Alsey News – December 8, 2021
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By PEGGY STURGEON CLEMONS, 742-3822
Hello from Alsey. The weather has been a mixture of everything. The wind has been worse. Looking forward to spring.
Remember our men and women in uniform and the leaders of our country in your prayers. Others on our prayer list include Cindy Holmes’ family. Harold Jefferson, Chuck Roberts, Jerry Wilcox and wife, Jennifer Hoots, Tara Dowdy, Judy Cannon, Karla Cannon, Delores Cannon, Bronya Sanders and family, Penny and Kirby Fay.
Happy Birthday to Patti Brown on Dec. 7; Sue Riggs on Dec. 8; Debbie Hart, Robin Lyons, and Autumn Savage on Dec. 9; Tom Clayton, Katie Boester and Iden Griffin on Dec. 11; Kay Smith on Dec. 12; Adam Reardon and Ron Coultus on Dec. 13; Kyle Massey, Christopher Massey, and Julie Peterson on Dec. 14.
Happy Anniversary to Scott and Bronya Sanders on Dec. 8; John and Judy Craig on Dec. 14.
Hope all had a great Thanksgiving. Now we can think about Christmas activities.
With basketball in full swing, here is a letter to the editor from 1947:
“More Basketball Memories
Dear Editor:
Having read to me Bob Tankersley’s letter regarding the Winchester-Pittsfield feud, brought back many memories.
The feud between Winchester and Pittsfield was in full force back in the ’20’s, when we crossed the river by ferry. But the most memorable game I can recall was in 1947. Hunter Chapman was school principal, and Bill Strickland was coach. Strickland had come to us from coaching at Pittsfield–that added “fuel to the fire.”
That night in 1947–almost all of Winchester was crowded into the old gym, standing room only. We had a crack team made up of George O’Donnell, Edwin Evans, Jonas Lashmet, Pat O’Donnell, Bill Stuart, Jim Penton, LeRoy Moss, Dan McLaughlin and George Peak. Managers were Charlie Marshall and Sam Peak. The cheerleaders were Evelyn Evans Haggard, Mary Jane Corrie West and Jennie Neece Six.
As we entered the gym, the atmosphere was volcanic, everyone was tense. The game was rough and tough, the noise so great you could hardly hear the referee’s whistle. Tempers flared, the players and audience were all of for “bear.”
We were defeated–I always swore it was the referees, twas truly a one-sided game. When leaving the gym, a group of men was pushing Ercil Little, who had served as statistician. His mother, Clara Little, Cort McLaughlin and Dana O’Donnell were trying to free him.
Coach had sent our boys to the dressing room. Some Pittsfield man tried to push the door open. Moss and Evans grabbed him and popped him– and hurled him out of our dressing room. He turned out to be the deputy sheriff. As I recall, Dudley Evans or Russell Boston, or both, took up guarding the door and told the Pittsfield people trying to get to our team to wait until they showered and dressed.
Instead of showering and dressing, the coach, team, and managers slid out the dressing room window, jumped into the bus, which had been revved up and left on high for Winchester. Rumors were flying, the bridge would be lifted, the team arrested, etc. All Winchester made a mad dash for their cars– with Pittsfield chasing Winchester and Winchester chasing Pittsfield. Everyone took that old road with its hairpin curves on high. There were many sighs of relief when we crossed over that bridge into Scott County.
I cannot remember how it was finally settled. Hunter Chapman had a temper of his own, but he had a great deal of finesse and tact. Maybe it helped because he was on the State Board of the Athletic Association.
This eventful night made good conversation for many a moon. In fairness I must admit Mr. Smith who coached many years at Pittsfield, was a gentleman.
When I hear that Winchester is playing Pittsfield, even today, there is a little stir in my old tired blood and my mind hears the old battle cry– Beat Pittsfield.
A.R.P.
Class of ’27
P.S. I received a personal foul that night because a stupid referee fell over my foot.”
Winchester and Pittsfield have always been rivals.
That’s all I have for this week. Be a friend to someone in need this week.
