Back in 1965, almost all phone calls between Rome and Atlanta were carried on a single phone cable—so when a construction company cut that cable on Monday afternoon, November the 8th, it also cut off all phone communication between Rome and Atlanta. Southern Bell was able to reroute some of the calls by late Monday evening, and the phone line was repaired by 5:30 am on Tuesday. (It’s hard to envision a scenario in which one cable cut could shut down all phone communication for more than twelve hours… But it could be worse. This was also the week that New York City had a total blackout after a power grid failure, so there’s that…)
West Rome growth was so strong that the city was looking to expand West End Elementary with four new classrooms, as well as a new library at Elm Street. The Rome School Board began taking bids for the construction this week in 1965, with construction set to take place over the summer.
The Rome News-Tribune named West Rome’s David Garrett as the Back of the Week because of his outstanding performance in the November 5th East Rome game. And it was no surprise that Paul Kennedy was named Coach of the Week after leading a team from two scoreless games at the beginning of the season to a Region 3-AA South Championship with their victory over East Rome.
West Rome’s Future Business Leaders of America selected its club officers this week in 1965. The roster included Pat Richardson, president; Ellen Sosbee, vice-president; Diane Wade, secretary; Jennie Pittman, treasurer; and Pat Hicks, reporter. The club was sponsored by Miss Charles McCarter and Mr. Bill Finley.
Piggly Wiggly had eggs for 45¢ a dozen, T-bone steak for 99¢ a pound, and fresh baked apple pies for 59¢ each. Kroger and the ever-popular streak-o-lean for 49¢ a pound (was it really that expensive?), Spam for 49¢ a can, and Country Club ice cream for 49¢ a half-gallon. Big Apple had chuck roast for 39¢ a pound, five pounds of Dixie Crystal sugar for 39¢, and a 32-ounce jar of Jif peanut butter for 95¢. A&P had ground beef for 38¢ a pound, Poss chili for 39¢ a can, and emperor grapes for 13¢ a pound. Couch’s had pork steak for 59¢ a pound, bananas for a dime a pound, and Bama jelly (in an 18-ounce jar that could be used as a drinking glass) for 25¢ a jar.
The cinematic week began with The Cincinnati Kid (with Steve McQueen & Ann-Margret) at the DeSoto Theater and Love & Kisses (with Rick Nelson) at the First Avenue. The midweek switch out brought Casanova ’70 (with Marcelo Mastroianni & Virna Lisi) to the DeSoto and Red Line 7000 (with James Caan) at the First Avenue. The West Rome Drive-In had a weekend double feature of Red Line 7000 (yes, a second-rate racing movie was screening simultaneously at two Rome theaters!) and The Family Jewels (with Jerry Lewis).
The Supremes clinched the top spot this week in 1965 with “I Hear a Symphony.” Other top ten hits included “1-2-3” by Len Barry (#2); “Get Off of My Cloud” by the Rolling Stones (#3); “Rescue Me” by Fontella Bass (#4); “Let’s Hang On” by the Four Seasons (#5); “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by the Byrds (#6); “A Lover’s Concerto” by the Toys (#7); “Ain’t That Peculiar” by Marvin Gaye (#8); “A Taste of Honey” by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (#9); and “You’re the One” by the Vogues (#10).
The week’s big album releases included Beach Boys’ Party! by the Beach Boys and Four Tops’ Second Album by the Four Tops. But the number one selling album this week was The Sound of Music, which bounced the Beatles Help! off the top of the LP charts.
The problems of Salem and its residents came to television for the first time on November 8th, 1965, with the premiere of Days of Our Lives. The soap opera originally began as a half-hour show; it wouldn’t expand to an hour long until 1975.
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