Thursday, April 3, 2025

3/31/1955

EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, March 31, 1955   Vol. C760


LOCAL NEWS


GOLF CLUB CLUBHOUSE OPENS TO THE PUBLIC


East Farewell – The brand new Reese Farm Links clubhouse, styled in the American Gothic architecture style, was opened for display and inspection by the public over the weekend. The Reese Farm Links is only the “working title” for the new course being built by GC builders. They have yet to formally name the links so the Reese name has been used to define the project. The Reese family originally owned the land where the links are being built and ran a farm and store for over 100 years until Earnest Reese died in 1953. Earnest’s children did not care to keep working the land and sold to GC builders for a large sum of money. The total amount was never disclosed but it was large enough for the three remaining children to live comfortably for the remainder of their lives. Originally, they were going to stay in the farmhouse and try to keep the store running but once construction started and the store needed major renovation and electrical upgrades Joseph decided to sell the rest of the property to GC and move on.

            The new clubhouse was designed by the local architecture firm McCoy and Green and GC built it. It is a wonderful throwback with absolutely up to date amenities from air conditioning and zoned heating to lighting that is “mood adjustable” according to Frank McCoy. “This is more than a dimmer,” says McCoy, “it is an entire system of lighting adjustment throughout the room and actually has a positive effect on your attitude.”

            Once you walk through the welcoming lobby area the dining room unfolds with the bar area to the right. There is plenty of space and both areas are comfortably furnished with dark wood but lots of window space. The entire floor is a very inviting and very well laid out. The seating has been set at 75 but it could easily hold 100. The sheer beauty of the floor can only be appreciated by being there and if the turn out at the opening was any indication, most folks in town will be there.

            The links themselves are planned to open in the spring. The course was designed by legendary designer, Robert Trent Jones and championship golfer Bobby Jones has added input to the design. The course is truly a top level course at is expected to be one of the premier course in the country when it opens. 

New East Farewell Links Clubhouse


SPORTS


COUGARS OUTCLAW WILDCATS 48-47


East Farewell – The Cougars moved closer to the league title with a hard fought win over the Riverview Wildcats, 48-47. The Cats were also in the running for the league championship but fell out of the race with the loss.  The Cougars won two out of three of their previous meetings but every game was close, all within three points. The win puts the Cougars in sole position of first place in the league and they would seal the championship with a win over Southport next week.

            The game was played at a championship level with both teams looking to solidify their standing. The Cougars had the edge from the start, though, scoring the first ten points. It looked like it was going to be a blow out but the Wildcats came roaring back after a timeout and scored twelve points to the Cougars four. Cougar center, Michael Watson, was matched up with Wildcats center, Gerald Conwell, who led the league in points and is known for his aggressive play. Watson was able to keep Conwell to ten points and only nine rebounds while collecting fourteen points and fifteen rebounds. After the first point runs the game settled into a back and forth battle where any miscue could have caused a disaster. Both teams played surprisingly foul free for most of the game. There were no foul-outs and until the last seven minutes there was no one with more than three fouls.

            The backcourt also played a strong game with Green and Welch showing why they are considered one of the best backcourt teams in the league. They were able to break the now famous Wildcat press and ran a very respectable game scoring 24 point together (12 and 12) and adding 14 assists (8 for Green, 6 for Welch). The final two minutes climaxed the exciting game.

The score was tied at 44 with the Wildcats in charge. The Wildcats senior guard, Dick Farmer, took a sharp pass from Diamond and drove in for a score. The Cougars came back and forward, Tommy O’Hare worked the ball into Watson who faked left and went right on Conwell, scored and drew a foul. Watson made the free throw and the Wildcats came back down with Diamond leading the drive. He tried to go inside to Conwell but Welch got in the way and knocked the ball loose. Cougar forward, Bill Reilly grabbed the ball and tried to pass it out to Green. But he got tangled up with Wildcat, Jones and was called for a foul. This sent Jones to the line and he scored putting the Wildcats out in front 47-44 with 1:20 left.  The Cougars took a page from an earlier game with a long inbounds pass to a streaking Green who put in a layup and took only 3 seconds off the clock. In a surprising defensive move the Cougars set up a press and the Wildcats had to call a timeout to discuss it. When they came back the Cougars changed up their press and were able cause a turnover by stifling Diamond with a smothering double team, Welch picked up the errant ball and tossed in a 10 footer for a score, bring the score to 47-46 Wildcats. The Wildcats were able to get the ball down court but forwards, O’Hare and Reilly stood tall, O’Hare tipping the shot and Reilly grabbing the ball mid-air then tossing it to Welch who had anticipated the play and was already down court beyond Diamond. Welch got the pass with 10 seconds on the clock but he stumbled and started to fall out of bounds. At the last moment he swatted the ball to a trailing Green who grabbed the ball on a bounce, took one dribble set up at 15 feet and let go a high, arcing shot that swished through the net with 1 second left.

