West Rome took on further-west adversaries Coosa in their sixth game of the season—and they went into the game in a prime position, having not only posted an undefeated season thus far (two ties, three wins), but having left all five of their earlier adversaries scoreless! Coosa did prove tough enough to rack up a few points against the Chieftains, but it wasn’t enough, and West Rome won 40-6. Lane Brewer was chosen lineman of the week by the Rome News-Tribune for his performance in the game; Brewer was credited with 18 individual tackles; blocked an Eagles quick kick and ran it back to the one yard line, kicked two extra points and four fifty-plus yard kickoffs… quite an impressive evening for any player!
Floyd County Ordinary Harry Johnson had good things to say about Rome’s first voting machine election. Thanks to the ease of tabulation with machine-based elections, Rome’s first voting machine primary was totally tabulated by 9pm—just two hours after the polls closed. (Makes you wonder how it is that, with today’s super fast computers, it takes much longer for us to get the election returns…)
Beginning bridge, ballroom dancing, knitting, ceramics—these were just a few of the classes offered as a part of the YMCA’s “Learning for Living” program. Each class ran for eight weeks, meeting one evening a week for most classes (although the beginning bridge class met at 10am.)
The draft board announced implementation of a new Selective Service College Qualification Test to help determine whether draft registrants should be considered for educational draft deferments. Students could take the test only one time; anyone who scored below a predetermined level would not qualify for a college deferment. (Today, the draft seems like a custom from a different era, but it was just fifty years ago that many young men had to put their entire life plans on hold because of forced military service… and all too many young men never had the chance to resume those lives afterwards.)
Rome’s proposed $3.3 million dollar post office and federal building got approval from the Congressional Public Works, Buildings, and Ground Committees this week in 1966, which meant that it was one Congressional vote away from final approval. According to Seventh District Congressman John W. Davis, Congress almost always voted in favor of any proposals that cleared the committees, so the new facility was almost a done deal.
Rome set a record low temperature on the morning of October r3rd, coming in at 38 degrees. The cool weather continued for the remainder of the week, with highs and lows at least ten degrees below normal.
Piggly Wiggly had Wilson’s bacon for 69¢ a pound, lettuce for 19¢ a head, and Jello for a dime a pack. Kroger had round steak for 79¢ a pound, Blue Plate mayonnaise for 49¢ a quart, and tomatoes for 19¢ a pound. A&P had chuck roast for 39¢ a pound, apples for 15¢ a pound, and peanuts for 39¢ a pound. Big Apple had smoked hams for 39¢ a pound, grapefruits for 13¢ each, and JFG coffee for 59¢ a pound. Couch’s had sirloin steak for 89¢ a pound, corn for a dime an ear, and Coca-Cola, Tab, or Sprite for 99¢ a case plus deposit.
The cinematic week began with a double feature of the James Bond films Dr. No and Goldfinger (starring Sean Connery) at both the DeSoto Theater and the West Rome Drive-In, and The Greatest Story Ever Told (with Max Von Sydow) at the First Avenue, The midweek switch out brought This Property Is Condemned (with Natalie Wood & Robert Redford) to the DeSoto Theatre, Lost Command (with Anthony Quinn) to the First Avenue, and That Tennessee Beat (with Minnie Pearl & Merle Travis) to the West Rome Drive-In.
The Four Tops took number one this week in 1966 with “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” Former number one “Cherish” by the Association dropped to second place. The other top ten songs for the week included “96 Tears” by ? & the Mysterians (#3); “Last Train to Clarksville” by the Monkeys (#4); “Psychotic Reaction” by Count Five (#5); “Cherry, Cherry” by Neil Diamond (#6); “Walk Away Renee” by the Left Banke (#7); “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?” by Jimmy Ruffin (#8); “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” by the Four Seasons (#9); and “You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Supremes (#10).
The Tammy Grimes Show performed so badly that it was cancelled this week in 1966 after only four episodes; ABC filled the hole in their schedule with a prime-time version of The Dating Game, which earned more than ten times the number of viewers of the show it replaced.
