West Rome's track team fell to South Cobb on April 29th in a 72-64 match; in spite of the loss, West Rome posted a new school record when Charles Smith covered 44 feet 8.75 inches in the triple jump. West Rome actually had more first places than South Cobb (nine firsts to seven for SC), but the difference came in depth, where the South Cobb thinclads had the edge.
West Rome's Beverly Hall was tapped as a National Merit Scholarship recipient. She was one of only 89 Georgia seniors to receive a scholarship and one of only 3000 recipients nationwide. Hall, a member of the Honor Society, the Quill and Scroll Staff, and president of the West Rome Drama Club, planned to attend Emory University after graduation.
The Stripe Discount Store, which offered discount and off-brand health and beauty aids, opened for business this week at 200 Broad Street in Rome, taking the spot formerly occupied by Enloe's Drugs.
The greater Rome area began to sound a little more like the Old West this week in 1969: a gun battle at a Kingston residence resulted in the death of a 51-year-old man. The deceased man apparently began firing a .22 at the resident, who returned fire with his own .22, fatally wounding the attacker.
Talk about putting things off until the last minute: just a scant two days before weather station operator Juanita Lester was scheduled to be laid off and the Russell Field weather station converted to an unstaffed facility, Senator Richard Russell said that he would "see what he could do" about convincing the Commerce Secretary to keep the station open. If that sounds like a "minimal effort" kind of statement, you're right: Russell never even got a meeting with the Commerce Secretary, and the staffed station closed for good on April 30th.
Southern Bell began pushing Romans to add an extension phone to their home (not a second line, just a second phone) with an ad touting, "If you can afford a copy of coffee every morning, you can afford an extension phone. For 5¢ a day, you can get a handy extension..." (Yes, a cup of coffee really cost only a nickel in 1969--but a few decades later, Starbucks would change that!)
Piggly Wiggly had chuck roast for 63¢ a pound, Double Q salmon for 67¢ a can, and carrots for a dime a bunch. A&P had pork chops for 69¢ a pound, Wesson Oil for 49¢ a half-gallon, and strawberries for 33¢ a pint. Big Apple had sirloin steak for 99¢ a pound, corn for 6¢ an ear, and Coke/Tab/Fresca for 28¢ a carton plus deposit. Kroger had stew beef for 79¢ a pound, Del Monte sliced pineapple for 19¢ a can, and Mortn's frozen cream pies for a quarter each. Couch's had Cudahy Bar S hot dogs for 49¢ a pound, Lykes potted meat for a dime a can, and cabbage for a nickel a pound.
The cinematic week began with Swiss Family Robinson (starring John Mills) at the DeSoto Theatre, Charge of the Light Brigade (starring David Hemmings) at the First Avenue, and Bullitt (starring Steve McQueen) at the West Rome Drive-In. The midweek without brought The Subject Was Roses (starring Jack Albertson) to the First Avenue and The Violent Ones (starring Aldo Ray) to the West Rome Drive-In, while Swiss Family Robinson hung around for another week at the DeSoto.
This week in 1969, the 5ht Dimension held on to the number one slot for a fifth week with "Let the Sunshine In." Other top ten hits included "Hair" by the Cowsills (#2); "It's Your Thing" by the Isley Brothers (#3); "Hawaii Five-0" by the Ventures (#4); "You've Made Me So Very Happy" by Blood, Sweat, & Tears (#5); "Time Is Tight" by Booker T & the MG's (#6); "Sweet Cherry Wine" by Tommy James & the Shondells (#7); "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel (#8); "Atlantis" by Donovan (#9); and "Get Back" by the Beatles (#10).
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Remembering Greg Theakston
Just got word earlier today that Greg Theakston has died at the age of 65. (I didn't realize it until I saw the announcement of his death, but Greg and I were within a couple of months of being the same age.) I've known Greg for a couple of decades, and while I knew that he wasn't in the best of health, I was startled to hear that he had passed away (don't know what the cause of his death was).Greg will always be remembered in comics history for his work in making so many 1980s and 1990s reprint volumes feasible, thanks to a process that Greg developed--a process that eventually became known as "Theakstonizing." In the days before Photoshop, removing the color from old comics so that they could be recolored was a difficult process. Greg made it easier by coming up with a method to bleach the color off old comics pages while leaving the black and white art. The upside: we got wonderful collections of great Golden Age and early Silver Age material, meticulously restored and updated with improved color. The downside: the physical copy of the book had to be destroyed to make that happen. Remember, though, that there were really few other options at the time other than simply reproducing the original book, color and all--and the results weren't always the best.
