3/5/1955

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, March 3, 1955   Vol. C362

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LOCAL NEWS

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PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM MAKES ITS DEBUT

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East Farewell- The new trolley line that ties the Lakefront Plaza area to the downtown train station is now open.  The 2.1 mile track was developed and partially financed by the Keystone Railroad.  The railroad has taken a keen interest in the future development of East Farewell.  The relationship stretches back to the founding of the town, originally the railroad was instrumental in placing a stop at the current stations downtown location to help develop the area and enhance the lines passenger traffic.  The town developed as a tourist destination as a respite for city dwellers looking for relief.  As the town grew the railroad was very involved in the development of the attractions and other local enterprises.  It was not a completely new idea when the railroad offered to partially finance the local trolley line.  It should be remembered that in 1952 that the railroad named East Farewell as a “Destination Station” a coveted honor given to resort towns that are currently in vogue.

            The new trolley line was started only 13 months ago and a novel approach to construction was taken.  Instead of having designated stops or stations the trolley will stop on any corner it passes when requested by a rider.  This saved money by not having to build specific stations and only supplying streamlined shelters.  The new line will feature cars built by the Budd Company of Philadelphia.  The cars are state of the art and the inaugural run was March 1^st.  The line will run year round and the cars will run on a ten minute schedule.

            “I think it is fantastic that you only have to wait ten minutes at the most to catch a trolley and they will take you almost anywhere in town,” gushed Bernie Talent, local rider.  Other townspeople expressed similar enthusiasm for the new line.  There is already talk of tying the farther reaches of the town, areas around the west side of Lake Charles, to the line.  These areas are made up of development lots and there is a small enclave of artists’ galleries and shops.  A new Music Bowl is planned to be built in that area.

“We are very proud of this system. The superb craftsmanship that went into the building of this line along with the state-of-the-art technology that is used to make it run is a testament to the American worker and American know how,” gushed Ben Hagger, president of the EFTS, at the press conference held to launch the system Monday morning.

            The first car left the depot at 8:20AM and completed its route on time in spite of snow clogged streets and ice covered signals. The inaugural run saw a huge ridership, mostly due to the novelty of the system and the pure history of the event.

“A lot of riders were just riding, they didn’t really have any place to go,” laughed Bernie Talent, a local rider.

It seems the East Farewell Transit System is off to a successful start and appears to have a wonderful future.

   New trolley passes through Main Street on loop system 

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SPORTS

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COUGAR TAME THE WILDCATS

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East Farewell – The Cougars were able to get back in the lead of the league as they beat the Wildcats on Wednesday, 48-45 on Wednesday. The Wildcats tried to use the same strategy that they used to beat the Cougars in their last meeting, double team center, Watson, and press every inbounds. They didn’t count on Coach Wilson being as good a coach as he is. Wilson learned from the loss and like every great coach made adjustments. The Cougars came out with an entirely different game plan that focused on the forwards, Billy Reilly and Tommy O’ Hare. The backcourt tandem, Green and Welch were able to keep the Wildcats zone moving and finally forced them to switch to a man to man, which opened up the center. The Cougars took advantage of splendid team play and tightly executed play by the whole team. Reilly and O’Hare were able to combine for 30 points. 18 for Reilly and 22 for O’Hare, Watson ended up with 8 while Green and Welch both had 5.

            The Wildcats tried to press from the start but the Cougars had obviously practiced several inbounds plays and were not intimidated by the smothering but ultimately ineffective Wildcat press.  The Wildcats seemed to run out of steam towards the end of the game and had to lift the press. The Wildcat offense was very aggressive throughout the game with center, Gerald Conwell, leading all scorers with 26 points.

            The Cougars continue at home next week against the Fort Lee Captains. The standings in the league are now; Cougars, Devils, Bears, Wildcats, Canaries, Miners, Hawks and Captains. If the Cougars win three more they will cliché the title.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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IKE GIVES CONGRESS A RAISE – VOLCANO SPLITS HAWAII – CHURCHILL SAY COMMIES NO BIG THREAT – COMMIE CHIEFS IN TROUBLE

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President Eisenhower signs into law a 50% pay raise for members of Congress. The legislation boosts their pay from $15,000 to $22,500 per year. This includes a $2,500 taxable expense account.

