Thursday, January 29, 2026

1/26/1956

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, January 26, 1956   Vol. C552


LOCAL NEWS


SNOW SCULPTURES FESTIVAL VERY COOL


East Farewell – The second annual Snow Sculpture Festival was a very cool success last week. Artists from both in town and surrounding towns descended on the Lakefront Plaza on Thursday and worked overnight and into Friday piling, shaping, digging and patting huge mounds of snow into some of the most attractive and attention grabbing sculptures ever seen anywhere. A 10 foot high “SNOW” by local artist, Monica Shippensport centered the display with whimsical giant rabbits, Ice Kings and a beautiful Ice Queen bust surrounding it. Assorted smaller sculptures were interspersed along the paths that were laid out for visitors and judges to walk along. There were cats and dogs, big crows and a very fierce mountain lion. Very lovely sculptures of beloved lake residents ‘Big Charlie’ the legendary giant bass that lives in the lake and has eluded every angler but one and is still living in the lake and the mysterious and proven to be fictitious ‘Nellie’ the Loch Ness type serpent dreamed up by Region High Seniors and said to be also living in the lake.

            The artists went to work early Thursday using a variety of tools. Each was given a space and each was responsible for bringing his own snow. Some enterprising artist had snow delivered from outside of town. Bernie Talbot was one of the snow importers. His sculpture was the beautiful bust of a snow queen that was inspired by his girlfriend. Quite the compliment. “I wanted to use fresh snow,” said Talbot, “because it is so much easier to work with and you can shape it better.”

            On Friday night the Plaza was opened to the public and was lit by strings of lights that had been reused from the street decorations used for the Christmas displays. The small lights added just the right ambiance and were not too bright as to melt the snow. Folks thoroughly enjoyed the Friday evening show. The crowds were back on Saturday and the weather was perfect. The bright winter sun made the 30 degree temperatures very bearable and the restaurants serving hot chocolate, coffee and hot sandwiches made it a perfect day. The evening was open to more public appreciation and an impromptu band party with a live performance by Jerry Tabor and his Swing Band. They usually play at the Lost Oasis on Saturday night and the festival gave them a great opportunity to play outside on the Plaza. The outdoor heaters kept the whole area comfortable. Sunday brought the judges who went about their duty with an impressive air of importance. For the most part the judging was not very serious. Everyone one won something. The grand prize, a dinner for two at Charles Wentz’s Lost Oasis Restaurant, was awarded to Shippensport’s SNOW sculpture. The only reason was that the judges liked it and her. The general public was divided and while the giant rabbit, Talbot’s Snow Queen and the Snow King were all hits lots of folks loved ‘Big Charlie’ and Nellie for their home town nature. The restaurant prize was to honor Wentz who had the original idea for the festival last year.

1956 Snow Sculptures on the Plaza 


SPORTS


WILDCATS NIP COUGARS 47-46


Riverview- The revenge was sweet for the Wildcats on Friday night when they avenged their tough loss just two weeks ago to the Cougars. The game was a tight contest that see-sawed back and forth throughout with neither team able to put more than a five point difference between them. It came down to the final minute, even after Cougars center, Wilson Watson, had fouled out with three minutes left.

            The Cougars tried to play a fast paced game with lots of running and quick shooting in an effort to keep the generally more staid Wildcats off guard. The Wildcats were thrown off initially but regained their poise after a time out early in the first period. Cougar’s guards, Timmy Green and Fergal Conner, were the Cougars driving force in the speed up game and made a valiant effort that came up just one point short in the end. Together they scored 36 (18 apiece) of the teams 46 total. The Wildcats were able to match the Cougar’s fury with hot shots of their own. Center, Arnold Matthews, and guard, Frank Sellers, were able to dominate the center and low post and score 30 of the Wildcats 49 points. More importantly they were able to force Watson to extend his zone and make some unwise fouls.

            The game was tied at the end of the first half at 22. The lead had shifted an amazing 15 times in the first half. The second half was no different; the lead went back and forth with neither team able to take command. Then with three minutes left Watson fouled Matthews for his fifth, the Cougars were ahead by three at the time and they had their work cut out for them. Backup center, Don Tasker came in and did a respectable job but Matthews and Sellers were in a groove and were able to score four with the last basket falling with 15 seconds left. The Cougars tried a long in bounds but Green’s inbound pass was a little short and Tasker could not come up with the last second shot.

            “This was a tough loss,” said Coach Wilson after the game, “Those kids played a great game and we matched them at every turn. They were just a little better this time. We will get them next time. We need to make some adjustments to counter that inside duo. They played as well as I have ever seen them. They are really getting into the game.”

            The next time the Cougars meet the Wildcats it will be the end of the season. The matchup should be a good one. The Cougars face the Fort Lee Captains next week for the first time this season at home. The game is Friday afternoon in the Regional High Gym at 4:30PM.