Greg loved comics, and he loved Jack Kirby's work in particular. I had dozens of conversations about old comics and various artists, from Toth to Adams to Wolverton to Wood to Frazetta to Infantino to Ditko--but no matter who we were talking about, our conversations eventually came back to Kirby. Greg always had great Kirby stories to share. He shared his love of Kirby's early works in the pages of number of publications from his company, Pure Imagination Press, where he produced tributes to Kirby as well as reprints of out of print public-domain Kirby work.
Greg was also a very talented artist; he could pencil, ink, and paint, and he spent a number of years working with Neal Adams, Jack Kirby and others. He also produced some outstanding work on his own. Greg rarely talked about his work, though; he loved talking about the work of the people whose art he loved.
The last time I talked with Greg, he had come up with several boxes of stuff he was hoping I would buy. It was time to leave Atlanta, he said. His career had reached a dead end here, and he wanted to move to New York, and if that didn't work, then to Los Angeles. Greg could be impulsive, but this seemed to be a decision he had thought about for a while. I bought a number of things from him--not because we really needed it at the store, but because I thought our store benefited from having his publications on the shelf. We ended up talking for a couple of hours.
That was the last time we spoke. I presumed he had made his move and was doing what he loved. I hope so.
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Fifty Years Ago This Week in West Rome - 4/21/1969 to 4/27/1969
West Rome senior Kippy Scarbrough was honored with a "farewell and good luck" party at the high school on Thursday, April 24th, at 8:15 AM, prior to her departure to compete in the National Junior Miss Contest. Guests at the party included David Harvey of the Rome City Commission; Senator Sam Doss; and Charles Eberhart, president of the Rome Jaycees (the sponsors of the contest).
Rome was hit by a late April cold wave this week in 1969, with lows falling to 34 on Tuesday night and 35 Wednesday night, with a heavy frost across West Rome both nights.
The Rome Board of Education voted to re-evaluate their policy of allowing county students to pay tuition in order to attend city schools. The board said that overcrowding at East Rome and West Rome were the primary reasons to re-evaluate the tuition policy; there were 50 tuition students at East Rome High and 30 at West Rome High, which was would have qualified the school system for three new high school teachers--except that tuition students could not be included in the count for student allotments. The Board did vote to cap tuition students at West Rome, since population growth was much more robust on the west side of town. The tuition remained at $32.50 per month per student, which Superintendent McDonald said barely covered the cost of educating the students even if new teachers did not have to be hired.
"The new phone books are here! The new phone books are here!" Southern Bell delivered new telephone directories across Rome this week in 1969; in those pre-internet days, the phone book was actually a pretty important source for information. (To this day, I maintain a reference library--unfortunately incomplete--of Rome phone directories from the 1950s through the 1990s; they are a great reference tool for information regarding new businesses in the area, as well as address info on Rome residents.)
For once, a Rome burglary was thwarted, nothing was actually stolen, and the thief was jailed even before the victims knew they had been robbed! When Edward Kirk of Alabama tried to "punch" open the vault in the Courthouse Annex, he set off a burglar alarm, which inspired the would-be thief to cut short his robbery attempt. He was arrested on suspicion of burglary, but it wasn't until the next morning that the courthouse staff discovered the damage caused to the safe by the robbery attempt. Ironically, the thief would have gotten nothing, since the Courthouse had quit leaving money in their vault after an unsolved 1964 burglary resulted in the loss of almost $10,0000 in cash.
A number of local business owners approached the Rome Chamber of Commerce to express their concern about the number of stores that were breaking the "blue laws" in Rome by opening for business on Sunday. While the law allowed grocery stores, drugstores, and restaurants to open on Sunday, it specified that "anyone who pursues a business or work of ordinary calling on Sunday is guilty of a misdemeanor." While no one was officially naming names, it was pretty clear to everyone that Big K was the subject of the business owners' ire; some complained that a "business newcomer" was taking business from them by opening on Sundays. A few businesses responded by opening their businesses on Sunday, but they said they'd rather go back to being closed again. The Chamber of Commerce took no action on this, but agreed to look into the issue over the next few weeks.
