Friday, August 03, 2018

Fifty Years Ago This Week in West Rome - 8/5/1968 to 8/11/1968

The 1968-1969 school year hadn't begun yet, but band practice worked off a different calendar. Chieftain band members reported to the band room on Tuesday, August 6th, at 9am to begin practice so that they would be ready to go for the first football game. Students wouldn't report back for classes until August 26th.

The FBI joined the Rome and Floyd County police departments in their search for "Shug" Green, the burglar they had dubbed "the sneaker thief" due to his choice of footwear during his crimes. The thief, who was believed to be responsible for more than three dozen burglaries in the Rome area in the year prior, was suspected to be hiding in the Rome area.

Apparently Green wasn't the only burglar operating in Rome, though: while police were searching for him, someone else broke into Bradshaw Tire Company and stole almost $200 worth of tools from the shop area.

The North 2nd Avenue Bridge was closed to traffic this week while workers repainted the structure. They tried leaving the bridge open while they began painting, but apparently Rome residents weren't thrilled with paint-spotted cars...

The hottest weather of the summer settled in on Georgia this week in 1968, with temperatures hitting the mid to upper 90s every day of the week. There were a few scattered thunderstorms, but not enough to break the heat.

Back to school shopping was underway this week, and that meant that it was time for a price war between Super Discount Store and Big K. Super D had boxes of crayons, packs of notebook paper, Bic pens, scotch tape, Elmer's glue, composition books, and packs of note cards for 14¢ each. Big K took an additional two pennies off that price, offering the same selection and more for only 12¢ each.

The cinematic week began with The Green Berets (starring John Wayne) at the DeSoto Theatre, Boom (starring Elizabeth Taylor) at the First Avenue, and Speedway (starring Elvis Presley) at the West Rome Drive-In. The midweek switchout brought The Detective (starring Frank Sinatra) to the DeSoto Theatre, Dark of the Sun (starring Rod Taylor) to the First Avenue, and Planet of the Apes (starring Charlton Heston) to the West Rome Drive-In.

Piggly Wiggly had fresh whole fryers for 27¢ a pound, corn for 6¢ an ear, and Coca-Cola/Tab/Sprite for 33¢ a carton plus deposit. Big Apple had chuck steak for 49¢ a pound, Wesson Oil for 39¢ a quart, and white seedless grapes for 33¢ a pound. Kroger had pork chops for 49¢ a pound, Kroger sherbet for 39¢ a half-gallon, and Star-Kist Tuna for 29¢ a can.  A&P had smoked ham for 35¢ a pound, lettuce for 19¢ a head, and honeydew melons for 79¢ each. Couch's had chicken breast for 49¢ a pound, Van Camp's pork & beans for 18¢ a can, and Royal Sun orange juice for 33¢ a quart.

The Door took the number one slot this week in 1968 with "Hello, I Love You." Other top ten hits included "Classical Gas" by Mason Williams (#2); "Stoned Soul Picnic" by the 5th Dimension (#3); "Grazing in the Grass" by Hugh Masekela (#4); "People Got to Be Free" by the Rascals (#5); "Hurdy Gurdy Man" by Donovan (#6); "Lady Willpower" by Gary Puckett & the Union Gap (#7); "Turn Around, Look at Me" by the Vogues (#8); "Sunshine of Your Love" by Cream (#9); and "Jumping' Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones (#10).

The Vision made his premiere in Avengers #57 by Roy Thomas & John Buscema. The android Avenger was inspired by a Golden Age character, but Thomas & Buscema kept little more than the name in their comic book reinvention of the hero.



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