3/22/1956

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, March 22, 1956   Vol. C560

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LOCAL NEWS

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ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – BIG HIT

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East Farewell- The 5^th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade was held on Saturday, March 17^th, and by all accounts was a giant success.   Due to an unusual recent warming trend the snow from the blizzard was completely cleared from the streets and sidewalks.  The only remaining signs of the huge snowfall that paralyzed the region were rapidly diminishing “mountains” of plowed and piled snow on some of the corners on Main Street and along Lake Shore Drive.

            The parade kicked off at 12 noon from the Regional High school Parking lot, made its way down Main Street and turned on Lake Shore Drive and end at Lakefront Plaza by Lake Charles.  Leading the Parade was the “Pumper” engine from the fire department followed by engines from several nearby towns, Slate Mountain, Fort Lee and Southport.  Several of the Police motorcycles followed and then the marchers came along.  Civic groups including the Woman’s Auxiliary, the local Pet Shelter, the Men’s Civic Association, both Cub Scout troops and the Boy and Girl Scout troops.  There was a collection of antique cars and even two local Harvesters.  The High School Band was the final highlight in the parade and they played many Irish songs as they marched.  A very interesting arrangement of “Danny Boy” was far and away the most popular.  It was played to a march beat and drew applause once the people recognized what it was.  Sensing the crowd’s enjoyable reaction, they repeated it three times.  The third time it was really in the groove.  Everyone in the parade was dressed in green to honor the holiday and there were many leprechauns running throughout the parade as it proceeded through town.

            The entire parade as well as many of the spectators and all the leprechauns ended up at the Lakefront Plaza where the High school Band gave a free concert.  Many local restaurants set up small booths and offered food and drink for the afternoon and into the evening.   A wonderful time was had by all.

Regional High School Band dressed for St. Patrick’s Day

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SPORTS

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COUGARS WIN BUT COME IN SECOND FOR THE SEASON

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East Farewell- The Cougars finished off their season with a win but were only able to place second in the league because the Riverview Wildcats beat the Fort Lee Captains to win the league title.  All told the Cougars played far above expectations and showed everyone they knew how to stay tough and win the close games.  In the beginning of the season it looked like their inexperience and novice status would make for a disappointing season.  This scrappy group proved everyone wrong by showing an ability to learn quickly and come together as a unit.  “I am so proud of these kids,” gushed Coach Wilson, “They wouldn’t give up even when they were down by 25.  The way Greeny (Timmy Green) and Conner (Fergal Conner) ran the game, I was just amazed.  They just got better and better.”

            The final game was against the Slate Mountain Miners and the Miners came to play.  The game see-sawed back and forth in the first half, with each team trading baskets. The first half ended tied 34-34.  Neither team was able to get a good defensive stand. If the shooting percentage was higher the scores would have been in triple digits.  In the second half the back court of Green and Conner started to take over.  They two boys were able to direct the front court of Wilson Watson, Tom O’Hare and Bill Reilly masterfully, breaking open one or the other forwards for easy scores.  Wilson was able to dominate the boards in the second half, bringing in 12 rebounds and contributed with 7 points in the second half.  While the first half was anybody’s game, the second half clearly belonged to the Cougars.  They ran away with it.  The Cougars prevailed with a very respectable total of 58 points to a very tough but overmatched Miners 48.  

            The Cougars wind up in second place in the league but a very happy with the final standings.  Next year promises to be another strong year with the entire team returning with the exception of Timmy Green who is a senior.  Coach Wilson is already making guarded predictions for next year.  “I think we are going to be very strong next year.”  Was all he would say.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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EXPLOSION IN PHILA – COMMIES MUST PAY TAXES – IKE WANTS PROGRESS – PRICES – GRACE AND ZSA ZSA NEAR MARRIAGE

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In Philadelphia, a granary located at 30th and Market Street explodes like a bomb and is consumed by a raging fire. The explosion rocked and damaged buildings within a 10-block radius. So far, one is dead and 115 are injured. The blast area was placed under police rule. The shock of the blast was felt 25 miles away.

