July 1-7, 1951 

Draper celebrated the Fourth of July by with the opening of a 20-acre park that is complete with lights, bleachers and many other recreational amenities for young and old. Most of the Independence Day program was given over to softball games and such field events as novelty races, horseshoes and greased-pole climbing. Draper Mayor Archie Daniels spoke in the evening. The park adjoins the Draper YMCA and is the brainchild of R.P. McCray, secretary of the Y. The area includes what once was the Bi-State League ballpark, but it had become overgrown with weeds. McCray persuaded the Y's Men's Club, American Legion and Lions Club to join in the development. They raised the money for the lights and bleachers and helped develop the rest of the park, which includes an oak grove with picnic tables, horseshoe pits, barbecue pits, swings, slides and other activities for children. 

The Matrimony Grange is sponsoring a home-nursing course for all residents in the western part of the county. The course is available at the Leaksville Hospital, and so far 17 women have signed up for the seven two-hour classes. ... Reidsville schools will open for the coming year Sept. 5 and end the following May 30, with a 12-day break for Christmas and shorter holidays at Thanksgiving and Easter. ... Billy Myers of Winston-Salem, nationally second-ranked driver in the NASCAR Sportsman's Division, heads the list of drivers for the big Sportsman's modified stock car race scheduled July 8 at the newly paved Draper Speedway. 

The U.S. Agriculture Department announced it will support flue-cured tobacco this year at an average of 50.7 cents a pound, up from 45 cents in 1950. ... With the Carolina League season reaching its mid-point July 4, the Reidsville Luckies were atop the standings with a 42-30 record. The Luckies also lead the league in hitting with a .288 team batting average. Outfielder Bill Behie is their top hitter at .355. Mike Forline is the pitching ace with an 11-3 record. 

Summer wear: 

Sunback dresses of chambray, denim, shantung, $4.00 

Car for sale: 

Four-door, 6-passenger Buick sedan, $2,109.