 NATIONAL NEWS


SALK GETS MEDAL & PRAISE – IKE TALKS ABOUT THE ECONOMY & NIXON – YOGI MAKES BIG BUCKS – GRACE WILL NOT WORK – DUMONT 55 & 25


Dr. Jonas E. Salk receives a gold medal from a grateful nation and praise from President Eisenhower for his “great achievement” in developing a vaccine against polio. 

President Eisenhower tells Congress the United States has “reached the threshold of a 400-billion dollar economy and prosperity is likely to stay. To strengthen the government’s hand in guiding the national economy, the President recommended that Congress restore the power to control installment buying by setting minimum down payments and maximum pay-off periods. The President urged this as a stand-by measure, to be used only when the economic situation demands it and under proper administrative safeguards.

President Eisenhower, disposing of several widely accepted political rumors, scratches the notion that he will ask Chief Justice Warrant to replace Richard Nixon on the republican ticket.

New York Yankee catcher Larry (Yogi) Berra celebrates his seventh wedding anniversary by signing his 1956 contract, which he calls for the highest salary ever paid a catcher in major league baseball. The figure tops the $42,500 for which catcher Roy Campanella of the Dodgers signed this week.

Prince Rainier III of Monaco says in a press conference, he wouldn’t want his wife to work. “It won’t be necessary for her to work. She thinks I am right that she should end her film career” said the Prince. 

WABD-TV Channel 5 (New York) - the station’s namesake - Allen B. Dumont celebrates his 55th birthday this week. Soon his Allen B. Dumont Laboratories will celebrate 25 years. They were the first to develop a commercially practical cathode ray tube, back in 1932.


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


 


Thursday, January 22, 2026

1/19/1956

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, January 19, 1956   Vol. C551


LOCAL NEWS


SNOW SCULPTURES FESTIVAL ON ITS WAY


East Farewell – The winter’s snows have been falling for some time now in East Farewell. The first accumulation started back before Christmas and hasn’t let up. Last week a new storm hit blew through and dumped another 3” on town. Total accumulation so far is almost 12’’ which is surprisingly less than last year at this time (18”). While it may be less there is still great excitement in town for the coming Snow Sculptures Festival next week. Many people have entered the contest and the Lakefront Plaza promises to be filled with a wide variety of whimsical, historical, serious and abstract sculptures in all sizes. The snow has been cleared from the streets and large piles have been placed around the Lake for the artists but most have made other arrangements. “That snow is no good,” scoffed aspiring snow sculpture artist, Bernie Talbot, “it is all iced up. That is no good. I am going to fill up the back of my truck with some fresh snow from way out of town and bring it in. I can work with that. I am planning on making a sculpture of my girl, Sue, as a snow princess. It is going to be great.”

            Others have registered the sculptures and they include Snow King, a locomotive, an Eiffel Tower, several dogs and cats as well as larger animals and of course, Talbot’s Snow Queen. The Town Council decided they wanted to make sure that all the entries were “publicly acceptable” after and entry last year was deemed to risqué for public showing. Donny Devine, a local artist and full time stone sculpture, sculpted a naked woman. He finished it in the dead of night and it wasn’t seen until morning. When officials saw it they immediately hosed it down to melt it. Devine was disqualified and the new rules were hastily put into place. Talbot’s queen was put under a great deal of scrutiny before he got the go ahead for his entry.

            The Festival will run from Thursday through Sunday of next week. Thursday and Friday will be the building days. The show will be opened to the public Friday night, Saturday and judging will take place Sunday afternoon. The prizes will be awarded Sunday evening on the Plaza. This is the second year for this event and it has taken a leap from being the unorganized, almost spontaneous event to a fully organized and regulated event with more than double the participation, and with advertising they expected turnout is more than double.

1955 Snow Sculptures


SPORTS


COUGARS MAKE CANARIES SING SAD SONG


East Farewell – The Cougars continued their impressive performance as the dominated a surprisingly strong Slate Mountain Canaries team, 45-35. Center, Wilson Watson, rebounded from his foul plagued showing last week with a game leading 25 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds. He dominated the lane and commanded the floor with lots of help in the backcourt from Timmy Green. The Cougars were expecting a much tougher game but the Canaries lost one of the stars, forward Ken Walker, to the flu on Thursday. Without Walker the Canaries were not able to get their timing down and they lacked an on-court leader. The Cougars took advantage of the Canaries woes and jumped out to a 16-8 lead. They only fell behind for a brief period when the Canaries put on a 13-6 run and led 30-28 in the second half. After a timeout the Cougars roared back with 8 straight points and retook the lead. The game wore down with the Cougars in control and Timmy Green took command with a masterful passing and dribbling show that ate up over two minutes and sealed the Cougars second win in as many games.

             The Riverview Wildcats host the Cougars on Friday and will be looking for revenge from their tough loss only a week ago. The game will begin at 7:05 in Riverview’s gymnasium.


 NATIONAL NEWS


IKE TURNS IN BALANACED BUDGET – E. GERMANY SETS UP NATIONAL ARMY – US SAYS CHINA WANTS FORMOSA – 78s TAKE ANOTHER HIT


President Eisenhower hands Congress a balanced $65,865,000,000 budget he said will provide a full measure of defense sustain unprecedented prosperity and promote “the well-being of all our people.”