The government seizes Communist property from coast to coast for back taxes. The party’s newspaper, The Daily Worker is padlocked. A government spokesman said, “The party apparently thought it was exempt from taxation. However, political parties are required to file income returns and the Communist party, has never done so.”

President Eisenhower declares that the entire South should show some progress toward racial desegregation. “I am for moderation, but I am for progress. Let’s don’t try to think of this as a tremendous fight that is going to separate Americans and get us in a nasty mess. Let’s try to think of how we can make progress,” said the President.

At you market - 7-up - six regular bottles .45 (you like it – it likes you) ... Welch’s grape jelly - 20oz jar - .49 ... V-8 -12oz can - .10 ... Kraft Cheese - (Swiss or American) - 8oz package - .29. The average price for gas - 27.9 cents (regular) and 31.9 cents (premium).

Actress Grace Kelly, who recently completed what could be her last picture, arrives in New York where she’ll sail for France aboard the SS-Constitution April 4. She will marry Monaco Prince Rainier on April 18.

Hedda Hopper reports that Zsa Zsa Gabor will wed Los Angeles contractor Hal Hayes. “I know he’s the right man. Mama thinks he is the right man and my sisters and I think he is vunderful. Mama wants me to be married in a double ceremony with Eva, but I don’t vant to do it, so I won’t get married for at least a month.

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

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3/13/1956

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, March 15, 1956   Vol. C559

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LOCAL NEWS

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RESCUE ON THE LAKE

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East Farewell – Lake Charles has been frozen for over a month but some parts still have dangerously thin ice. Most of those spots have been marked off but with the snow has obscured some of those markers. Last Monday there was a near tragedy on the lake but quick thinking skaters and a fast response from the fire department averted the near disaster.

            It was dusk on Monday and there were still many skaters on the lake. The shore lights had not come on yet and the groups of skaters were having a wonderful time. A small group of youthful skaters were playing crack the whip, an immensely popular game with the children and young adults alike, and the whip “cracked” and sent young Gabe Richardson spinning off towards a danger marked area. He tried to stop before he crossed into the snow covered area but stumbled when he hit the snow and fell forward. His speed and weight was enough to carry him into the danger area and when he hit the snow he fell through. At first Richardson looked like he could climb right out but as he paddled to the side he would break the edge and fall back. The other members of his group laughed at first but very quickly recognized the dire situation. The group quickly formed a single line and retrieved a long rope from the shore. They also sent someone to alert the fire department. Holding on to one another they were able to approach the edge and toss the rope towards Richardson, who at this point was starting to panic. He grabbed the rope but was not able to hold on at first. The group shouted encouragement and instructions to him in an effort to calm him down enough to take the rope. Luckily, two members of the Fire Department were among the other skaters. The rushed over and took control. Henry Thompson and Bill Wenz ( brother of Lost Oasis owner, Charles Wenz) were able to work the rope next to Richardson and calmly talk him into taking the rope and holding on tight. The entire group then pulled him back onto the solid ice.

            The ambulance had arrived by the time Richardson was back on the ice and medics were able to administer first aid and get him into the ambulance. They took him over the First Aid Station and checked him for injuries. After Dr. Golding looked him over given some dry clothes and hot chocolate. His parents arrived at the Station and were able to take him home. He was able to thank Mr. Thompson and Mr. Wenz before he left and waved to his group of friend who had made their way to the station. Richardson is a junior at Regional High and was back in school on Tuesday with nothing more than a bruised ego to complain about. But he also had a story that will last a lifetime.