The win puts the Cougars in the lead for the league crown. A win next week would seal the championship for the Cougars. It would be the second title in four years for the Cougars, a fine accomplishment. Next week game starts at 6:00PM in the regional High Gymnasium.


 NATIONAL NEWS


CHURCHILL STEPS DOWN – IKE SALUTES CHURCHILL


Crowd looks on - choking back tears, Winston Churchill walks out of 10 Downing Street for the final time. He look for a moment as if he were going to speak but then he blinked his tear-swollen eyes and slowly raised a long brown cigar to his trembling lips.

At his regular call at Buckingham Palace and under the weight of his 80 years, Sir Winston Churchill stepped down as Britain’s Prime Minister, still flashing his victory sign. In his audience with Queen Elizabeth II, she offered him “Dukedom” but he refused. He had been a “House of Commons man” for almost 50 years, he pointed out.

President Eisenhower tells Sir Winston Churchill indirectly that, “the free world yet has much to gain” from your great experience, your great wisdom and your great courage.”


Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.


 


Saturday, March 29, 2025

3/24/1955


 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, March 24, 1955   Vol. C759


LOCAL NEWS


COMMISSION SAYS HIGHWAY BYPASS IS ON AGAIN


East Farewell- The Highway commission announced Monday that there would be no exit placed for East Farewell on the new “super” highway.  The on again-off again battle for the exit ramp took an off again slant when newly appointed commissioner, George Lamont, announced an exit would no longer be placed at or near East Farewell.  The reason for the removal was said to be funding.  There is also speculation that the overwhelming presence of the mighty Keystone railroad in town may have contributed to the decision.  It is rumored that there is great animosity and rivalry between the Commission and the railroad.  Competition between the rail industries and the upstart automotive industry has been an unspoken battle that has been going on for years.  Once the President announced the plan to build the interstate highway system in 1952 the railroad industry has made a not too subtle public relations push to show the positive side of the industry, including the merits of the commuter and leisure travel.   The Highway Commission has consistently awarded other smaller communities the purported benefits of having an on-off ramp to the “super” highway.  The benefits would be more auto traffic and increased economic vitality that will apparently come from the higher traffic.  Since East Farewell enjoys a very high profile on the Keystone Railroad map and many of its executives have chosen it as their vacation retreat, it is rumored that the Highway Commission purposely chose to bypass East Farewell and make to town less accessible from the highway.

            The so-called “superhighway” is an idea embraced by the President and Congress to link the country with a network of limited access highways that are designed for high speed automotive travel.  Inspiration for this network is said to have come from Eisenhower’s infatuation with the Autobahn he saw in Germany during the war and his realization of the need for an alternative method to rail system to transport troops and equipment across the country in the case of war.  Implementation of the plan has been slow and politically charged.  The Highway Commission is made up of mostly politically connected individuals that may or may not have a personal agenda.  It remains to be seen whether this plan will work.

            East Farewell does enjoy a special place on the Keystone Railroad map and it is generally considered that the lack of an exit on the highway will not impact the town one way or the other.  Many townsfolk have gone so far as to oppose the exit at town meetings.  The Iron Works in town also enjoys a close relationship with the railroad.  It supplied the railroad with an estimated fifty percent of the rails that built the countrywide rail system.


Artist impression of the East Farewell Station


SPORTS


COUGARS TROUNCE FORT LEE CAPTAINS 49-36


Fort Lee- Cougars coach Wilson described the game against the Fort Lee Captains as the Cougars “best game of the season.”  It was a resounding win over a vastly improved opponent who last year was only able to win two games all season.  This season the Fort Lee Captains were tied for the league championship.  The turnaround is generally attributed to two things, twin brothers Al and William Scotch.  They moved to Fort Lee with their family last year and were immediately recruited by Captains coach Red Snyder.  They both tower over most of the other players, standing 6’6” both boys have an understanding of the game that is not usually found at this age (15). 

