Yep, this is my home-town news paper from way back in the olden days when the old Sarge was young. We would have to cut out a story from this news paper when I was in school for current events assignments. If you read the banner it says the paper has been in business for 167 years, holy crap, they are older than me.
Actually I did not live in Rome, our farm was 18 miles from the city in Floyd County, Georgia. Rome is the county seat and only real city in Floyd County. In the 1950’s it was booming with a population of about 18,000, over the years it has grown to a population of around 40,000.
The DeSoto Theater built in 1928 and as I remember it from the 1950’s
Above is the DeSoto Theater on Broad Street, Rome, Ga. I stood in line for over an hour to buy a ticket to see “Love Me Tender” when Elvis’s movie first came out.
And this is Broad Street, back in the 50’s this was the place to be on a Saturday night, we would cruise from one end to the river bridge on the other end, back and forth, not sure why, but it was fun back then…….
She is a beautiful old southern city and to be honest, not much has changed in the downtown in the past 55 years since I moved away. Makes an old man proud to go home.
Holy crap, sorry about all the nostalgia, I don’t know what came over me to throw that stuff into this post, it has nothing to do with my subject.
One of my first cousins who are still in Rome, Ga sent me a link to an story about her in the newspaper, I suspect she was a little proud of it but I also understand why. Yep, little Anne did good for herself and is now retired and living the good life, you go girl, you did it the old fashioned way, you earned it…….
Anne
Anne, retired prison warden, poses in the old Rome Police Department jail cell that’s on display downstairs at the Rome Area History Museum. “I was here the day they brought it in in pieces and I watched them put it together.” (Photo by Ken Caruthers)
Anne spent the better part of 30 years at the Floyd County Prison. Not behind bars, mind you. Rather she helped run the place since 1979 and was the warden for a decade until she retired in 2008. She saw the local prison system transform through the years from a 40-man chain gang to a 450-bed prison with a 100-bed work release center.
Now at 61, Anne is reveling in retirement. She especially enjoys traveling.
“Because of my career, my favorite trips have been to prisons! The most exciting were personal tours through Folsom in California and Angola in Louisiana,” says Anne. “Folsom was interesting because it is older, larger than most, and the California system is different from Georgia. Angola is huge, and Warden Burl Cain is renowned for his success in turning it around from the bloodiest prison in the U.S. to one of the best.
“I visited the Hanoi Hilton in Vietnam where our soldiers were held as POWs. It was amazing and heart-touching. And, of course, Alcatraz (which reminded me of the old Floyd County Stockade). Probably not something everyone could get excited about, but for me it was awesome.”
Her retirement gift to herself was a trip to Disney World with her family. “It was great for my grandsons and nieces, but I believe I was the one who had the most fun. Wonderful memories and a dream come true in a magical place.”
It might not have been the most exotic trip, but it was one of her most memorable because it combined her love of travel with her love of family.
“My passion is my family and friends. I believe the most joy in life comes from those you love and care about. I hope to spend the rest of my life making memories and being a person who makes a difference in others’ lives.”
Anne has been in Rome most of her life except for a four-year stint in Rapid City, S.D. Some might be surprised to know she once worked for South Dakota State University with the Launch Control officers of the Minuteman Missiles.
She now enjoys a quieter life here. “Since retirement I am enjoying working in the yard, reading and just watching the birds. These are things I never had time for during my working years and I have had to learn to relax.”
Of course, she’s planning on more traveling too, especially when her husband retires in a few years.
“My dream trip is touring the Greek Isles.”
“Bon Voyage Cuz” little hillbilly girl did good for herself and now she is ready the cruise the Mediterranean sea and enjoy the fruits of her years of labor, you go girl.
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According to the Laredo Police, the Web County Sheriff and the Border Patrol, none of them know anything about this. It was reported. Until confirmed by someone in authority, it's only a rumor. That's what this appears to be.