Rome's efforts to save the manned weather station at Russell Field failed to persuade the Federal government. Maurice Stans, the Secretary of Commerce, sent Rome a formal denial, saying that the reinstatement of the weather station was "not justifiable." The government would replace the manned station with automatic recording and reporting equipment.
West Rome hosted the General Education Development Test (GED) on Saturday, April 26th. Test-takers had to be eat least 20 years of age; those who passed the test would be awarded a certificate by the State Department of Education. West Rome teachers administered and supervised the test.
Piggly Wiggly had pork chops for 69¢ a pound, Swift's Vienna sausage for 23¢ a can, and lettuce for 23¢ a head. Kroger had chuck roast for 48¢ a pound, Kellogg's corn flakes for 25¢ a box, and carrots for a dime a bunch. Big Apple had sirloin steak for 89¢ a pound, Campbell's pork & beans for 13¢ a can, and grapefruit for a dime each. A&P had ocean perch fillets for 99¢ a pound, Blue Plate mayonnaise for 49¢ a quart, and Irvindale ice milk for 45¢ a half-gallon. Couch's had chicken breast for 49¢ a pound, Poss Brunswick stew for 49¢ a pound, and bananas for a dime a pound.
The cinematic week began with The Wrecking Crew (starring Dean Martin) at the DeSoto Theatre, Elvira Madigan (starring Pia Degermark) at the First Avenue, and Rachel, Rachel (starring Joanne Woodward) at the West Rome Drive-In. The midweek switchout brought Swiss Family Robinson (starring john Mills) to the DeSoto, Charge of the Light Brigade (starring David Hemmings) to the First Avenue, and Bullitt (starring Steve McQueen) to the West Rome Drive-In.
The 5th Dimension held onto the number one slot for the fourth week in a row with "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In." Other top ten hits for the week included "It's Your Thing" by the Isley Brothers (#2); "Hair" by the Cowsills (#3); "You've Made Me So Very Happy" by Blood, Sweat, & Tears (#4); "Only the Strong Survive" by Jerry Butler (#5); "Time Is Tight" by Booker T & the MG's (#6); "Sweet Cherry Wine" by Tommy James & the Shondells (#7); "Hawaii Five-O" by the Ventures (#8):=; "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel (#9); and "Galveston" by Glen Campbell (#10).
Joe Cocker released his debut album, With a Little Help From My Friends, this week in 1969. Little did he know that he was about to provide comedian John Belushi with one of his greatest comedic imitation, and that decades later he would provide Youtube with one of its funniest lyrics transcriptions. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z2yFekaPRs ) The Chicago Transit Authority also released their eponymous debut album this week in 1969; by the time of their second album, they would shorten their name to Chicago.
Rome was hit by a late April cold wave this week in 1969, with lows falling to 34 on Tuesday night and 35 Wednesday night, with a heavy frost across West Rome both nights.
The Rome Board of Education voted to re-evaluate their policy of allowing county students to pay tuition in order to attend city schools. The board said that overcrowding at East Rome and West Rome were the primary reasons to re-evaluate the tuition policy; there were 50 tuition students at East Rome High and 30 at West Rome High, which was would have qualified the school system for three new high school teachers--except that tuition students could not be included in the count for student allotments. The Board did vote to cap tuition students at West Rome, since population growth was much more robust on the west side of town. The tuition remained at $32.50 per month per student, which Superintendent McDonald said barely covered the cost of educating the students even if new teachers did not have to be hired.
"The new phone books are here! The new phone books are here!" Southern Bell delivered new telephone directories across Rome this week in 1969; in those pre-internet days, the phone book was actually a pretty important source for information. (To this day, I maintain a reference library--unfortunately incomplete--of Rome phone directories from the 1950s through the 1990s; they are a great reference tool for information regarding new businesses in the area, as well as address info on Rome residents.)
For once, a Rome burglary was thwarted, nothing was actually stolen, and the thief was jailed even before the victims knew they had been robbed! When Edward Kirk of Alabama tried to "punch" open the vault in the Courthouse Annex, he set off a burglar alarm, which inspired the would-be thief to cut short his robbery attempt. He was arrested on suspicion of burglary, but it wasn't until the next morning that the courthouse staff discovered the damage caused to the safe by the robbery attempt. Ironically, the thief would have gotten nothing, since the Courthouse had quit leaving money in their vault after an unsolved 1964 burglary resulted in the loss of almost $10,0000 in cash.