THE Cat, the Robert Loggia TV series about a former cat burglar turned good guy who used his skills to assist those who needed more help than the law could offer, came to comics this week in 1966, thanks to the folks at Gold Key (Gold Key seemed to specialize in licensed property comics in the 1960s, bringing many films and television programs to the comics racks).
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Friday, September 23, 2016
Fifty Years Ago This Week in West Rome - 9/26/1966 to 10/2/1966
The Rome Downtown Development Authority unveiled its ambitious plans to renovate Rome’s downtown area—and we know now that not all of their proposals were implemented. Among other things, they wanted to widen East First Street (which parallels Broad Street), move through traffic in Rome to the newly widened street, and then restrict traffic on Broad Street to shopping traffic and pedestrian traffic only. Plans also called for more planters on Broad Street to beautify the area; the addition of more storefront awnings to make it easier for pedestrians to shop during rainy weather without getting soaked; and much stronger design guideline enforcement to maintain the appeal of the downtown area.
Darn those schools and their new-fangled ways!… Apparently “modern math” was so confounding to our parents back in the 1960s that the YMCA saw the need to add a class teaching parents what the heck this modern math was all about. Even more surprising--the class filled up and the Y had to look at offering a second session!
The Chieftains took on the Wills Tigers in a home game on Friday, September 30th. It’s hard to tell if the Tigers even showed up for the game, though, since West Rome won 49-0—one of the biggest routs in West Rome history. No Chieftains were named players of the week because no one had to play particularly well to beat the visiting team.
Bonnie Davis Chevrolet announced the Rome debut of Chevrolet’s new power car, the Camaro, this week in 1966. A 327 cu. in. 210 hp engine, dual brakes, hideaway headlights, a more luxurious interior with bucket seats and a console—Chevrolet was pushing the new Camaro as their “Mustang killer” with more comfort and features that Ford's pony car.
Piggly Wiggly had whole hams for 55¢ a pound, apples for 15¢ a pound, and Brachs’ chocolate covered cherries (a favorite at our house—especially the dark chocolate!) for 49¢ a box. Big Apple had fresh whole fryers for a quarter a pound, Heinz pork & beans for 12¢ a can, and Georgia delicious apples for 15¢ a pound. A&P had chuck roast for 39¢ a pound, Wesson oil for 39¢ a 24-ounce bottle, and five pounds of Gold Medal flour for 59¢. Kroger had pork roast for 49¢ a pound, grapes for 13¢ a pound, and StarKist chunk tuna for 33¢ a can. Couch’s had chuck roast for 39¢ a pound, Coca-Cola for 99¢ a case (plus deposit), and lettuce for 19¢ a head.
The cinematic week began with How to Steal a Million (with Audrey Hepburn & Peter O’Toole) at both the DeSoto Theatre and the West Rome Drive-In and Lord Love a Duck (with Roddy McDowell & Tuesday Weld) at the First Avenue. The midweek switch out brought a double feature of Dr. No and Goldfinger (with the one and only true James Bond, Sean Connery) to both the DeSoto Theater and the West Rome Drive-In and The Greatest Story Ever Told (with Max Von Sydow) to the First Avenue. Apparently there were so few noteworthy new films that every screen was turned over to cinematic reruns!… Maybe the new 1966 TV season was even better than I remembered!
The Association held on to the number one position this week in 1966 with “Cherish.” Other top ten hits included “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops (#2); “96 Tears” by ? & the Mysterians (#3); “Black Is Black” by Los Bravos (#4); “Beauty is Only Skin Deep” by the Temptations (#5); “Last Train to Clarksville” by the Monkees (#6); “Cherry, Cherry” by Neil Diamond (#7); “You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Supremes (#8); “Psychotic Reaction” by Count Five (#9); and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” by the 4 Seasons (#10).