How did the Cougars manage to overcome this formidable challenge?  Teamwork.  By utilizing a ball control offensive with patient pass-oriented plays and a smothering double-team, high energy defense the Cougars were able to dominate the game.  The brothers were still effective, scoring 24 of the teams 36 points, but they could not keep up with what turned out to look like a 2 on 5 game.  The swarming Cougars seemed to be everywhere and pestered the twins relentlessly.

“Greeny, Welch and Bobby Fox were incredible,” said Coach Wilson, “their energy and endurance was amazing.  They were really up for this game.  Fergal Connor really came into his own during this game; he really rose to the occasion defending those big boys, who were great, by the way.  My boys really showed why they are leading the league tonight.  The Captains are a great team but tonight we were the better team.”

If the Cougars win next week they win seal the league championship.  This will be the first championship since 1952 when older brothers of Timmy Green and Joey Welch (Gene and Jimmy) were playing. 


 NATIONAL NEWS


IKE WANTS ATOMIC SHIPS-CHURCHILL SAYS GOODBYE- RUSKIE MALENKOV OUT


President Eisenhower unveils plans to send a new atomic-powered merchant ship around the globe in a dramatic demonstration of America’s determination to win “a just and lasting peace.” The new vessel, the President said, will travel thousands of miles without refueling and “will demonstrate to people everywhere this peacetime use of atomic energy, harnessed for the improvement of human living.”

At this regular call at Buckingham Palace and under the weight of his 80 years, Sir Winston Churchill steps down as Britain’s Prime Minister, still flashing his victory sign.  In his audience with Queen Elizabeth II, she offered him “Dukedom” but he refused. He had been a “House of Commons man” for almost 50 years, he pointed out.  President Eisenhower tells Sir Winston Churchill indirectly that, “the free world yet has much to gain from “your great experience, you great wisdom and your great courage.”   Crowd looks on - Choking back tears, Winston Churchill walks out of 10 Downing Street for the final time. He look for a moment as if he were going to speak but then he blinked his tear-swollen eyes and slowly raised a long brown cigar to his trembling lips

It has been 11 days since ex- Premier Malenkov was last seen at a public function in Moscow.  Seems Tass is keeping mum on the subject.  Meantime the hydrogen bomb emerges as the real reason for the conflict between the Soviet leaders and the downfall of former Premier Georgi Malenkov. The future of the deposed Premier looks dimmer than ever as Russian experts read a violent attack on Malenkov’s ideology published in the latest issue of Komunist, the theoretical magazine of the central committee of the Communist Party. 

The DuMont network has been gradually curtailing their airtime the last few months. Next week, it will be down to six hours per week.


Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.


 

Thursday, March 20, 2025

3/17/1955

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, March 17, 1955   Vol. C758


LOCAL NEWS


PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES 1955 SEASON


East Farewell – The Playhouse announced their 1955 schedule last week. After a successful second season the new schedule is more ambitious and has been expanded to nine shows overall. Playhouse Director, Rick Davidson said he will continue to have Producer, Jeb Bernstein produce the shows. Bernstein has become a bit of a celebrity in town and his shows have been sold out at almost every performance.  Davidson’s wife, Julie, has been in charge of promotion and oversaw the spectacular restoration of the playhouse. The Playhouse has become a jewel in the town landscape and draws folks from all over, even as from as far away as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New York City. The Christmas Show presentation of “A Christmas Carol” has become a town tradition and Bernstein has been able to recruit top players for the show. It has become the go to event of the season and always gets rave reviews.

            The new schedule has been posted at the theater and will notify each Playhouse Family member individually. We will print the schedule here for everyone else. Anyone can become a Family Member by contacting the box office; 142 Lakeshore Drive. Full season memberships are available as well as half season and student members.

            The 1955 East Farewell Playhouse Schedule;

                        Can-Can                         May

                        Peter Pan                        June

                        Guys & Dolls                  July

                        The King & I                  August

                        Paint Your Wagon          September

                        Pal Joey                         October

                        Showboat                      November

                        A Christmas Carol         December

            “We are looking forward to another tremendous season and we love all the support from the town,” said Bernstein during the kickoff interview at the theater last week.

New Playhouse


SPORTS


COUGARS SLIP PAST SOUTHPORT 54-53


Southport- The East Farewell Cougars were able to win their 11th game this season by defeating the Southport Hawks on their home court, 54 to 53.  The win was never a sure thing and came down to a final free throw to put the game away for the Cougars.  Both teams played very tough defense but matched each other with brilliant offense.  These two teams match up very well player for player and both games this season showed that.  In the first game, earlier this season, the Cougars won in overtime, 52-51, on a last second shot by point guard, Joey Welch.  This game was another great contest. Both teams led five times and the point differential was never greater than four.

