209. Happy Century, Modoc! 1882-1982

RCHS Blog Post Number 209.  

Happy Century, Modoc!  (1882-1982)

Winchester News-Gazette, July 10, 1982.

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MODOC - BIRTH:  1882.

DEATH:  Not even in the foreseeable future.

EVIDENCE OF VITALITY:  Centennial celebration held in the town on Saturday, July 3, 1982.

     Six months in the planning stages, Modoc's own commemoration of its 100th birthday - a sort of grand-scale tooting of its horn, and deservedly so, began last weekend with a whopping multi-categoried parade at 1 p.m. that filled up and overflowed Modoc's Main Street.

     The exuberance displayed by participants and spectators alike had the town buoyed on a spirit that could last until about this time next year.

     The Modoc Volunteer Fire Department and its chief, Rick CULBERTSON, sponsored the successful day-long celebration, with help from the Modoc Ladies' Auxiliary.

     Area resident Sterlie BERTRAM manned the microphone on the reviewing stage as the parade passed by, and Culbertson, dressed to the hilt in garb that was truly 19th century Americana, handed out the trophies to the winning entrants.

     At the end of the day filled (post parade) with rides, concessions, flea markets, displays, little league games, a fireman's water ball, outdoor entertainment, chicken and pork chop barbecue and the crowning of the queen, a fireworks display lit Modoc's night sky on the eve of the country's 206th birthday and on the evening of Modoc's 100th.

     Fifteen-year-old Dee Dee EDWARDS of Modoc was crowned queen to reign over the celebration at about 8:30 p.m.

     Bertram Construction Company sponsored the coronation recipient.

     Dee Dee was selected from a field of eight candidates that also included Sherry COYNER, sponsored by Mun-Day Corporation; Linda HANEY, sponsored by Camp Modoc; Heather HIMELICK, sponsored by Modoc Food Market; Darla OAKERSON, sponsored by Herman Shore and Sons; Donna Oakerson, sponsored by Peoples Loan Trust; Judy WINN, sponsored by Modoc Dairy Bucket; and Stephanie SHARP, sponsored by Huntsville New Idea Club.

     Heather Himelick was the runner-up. Ten year-old Amy LEE was chosen princess. She was sponsored by Culbertson Funeral Home of Modoc.

     Other princess candidates were Jennifer JOHNSON, sponsored by Tall Trees Campground; Lisha MOLAND, sponsored by Dick's Auto Repair; Amber BIVENS, sponsored by Country Guys and Gals; Marcey RADER, sponsored by Modoc Ladies Auxiliary; Brandy SHEETS, sponsored by Bennett Auto Sales; Heather SMITH, sponsored by Hunt Photography. Amber Bivens was runner-up.

     Earlier, a large crowd of Modoc residents and other Randolph Countians lined the parade route to show off their pride in the century-old community and get a good look at the host of parade entries.

     Peoples Loan & Trust's float entry took first prize in the floats category of the parade. Culbertson Funeral Home's old school room scene took second; Modoc Ladies' Auxiliary's Indian-inspired entry, third.

     In the walking units section, an unpretentious miniature metal box pedal car won first place trophy and prize money associated with it. Only problem is: the little tykes left without picking up their prize money, and the event organizers didn't get the kids' names. Rick Culbertson asks that the youngsters or anyone with information about the pedal car pedalers get in touch with him so that the prize money can be forwarded to the winners.

     Second place in that category was taken by Fred SWOVELAND, and third went to Fred SEARS.

     In the horse-drawn category, Culbertson Funeral Home took first with its horse-drawn old-style hearse. Second place went to Sue HARRIS and Mary Catherine BARRETT; third to Max WYMER.

     In the fireman's water ball competition, a team from Selma took top honors from a field of 10 competitors. Hagerstown and Union City, Indiana, registered second and third, respectively.

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