Jack Cole’s Golden Age elastic hero returned in DC Comics' Plastic Man #1, courtesy of Arnold Drake & Gil Kane. Kane’s fluid art style was a perfect fit for this light-hearted comic about a stretchable superhero. This was DC’s second whimsical superhero title, following up on the offbeat Inferior Five. Alas, neither was destined to last very long— Apparently readers weren't looking for super-silliness...
Darn those schools and their new-fangled ways!… Apparently “modern math” was so confounding to our parents back in the 1960s that the YMCA saw the need to add a class teaching parents what the heck this modern math was all about. Even more surprising--the class filled up and the Y had to look at offering a second session!
The Chieftains took on the Wills Tigers in a home game on Friday, September 30th. It’s hard to tell if the Tigers even showed up for the game, though, since West Rome won 49-0—one of the biggest routs in West Rome history. No Chieftains were named players of the week because no one had to play particularly well to beat the visiting team.
Bonnie Davis Chevrolet announced the Rome debut of Chevrolet’s new power car, the Camaro, this week in 1966. A 327 cu. in. 210 hp engine, dual brakes, hideaway headlights, a more luxurious interior with bucket seats and a console—Chevrolet was pushing the new Camaro as their “Mustang killer” with more comfort and features that Ford's pony car.
Piggly Wiggly had whole hams for 55¢ a pound, apples for 15¢ a pound, and Brachs’ chocolate covered cherries (a favorite at our house—especially the dark chocolate!) for 49¢ a box. Big Apple had fresh whole fryers for a quarter a pound, Heinz pork & beans for 12¢ a can, and Georgia delicious apples for 15¢ a pound. A&P had chuck roast for 39¢ a pound, Wesson oil for 39¢ a 24-ounce bottle, and five pounds of Gold Medal flour for 59¢. Kroger had pork roast for 49¢ a pound, grapes for 13¢ a pound, and StarKist chunk tuna for 33¢ a can. Couch’s had chuck roast for 39¢ a pound, Coca-Cola for 99¢ a case (plus deposit), and lettuce for 19¢ a head.
The cinematic week began with How to Steal a Million (with Audrey Hepburn & Peter O’Toole) at both the DeSoto Theatre and the West Rome Drive-In and Lord Love a Duck (with Roddy McDowell & Tuesday Weld) at the First Avenue. The midweek switch out brought a double feature of Dr. No and Goldfinger (with the one and only true James Bond, Sean Connery) to both the DeSoto Theater and the West Rome Drive-In and The Greatest Story Ever Told (with Max Von Sydow) to the First Avenue. Apparently there were so few noteworthy new films that every screen was turned over to cinematic reruns!… Maybe the new 1966 TV season was even better than I remembered!
The Association held on to the number one position this week in 1966 with “Cherish.” Other top ten hits included “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops (#2); “96 Tears” by ? & the Mysterians (#3); “Black Is Black” by Los Bravos (#4); “Beauty is Only Skin Deep” by the Temptations (#5); “Last Train to Clarksville” by the Monkees (#6); “Cherry, Cherry” by Neil Diamond (#7); “You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Supremes (#8); “Psychotic Reaction” by Count Five (#9); and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” by the 4 Seasons (#10).
Jack Cole’s Golden Age elastic hero returned in DC Comics' Plastic Man #1, courtesy of Arnold Drake & Gil Kane. Kane’s fluid art style was a perfect fit for this light-hearted comic about a stretchable superhero. This was DC’s second whimsical superhero title, following up on the offbeat Inferior Five. Alas, neither was destined to last very long— Apparently readers weren't looking for super-silliness...
Friday, September 16, 2016
Fifty Years Ago This Week in West Rome - 9/19/166 to 9/25/1966
This was Coosa Valley Fair week in 1966, with Tuesday being Children’s Day—which meant free admission for all kids and students. The fair was such a big thing in the 1960s that the Rome City School System gave students a half-day off (closing school after lunch) so that they could get to the fair early to take advantage of the reduced prices on all rides and shows before 6 pm. Atlanta Falcons Randy Johnson & Tommy Nobis were signing autographs at the fair on Monday; Officer Don made an appearance on Tuesday; the World’s Strongest Man Paul Anderson presented feats of strength on Wednesday; the Miss Coosa Valley Fair contest took place on Thursday; a fireworks display highlighted the Friday schedule; Bob Brandy did a special show from the fairgrounds on Saturday; and the West Rome Band ended the fair with a concert Saturday evening.