East Germany formally approves establishment of a “national people’s army,” including sea and air forces.

The United States accuses Red China of demanding American abandonment of Formosa as the price for joining in a renunciation of the use of force. Because of this, it’s a deadlock in Geneva over lifting the dangers of war from the Nationalist Island.

The 78rpm record, which has been declining in sales, gets another price jolt as Decca and Coral follow the lead set by RCA Victor last year. They’ll increase the retail price of a 78 to 98cent, 45’s sell for 89 cents. At the present time 45’s outsell the 78’s at a national average of two to one. The old speed is still dominant in the country & western and rhythm & blues market. The majors will still continue to offer 78’s, but none of them will be sorry to see it go. Besides being larger and using more raw materials, the disks were more difficult and expensive to handle in transit due to breakage problems.


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



Thursday, January 15, 2026

1/12/1956

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, January 12, 1956   Vol. C550


LOCAL NEWS


NUDIST COLONY APPLICATION ACCEPTED WITH AMENDMENTS


East Farewell- The debate was prolonged and at times slightly heated but not enough to get anyone to take off their jackets. Many people came to the meeting to voice either their support or opposition for the Nudist Camp application submitted by “Nothing Until Democracy Evolves” (N.U.D.E.). While an informal survey run by this newspaper showed the opinion to be almost evenly divided the meeting showed many more people in favor than against the application. Civic interest may be one explanation but rumor has it that many showed up to see if any of the applicants would appear in their preferred state. No applicant showed up in the buff, the temperature outside was in the teens. “We may be expressive but we aren’t stupid,” said N.U.D.E.’s fully clothed president, Frank Logan at the meeting.

            The Council heard many comments from a variety of townspeople mostly were concerned about sight lines and exposure to younger children. One of the few dissenters spoke about his concern that the colony would draw sightseers, especially from the wide open lake and especially teenagers. Mr. Logan addressed that concern directly saying while they could not stop that behavior they would do everything they could to discourage it.

“Like putting on some clothes?” snorted the dissenter.

“No, that would not be how we would handle it, we have run into this before at other locations and have been able to effectively deal with the situations,” Mr. Logan answered coolly.

Mr. Logan composure set well with the Council and his presentation of the proposed colony with drawings and maps also impressed the Council. Finally, Mr. Logan was not shy to point out the amount of money the colony would bring into the town through taxes, construction jobs and commercial input into the local economy.

“I can’t wait to have some of them come into my place,” laughed Charles Wentz, owner of the Lost Oasis Bar & Restaurant.

After a brief discussion the Council voted to allow the colony to submit a comprehensive plan for final approval.  The final approval would be the go ahead for the colony to start construction. Mr. Logan said that the comprehensive plan would be submitted within the next month or two but no construction would begin until the spring or summer of this year at the earliest.


SPORTS


COUGARS BASKETBALL IN FULL SWING


East Farewell-The Cougars basketball season started out with disappointing loses to both the Central Bears (40-44) and the Corning Devils (30-38).  This year’s team is a young group with the only senior being point guard, Timmy Green.  Fergal Conner, a sophomore, makes up the other side of the back court and he is picking up a lot from Green.  Green was all-league last season and shows great command of the court.  Coach Wilson has great hope for this team.  “The boys are learning and learning to play together better every game,” said the coach after the Devils loss.

The next game is against the Riverview Wildcats on Friday.  Coach Wilson has high hopes for this game.  “We were able to handle these guys last year and they have basically the same team.  I think we really stand a chance to improve with this game.  The team is looking forward to this contest.”


 NATIONAL NEWS


FBI SOLVES BINKS JOB – MOUSE SCARES NUDE ON STAGE — BENNY PLAYS CARNEGIE HALL


The FBI says the 1950 Boston ($1,218,211) Brink’s robbery - the biggest cash haul in the nation’s history, has been solved. Eleven Boston area men are named by the FBI as participants - six were arrested, two are sitting in jails, two others are sought and one has died of natural causes. Details of how the case was solved were withheld by director J. Edgar Hoover. “The evidence has to be protected for the trial.”

In London, a nude model losses her job because she jumped when a mouse ran across the stage. British law permits nudity on the stage, but it stipulates that the model must remain motionless. Peaches Page “the delicious singing nude” “will not be appearing again” according to management at the Camberwell Palace.  Peaches was in the middle of her singing act when she spotted the mouse.

Jack Benny says he will appear at Carnegie Hall in October as a guest violinist. He will perform on the instrument as a soloist with the New York Symphony Orchestra. Benny said his appearance will be in a benefit to save Carnegie Hall - but didn’t say what it was being saved from. Benny said he would try to sound, “as if I’m good enough to play with the symphony, which everyone knows I’m not.” Benny, who practices the violin everyday, is known to murder music with his playing quipped “you have to have to practice everyday in order to play lousy.


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