Pahoa Hawaii - A new volcano splits a half-mile crack in a cane field on Hawaii’s eastern tip and explodes a 200-foot-high fountain of red-hot lava about 200 yards from 12 plantation workers. All escaped unhurt.

 Prime Minister Winston Churchill says Soviet leaders realize they never can win a hydrogen bomb war against the west. “The United States has an overwhelming superiority in thermonuclear weapons that may be cut by the Russians within four years, but cannot be nullified,” said Churchill. He also told the House that a sneak hydrogen bomb raid on Britain might bring a retaliatory punch “almost immediately” from American bombers.

Sources in Russia say that former Premier Malenkov seems to be in serious danger. A case is being built up and that it is possible he may be charged with ideological heresy. Pravda condemned him by clear inference by expressing a view which the paper said was “useful only to imperialist warmongers.” Last March, Malenkov declared in an election address that if a new world war breaks out “with modern weapons it means the run of world civilization.”

Premier Nikoalai Bulganin purges the Soviet officials who served under ousted Premier Georgi Malenkov. He fired both the Minister of state farms and the Minister of the Coal industry for “unsatisfactory work.”=

Russia declares that the United States as well as Britain is within the range of “military retaliation” with hydrogen bombs. A Moscow radio broadcast quoted Maj. Gen. Isayev as saying that the Soviet Union is well ahead of the United States in production of hydrogen weapons. 

It’s disclosed that Prof. Bruno Pontecorvo, the Italian-born British atomic and hydrogen bomb scientist who disappeared in 1950, has been working on nuclear research in Russia since that time.

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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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2/24/1955

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, February 24, 1955   Vol. C361

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LOCAL NEWS

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FINALLY ABOVE FREEZING

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East Farewell – After almost a month a temperatures well below freezing the daily temperature for the last week has been an almost balmy 34°. The sun has been shinning and the wind has been low. The mountains of piled up snow have started to shrink, slightly but shrink never the less. People have started walking outside for more than only needed trips and the Lakefront Plaza has once again seen people meeting and spending time on the plaza. The warming trend has had a down side for some, with the consistent warm temperatures the surface of Lake Charles has become unstable causing skating and fishing to be curtailed much to the dismay of many.

“We all knew it was going to warm up sometime, we just didn’t expect it until at least March,” lamented former ice fisherman, Bernie Talent. Many others have said much to same but all have been resigned to the fact of nature and say it was fun while it lasted, but it is time to move on.

The warmer weather may not last, though there is still about a month left in winter and this has been an unusually cold winter by any standard. Temperatures will most likely dip back down and another cold stretch is not out of the question. Most people would not mind a quick end to the winter, even the ice fishermen would not mind getting back in their boats and get out on the lake and do some casting.

Another inconvenience the melting creates is the runoff that streams down the gutters and eventually ends up in the lake. This has many concerned about the pollution that the runoff carries. Usually there is not much concern because it is never very significant and the Lake can absorb it, but this year it presents a much higher volume and this has many concerned. The Town Council has taken a look at the situation and is expected to present some alternative to the problem. One would be to truck most of the snow back into the woods and dump it and let the natural melt occur and have the ground absorb the runoff. Other ideas include trying to filter the runoff or section off part of the lake and contain the runoff there. The Council will make a report within the next two weeks. Of course this may be a mute point if the weather gets cold again and also if the weather gradually warms and the snow melts and evaporates at a slower pace. This would be the most desired solution.

Main Street Snow Fun

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SPORTS

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COUGARS LOSE A TOUGH ONE IN CORING

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Corning- The Corning Devils showed why they are the league leaders on Wednesday, squeaking by the Cougars with a last minute inbounds play that looked like it was taken from a top level college playbook. The game had gone back and forth with each team falling five points behind and each team battling back to tie it up and then move back in front. The Cougars were looking to upset the Devils like they had early in the season but it was not to be. The Devils have been playing very well winning their last six by convincing margins. The Cougars have won their last four and have beaten the Devils earlier. 

The game started off fast with both teams running and scoring. The score was 14-12 Devils within the first seven minutes. Both teams settled down and defense took over and the first half ended 24-20 Devils. The second half was much more defensive with Cougars center, Michael Watson, fighting a very tough inside game with stand out Devils center, Joe Ladd. The fight ended in a draw with both centers scoring 8 points and Watson collecting 16 rebounds to Ladd’s 18. The back court played extremely well with Green and Welch running the show and Welch almost making a game winning bucket at the end of the game. The Cougars other forward, Billy Reilly contributed 13 points in a very good game.

