April 10, 1878 — A taste of Japan delighted the kitchens of The Hartwell Sun readers in April of 1878.
A letter published in The Sun’s early days provided readers with a method for cooking rice.
“They know how to cook rice here;” the letter began. “Only just enough cold water to prevent the rice from burning to the pot, which has a close-cutting cover and is set on a moderate fire.”
The author of the letter, which was published anonymously, noted that the rice was steamed, as opposed to boiled, until it was nearly done.
Evidently, the author enjoyed japanese rice better than the stuff here in the states.
“The surplus steam and moisture are allowed to escape, and the rice turns out a mass of snow-white kernels, each separate from the other, and as much superior to the soggy mass we usually get in the United States as a fine mealy potato is to the water-soaked article.”
April 24, 1953 — Seniors at Hart County High School set off to Washington, D.C. as part of a yearly “pilgrimage” to the nation’s capital, and received a special invitation from a local connection along the way.
Seventy-eight seniors in total, along with four faculty members, hit the road on April 26, 1953 to visit the White House and all of the “principal points of interest” in the capital.
The Sun reported that a highlight of the trip would be a boat trip on the historic Potomac River, during which they would pass Mount Vernon, home of President George Washington. That trip came as a special invitation from Congressman Paul Brown, a native of Hart County.
April 25, 1974 — Clearing began for a $1.1 million shopping center in Hartwell where Quality Foods is now located.
Workers began clearing the nine-acre tract set aside for the 68,000-square foot shopping center, as well as the additional four acres set behind the center that was expected to be developed into warehouse space.
Darby and Associates Limited of Tucker announced that leases were signed with Winn Dixie Food Store, Elmore’s Variety Store and Family Dollar Store for space in the new center.
Paved parking for 340 cars was expected to be provided and the area would be lighted. Employment was expected to be around 40 to 50 people at the opening of the stores.