Newspaper Page Text
Trojans and Wldcats lose home
®he <Oeai>Er-®rtbune
Serving the Peach County area since 1888
Volume 97 Issue 42
Friends and colleagues pay tribute for 40 years of service
Ceremonies, banquet honor Mr. Anderson
by Mike Loworn and Tim Wilson
It was quite a week for retiring
School Superintendent Ernest Ander¬
son, beginning with a number of
proclamations in his honor officially
designating last week as Ernest R.
Anderson Appreciation Week in Peach
County It all came to a close Saturday
night in the Peach County High
cafeteria, as friends, colleagues, and
well-wishers gathered at a banquet in
his honor for one last tribute,
Mr. Anderson received a number of
accolades during the week, including
framed proclamations from the
governments of Peach County, Byron,
and Fort Valley, a game ball from
Friday night’s dedication football
game, and finally, a new golf can to
aid in the pursuit of his favorite hobby
during retirement.
Prior to Friday night's game, a
ceremony was held in the PCHS
auditorium in Mr. Anderson’s honor
The highlight of the program was
School Board Chairman A.B. John¬
son's announcement that all athletic
facilities at Peach County High School
would be officially known as die Ernest
R. Anderson Athletic Complex.
Peach County Middle School
Principal Norman Faircloth, who was
originally hired as a coach by Mr.
Anderson, unveiled plaques officially
naming the athletic complex, which
will be placed in the lobby of the
auditorium.
Speaking briefly to the crowd, Mr.
Anderson touched on the construction
of the facilities, specifically the
auditorium, track, baseball field, and
new football stadium. Regarding
those, he said, “We have over three
million dollars in thos facilities , and
not one dime of that is Peach County
money.”
He also praised what he termed a
I
%
$ §
*
*
A familiar pose...Ernest Anderson listens attentively during program prior to Friday
night's football game. PCMS Principal Norman Faircloth told of Mr. Anderson's
coaching days, and School Board Chairman A.B. Johnson announced the naming of
the Ernest Anderson Athletic Complex. Mika Loworn.
T
ww
d
if
I
%
t. «
\ f ) §
*
A A •
i.... 'JL
\ ^ / \py
0 * * f 1
A large crowd of friends greets Mr. Anderson at the conclu¬
sion of the program Friday night in the PCHS Auditorium-In
*be foreground is Mrs. Frances Bell, supervising principal at
Fori Valey, Georgia
“spirit of cooperation” in the county
that had helped make those facilities
possible. He told a story of plans to put
padded seats in the auditorium when it
was built, and how he was told by a
number of people that he was making
a mistake, that the seats would quickly
be tom up. “you are sitting on those
seats, and that is a tribute to the
quality of our students here," he said.
Friday night also marked dedication
night for the new football stadium,
which was just completed in time for
the first home football game four
weeks ago. As the game got
underway, Mr. Anderson was
presented with the game ball by Ga.
High School Association Executive
Director Bill Fordham.
At halftime, entertainment was
provided by the Peach County High
Band and Golden Girls, the Peach
County Middle School's Golden
Highlights, and the Byron Elementary
School Band.
Toward the conclusion of the
halftime ceremony, Board Chairman
Johnson repeated the designation of
all athletic facilities as the Ernest R.
Anderson Athletic Complex.
On Saturday night, a large crowd
jammed the PCHS cafeteria to pay one
final tribute to the man who served
Peach County’s schools for 40
consecutive years.
A number of people spoke about Mr.
Anderson during the course of the
evening, as he was honored both by
local and state officials.
Former School Board Chairman
Felton Hatcher told of the time in 1942
when Mr. Anderson was hired as
principal of Fort Valley High School.
As the story goes, Mr. Anderson was
offered the position until the end of the
school year after Mr. Lambert
resigned in March. He told them he
couldn’t prove his worth in just three
months and would only accept the job
if he was hired for another full year,
The Board agreed, and in 1945 he was
elected to the post he has held
continuous!)' since that time, facing
opposition for re-election only once in
ten terms.
Former Assistant Superintendent
H E. Bryant talked of how Mr
Anderson sought to have a black
secondary school in Fort Valley, and
how the H.A. Hunt School was made
available through Mr. Anderson’s
efforts with the Board of Regents.