Growth in Rome—particularly in West Rome—was so strong that the Rome City School System was hurting for teachers, with almost two dozen positions unfilled as the first month of school came to an end. The school system was using substitute teachers, retired teachers, and temporary teachers to fill in until permanent staff could be found.
The Chieftains took on the LaFayette Ramblers on September 23rd; while LaFayette’s team was highly ranked, they proved no challenge for the Chiefs, who won the game 25-0. West Rome’s fullback Benny Padgett was chosen Back of the Week for his outstanding performance in the game; he ran the ball 18 times, was credited with 138 net yards, and scored one of West Rome’s touchdowns. As the Rome News-Tribune noted, “Padgett’s only competition for the Back of the Week was fellow Chieftain Roger Weaver, “who rushed for 196 yards and scored twice in the game,” the paper noted. “However, it was Padgett’s all-round play both on offense and defense that earned him the honor.”
An intrepid quartet of burglars broke into four locations on in the wee hours of Friday morning, September 23rd, including the Johnny Reb Food Store at 2209 Shorter Avenue. The burglars hammered their way through two different concrete block walls to break into Johnny Reb—a lot of work for about $50 worth of cigarettes! The four burglaries netted them less than $125 in cash, which seems like a pretty poor payoff for such ambitious criminals. By mid-day Friday, the police already had suspects in custody.
Piggly Wiggly had Coca-Cola, Tab, Sprite, or Fresca (their only four soft drinks fifty years ago!) for 99¢ a case plus deposit, chuck roast for 39¢ a pound, and four pounds of apples for 49¢. Kroger had fresh whole fryers for 29¢ a pound, ten pounds of Domino sugar for 89¢, and cantaloupes for 33¢ each. Big Apple had center cut pork chops for 69¢ a pound, Bailey’s Supreme coffee for 59¢ a pound, and bell peppers for a dime each. A&P had sirloin tip roast for 89¢ a pound, seedless grapes for 15¢ a pound, and a one-pound package of Oreos for 49¢. Couch’s had sirloin steak for 89¢ a pound, 16 ounces of JFG peanut butter for 49¢, and Wesson Oil for 39¢ a half-gallon.
The cinematic week began with Butterfield 8 (with Elizabeth Taylor & Laurence Harvey) at the DeSoto Theater, The Oscar (with Steven Boyd, Elke Sommers, & Milton Berle) at the First Avenue, and a double feature of the Russ Meyer films Motor Psycho (with Haji) and Faster Pussycat Kill Kill (with Tura Satana) at the West Rome Drive-In. The midweek switch-out brought How to Steal a Million (with Eli Wallach & Charles Boyer) to the DeSoto, The Man from UNCLE: One Spy Too Many (with Robert Vaughn & David McCallum) to the First Avenue, and How to Steal a Million (with Audrey Hepburn & Peter O’Toole) at the West Rome Drive-In.
The Association held on to the number one slot for a second week with “Cherish.” Other top ten hits included “You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Supremes (#2); “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” by The Temptations (#3); “Black is Black” by Los Bravos (#4); “Bus Stop” by the Hollies (#5); “96 Tears” by ? & the Mysterians (#6); “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops (#7); “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles (#8); “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan (#9); and “Cherry Cherry” by Neil Diamond (#10).
Comics legend Jim Steranko made his Marvel Comics debut on the Nick Fury lead story in Strange Tales #151, on sale this week in 1966. While very little of the Steranko style was evident in that first issue, within a year he would become on of the most distinctive and influential artists in Marvel’s “second wave.” Meanwhile, in the pages of The Adventures of Jerry Lewis #97, the zany comedian met Batman, Robin, and the Joker in a silly tale by Arnold Drake and Bob Oskner.
