of the many stories on the front page of the March 19, 1942 edition:
- A few stories about a town-wide blackout that was planned for Lexington: the preparations and people in charge, the duties put on the wardens to aid police in clearing the streets, and first aid stations in case of emergencies during the blackout.
- Virginia's supply of gasoline had decreased by 20%, which was believed to be a precursor to the possible implementation of gas rationing.
- A Bazaar was being arranged as a fundraiser for Bundles for America. It was going to include a narcissus show, a pet show for children, a fortune teller, and vendors selling supplies for victory gardens.
- Plus, the added feature that the Rockbridge County News had on every front page - News in a Nutshell. This was often national and global news.
Next is a segment, which is still featured in our current newspaper, called 'Out of the Past' and shows what happened in Rockbridge County 25 years prior and 50 years prior. Along with that is an excerpt about summer work for boys, a jab at The Groundhog for the weather (I think we're all feeling that right now), and an amusing graphic titled "The New Tenant." It's supposed to illustrate the season of spring, personified, coming into a new domicile after winter leaves the place cluttered and undesirable. Is that winter leaving through the window?
Then there is a story about how nutritious soy beans are, an announcement about welding and auto mechanic jobs for women, aged 18-25, in Manassas, and VMI to receive a portrait of Gen. George C. Marshall.
Finally, there are some large ads featured in this issue. Most of them are for the spring fashion trends, particularly to look your best for Easter.
