Look Back ... to the carnival setting up, 1949

May 16—May 16, 1949, in The Star: Last night, while Anniston slept, a midway was born. It started at 10 p.m. when a special train brought the Endy Brothers Railroad Shows to this city, where they will appear all this week at the circus grounds under the auspices of the Shrine Club. Upon arrival at the West 10th Street crossing, the unloading process swung into action, resulting in the removal of red wagons off of 35 flat cars, while a special detail of Anniston police waved auto traffic through between wagons with exceptional efficiency. Two hours later, the 82 show wagons had been hauled to the show grounds and spotted at pre-arranged locations on the 3,000-foot midway. Also removed from flat cars were three huge Diesel plants which soon spread a warm glow of light over the 40 acres of the circus grounds. At 7 o'clock tonight, the 75 separate attractions of Endy Brothers Shows will be unveiled to the public.

May 16, 1999, in The Star: Devin Lovell, the 18-year-old son of Debbie and Doyle Lovell of Ranburne, is on a waiting list for a heart transplant at a Birmingham hospital. That's why he'll have his pager with him at his graduation from Ranburne High School on May 24, at the football stadium. In fact, Lovell doesn't go anywhere without his pager, for if a donor heart becomes available, he would have to be in Birmingham within two hours of his being notified. A congenital heart defect has required the teenager to undergo five open-heart surgeries in his short lifetime, but doctors say replacement is now the best option. Devin's high school and the Ranburne community have been greatly supportive of the family, helping them with expenses and morale-boosting assistance.

Assistant Metro Editor Bill Edwards: 256-236-1551. On Twitter @bedwards_star.