By By Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
May 4, 2001
COLLINSVILLE Many stories about Collinsville, Martin and Schamberville as told by the people who grew up in these west Lauderdale County communities are now preserved in a new book titled, "Windows to Our Past."
The 408-page book goes on sale Saturday at Collinsville's 13th Annual Lively Arts Festival. The book was started by the late Rubye Harrison and completed by her sister, Jerry Ethridge, and Linda Cook.
Family histories and genealogies along with accounts of different events have been compiled in the book. There are also photographs and copies of newspaper clippings.
Readers will find stories about the area during the Civil War. Longtime resource manager Bill Pennington wrote a history of Okatibbee Lake and its history. There are pictures of the old schools, and even some of the students from way-back-when.
But don't expect future publications to come anytime soon.
There are 200 copies of the book in print, and all are expected to be sold Saturday in Collinsville. After that, anyone wanting a copy can go by the Archives in the Lauderdale County Annex where the book is stored on computer.
Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3217, or e-mail him at sswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.