A number of local business owners approached the Rome Chamber of Commerce to express their concern about the number of stores that were breaking the "blue laws" in Rome by opening for business on Sunday. While the law allowed grocery stores, drugstores, and restaurants to open on Sunday, it specified that "anyone who pursues a business or work of ordinary calling on Sunday is guilty of a misdemeanor." While no one was officially naming names, it was pretty clear to everyone that Big K was the subject of the business owners' ire; some complained that a "business newcomer" was taking business from them by opening on Sundays. A few businesses responded by opening their businesses on Sunday, but they said they'd rather go back to being closed again. The Chamber of Commerce took no action on this, but agreed to look into the issue over the next few weeks.
Rome's efforts to save the manned weather station at Russell Field failed to persuade the Federal government. Maurice Stans, the Secretary of Commerce, sent Rome a formal denial, saying that the reinstatement of the weather station was "not justifiable." The government would replace the manned station with automatic recording and reporting equipment.
West Rome hosted the General Education Development Test (GED) on Saturday, April 26th. Test-takers had to be eat least 20 years of age; those who passed the test would be awarded a certificate by the State Department of Education. West Rome teachers administered and supervised the test.
Piggly Wiggly had pork chops for 69¢ a pound, Swift's Vienna sausage for 23¢ a can, and lettuce for 23¢ a head. Kroger had chuck roast for 48¢ a pound, Kellogg's corn flakes for 25¢ a box, and carrots for a dime a bunch. Big Apple had sirloin steak for 89¢ a pound, Campbell's pork & beans for 13¢ a can, and grapefruit for a dime each. A&P had ocean perch fillets for 99¢ a pound, Blue Plate mayonnaise for 49¢ a quart, and Irvindale ice milk for 45¢ a half-gallon. Couch's had chicken breast for 49¢ a pound, Poss Brunswick stew for 49¢ a pound, and bananas for a dime a pound.
The cinematic week began with The Wrecking Crew (starring Dean Martin) at the DeSoto Theatre, Elvira Madigan (starring Pia Degermark) at the First Avenue, and Rachel, Rachel (starring Joanne Woodward) at the West Rome Drive-In. The midweek switchout brought Swiss Family Robinson (starring john Mills) to the DeSoto, Charge of the Light Brigade (starring David Hemmings) to the First Avenue, and Bullitt (starring Steve McQueen) to the West Rome Drive-In.
The 5th Dimension held onto the number one slot for the fourth week in a row with "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In." Other top ten hits for the week included "It's Your Thing" by the Isley Brothers (#2); "Hair" by the Cowsills (#3); "You've Made Me So Very Happy" by Blood, Sweat, & Tears (#4); "Only the Strong Survive" by Jerry Butler (#5); "Time Is Tight" by Booker T & the MG's (#6); "Sweet Cherry Wine" by Tommy James & the Shondells (#7); "Hawaii Five-O" by the Ventures (#8):=; "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel (#9); and "Galveston" by Glen Campbell (#10).
Joe Cocker released his debut album, With a Little Help From My Friends, this week in 1969. Little did he know that he was about to provide comedian John Belushi with one of his greatest comedic imitation, and that decades later he would provide Youtube with one of its funniest lyrics transcriptions. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z2yFekaPRs ) The Chicago Transit Authority also released their eponymous debut album this week in 1969; by the time of their second album, they would shorten their name to Chicago.
Friday, April 12, 2019
Fifty Years Ago This Week in West Rome - 4/14/1969 to 4/20/1969
The Rome News-Tribune unveiled its 1969 Prep Track Honor Roll this week in 1969. Chieftains who made the list included Xavier Smith in High Hurdles; Johnny Sapp in High Hurdles, Xavier Smith in Low Hurdles; the West Rome Relay Team in the 440 Relay; Doug Johnson in Discus; Xavier Smith in High Jump; Charles Smith in Broad Jump; and Johnny Rimes in Broad Jump.
The dispute over the transfer of Rome air service from Eastern Air Lines to Georgia Air Inc. escalated this week in 1969 when the Air Line Pilots Association filed a document opposing the transfer and supporting Rome's argument that Georgia Air could not provide service equal to the service that Eastern offered.