 The clock was winding down with 33 seconds left and the Cougars had just gained the lead, 37-36, on a wonderful driving layup by Joey Welch. The second upset looked like it was in the making. A very composed Devils team set up for the inbounds and inbounded against a tight Cougars press. Then Devils Coach Rollins called a timeout. This brought the ball in bounds to half court with 29 seconds left. The Devils set up and executed a perfect double pick and roll in bounds with guard, Bobby Thompson darting off the pick underneath to receive a perfect pass from center Ladd. Thompson was able to lay it up with 8 seconds left and score. The Cougars tried a fast inbounds with Joey Welch trying a makeable outside shot at the buzzer that rattled around and fell out. The Devils fans went wild

“This was a disappointing loss but we tried and came up just one point short. We are going to learn from this one and we will get them next time,” said Coach Wilson after the game. The Cougars come home next week to face the Wildcats from Riverview. The game begins at 4:30 in the Regional High Gymnasium.   

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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IKE LIKES EARL WARREN AS CHIEF JUSTICE AND PLAYS GOLF WITH BEN HOGAN – FREAK ACCIDENT CLAIMS FIVE LIVES

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The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee recommends confirmation of for former Governor Earl Warren to be Chief Justice of the U.S. Visiting Palm Springs, President Eisenhower hails Warren as “one of the finest public servants this country has produced.” 

In Palm Springs for a little business and rest, President Eisenhower plays a round of golf with pro Ben Hogan. 

In a freak car accident - 4 die in a head-on car crash, with the cars driven by a father and his son. Charles Garrison of Burbank, OH was en route to visit his father Willard about 12 miles away, when both cars collided on the crest of a knoll. Garrison’s wife and sister were also killed. The crashed injured 5 children.

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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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2/17/1955

 

 EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, February 17, 1955 Vol. C630

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LOCAL NEWS

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VALENTINE’S DAY SOCIAL A BIG HIT

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East Farewell – The sixth annual Valentine’s Social was, once again a huge hit last Saturday. Gus Templeton introduced his Swing Band, a downsized version of his full orchestra, through lots of rousing dance numbers. He acted as MC for the evening and was quite the host. This year some other bands were added so there could be music the whole time and even though most sat down to enjoy the wonderful food, there was always a full dance floor. This year a newcomer, Al Jackson’s Blues Band, added a different flavor to dance and was enthusiastically received by all.

            The Lost Oasis was the leading caterer for the event but other local eateries also put out nice spreads but the homemade dishes were the hit of the evening. One of the highlights of the whole events was the Best Treat Contest. Peg O’Malley once again won with the her Super Double Chocolate Cake and in keeping with the tradition that started some time ago, all the other contestants joined in a smashing Peg’s own cake in her face! While it sounds incredibly mean, it was all in good fun and Peg was originally the one who started the tradition back when the social began. Rumor has it that when Peg won her first Sweet Treat Contest she was walking up to receive the prize and she stumbled, fell and fell right on to her cake, face first. Other rumors have it that was tripped by a disgruntled competitor.

Valentine’s Day Social 1955 

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SPORTS

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COUGARS SLASH BEARS 52-48

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East Farewell – The Cougars are starting move up in the league standings. They were able to get past the Central Bears on Wednesday, 52-46. With that win they have moved into a tie for second place with the Slate Mountain Canaries behind the Corning Devils. This win was the Cougars second win over the Bears having beaten them in the first game of the season. The Cougars were able to control the center with league leading rebounder, Michael Watson. Watson pulled down 20 rebounds and scored 18 points. The backcourt of Green and Welch were responsible for the most points, 26 together (Green with 16 and Welch with 10) and they also ran a very effective offense that seemed to mystify the Bears defense. The Bears were playing catch up for most of the game, only taking one lead in the first half, 24-22.

            “I really liked the way these kids played tonight, that Bears team can catch you off guard and score points but, Greeny and Joey W. really held them down. Michael is really coming into his own in the center, too. He is going to be unstoppable if he continues playing like this. They played a very good team tonight and beat them, I’m proud of them,” said Coach Wilson after the game.

