Julys past, 25 years ago.

From the LaGrange Daily News, 1990.

Front Page News

Leadership Troup Seeks First Class — A recently organized Leadership Troup program, patterned after the highly successful Leadership Georgia, will begin accepting nominations for its first class in August.

Leadership Troup is a standing committee of the Troup County Chamber of Commerce and operates in cooperation with the Georgia Extension Service and Troup 2000.

A first class of 20 participants will be selected, including 12 representatives from the business, industrial and professional areas and eight from other occupations, such as religion, education, social services and government.

A selection committee headed by Chris Joseph will make choices after considering potential leadership and the information provided by those submitting nominations. The first class will be introduced at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting in November.

Leaders in the program include Bill and Helen Rice, Roy Spinks, Sara Beth Mallory, Gail Hunnicutt, Chris Joseph, Jane Fryer and James Williams.

Airport Gets Grant for Fence — The City of LaGrange has been awarded an $86,130 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to install fencing at LaGrange-Callaway Airport, according to an announcement by Congressman Richard Ray.

Airport Project Manager Scott Murray said a 6-foot, chain-link fence will be installed between airport property and the Industrial Park along Shorewood Drive and also between the park and airport property along Forrest Avenue.

‘Small World’ In a Big Way — The Sweet Land of Liberty parade delivered its message, “It’s a Small World,” in a big way as hundreds of local youths joined in the annual July 4 celebration of patriotism.

Colorful sights abounded like the marching “Liberty Belles.” Youngsters navigated the parade route in an amazing assortment of decorated vehicles. Flags were everywhere and flag-waving was definitely in style.

The 1990 parade was chaired by Jenny Gordy and co-chaired by Michelle Wheless, with founder Annette Boyd as “goodwill ambassador.”

Doyle Captures Record Sixth Georgia Amateur Title — Allen Doyle of LaGrange came on strong in the final round of the Georgia State Amateur Tournament at The Farm in Rocky Face, Georgia, on Sunday, finishing with a four-under-par 68, to capture his record sixth state amateur championship.

Doyle won state amateur championships in 1978, 79, 82, 87 and 88.

Three other LaGrange golfers played in the tournament, Lee Richter, David Dougherty and Mark Mike.

Named Chairman — Troup County Commissioner Richard English has been appointed chairman of the Taxation and Finance Policy Committee of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia.

The committee will look at such issues as financing indigent health care and present its recommendations in September.

A Rosy Outlook — A rose is a rose is a rose – but some roses outshine all others. Mrs. Ruby Lipham of LaGrange, treasurer of the Pine Needle Garden Club, won the “Award of Merit” in the Rose Division of the State Flower Show in Columbus with her Double Delight Rose.

Judges for the show chose Mrs. Lipham’s entry over 75 other entries. Mrs. Lipham and her husband, Eiland, grow 13 varieties of hybrid tea roses at their Azalea Drive home.

Local Teens Attend Tennis Camp in Sweden — Combine a summer tennis camp and a tour of some of Europe’s most beautiful and historic cities and you’ve got a summer adventure a group of LaGrange students will never forget.

The Tretorn Tennis Academy in Bastad, Sweden, has taught some of professional tennis’ greatest, and now it has taught some of LaGrange’s finest – Cathy Lock, Kama Holley, Cindy Knight, Suzie Ahn, Hugh Nichols, Scott Keeble, Joe Lester and their adviser, Laura Valentini, former LaGrange High School tennis coach.

Most of the LaGrange students came home improved tennis players, well-traveled and none the worse for wear – except Cindy Knight, who arrived home on crutches. On her third day at camp she dislocated her knee and spent time in the hospital treated by a specialist who gave her the best of care.