Coosa Valley Vocational Technical School announced a cut in their educational services due to a cutback in federal funds for vocational-technical schools. The federal government cut the size of the grant to Georgia by 60%, from $2.5 million to $1 million. Maurice Culberson, director of Coosa Valley Tech, said that he suspected that they would have to cut their evening classes and would have to emanate plans to upgrade or enhance equipment for their training programs. The school's 1968-69 budget was $600,000; Culberson wasn't sure what the 1969-1970 budget would be, but he was worried it could be cut by as much as $300,000.
Julian Harrison Ford was the victim of tool thieves on Monday Night, April 14th, as burglars made off with a large number of tools valued at several thousand dollars--and then they stole a 1965 Pontiac off the used car lot to make off with all of the tools! The same night, thieves broke into Culp Upholstery on Shorter Avenue and still tools and some cash
Speaking of Ford, they made a leap ahead of the competition as they unveiled their first 1970 model car this week in 1969: the 1970 ford Maverick. "Maverick's 1970 model designation means that it keeps its trade in value higher, longer," Ford said of their surprise plan to roll out a 1970 model four to five months ahead of their competition (and other Fords). Of course, that would be just as true for every other car if they all released their 1970 models in April 1969, wouldn't it?...
Piggly Wiggly had large eggs for 44¢ a dozen, split fryers for 33¢ a pound, and Maxwell House coffee for 57¢ a pound. Big Apple had chuck roast for 43¢ a pound, yellow corn for 8¢ an ear, and RC or Diet-Rite Cola for 33¢ a carton plus deposit. Kroger had T-Bone steak for $1.28 a pound, canned pears for 23¢ a can, and Southern Maid ice milk for 39¢ a half-gallon. A&P had beef liver for 39¢ a pound, in-store baked apple pie for 45¢ each, and Van Camp Brunswick stew for 59¢ a can. Couch's had spare ribs for 39¢ a pound, Blue Plate Mayonnaise for 49¢ a quart, and fresh cantaloupes for 33¢ each.
The cinematic week began with Charro (starring Elvis Presley, not Charro) at the DeSoto Theatre, Where Eagles Dare (starring Clint Eastwood) at the First Avenue, and Valley of the Dolls (starring Susan Hayward) at the West Rome Drive-In. The weekend switchout brought The Wrecking Crew (starring Dean Martin) to the DeSoto Theatre, Elvira Madigan (starring Pia Degermark) to the First Avenue, and Hot Millions (starring Peter Ustinov) to the West Rome Drive-In.
The 5th Dimension held on to the number one slot for a third week with "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In." Other top ten hits included "You've Made Me So Very Happy" by Blood, Sweat, & Tears (#2); "It's Your Thing" by The Isley Brothers (#3); "Hair" by the Cowsills (#4); "Only the Strong Survive" by Jerry Butler (#5); "Twenty-Five Miles" by Edwin Starr (#6); "Galveston" by Glen Campbell (#7); "Time Is Right" by Booker T & the MG's (#8); "Dizzy" by Tommy Roe (#9); and "Sweet Cherry Wine" by Tommy James & the Shondells (#10).
The dispute over the transfer of Rome air service from Eastern Air Lines to Georgia Air Inc. escalated this week in 1969 when the Air Line Pilots Association filed a document opposing the transfer and supporting Rome's argument that Georgia Air could not provide service equal to the service that Eastern offered.
Coosa Valley Vocational Technical School announced a cut in their educational services due to a cutback in federal funds for vocational-technical schools. The federal government cut the size of the grant to Georgia by 60%, from $2.5 million to $1 million. Maurice Culberson, director of Coosa Valley Tech, said that he suspected that they would have to cut their evening classes and would have to emanate plans to upgrade or enhance equipment for their training programs. The school's 1968-69 budget was $600,000; Culberson wasn't sure what the 1969-1970 budget would be, but he was worried it could be cut by as much as $300,000.
Julian Harrison Ford was the victim of tool thieves on Monday Night, April 14th, as burglars made off with a large number of tools valued at several thousand dollars--and then they stole a 1965 Pontiac off the used car lot to make off with all of the tools! The same night, thieves broke into Culp Upholstery on Shorter Avenue and still tools and some cash
Speaking of Ford, they made a leap ahead of the competition as they unveiled their first 1970 model car this week in 1969: the 1970 ford Maverick. "Maverick's 1970 model designation means that it keeps its trade in value higher, longer," Ford said of their surprise plan to roll out a 1970 model four to five months ahead of their competition (and other Fords). Of course, that would be just as true for every other car if they all released their 1970 models in April 1969, wouldn't it?...