            The Cougars take on league leading Corning at Corning next week. The game begins at 4:30 in the Corning High Gymnasium.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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CHURCHILL READY TO MEET BULGANIN – SMALL A-BOMBS HERE – KIDS SNEAKING INTO MEXICO – ELVIS ON TOUR – COLUMBIA INTRODUCES 45 STANDARDS – BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

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Prime Minister Winston Churchill says he is ready to meet Soviet Premier Bulganin in a four-power conference when the Paris-German rearmament pacts are ratified.

Tests get under way - A B-36 bomber drops a small atom bomb in the Nevada desert. Meanwhile, Russia proposes that all nations destroy all atomic and hydrogen weapons.

The Senate Juvenile delinquency Subcommittee is considering hearings in certain cities along the Mexican border on the problem of teens crossing the border for narcotics and other illicit pleasures. 

Elvis Presley is in the midst of a Southwestern tour on a package promotion featuring the Duke of Paducali, Jimmy Snow, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters.  Tour was set by Tom Parker of Jamboree Attractions.  Bob Neal, Presley’s personal manager, will accompany Presley to Cleveland, February 26 for an appearance on “Circle Theater Jamboree.” They’ll visit deejays en route. 

Columbia Records introduces a standard recording level for all of its 45rpm releases. The step means that all current and future Columbia pop releases will not go over a specific level, even on the loudest passages, avoiding over peaking or sudden surges that require lowering and then raising the gain by deejays or engineers who run shows. All records to be released by Columbia with the standard recording level will be designated “CSL”  which stands for Columbia Sound Level. 

Birthdays this week; Florence Henderson, Hugh Downs, Jimmy Hoffa, Kathleen O’Donnell, Emperor Norton, Anna Howard Shaw

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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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2/10/1955

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, February 10, 1955   Vol. C629

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LOCAL NEWS

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SLED DOG RACE PROPOSED

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East Farewell – All the heavy winter snow has prompted talk throughout town that with all the snow on the ground it would be a wonderful idea to stage a sled dog race around the lake. The idea is thought to have originated from Ned Bailey, a local businessman and dog breeder. Although he does not raise Huskies, he thought that there were enough large dogs in town to create a field for a race around Lake Charles. Preposterous as it sounds, the idea started to gather some traction around town and has been brought up at a Town Council meeting last week. Tom Conally, Council President, was caught off guard by the proposal and brushed it off. But the crowd persisted and it was brought to a vote. The Council voted the proposal down but not without hearing from almost ten people in favor of the idea. Concerns about the general impracticality of the whole idea doomed it from the start. Not only did Bailey not have the right kind of dogs for the demanding challenge, he also did not have any permits, rights of way or permissions from local landowners whose land would be crossed.

            “This was a cockamamie idea to begin with and I don’t think it really had been thought out very far. I am surprised it got as far as it did. We really have more important things to talk about than some half-baked idea about having fun in the snow,” scoffed an obviously upset Conally.

            “This idea has not yet bloomed,” responded a defiant Bailey, “I admit there are lots of kinks to be worked out but, we will see a dog sled race in this town sooner, not later.”

            “We’ll see,” said Conally.

            On a less controversial note, the Valentine’s Day Social is set for this weekend, February 12. This will be the sixth annual event and Mrs. Mallard is in charge of organizing the event for the third year in a row.

            “We are looking for another huge turnout and another year of great music and wonderful homemade treats,” said Mrs. Mallard in the middle of the very busy basement of the Town Hall. The whole town is looking forward to another great social.

Although there is plenty of snow there will be no dog-sled race

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SPORTS

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COUGARS KNOCK OFF MINERS

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Slate Mountain- The Cougars were able to overcome a fourth period eight point deficit to knock off a very good Slate Mountain Miners team, 38-32. The final score may look a little lopsided but it wasn’t until Miners center, Joe Carney fouled out that the Cougars really pulled away. Carney had held Cougars center, Michael Watson, in check for most of the game. The two battled valiantly and until Carney went out they had almost identical stats. 13 rebounds each, seven assists each, twelve points for Watson, eleven for Carney. Watson and Carney were both playing with four fouls in the last five minutes when Carney blocked a drive by Timmy Green but caught his arm on the way up and was called for his fifth foul. After Carney fouled Watson was able to take command of the center and the Cougars rattled of six straight points and finish off the Miners.

