Net Paid CIRCULATION Laat Week ? 2839 gft, -gjiabUnfe* Jftacn which a sale tax f? is collected. ^ In 1946-47, sales here were $3,703,000. In the next nine years, ending in 1956, they reached $8,628,000, ? an increase of 133 per cent and one that ranked Ma con County 43rd in the state in per cent increase. I In 1956, the county ranked 72nd in volume among the state's 100 counties. ?j For the nine-year period, the heaviest percentage B gains in retail sales were made by the small counties I that do not have large cities or shopping centers. The first 10 counties in percentage gain are Chat I ham, 393 per cent; Alleghany, 374; Onslow, 362; f Dare, 354; Yadkin, 322; Wilkes, 267 ; Alexander, 227 ; I Orange, 226; Mitchell, 220.2; and Avery, 220. Not one of the above 10 counties has a town with M a population in excess of 10,000, the tax report shows. Recent figures released and published in The Press R several weeks ago, show that gross retail sales in the ? county for the fiscal ytar ending June 30 were more P than a million dollars over the prior year ? $9,926,651 for 1956-57, as compared with $8,682,943 for 1955-56. HE WAS CHECKIN' UP ON 'EM Ol' Santa Claus was in town a couple of days back, giving out candy and checking up on boys and girls. Helping themselves to some of Santa's goodTies are Nadine West (left) and her sister, Diaina, and Frank Moffitt and Jimmy Scroggs. Yule Activities Are Listed Here Here're some items on the Christmas activities calendar. Franklin Garden Club's annual lighting and decorations contest was judged last (Monday) night, but the winners were pot available for publication. Holy Community The Rev. A. Rufus Morgan will officiate at Holy Communion Christmas Day at 11 a. m. at the St. Agnes Episcopal Church. The public is invited. At EUiJay Church A Christmas program is slated for Christmas Eve at 7:30 p. m. at the EUijay Missionary Baptist Church. Children's Service A children's service is slated to morrow (Tuesday) at 5 p. m. at the St. Agnes Episcopal Church. The church's midnight service Christmas Eve will begin at 10:40. Jfppkilng to the Rev. John Tuck Tr, minister in charge. Watauga Program ristmas program will be :d Tuesday night at 8 k ap the Watauga Baptist rciCfrwe plays will be given, ST e/Syd^h for the Christ Child" Scarlet Ribbon". Gifts exchange? following the llic is invited. Pari ^ woodT Ci Folded 1953 as dead of A flyer-advenj died Dec. 8, lsf Zone following The falls he discov^ name, "Angel Falls" At the Portal meml tributes were paid the tive by Col. Warren Admiral Charles Horne. A memor ial wreath was presented to his wife. The services were held on "Kit ty Hawk Sunday" (December 15). 5 Boy Scouts To Get Awards Five Boy Scouts of Franklin, Troop 21, are scheduled to receive God and County awards Sunday at the Franklin Presbyterian Church. It Is believed this will mark the first time in the western district that this many boys from a single troup have received this high award in a single ceremony. The Scouts are Fred Bulgin, Charles Slagle, Doug Slagle, Den nis Vinson, and Doug Vinson. COURTHOUSE SING The fifth Sunday singing con vention will be held at the court houae Sunday. Dec. 29. from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Two hours of the program will be broadcast over WF8C. All (insert and the public are invited to attend. It's Everywhere! It's In The Air... Christmas is in the air. It's everywhere. It's very evident at the Franklin Post Office, where, although the rush is over, late-starters are still drop ping Christmas cards in the chutes and mailing pack ages. It's along Main Street, where men, women, and children, many of whom put off shopping last week because of rainy weather, are dafting back and forth and in and out of stores, their arms filled with pack ages. It's in the relieved smiles of store owners and man agers, who thought for a couple of days last week that weather was going to ruin their Christmas busi ness. (Most stores now report business is good.) It's in the eyes of youngsters moving wishfully through the toy departments, stopping now and then to caress a much-wanted item. It's in the feet ^nd on the weary faces of store clerks ? who are genuinely glad there is onl>? one more shopping day left before Christmas. It's in the homes, where trees and bright Christmas scenes twinkle friendly greetings. It's in the hearts of everyone working to make sure a needy family is going to be remembered. Christmas is everywhere! NOMINATIONS ASKED ? Search Is Started Here For 'Young Man Of Year search is now under way for County's "Young Man of ^^Hear". BSBtfaward is made annually by ^HHrenklin Jaycees to some gPSt man under 36 years of age the bqptfs of his contributions under the to be nomi to Thomas B. charge. Mem is not nec has written letters to a number of civic and service groups over the county, requesting that they nominate someone for the award. A special banquet is being plan ned in February honoring the Winner. It will be highlighted by an address by the state Jaycee president. Jack Sharpe, of Kan napolis. The banquet also will serve as "bosses' night" and "la dles' night", the chairman said. Nominations should be mailed to Mr. Collier not later than Jan uary 29. JpARLY 3 INCH^? Heavy R(rin Causes Minor Floodifi^ Bdt No Damage Heavy^AIns ration from an incb^and SJjialf to^early three ini^o^ over Ahe coimty caused someShinor f l(*4ly?g of rivere ancNj streaniu^t no damage Ttpnsday and Friday. x Under clearing skl^Pbe Tennessee Rlvu^gacheAJls crest Friday afteriuVo. rioocme bot tom land and a po^on of flfc Ma con County AirpoiT A portion of the west approach to Phillips Bridge In Franklin was Inundated, but traffic continued to use the bridge. The weather was the aftermath of tornados that lashed several Southern states. Franklin was without power for ? short while Friday morning when wind blew a heavy oak limb Into wires near Balrd Cove Road. The limb twisted the wires to gether and tripped the mam feed er lioft Into Franklin, according to Ppwer company officials. The power lure occurred shortly (Bter 9 g^lock. y Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mjYanklln, a total of 2.70 inches ? Ei* fe"- Coweta Hydrologic LabfflCfory recorded 2.71 inches. A 2^8-inch fall was recorded at Nantahala Dam for a 24-hour peri od ending about noon Friday. Many motorists running from Franklin to East Franklin en countered a , "lake" Mday morn ing near Indian Mound Service Station. A clogged drain was re sponsible. Corbin To Graduate From Kentucky Seminary Charles M. Corbin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Corbin. of Frank lin. Route 5, will be graduated from Southern Baptist Theologic al Seminary. Loul?Tille, Kj.. at the winter commencement MM* else* on January 1*.