Piggly Wiggly had large eggs for 44¢ a dozen, split fryers for 33¢ a pound, and Maxwell House coffee for 57¢ a pound. Big Apple had chuck roast for 43¢ a pound, yellow corn for 8¢ an ear, and RC or Diet-Rite Cola for 33¢ a carton plus deposit. Kroger had T-Bone steak for $1.28 a pound, canned pears for 23¢ a can, and Southern Maid ice milk for 39¢ a half-gallon. A&P had beef liver for 39¢ a pound, in-store baked apple pie for 45¢ each, and Van Camp Brunswick stew for 59¢ a can. Couch's had spare ribs for 39¢ a pound, Blue Plate Mayonnaise for 49¢ a quart, and fresh cantaloupes for 33¢ each.
The cinematic week began with Charro (starring Elvis Presley, not Charro) at the DeSoto Theatre, Where Eagles Dare (starring Clint Eastwood) at the First Avenue, and Valley of the Dolls (starring Susan Hayward) at the West Rome Drive-In. The weekend switchout brought The Wrecking Crew (starring Dean Martin) to the DeSoto Theatre, Elvira Madigan (starring Pia Degermark) to the First Avenue, and Hot Millions (starring Peter Ustinov) to the West Rome Drive-In.
The 5th Dimension held on to the number one slot for a third week with "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In." Other top ten hits included "You've Made Me So Very Happy" by Blood, Sweat, & Tears (#2); "It's Your Thing" by The Isley Brothers (#3); "Hair" by the Cowsills (#4); "Only the Strong Survive" by Jerry Butler (#5); "Twenty-Five Miles" by Edwin Starr (#6); "Galveston" by Glen Campbell (#7); "Time Is Right" by Booker T & the MG's (#8); "Dizzy" by Tommy Roe (#9); and "Sweet Cherry Wine" by Tommy James & the Shondells (#10).
Monday, April 08, 2019
6939
Yesterday was day 6939 of my post-heart attack life. That's nineteen years that I've been gifted. On April 7th, 2000, my life briefly ended. If a lot of coincidental tidbits hadn't come together in a remarkable synchronicity, it would have been permanent.
I have a fascination with numbers. I'm always drawing numerical patterns, looking for mathematical parallels. I can tell you, for instance, that 6939 days into my first life, it would have been the day before my nineteenth birthday (the vagaries of leap years result in the one-day discrepancy). I was just about to start my second year at Berry College. I had been married for fourteen months. Susan and I were living in a tiny 500 square foot house that probably would have been condemned if anyone in Cedartown actually bothered to inspect rental houses. Today, my life is different. Better in many ways, undoubtedly. But the best thing is that I appreciate it more, because I am aware that it is finite.
6939 days is almost 29% of my whole life. Quite a gift, isn't it? So many people wish for just one more day. I got 6939 of 'em.
I made a promise to myself after my heart attack. If I recovered, I wouldn't take the extra days for granted. I would find the time every day for a moment of joy, for a moment of reflection, for a moment of inspiration. I would tell people that I love them. I would recognize that even the worst days have something wondrous to offer.
Today it's 6940. And counting.
I have a fascination with numbers. I'm always drawing numerical patterns, looking for mathematical parallels. I can tell you, for instance, that 6939 days into my first life, it would have been the day before my nineteenth birthday (the vagaries of leap years result in the one-day discrepancy). I was just about to start my second year at Berry College. I had been married for fourteen months. Susan and I were living in a tiny 500 square foot house that probably would have been condemned if anyone in Cedartown actually bothered to inspect rental houses. Today, my life is different. Better in many ways, undoubtedly. But the best thing is that I appreciate it more, because I am aware that it is finite.
6939 days is almost 29% of my whole life. Quite a gift, isn't it? So many people wish for just one more day. I got 6939 of 'em.
I made a promise to myself after my heart attack. If I recovered, I wouldn't take the extra days for granted. I would find the time every day for a moment of joy, for a moment of reflection, for a moment of inspiration. I would tell people that I love them. I would recognize that even the worst days have something wondrous to offer.
Today it's 6940. And counting.