            “Those kids were very good, they played a great game. We were just a little better. That Carney kid is going to be a force in this league. I hear he is only a sophomore so I look forward to meeting him again. I think our guys did a fine job out there but I saw a lot of things we have to work on, but we won and that is always better than the alternative,” said Coach Wilson after the game.

            Next week the Cougars come home to host the Central Bears. The game will be played in the Regional High Gym, beginning at 4:30PM.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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REDS-MALENKOV OUT, BULGANIN IN – MOLOTOV TALKS OF NEW H-BOMB – MAO SPEAKS OUT – THEY TRY TO GET RID OF MARILYN – MANTEL RESIGNS WITH YANKEES

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The Soviet Parliament ousts Premier Malenkov and replaces him with Marshal Nikolai Bulganin. Marshal Georgi Zhukov, Russia’s glittering war hero, becomes head of the Soviet Union’s armed forces in a continued shake-up of the regime.

Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov tells Russia’s Supreme Soviet Parliament the Soviet Union has developed hydrogen bombs with “such success that the United States would appear backward.” He declared a world war would mean the end of “blood-saturated imperialism.” 

Mao Tze-Tung - the ruler or Red China’s 600 million people broadcast that if “imperialists” wage war, “we together with the peoples of the whole world, will certainly wipe them out clean from the surface of the globe.” 

Tests get under way - A B-36 bomber drops a small atom bomb in the Nevada desert. Meanwhile, Russia proposes that all nations destroy all atomic and hydrogen weapons.

Hedda Hopper reports that a group of 20th -Century Fox stockholders have banded together in an effort to get rid of Marilyn Monroe. “We don’t like the blight she is giving to the company. It’s disgusting. She’s had four or five years’ training - enough to produce ten competent actresses and she still can’t act,” said a spokesperson.

Mickey Mantle re-signs with the Yankees again for a reported $25,000 for next season - a $5,000 increase. 

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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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2/3/1955

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, February 3, 1955   Vol. C628

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LOCAL NEWS

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SNOW SCULPTURES TAKES OVER LAKEFRONT PLAZA

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East Farewell – The extended cold spell has turned shivers into smiles on Lakefront Plaza this week. The record snow amounts and prolonged freeze has left a huge surplus of snow all over town. Disposal has become a bit of a problem for the town. Large piles have built up around town with the largest on the open space on the Lakefront Plaza.  In years past most of the snow was dumped in the lake but the lake is frozen this year and that cannot be done. Hauling it away is impractical due to the costs involved. More snow is in the forecast and the cold weather seems here to stay. What is the town going to do? That question was proposed at the last Council Meeting two weeks ago. A novel idea was thrown out by local restaurateur, Charles Wenz. He proposed the town hold a Snow Sculpture and Ice Carving Event on the Plaza. How would this alleviate the snow problem? Wentz reasoned that by carving and forming the piles it would disperse a large amount in small quantities that could be spread out around the area. And it would offer an opportunity to local artists to show off their talents.

            The Council was somewhat ambivalent about the idea but decided to give it a try. They sent out invitations to all the registered artists in the area and passed the word through the schools and asked the local clergy to alert their respective flocks. A total of fifteen artists responded and the plan was put into action. On Tuesday the artists descended on Lakefront Plaza with an assortment of tools and visions in their heads.  By Wednesday night the piles on the Plaza had been transformed into a giant locomotive and a bust of King Frost, very impressive, indeed.

            The huge sculptures attracted large numbers of spectators and also created a bit of a winter wonderland during the evenings. The restaurants near the Plaza put out tables and extended service to the area completing the frosty, festive scene.

Lakefront Plaza with Snow Sculptures

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SPORTS

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COUGARS WIN IN OVERTIME

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East Farewell – The most exciting basketball game of the season was played on Wednesday in the Regional High Gymnasium. The Cougars battled a tenacious Southport Hawks team where no score was easy and every possession was contested. It looked like the game was going to be a low scoring affair at first with neither team scoring in the first five minutes but then the Cougars got into rhythm and rattled of six straight before the Hawks were able to score.  Cougar’s center, Michael Watson, was able to gain control of the lane and that gave the outside guards, Welch and Green a chance to open up. By the end of the first period the Cougars were ahead by eight. The Hawks had played tough defense but their offense could not get in gear. In the second period, the Hawks offense shifted into a higher gear. The Cougars played tight defense but the Hawks forwards were hot from midrange. Hawks forward Joe Denny hit five straight before the Cougars were able to shut him down. In spite of all the scoring spurts the first half ended in a tie, 26 apiece.