Gabe Richardson is pulled from Lake Charles

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SPORTS

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COUGARS COME FROM BEHIND TO WIN

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East Farewell – The next to last game of the Cougars season turned out to be one of the seasons most exciting. The game had been postponed from the week earlier due to the huge snow storm that closed the entire eastern seaboard. The game was moved to Tuesday and was almost postponed again due to the weather but it was held in the gymnasium after many volunteers helped shovel out the pathways to the building. Along with over 50 students a host of townspeople young and old all chipped in to clear the area. The game started on time and was well worth the effort that was exerted to make sure it was played.

            The Hawks came out hot and scored the first 15 points. Hawks center, Gabe Cole, scored his first three baskets with ease. Cougar’s center, Wilson Watson, looked like he was not familiar with the game. It took about three minutes and a time out to get him back in the game. Once Coach Wilson gave the team a wakeup call during the timeout they came to life. Watson turned into the center he has been all season and took control. While Cole was able to finish with total 14 points after the first six every other point was hard earned. Watson ended the game leading all scorers with 26. He also was able to grab 18 rebounds and block 6 shots. As good as Watson was underneath he was supported by a wonderful backcourt display put on by Messrs. Green and Conner. They ran a tight game and put on a dribbling show that hasn’t been seen since Ted Fitzgerald from the 1953 squad to end the game.

            The Cougars were able to control the center but the Hawks did not let the game get away from them. At one point in the second half they took a commanding 7 point lead. It took a super team effort for the Cougars to come back and with two minutes left the Cougars were able to take back the lead and as Cole fouled out Watson went on a run and scored the last 6 points to make the final score a 58-48 win but it was not as lopsided as the score looks. The Hawks and the Cougars played a great game that see-sawed back and forth and until Cole fouled out the game could have gone either way.

            Since the Cougars won there is still a chance that they could win the league. The chances are slim, many things have to fall their way and they do not have any control over things that ultimately will decide the outcome. The Cougar can do one thing that is imperative to their league championship, win next week against Slate Mountain. The game begins at 6:30PM in the Regional High Gym.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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IKE LIKES NIXON – 2^ND BLIZZARDS HITS EAST COAST – LOTS HAPPENING IN RUSSIA – MARGARET TRUMAN TO MARRY

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President Eisenhower declares that he would be happy to have Vice-President Richard Nixon on any political ticket with him. 

The second of two blizzards in 48 hours sweeps the East with New York City getting paralyzed by the blizzard.

While visiting London Soviet Deputy Premier Georgi Malenkov, political heir of Josef Stalin, cuts short a sightseeing tour to contact the Kremlin on the newest efforts to crush the myth of his old master. Security measures are imposed in some areas of the Soviet Union because of repercussions from the attack on Stalin by the Soviet leadership. The removal of a large picture of Stalin in Communist East Germany brings on a small-scale riot - touching off fighting between Communist party members. The 10 by 13 foot picture was removed from the front of party headquarters in Finsterwalde.

Margaret Truman discloses that she will be married to newspaperman Clifton Daniel in a “very simple ceremony” April 21 in a church in Independence, MO.

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

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3/8/1956

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, March 8, 1956   Vol. C558

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LOCAL NEWS

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SNOW CLOSES RAILWAY AND TOWNS

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East Farewell- An early March blizzard completely closed down the Mighty Keystone Railroad between Central City and Springfield for two days last week.  This segment of the line runs through East Farewell, Slate Mountain, Riverview and Mountain View and the communities were effectively cut off for almost two days.  It wasn’t until massive locomotives with plows attached to the front that the rails were opened for travel.  The snow storm was an unexpected blizzard that caught the entire eastern half of the state off guard.  A storm that was traveling east from the Chicago area combined with a northern, artic front that swept in from Canada and dropped a massive 35 inches of snow on the area within an eight hour time frame.  The storm also closed the almost complete Interstate Highway. Since the interchanges that were hit by the snow were not officially opened yet, the number of vehicles that were stranded was minimal.  Approximately thirty people had to be rescued from snowed in vehicles on the highway.