            The game started off quickly with both sides scoring on each of their first three possessions but then settled down to a chess game of play versus defense then a different play versus a different defense.  At times brilliant play by the Cougars forwards, O’Hare and Reilly, was matched by the tenacious Hawks defense of Gold, Abrams and Smith.  Other times the Hawks backcourt of Reynolds and Yews were matched one for one with the Cougars, Green and Welch.  It was a play by play game with each team working to gain an advantage.

The game see-sawed back and forth with the first half ending with Southport on top, 28-26, both sides were splendid.  The second half was more of the same and neither team was able to establish any type of game control.  As the second half wound down the Cougars took the lead by four, 49-45 when Southport forward, Jake Evans, blocked a Reilly shot and threw a long pass to a fast breaking Smith for an easy layup to bring the game within two with only eleven seconds left.  On the in bounds play a pass was knocked free from Welch by Gold but Gold was called for a foul on the play and sent Welch to the foul line for two shots.  He missed his first but swished through his second to put the Cougars up by three with only three seconds left.  The Hawks were unable to connect on a well executed but ultimately failed give and go play as time ran out.

“This was a great game by both teams,” said Coach Wilson, “The boys played hard the whole game. I was impressed with those other boys, they were playing to win.  This game could have gone either way right to the end.  I’m just glad this one went our way.”


 NATIONAL NEWS


IKE WOULD USE NUKES–CHURCHILL COMPLAINS-FCC ON UHF-DJs DON’T LIKE R&B


 President Eisenhower declares that the United States would use atomic weapons against military targets in the event of war. “Now in any combat where these things can be used on strictly military purposes, I see no reason why they shouldn’t be used just exactly as you would use a bullet or anything else.”

Prime Minister Winston Churchill complains there are serious mistakes in the U.S. record of the 1945 Yalta conference. He disclosed Britain might publish her own version of the history-shaping meetings. 80-year-old Churchill is the sole survivor of the Yalta Big Three. The others were President Roosevelt and Premier Stalin. The conference agreed on the controversial bargain that brought Russia into war against Japan.  Prime Minister Winston Churchill (80) tells the House of Commons that he is working for a big power meeting to ease world tensions. That meeting should now include West Germany, France and the big three. “I still believe that vast and fearsome as the human scene has become; personal contacts of the right people in the right place at the right time might yet have a potent and valuable part to play in the cause of peace which is in all our hearts.”

The FCC proposes to congress to authorize it to conduct a sweeping study of the entire broadcasting industry. One concern is TV stations assigned to UHF (Ultra High Frequency) - Channels 14 and above. Many have trouble competing with their VHF counterparts and some have already sign-off. A delay in developing high-power UHF transmitters coupled with the amount of TV sets that can receive UHF may well be a factor in UHF troubles. Out of the 35 million TV sets now in use, only 5 million can receive UHF broadcasts. The commission wants to meet with TV manufacturers to discuss the feasibility of making more all-channel sets.  WXIX-TV/Milwaukee is the only major market UHF CBS affiliate station. 

Bob Haymes songwriter and DJ at WCBS radio and station WINS are kind of at war. WINS accuses Haymes of “making wanton and capricious attacks about teenagers who listen to rhythm and blues.” WINS says Haymes has taken pot shots at R&B, which WINS plays, and a great number of teens had voiced complaints about Haymes after Freed read a newspaper column on his WINS program containing the Haymes remarks.  Published in the New York Mirror, the letter quotes Bob Haymes who called R&B “poor music, badly recorded, with lyrics that are at best in poor taste… and at worst obscene… this trend in music (and I apologize for calling it music) is affecting the ideas and the lives of our children…. Kids are pretty hep. I know that they can be taught to develop a discerning ear,” wrote Haymes.  KLAC Los Angeles DJ Peter Potter says, “All rhythm & blues records are dirty, as bad for kids as dope.”   Bill Randle, who shuttles between WERE, Cleveland and WCBS, New York sees a tie-up between the rock and roll beat and juvenile delinquency but doesn’t believe that the new rhythm causes delinquency - “it just reflects it.” Randle says rock-and-roll is part of the evolution of music and will become part of Americana. 

More music news - Appearing at Carnegie Hall - Dave Brubeck Quartet, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker’s combo and songstress Carmen McRae. NBC DJ Al (Jazzbo) Collins emceed the show. More jazz - Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, George Shearing and Errol Garner at the “Birdland Stars of 1955” in Pittsburgh, PA.


Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.