7/7/1955

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, July 7, 1955   Vol. C762

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LOCAL NEWS

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EAST FAREWELL CELEBRATES FOURTH OF JULY

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East Farewell- East Farewell threw a big party to celebrate the 4^th of July last weekend and it carried over to Monday, the 4^th.  The weekend festivities started Saturday night with a “Main Street Stroll” where most, if not all, the citizens meandered down Main Street.  The street was closed to traffic and every shop was open.  Many of the shop owners were standing in their front doorways greeting visitors and shoppers alike.  There were several areas set up for people the sit and chat and every restaurant and bar had tables set out front for “al fresco” dining and drinking.  Many folks remarked that it reminded them of Paris, even through when questioned further, admitted they had never been to Paris.  Still the open air, casual friendliness was wonderful and the beautiful, warm evening made for a tremendous evening and night under the stars in East Farewell.

            Sunday was baseball day in East Farewell.  The Travelers played and won a tight game at Travelers Park or Travelers Home, as it has come to be called.  Before the game started there was a carnival in the Lakefront Plaza.  Many of the restaurants and shops set up booths along with several carni-vendors brought in to setup rides and a small midway.  The midway was packed from opening until the music from the ball park called everyone over to the game at 3:00.  The Fair continued on into the evening for the folks who did not go to the game.  As evening approached the crowd increased again as more people came down for supper in the mild evening air.  There were many restaurants offering specials and Fourth of July themed platters and dishes.  Charles Wentz, owner of the Lost Oasis Bar and Restaurant, offered a hot dog and bean special for a mere 50 cents.  Of course, he also offered steins of beer for another 50 cents.  “You can have a full dinner and a couple of brews for a couple of bucks, today only!” laughed Wentz, who was on hand the whole day.

            Monday’s first event was the East Farewell 4th of July Parade.  It proceeded down Main Street, turned on Lake Shore Drive and ended at the Lakefront Plaza.  Marching in the parade were members of the Police and Fire Departments, the High School Band a number of Civic organizations, representatives from all the church congregations and many members of the local government.  Bringing up the end of the parade were the guest marchers, a surprise to all, the entire Travelers Baseball team.  The team was fresh off their hard fought win on Sunday.  They marched the entire length of the parade and much to the delight of everyone they stayed in the Plaza and signed autographs.  Many of the townspeople brought picnic lunches and along with the restaurants and beverage vendors most of the parade watchers became part of the largest crowd Lakefront Plaza has ever seen.  As dark set in the crowd swelled even more in expectation of the main event, the fireworks display.  The crowd was estimated to be between 5 and 6,000 at 9:30, when the first skyrocket was shot off.  The crowd was awed by the display and very appreciative by shouting loud oohs and ahhs and applauding heartily.  The grand finale was a spectacular display that will surely be remembered for some time to come.

The Grand Finale July 4^th, 1955

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SPORTS

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TRAVELERS BEAT RIVERVIEW IN A CLOSE GAME

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East Farewell- The Travelers continued on their record setting pace through the Central League winning again on Sunday.  By beating Riverview they pushed their record to an astounding 17-2.  After going 6-1 on their last road trip, they opened a 6 game home stand on Sunday with a tight fought win over the Wildcats.  The 2-1 win was a pitchers duel between two crafty veterans, Joe Nagy for the Travelers and “Big Jim” Norbert for the Wildcats.  Norbert looms an intimidating 6’4” over the mound and was able to strike out the first nine Travelers.  Nagy was able to retire seven in a row before Billy Donahue dropped a single in over Dunham’s valiant stab at shortstop.  Donahue was able to come around to score after Nagy had a bit of a lapse in concentration and allowed Joey Rich a double two batters later.  Nagy regained his composure and went on to finish the game not allowing any more scores and only three more hits.  He only walked four the entire game. 

            On the other side, Norbert was almost unhittable.  He not only stuck out twelve, he only allowed one hit, and three walks.  Unfortunately for him the hit was a homerun by Johnny Cloos and it came after his first walk to Bobby Watson.  That was all the Travelers needed to seal the victory.  The big blow came in the seventh inning and Norbert went on to pitch perfectly for innings eight and nine.  It was a wonderful but ultimately frustrating outing for the fine right hander. 

            The Travelers defense did play a part in this win, turning two double plays and bailing Nagy out a couple of jams but for the most part this was all pitching and was a fine game for a sold-out crowd to watch.  The Travelers continue their home stand Saturday against Fort Lee.  Game time is 1:35.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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LALANNE SWIMS FROM ALCATRAZ - SHEIK DIES - DISNEYLAND NEARLY READY

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Jack Lalanne of Oakland, California swims two miles from a point off Alcatraz Island Prison to the San Francisco shore, with his wrists handcuffed together.  LaLanne started from a boat, because Warden Paul Madigan refused him permission to leave from the Island.  Madigan still maintains that Alcatraz is virtually escape-proof for prisoners because “the water is too cold and the currents too swift.”

In Suez Egypt, Sheik Mahmoud Abdel Latiff climbed a 150 foot tower, balancing himself on top and shouted to a crowd below “give me five pounds or I’ll jump.”  Thousands gathered below and came up with a collection of five pounds – equal to $14 U.S. dollars. “No, you are only fooling me” he cried. He stayed for another hour when his hand accidentally touched a hot electrical wire; the sheik lost his footing and fell to his death.

Last minute preparations to get the nearly completed Disneyland ready for dedication ceremonies will be shown on a special this Sunday night at 8 on ABC.

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