Growth in Rome—particularly in West Rome—was so strong that the Rome City School System was hurting for teachers, with almost two dozen positions unfilled as the first month of school came to an end. The school system was using substitute teachers, retired teachers, and temporary teachers to fill in until permanent staff could be found.
The Chieftains took on the LaFayette Ramblers on September 23rd; while LaFayette’s team was highly ranked, they proved no challenge for the Chiefs, who won the game 25-0. West Rome’s fullback Benny Padgett was chosen Back of the Week for his outstanding performance in the game; he ran the ball 18 times, was credited with 138 net yards, and scored one of West Rome’s touchdowns. As the Rome News-Tribune noted, “Padgett’s only competition for the Back of the Week was fellow Chieftain Roger Weaver, “who rushed for 196 yards and scored twice in the game,” the paper noted. “However, it was Padgett’s all-round play both on offense and defense that earned him the honor.”
An intrepid quartet of burglars broke into four locations on in the wee hours of Friday morning, September 23rd, including the Johnny Reb Food Store at 2209 Shorter Avenue. The burglars hammered their way through two different concrete block walls to break into Johnny Reb—a lot of work for about $50 worth of cigarettes! The four burglaries netted them less than $125 in cash, which seems like a pretty poor payoff for such ambitious criminals. By mid-day Friday, the police already had suspects in custody.
Piggly Wiggly had Coca-Cola, Tab, Sprite, or Fresca (their only four soft drinks fifty years ago!) for 99¢ a case plus deposit, chuck roast for 39¢ a pound, and four pounds of apples for 49¢. Kroger had fresh whole fryers for 29¢ a pound, ten pounds of Domino sugar for 89¢, and cantaloupes for 33¢ each. Big Apple had center cut pork chops for 69¢ a pound, Bailey’s Supreme coffee for 59¢ a pound, and bell peppers for a dime each. A&P had sirloin tip roast for 89¢ a pound, seedless grapes for 15¢ a pound, and a one-pound package of Oreos for 49¢. Couch’s had sirloin steak for 89¢ a pound, 16 ounces of JFG peanut butter for 49¢, and Wesson Oil for 39¢ a half-gallon.
The cinematic week began with Butterfield 8 (with Elizabeth Taylor & Laurence Harvey) at the DeSoto Theater, The Oscar (with Steven Boyd, Elke Sommers, & Milton Berle) at the First Avenue, and a double feature of the Russ Meyer films Motor Psycho (with Haji) and Faster Pussycat Kill Kill (with Tura Satana) at the West Rome Drive-In. The midweek switch-out brought How to Steal a Million (with Eli Wallach & Charles Boyer) to the DeSoto, The Man from UNCLE: One Spy Too Many (with Robert Vaughn & David McCallum) to the First Avenue, and How to Steal a Million (with Audrey Hepburn & Peter O’Toole) at the West Rome Drive-In.
The Association held on to the number one slot for a second week with “Cherish.” Other top ten hits included “You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Supremes (#2); “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” by The Temptations (#3); “Black is Black” by Los Bravos (#4); “Bus Stop” by the Hollies (#5); “96 Tears” by ? & the Mysterians (#6); “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops (#7); “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles (#8); “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan (#9); and “Cherry Cherry” by Neil Diamond (#10).
Comics legend Jim Steranko made his Marvel Comics debut on the Nick Fury lead story in Strange Tales #151, on sale this week in 1966. While very little of the Steranko style was evident in that first issue, within a year he would become on of the most distinctive and influential artists in Marvel’s “second wave.” Meanwhile, in the pages of The Adventures of Jerry Lewis #97, the zany comedian met Batman, Robin, and the Joker in a silly tale by Arnold Drake and Bob Oskner.
Friday, September 09, 2016
Fifty Years Ago This Week in West Rome - 9/12/1966 to 9/18/1966
Georgia primaries were held on Tuesday, September 13th, and the surprise winner in Rome and Floyd County was the relatively unknown Jimmy Carter from Plains, Georgia, who handily trounced former Governor Ellis Arnall, Atlanta businessman Lester Maddox, and Albany publisher James Gray in the local primary. (The election would go on to be a hard-fought one, with Arnall and Maddox the top two vote-getters statewide, thus making it to a runoff primary election which Maddox handily won.)