Friday, April 05, 2019
Fifty Years Ago This Week in West Rome - 4/7/1969 to 4/13/1969
Showtime '69, which was subtitled "A Chieftainacts Presentation," drew audiences to the Rome City Auditorium on Friday, April 11th and Saturday, April 12th. The show, whose theme was "America the Beautiful," was produced and directed by Clara Ellison. All proceeds from the event were used to sponsor activities of the academic, athletic, and music departments at West Rome. Mr. and Miss West Rome High School and West Rome Junior High School were announced at the event: Mike Johnson and Janice Lee were chosen Mr. & Miss West Rome High School, while Mike Tolbert and Toni Freeman were chosen Mr. & Miss West Rome Junior High.
Martin Rollinson won the Zone 1 Optimist International Oratorical Contest on April 7th; his speech focused on "Respect for the Law—Cornerstone for Citizenship." Rollinson was invited to take part in the oratorical contest after winning a local competition in March that was sponsored by the Rome Breakfast Optimist Club. As a result of his win, Rollinson was invited to take part in statewide competition in Atlanta on May 15th.
The Chieftains defeated Darlington and Calhoun in a three-way track meet on April 9th, led by Charles Smith, who posted an amazing triple jump of 44 feet 7.5 inches, giving him the first of three first-place finishes during the track meet. West Rome ended the competition with 63.5 points to Darlington's 55 points and Calhoun's 51.5 points.
Leland Veal of the Highway Department Planning Division said that plans had been finalized and approved for construction of a four-lane road from Shorter Avenue along Lavender Drive and Redmond Circle to the Alabama Road in front of West Rome High School. Veal said that the project had been moved to a top priority for the state because of the rapid growth in West Rome.
Floyd Junior College plans were coming together, with designs and plans finalized and construction set to begin in May or June. The Board of Regents was confident that construction could be finished in time for classes to begin in the fall of 1970. (Considering how long it takes to finish any sort of construction project nowadays, it's amazing that they could go from blueprints to finished construction of a major junior college facility in a year--but that's just what they did!)
The Rome News-Tribune announced that the cost of a Sunday paper was increasing from 15¢ to 20¢ beginning Sunday, April 13th. The increase was necessitated by rising paper costs, distribution expenses, and the larger paper size due to the growing number of ads in each Sunday paper. The cost for a weekday paper was unchanged at 10¢.
Rome announced the expansion of the surplus food distribution program, with every resident of Floyd County eligible to receive at least nineteen items every month, including lard, peanut butter, cheese, and two cans of evaporated milk per person. There were no income requirements or prequalifications necessary to to receive a surplus food distribution allotment--residents simply had to show up at the distribution center on the appropriate day.
Piggly Wiggly had chuck roast for 45¢ a pound, pole beans for 19¢ a pound, and Coca-Cola/Tab/Sprite for 33¢ a carton plus deposit. A&P had pork chops for 65¢ a pound, cantaloupes for 33¢ each, and Ann Page donuts for 25¢ a dozen. Big Apple had fresh whole fryers for 25¢ a pound, grapefruit for 7¢ each, and RC or Diet-Rite cola for 28¢ a carton plus deposit. Kroger had T-bone steak for $1.08 a pound, corn for 7¢ an ear, and Kroger frozen pot pies for 12¢ each. Couch's had fresh-sliced bacon for 69¢ a pound, Van Camp's chili for 33¢ a can, and bananas for a dime a pound.
The cinematic week began with Support Your Local Sheriff (starring James Garner) at the DeSoto Theatre, Where Eagles Dare (starring Clint Eastwood) at the First Avenue, and Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter (starring Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits) at the West Rome Drive-In. The weekend switchout brought Charro (starring Elvis Presley) to the DeSoto and Planet of the Apes (starring Charlton Heston) to the West Rome Drive-In, while those eagles dared to stay at the First Avenue for another week.
The 5th Dimension held on to the number one slot with "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In." Other top ten hits included "You've Made Me So Very Happy" by Blood, Sweat, & Tears (#2); "It's Your Thing" by the Isley Brothers (#3); "Only the Strong Survive" by Jerry Butler (#4); "Dizzy" by Tommy Roe (#5); "Galveston" by Glen Campbell (#6); "Hair" by the Cowsills (#7); "Twenty-Five Miles" by Edwin Starr (#8); "Time of the Season" by the Zombies (#9); and "Rock Me" by Steppenwolf (#10).
