Look Back ... to an Annistonian's friendship with a king, 1999

Feb. 13—Feb. 13, 1949, in The Star: According to a regular weekly column, "Activities of Colored People of Anniston," we learn that at the 12th Street School, "Negro History Week was celebrated with the singing of Negro spirituals and playlets portraying the progress of race culture in America. The pupils manifested much interest in the reading of stories of famous Negroes." A similar observance was held at South Highland School, where Prof. Spencer Ramsey addressed the school on the topic, "The Negro In Defense of His Country." [The Star's news and social column for Anniston's African American community began in 1947 and was compiled by Mrs. Bessie M. Washington of 1702 Cooper Avenue, Anniston.] Also this date: Max W. Matthews, a recent graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law, announced yesterday that he has established his law office in the Anniston National Bank building. A member of one of Alabama's pioneer families, Max Matthews is the grandson of former State Sen. M. B. Wellborn of Anniston and the son of Fouché Matthews, who practiced law here for some 40 years. Max was educated in Anniston public schools before going to Tuscaloosa. He is a war veteran, serving as a 1st lieutenant with the 66th and 42nd Infantry Divisions in Europe. Additionally: Girl Scout cookie sales begin in the Anniston area tomorrow, meaning that some 350 Brownie and Girl Scouts will be at local doors for the next two weeks to sell cookies decorated with the trefoil. This is an annual project of the Cottaquilla Council held for the purpose of raising money to go into the camp development fund.

Feb. 13, 1999, in The Star: Due to the recent death of King Hussein, the nation of Jordan has a new monarch, King Abdullah II. As it turns out, an Anniston man of Canadian birth served for several years in the British Army in the early 1980s when the new king was still a prince. "He's a great friend," says Harold 'Howie' Grant, 42, of Anniston. "We spent many days marching and getting beaten up by drill sergeants together." The two first met when they were training at Sandhurst, the British military academy. Grant had joined the British military during his senior year at the University of Denver; at the same time, Abdullah, five years younger, had just finished high school at Massachusetts' Deerfield Academy. Grant said the two were standing in line someplace and Abdullah introduced himself. "I said, 'Good morning, your highness,' and he said, 'Call me Ab,'" said Grant. It was the beginning of a warm friendship and much great adventure, including specialized military training in the desert for Grant.