            For two days the East Farewell was unreachable but that did not mean the town was closed down.  A festive atmosphere swept over the town when the radio announced the train shutdown.  People bundled up and flooded the traffic free streets before the snow had stopped.  A massive snowball fight and snow follies commenced and no one was left out.  The storm was in full swing through the first night and Lake Shore Drive was packed with people that looked like snowmen throwing snow at each other, others were running around like children, laughing and shouting at each other.  Many of the restaurants stayed open even as the snow piled up on the sidewalks and the streets became impassible. This had all the signs of a major disaster but it turned into a giant snow party.  For two days the town celebrated its isolation and townspeople came together with a sense of community and shared excitement.  When the trains rolled through on Thursday many people were standing at the station to greet the huge locomotives and pelt them with snowballs, all in fun of course.  The engineers were quite amused at the antics and let out several long steam whistles that brought cheers and more snowballs from the crowd.

            The storm mover through fairly quickly and was gone within 36 hours.  It left the town under over 4 feet of snow and numerous power and heating outages.  Even with these complications, spirits were high and enthusiasm was unflagging.  Schools were closed for most of the week and all events had been postponed or cancelled.  This storm will be remembered for a long time and often be referred to as, “The Great Snow of 1956.”

Train plowing snow near E.F. Station

The Great Snowball fight of ‘56

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SPORTS

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COUGARS LOSE 1 BUT STAY HOT AS SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE

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East Farewell- The Cougars lost a revenge match to the Riverview Wildcats, 48-52, after beating them, 50-48 only two weeks earlier.  The loss turned out to be only a blip on the record of an overachieving, scrappy team that has surprised everyone this season.   Along with the Wildcat games the Cougars faced the Slate Mountain Canaries, the Fort Lee Captains and the Southport Hawks during the final part of the season.  The final game of the season is with the Slate Mountain Miners.  This game was postponed due to the huge snow storm and will be played next week.

            The team has continued to improve with every game.  Coach Wilson has pointed toward the surprisingly even and controlled back court play of senior Timmy Green and sophomore Fergal Conner.  “Greeny and Conner have just been phenomenal.  They run the game like pros or at least really good college guards,” laughed Coach Wilson during a recent interview.   

            The two together have been responsible for more back court points than any in school history with one game still to play.  The front court also has been solid.  The all junior front court has also been solid and powerful.  Center Wilson Watson has become a powerful force under the basket while Tom O’Hare and Billy Reilly have stood strong as forwards grabbing offensive rebounds and feeding Wilson for put back scores that have won more than one game.

            If the Cougars win their last game they stand a chance to end up in a try for first place in the league.  In order to have this happen the Riverview Wildcats would have to lose to the Fort Lee Captains and the Canaries would have to beat the Corning Devils.  While this may be a long shot, it would be a fitting climax to the Cougars season.  The Cougars game has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Mach 13^th at 4:30 in the Regional High School Gym.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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TROUBLE IN TUNIS – RADIO GROWING – RCA MERGES

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An anti-American mob of Algerian nationalists stormed the U.S. consulate in Tunis, ransacking offices and destroying files and then wrecking the headquarters of the U.S. Information Service.  Algerian nationalists carry their revolt against French rule to the streets of Tunis battling helmeted police who halted their march on the National Assembly.

Radio news - Radio growing - almost 15 million new radio sets were sold in 1955 and there are 140 million radio sets in this country. Several years ago, there was a belief the industry would diminish in interest. 

RCA-Victor here and Decca Record Company of London enter into a reciprocal agreement effective May 1957. Under terms, Decca in England will receive master recordings from the RCA Victor catalogue and Victor will have access to Decca recordings for release in America under the RCA Victor label. The new alliance terminates the oldest international pact in the record world – that between Victor and His Master’s Voice (HMV) in London. 

Decca London is not related to Decca here. The originator of the FFRR (Full frequency range recording) record, Decca not only has plants throughout Europe, but also owns Telefunken in Germany.  H.M.V. is a subsidiary of EMI.

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

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