Bob Dylan totally changed is sound for the album Nashville Skyline, released this week in 1969. Not only was the album's country-influenced tone a departure for Dylan, but his throaty, more glottal vocal on songs like "Lay Lady Lay" was unlike anything Dylan had recorded previously. One of the highlights was "Girl from the North Country," a duet with Johnny Cash.
Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore united for a one-hour CBS Special, Dick Van Dyke & The Other Woman, on Sunday, April 13th. This was the first time the two had appeared on television together since their series ended in May of 1966. The program included the two actors in a previously unseen alternate take from an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Martin Rollinson won the Zone 1 Optimist International Oratorical Contest on April 7th; his speech focused on "Respect for the Law—Cornerstone for Citizenship." Rollinson was invited to take part in the oratorical contest after winning a local competition in March that was sponsored by the Rome Breakfast Optimist Club. As a result of his win, Rollinson was invited to take part in statewide competition in Atlanta on May 15th.
The Chieftains defeated Darlington and Calhoun in a three-way track meet on April 9th, led by Charles Smith, who posted an amazing triple jump of 44 feet 7.5 inches, giving him the first of three first-place finishes during the track meet. West Rome ended the competition with 63.5 points to Darlington's 55 points and Calhoun's 51.5 points.
Leland Veal of the Highway Department Planning Division said that plans had been finalized and approved for construction of a four-lane road from Shorter Avenue along Lavender Drive and Redmond Circle to the Alabama Road in front of West Rome High School. Veal said that the project had been moved to a top priority for the state because of the rapid growth in West Rome.
Floyd Junior College plans were coming together, with designs and plans finalized and construction set to begin in May or June. The Board of Regents was confident that construction could be finished in time for classes to begin in the fall of 1970. (Considering how long it takes to finish any sort of construction project nowadays, it's amazing that they could go from blueprints to finished construction of a major junior college facility in a year--but that's just what they did!)
Rome announced the expansion of the surplus food distribution program, with every resident of Floyd County eligible to receive at least nineteen items every month, including lard, peanut butter, cheese, and two cans of evaporated milk per person. There were no income requirements or prequalifications necessary to to receive a surplus food distribution allotment--residents simply had to show up at the distribution center on the appropriate day.
Piggly Wiggly had chuck roast for 45¢ a pound, pole beans for 19¢ a pound, and Coca-Cola/Tab/Sprite for 33¢ a carton plus deposit. A&P had pork chops for 65¢ a pound, cantaloupes for 33¢ each, and Ann Page donuts for 25¢ a dozen. Big Apple had fresh whole fryers for 25¢ a pound, grapefruit for 7¢ each, and RC or Diet-Rite cola for 28¢ a carton plus deposit. Kroger had T-bone steak for $1.08 a pound, corn for 7¢ an ear, and Kroger frozen pot pies for 12¢ each. Couch's had fresh-sliced bacon for 69¢ a pound, Van Camp's chili for 33¢ a can, and bananas for a dime a pound.
The cinematic week began with Support Your Local Sheriff (starring James Garner) at the DeSoto Theatre, Where Eagles Dare (starring Clint Eastwood) at the First Avenue, and Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter (starring Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits) at the West Rome Drive-In. The weekend switchout brought Charro (starring Elvis Presley) to the DeSoto and Planet of the Apes (starring Charlton Heston) to the West Rome Drive-In, while those eagles dared to stay at the First Avenue for another week.
The 5th Dimension held on to the number one slot with "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In." Other top ten hits included "You've Made Me So Very Happy" by Blood, Sweat, & Tears (#2); "It's Your Thing" by the Isley Brothers (#3); "Only the Strong Survive" by Jerry Butler (#4); "Dizzy" by Tommy Roe (#5); "Galveston" by Glen Campbell (#6); "Hair" by the Cowsills (#7); "Twenty-Five Miles" by Edwin Starr (#8); "Time of the Season" by the Zombies (#9); and "Rock Me" by Steppenwolf (#10).
Bob Dylan totally changed is sound for the album Nashville Skyline, released this week in 1969. Not only was the album's country-influenced tone a departure for Dylan, but his throaty, more glottal vocal on songs like "Lay Lady Lay" was unlike anything Dylan had recorded previously. One of the highlights was "Girl from the North Country," a duet with Johnny Cash.
Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore united for a one-hour CBS Special, Dick Van Dyke & The Other Woman, on Sunday, April 13th. This was the first time the two had appeared on television together since their series ended in May of 1966. The program included the two actors in a previously unseen alternate take from an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show.