            The second half started with rock solid defense on both sides. Neither team was able to get the ball inside and the outside shots weren’t falling. The centers, Watson and Fillapone for the Hawks, fought a very tough and sometimes physical game that can only be said ended in a draw. Both sides tried to press but were only marginally successful. The game stayed close right to the end and in the fourth period the lead was never more than one point. With only 10 seconds left Watson wrestled a rebound away from Fillapone and arched a long down court pass to Timmy Green who was able to lay it up and put the Cougars ahead by two 47-45. The Hawks had 3 seconds to inbound and score. They faked a long pass and inbounded underneath to speedy guard, Danny Dimaio.   He raced across midcourt and fired a very long shot from just across the midline. The shot sailed through the air and swished right through the net to tie the game and drive it into overtime.

            The overtime was just as sharp as the game and both teams played fiercely and the defenses were unforgiving. During the overtime the centers took the spotlight and both displayed an amazing poise for high school players. Watson was able to get the upper hand with about fifteen seconds. He grabbed an offensive rebound, backed into Fillapone, faked left and spun right, leaning in to the hoop he laid it up and in. The Cougars went ahead 52-51. The final overtime seconds ticked away as Dimaio tried one last long shot but it bounce off the rim and fell away. The Cougars won in overtime, 52-51. A hard fought victory that was enjoyed by everyone, players and spectators included.

            The next game is against the Slate Mountain Miners at Slate Mountain. It will be on Wednesday at 4:00PM.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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TORNADOES HIT ARKANSAS, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA 35 DEAD – SABRE JETS BATTLE MIGS OVER FORMOSA – DIOR GOES TO A LINE – NIXON IN CUBA – RCA SHOWS OFF SYNTHESIZER

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Tornadoes roar across Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama leaving a 60-mile swath of death of destruction. Up to 35 may be dead

In the biggest air battle since the Korean War, American F-86 Sabre jets shot down two Russian-built MIG 15’s that attacked a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance patrol over the Yellow sea, west of Korea.  American and Nationalist Chinese fleets put to sea to evacuate the Tachen Islands, 15 miles off Red China’s coast following orders from President Eisenhower.

Vice-President Nixon lands in Havana in the first stop of his Caribbean tour. 

Fashion Designer Christian Dior switches from the “it” to the “A” line in which he banishes the bosom by day and all but bared it by night. 

RCA introduces the RCA Electronic Music Synthesizer – an electronic machine that can produce any sound the mind can imagine and the ear can hear. It can match the sound of any instrument or ensemble and it can evoke the human voice. The machine is kept under lock and key in a laboratory at the research center.

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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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1/27/1955

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, January 27, 1955   Vol. C500

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LOCAL NEWS

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SKATING ON THIN ICE

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East Farewell – Lake Charles has been 90% frozen over for almost three weeks and the skating, hockey and fishing have become common for the town.  Areas have been marked off for the seemingly ubiquitous skating and a special “rink” has been marked out for the hockey players. The fisherman, though have moved to more isolated parts of the lake with the thought that they would have better luck. Many have gone off and set up their huts almost out of sight from downtown Lakefront Plaza. Many have been using sleds and wagons to carry supplies back and forth.

The temperatures have been hovering in the single digits for over two weeks there has been little concern about the thickness of the ice on the lake. There are some spots towards the middle of the lake that are thinner and may be a problem and there are parts at the very mouth of lake where the two streams that feed the lake enter that are still not frozen but that area is almost inaccessible. There has been some concern with children venturing back towards that area and older skaters have taken on the responsibility to keep the children close to the fold. While their sense of responsibility is to be commended they have also developed a new game that is raising some eyebrows and safety concerns around town.

The new game is a type of crack-the-whip type game where one or two experienced skaters start a line and others grab hold as the leaders skate off as fast as they can. The line snakes around as the leaders zigzag across the lake. After they have sufficient speed, the leaders make a sharp turn and the end of the line gets whipped out onto the lake with considerable speed. This is all fun and games until the tail is whipped into one of the thin ice areas. While there have not been any people falling through the ice, the police have tried to install barricades to close off the danger area but the ice is a dynamic thing and the areas continually shift. It is up to everyone to be careful and watchful of each other, most of all the small children. Efforts to stop the games have met with limited success, the older children and young adults have continued to whip each other around but they have been careful not to let the young children end up at the end of the whip. Great fun is being had by all.

