----- Original Message -----
Sent: 10/21/2005 2:06:35 PM
Subject: Tragedy in Porterdale
Last night, October 20, 2005, a tragedy took
place in our beloved Porterdale. The gym burned to the ground.
There are no words for the loss of this wonderful building.
Those of us who still live here and were gathered about watching
the orange glow in the sky were pretty much speechless. All we
could do was just stare in disbelief and grief as the bell tower
and the roof caved in. This morning as I left for work, the
realization of the building being gone really struck home. All
that was left was a fire truck sitting in the middle of Main
Street and the burned out shell of the building. I am sure when
I get home this afternoon in the daylight hours and can really
see the aftermath, I will be reminded just how precious the
memories and treasures we all shared will be. Replacing the
building would be wonderful but it will never be the same. God
bless Porterdale and God bless us each and everyone. Louise
Savage Mathis
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----- Original Message -----
From:
Sent: 10/21/2005 7:44:21 PM
Subject: old porterdale gym
HI TO ALL,
SOME OF YOU MAY
HAVE SEEN THE NEWS ON TV TODAY ABOUT THE GYM IN
PORTERDALE. THEY HAVE ARRESTED TWO TEEN ANGERS FOR
ARSON .THAT'S RIGHT, THE OLD GYM IS JUST A HULL NOW.
IT DOESN'T LOOK REPARABLE TO ME.
BILLY PAYNE
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----- Original Message -----
From:
Sent: 10/22/2005 12:15:21 PM
Subject: Re: Porterdale Gym
How very sad......there goes another wonderful piece of my
childhood....thank you for sharing :(
Jo (Henderson/Gates) Garcia
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[Original Message]
From: Lynn Favero <lynn54052001@yahoo.com>
To: ollis prentice <porterdale@earthlink.net>
Date: 10/22/2005 12:21:27 PM
Subject: porterdale gym
Good morning Mr. Prentice,I saw the news paper article about the
fire in the old porterdale gym. I know that it must be such a
loss for everyone there. I send my deepest condolences.
Lynn Favero
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: 10/22/2005 7:29:41 PM
Subject: RE: Porterdale Gym
At our Elks dinner last night, Billy Crowell recounted to
those in attendance, sometimes with tears and a catch in his
voice, poignant memories of the unique gym.
--Bob
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---- Original Message -----
Sent: 10/24/2005 8:21:44 AM
Subject: RE: Porterdale Gym
As you know, my
husband Tim is the Asst. Fire Chief for Porterdale and he
worked tirelessly with the other firefighters to try to same
our beloved gym but it was not to be. My mother (Gladys
Haggard-Kerbow) and I stood on the hill in front of the old
hospital which overlooks downtown and cried with all the
others who had gathered. My mother and her family watched
it being built and were there the day the gym opened for the
first time.
If this was a result of arson, the arsonist/s will never be
able to fully comprehend what they have done. They have
taken a part of my life that can NEVER be replaced by a
reproduction. Oh the memories of the Bibb Christmas
programs! To correct some the incorrect information in our
local papers over the weekend, the presents under the tree
were not only for the children of Porterdale; there was a
gift for everyone in the city! When this tradition was
started, the fruit, nuts, and candy were placed in a paper
bag. In later years, the tradition of the beautiful
Christmas boxes was started. I am blessed to still have one
of those boxes and I treasure it! Secondly, the gym was
built by Mr. Oliver Porter as a gift to the
people of
Porterdale… not to the
City government of Porterdale. I took some of my
first piano lessons from Mrs. Lewis Caldwell in the rear of
the gym. I sang and played the piano for meetings of the
Porterdale Woman’s Club (not
women’s club). I played basketball for B. C.
Crowell in that wonderful old building (note: I did not say
I played well!).
Only those of us
who actually grew up in the City can really appreciate the
significance of this wonderful place. To others, it is only
a piece of history; to us, it is a part of our life!
Kay Piper
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----- Original Message -----
From: Ralph Hodges
Sent: 10/23/2005 7:18:15 PM
Subject: Re: Porterdale Gym
THAT SIMPLY BRAKES MY HEART,
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: 10/26/2005 12:01:51 AM
Subject: Re: Porterdale Web Site
Thanks for sharing these stories
and pictures. So sorry about the Gym. My daddy, James
Middlebrooks, attended Porterdale School.
Peggy Middlebrooks Autry
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