W.D. (Cooter) Douglass

Crestview, Florida

1948 – 1958

     The museum has a three-inch binder in the reference library.  Paula Kerns has done a wonderful job compiling information on the old folks highlighted from year to year by the Club’s originator, “Cooter” Douglass. 

     This radio program was on the local Crestview, Florida, station WCNU.    Stop in at the museum to study and read the whole collection. 
What follows is a sampling of the gold mine of documentation in the binder.

     Surnames referenced in print and photo include: Brown; Campbell; Daniels; Douglass; Gunter; Harrison; Hurston; Jones; King; Lundy; Mapoles; Mayo; Owens; Pittman; Richardson; Sikes; Steele; Townsend; Tyner; Weeks; Wicke; Williams; and many more...

Cooter Douglass and the Birthday Club Of The Air








1951 Program



Old people deserve all the credit for mating our society and state what it is today!  Everyone is welcome to the Annual  Picnic and Party, October 5, 1951.  
The above photo shows a portion of the large crowd at the Party, October 1950.



Henry J. Steele
The oldest of the two original Mill Pond Boys, who own the Steele Motor Company, Crestview, Florida, sponsors of the
Birthday Club of The Air. . .Henry says, "We enjoy sponsoring the Birthday Club of the Air. . .We love old people. . . We appreciate
the many things they have accomplished over the years to make a great West Florida and South Alabama."...



J.B. (Jake) Steele, Jr.
The youngest of the two Original Laurel Hill Mill Pond Boys. "Jake" as he is affectionally called by his many
friends is a Civic-Minded Person.  He is President of the Crestview Chamber of Commerce and a
member of the City Council of Crestview.  "Jake" says:  "The more people I see at the annual Birthday Club
of the Air Picnic, The happier I get."


H. French Brown, Sr. "Uncle Ned"
. . .HE QUIT BANKING FOR RADIO

Brown, a retired Tennessee banker came to Destin in Southern Okaloosa county in 1948.  He became
interested in radio...Now owns one half interest in Gulf Shores Broadcasting Company (WCNU).  He
is known to his radio audience as "Uncle Ned" with his "Recordially Yours" program...


Sam Townsend WCNU Station Manager
. . .HE PUT WCNU ON THE AIR. . .

West Florida's and South alabama's Top
Radio Announcer

"Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen. . .It's 9:30 and Happy Birthday Time with the Birthday
Club of the Air" . . .and, you will see and hear Sam Townsend introduce the 152nd program of the Airthday Club of the Air, Friday, October 5th
. . .Wayside Park. . .on Shoal River, Highway 85. . .four miles south of Crestview, Florida. . ."We'll be looking for you."  Says Sam. . .

        William Harrison Davis. . .71. . .an invalid for many years. . .he attended last year's Birthday Club of the Air
        Party. . .He will be back this year!  And, Mrs. G. L. Richardson. . .79. . .She danced last year. . .She will dance
        again today at the Birthday Club of the Air. Mrs. Richardson is a Niceville, Florida resident.

Thanks, "Cooter" Douglass - What great programs you gave us !!