Crack-the-Whip on Lake Charles

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SPORTS

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COUGARS DEMOTE CAPTAINS

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East Farewell-The Cougars got back on track with a solid win over a surprisingly strong Fort Lee Captains team on Wednesday. The Cougars broke their two game losing streak with the win.  The Captains, who had three freshman and two sophomores on the floor, played a very respectable game. The game was close for the first three quarters but the Cougars took over in the fourth and ended with a satisfying 50-42 win.

            Cougar’s center, Michael Watson, was dominating under the basket and was able to score 18 points and grab 10 rebounds. The back court came back to life with the Green/Walsh combo running like a well oiled machine and tossing in 25 points together (14-Green, 11-Walsh) and adding 20 assists. The game was always in the Cougars favor but the Captains never gave up. Led by high scorer, guard Tom Fallow, the Captains kept coming back but never quite able to take command.

            “The kids looked good tonight,” said Coach Wilson after the game, “The Captains played a great game but we were just better. I think these boys are getting better every game.”

            Next week’s game is against the Southport Hawks. The game is home on Wednesday, starting at 4:00PM in the Regional High Gymnasium.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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IKE CALLS FOR CONGRESS TO BACK FORMOSA – RED CHINA CAUSING CONCERN – SAMMY DAVIS JR. WINS SUITE – MARILYN HAS “GOOD, PARCTICAL MIND -PERRY COMO TURNS DOWN MONEY – DIMAGGIO, HARNETT, VANCE INDUCTED TO HALL OF FAME

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President Eisenhower calls upon Congress to proclaim the united determination of the nation to fight, if necessary, to keep Formosa out of Communist hands.  Navy ships and planes stand ready to evacuate some 10,000 Nationalist Chinese defenders of Tachen Island.  Gen Matthew Ridgway recently told Congress the Chinese Nationalists would have to be backed by 300,000 to 400,000 American ground troops to win a foothold on the China mainland.  The Senate grants President Eisenhower’s request for shooting powers to defend Formosa.  Foreign Minister V.M. Molotov promises the Soviet government will consider a British plea to work for a cease-fire along the Formosa Strait and to urge restraint on Red China.

Red China launches a full-scale invasion of tiny Yikniangshen Island, destroying half of the U.S. furnished supplies in the area.

Chinese planes bomb the Tachen Islands underscoring possible perils of a Nationalist withdrawal under the guns of the U.S. 7th Fleet.

A jury returns a verdict in favor of Sammy Davis Jr., who was sued for $75,000 damages as the result of an automobile accident near San Bernardino, California, that caused him to lose an eye.

“Marilyn Monroe Productions Inc.” has a vice president and his name is Milton Green (32). He says Marilyn has a “good, practical mind.” Green is a former magazine and advertising photographer and both he and Ms. Monroe are major shareholders in the new company.  Marilyn says Green is “Fabulous, wonderful… very sincere and sensitive - and a great sense of humor.” 

Perry Como says he has turned-down offers for more money because “Money is important only to a point. Then you have to work for other things.” He’s very religious Perry says he attends church as much as he can (daily) and he keeps his wife and three kids out of the limelight. “There’s nothing wrong with show business, but I want to keep my kids normal kids. I don’t want to subject them to a lot of commotion. I want to keep them apart from it. They’ve got their schoolwork to do. That’s the most important thing for them right now. 

Joe DiMaggio, Ted Lyons, Gabby Hartnett and Dazzy Vance are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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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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1/20/1955

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, January 20, 1955   Vol. C499

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LOCAL NEWS

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HOCKEY & FIGURE SKATING ON THE LAKE

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East Farewell – The recent freezing temperatures have had at least one warm experience come forth, Lake Charles has frozen over for about 90 percent of its surface. The cold has been so deep and so long that the lake has become strong enough to support skaters, hockey players and even ice fishermen. A large section of the lake right at the Lake Front Plaza has been the scene of many skating displays and even some hockey games.  The ice fishermen have moved to more secluded areas but their huts, lit by small open flame heaters light up the nights as if they were floating in the middle of the lake.