Current Board Chairman A.B.
Johnson praised Mr. Anderson for
being the same type of person no
matter what the situation Johnson
said, “When you see the facilities and
school buildings, you are looking at the
tracks of Ernest Anderson. "
Former State School Superintendent
Jack Nix spoke of Mr. Anderson's
efforts to comply with the Civil Rights
Act, and how he held out for carrying
out the provisions of the Act without
any interruption in the educational
system.
“He has always been dedicated to
helping people .and is what I would
call a real school leader.”
Nix added that after he became state
school superintendent. Mr. Anderson
would come by his office periodically
to give his opinion on what was
happening in education around
state.
Current State School Superinten¬
dent Dr. Charles McDaniel talked
about Mr. Anderson’s ability
manage funds.
"He has run a fiscal county. In 40
years, the Peach County schools have
never been in debt."
A number of Mr. Anderson’s former
students and colleagues sent congra
tulatory remarks for the program.
Some of these were read to the
audience by Mr. Durward Gassett.
"You were a stern taskmaster, but
always fair. "
“I most remember the time of my
father's death, you and Mrs. Wheaton
helped cushion the blow. ”
“You provided consistent firm
leadership .I am proud of the
contribution you made in my life ."
“He was the last man to whip my
backside..”
Mr. Anderson also received letters
from Gov. Joe Frank Harris, Lt. Gov.
Zell Miller, President Ronald Reagan,
and former president Jimmy Carter,
Representing the family, Ernest R.
Anderson, J r. described his father as a
quiet disciplinarian and someone who
was always fair.
“We remember him fondly by his
principles,” he said. "He taught us
not by teaching, but by example.”
State Rep. Robert Ray presented a
resolution from the Ga. House of
Representatives in honor of Mr.
Anderson.
Other presentations came from Stan
Hunt Elementary, and one of the chief organziers of Anderson
Appreciation Week. Also in the center is former Asst. Supt.
H.E. Bryant. 4 photo by Mike Loworn
The best newspaper columnist in
business - See Opinions, page 4A
Thursday, October 18,1984
Lomax, Assistant to the President at
Fort Valley State, who presented a
plaque on behalf of the college; Mrs.
Helen Faircloth, who gave Mr.
Anderson a scrapbook containing the
many cards and letters of congratu
lation; and finally, Jack Hunnicutt,
who made the presentation that will
/
/ “ a
/
!
i
-Lv7
XJ? t < / V I
as 1
| W
y§
This table displays just a few of Mr. Anderson’s reward. The
•V-**
* t I
td m r * ” ftJKj u t; ‘"iff ii r V
'■ ir
fl i jA||9
K ■ 4 u
B
With the PCHS Band In the background School Board Chair
man A.B. Johnson [left] announce the naming of the Ernest
laH
M
jUI
^B
■ |fl|
"
wm
BRj vi h
w \ I
* n
State Rep. Robert Ray presents Mr. Andedrson with a resolu¬
tion pased In the Ga. House of Representatives in his honor.
■
it r
4 c 1
*
\ gr* I f ii K j * > * 7 S3? \
.
The Anderson Family looks on proudly as the athletic facilities
at Peach County High School are named in honor of their
father - left to right are: son ^iiliam, daughter Louise
i home
economist - see story on page 12A
22 pages In 2 sections
make retirement much more enjoyable
for Mr. Anderson.
He was presented with a new golf
can as a retirement gift from his many
friends and supporters in Peach
County. Naturally, the cart is black
(“He always had a black car”), and
imprinted on the front are the words,
plaques In the center will be placed In the lobby of the PCHS
auditorium. photo by Tim Wilton
,
R. Anderson Athlectic Complex, as Mr. Anderson looks on.
photo by Mika Loworn.
Seated in front of Mr. Anderson is State Superintendent of
Schools Dr. Charles McDaniels. photo by Tim Wilson.
Brockinton, daughter Ellen Whitner, Mrs. Anderson and son
Ernest, Jr. photo by Mike loworn
25 cents
“Slick Scooter”.
Soon after, what had been quite a
week for Ernest R. Anderson came to a
close. He told the audience he was
overwhelmed by it all, thanked them
for being so kind, and thanked them
for helping make Peach County such a
“great place to live and work.”