            The figure skaters have been plentiful at all times of day and the skill ranges from beginner to extremely accomplished, graceful and talented.  It seems the largest crowds are in the afternoons once school lets out and into the evenings after dinner. The evening skating has become so popular that the town has installed floodlights to illuminate the area around the Plaza so folks could enjoy the fun well into the night.

            On an exceptionally smooth part of the ice sheet, removed from the skating area a hockey rink has been setup and exciting pickup games have been played all through the week. Most of the players are high school boys but some older players have been seen on occasion. There was even an “old-man’s” game organized Sunday where older players (apparently, anyone older than a high school senior) played full hour long games. Five games were played and there were as many spectators as players.  It was rumored that absenteeism at the Iron Works on Monday reached an all time high and lots of sore workers throughout the rest of the week.

            The frigid weather is expected to last for the next week, at least and the lake is expected to stay frozen for several weeks baring some unexpected warm up. This is the first time in four years that the lake has frozen solid enough to support activity to the extent it has now. People are enjoying the new real estate on the lake.

Skaters on Lake Charles 

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SPORTS

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COUGARS LOSE TO WILDCATS

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Riverview – The Cougars lost to the Wildcats 45-48 last week. The game was as close as a game could be; score wise, with the biggest lead, 3, at the very end of the game. In a back and forth game the lead changed hands an incredible 32 times. Neither team was able to gain control of the game and trip down the court an exciting one. The Wildcats finally went ahead to stay with only 35 seconds left as senior guard, Dick Farmer hit a foul shot and then the Wildcats were able to stop the Cougars on their attempt and convert with a long outside shot by Wildcat junior, George Diamond.

            This was the second loss in a row for the Cougars and while the season is still fairly young Coach Wilson was concerned, “We have to start playing together more, we are still learning to be a team. These kids have a lot of heart and loads of talent but they have to start working together more. They were showing signs of it earlier but now we seem to have slipped back to each boy playing his own game. I am going to have to change that.”

            Even though the team has been together for a couple of years seniors, Michael Watson (center) and Timmy Green (point guard) are starting for the first time this year. Last year’s stars, Wendell Young and Dan Davis both moved away and Watson and Green filled the spots. Joey Welch is a junior and has played on the team for three years but his brother, Jimmy was the starter for the last two years. This year’s team has lots of practice and second team experience but little court game experience. They have shown that they can be brilliant but they still suffer from inconsistency from game to game.

            The loss puts the Cougars 3-2 on the season but they come home next week where they have yet to lose this season. The game begins at 4:00PM in the gymnasium on Wednesday.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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LODON FOG SCARES THOUSANDS – U.S. POLLS FAVORS STATEHOOD FOR ALASKA & HAWAII – FREED ROCKS NY – NIXON PUMPS GAS

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London Fog thick and falling down - A thick belt of darkness wrapped itself around this city, mystifying and frightening thousands and people - even driving birds to roost. It lasted only about 10 minutes, but women could be heard screaming in the streets while other people fell to their knees on the sidewalks and prayed. One man shouted, “The end of the world is coming.”  A spokesman for the air Ministry’s Meteorological Office said nothing in his experienced has equaled it and the fog was caused by an accumulation of London smoke under an extremely thick layer of cloud.

Gallup Poll - 82% favor statehood for Alaska:

Favor - 82%

Oppose - 9%

No Opinion - 9%

Recently in another Gallup Poll - 78% favored statehood for Hawaii.

Alan Freed of WINS MC's his first concert in New York - at the St Nicholas Arena. The turnout for Freed’s bash, advertised over his 1010 WINS radio show, was way over capacity with the cops having to hold out the crowds after an estimated 7,500 jammed into the arena, which holds 6,000. The audience contributed to the din of the music with a shattering repertoire of whistles, hoots and mitt-pounding. Talent included Joe Turner, Fats Domino, The Clovers, The Moonglows, The Harptones, The Drifters, Ella Johnson and Red Prysock.   With Alan Freed getting a lot of attention in New York, more white DJs are getting into the R&B groove. Freed says he doesn’t play white covers of R&B songs because his audience quickly detects the lack of authenticity in the cover slices.  Freed believes that pop artists will have to come up with original material in the R&B genre. Top pop artists such as Perry Como, Tony Bennett and Georgia Gibbs are not doing R&B numbers.

Decked in a gas station aide’s uniform, Vice-President Richard Nixon wipes windshields and fills tanks in freezing weather at a local Washington service station for the benefit of March of Dimes polio campaign.

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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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