After a warm summer, the first signs of fall made their presence in Rome this week in 1966, as temperatures slipped to the mid-70s for highs and the mid and upper 50s for lows.
The management of the Coosa Valley Fair announced plans for a special amateur “hullabaloo and discotheque contest” slated for Monday, September 19th—but any interested local bands had to submit their applications this week in 1966. Rome’s fair-runners also announced a number of scheduled guests for the fair, including Atlanta Falcons Randy Johnson & Tommy Nobis, “the world’s strongest man” Paul Anderson, and WSB Popeye Club host Officer Don (Don Kennedy).
The Chieftains took on the Carrollton Trojans at home on Friday, September 16th—and for the second time in the season, they played to a scoreless tie. Because their one win for the season was against their only Region 6-AA opponent they had thus far played, they were still 1-0 in region play. Roger Weaver’s outstanding performance in the first three games made him the number two ranked rusher in the region.
Ready for a retro kitchen flashback? Ads in the Rome News-Tribune this week in 1966 promoted the two “exciting new kitchen colors” for appliances and decor: Harvest Gold and Avocado. These colors joined Coppertone, which was added a few years earlier, as the “in” colors for trendy kitchens.
Piggly Wiggly had t-bone steak for 89¢ a pound, cantaloupes for 39¢ each, and bananas for a dime a pound. Kroger had ground beef for 39¢ a pound; white seedless grapes for 15¢ a pound; and Coca-Cola, Tab, or Sprite for 99¢ a case plus deposit. A&P had smoke ham for 49¢ a pound, potatoes for 12¢ a pound, and Eight O’Clock Coffee for 69¢ a pound. Big Apple had ground beef for 39¢ a pound, peaches for a 19¢ a pound, and Irvindale ice cream for 49¢ a half-gallon. Couch’s had chicken breasts for 49¢ a pound, Banquet ice cream for 49¢ a half-gallon, and sweet potatoes for a dime a pound.
The cinematic week began with Walk Don’t Run (with Cary Grant & Samantha Eggar) at the DeSoto Theatre, Once a Thief (with Alain Delon & Ann-Margret) at the First Avenue, and The Russians Are Coming (with Carl Reiner & Eva Marie Saint) at the West Rome Drive-In. The midweek switch out brought Butterfield 8 (with Elizabeth Taylor & Laurence Harvey) to the DeSoto, Marco the Magnificent (with Anthony Quinn) to the First Avenue, and a double feature of the Russ Meyer films Motor Psycho (with Haji—whoever he was) and Faster Pussycat Kill Kill (with Tura Satana) to the West Rome Drive-In.
The Association climbed to first place on the Top Ten this week in 1966 with their harmony-laden hit “Cherish.” Other top ten hits included “You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Supremes (#2); “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan (#3); “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles (#4); “Bus Stop” by the Hollies (#5); “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” by The Temptations (#6); “Black Is Black” by Los Bravos” (#7); “96 Tears” by “? & the Mysterians (#8); “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?” by the Beach Boys (#10); and “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops (#10).
This was the week that The Monkees made its premiere on NBC; the half-hour musical comedy, inspired by the Beatles’ A Hard Days Night, would propel the pre-fab four to musical stardom—and impressively, the four (Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork) would go on to become significant musical talents in their own right. (And in case you missed it, they’re still recording: the Monkees released a superb new album, Good Times, earlier this year, featuring contributions from all four original Monkees, including a track by the late Davy Jones.)
Other shows that premiered this week in 1966 included Family Affair (September 12th on CBS), The Rat Patrol (ABC on September 12th); The Girl from UNCLE (NBC on September 13th), and Mission: Impossible (CBS on September 17th).
After a warm summer, the first signs of fall made their presence in Rome this week in 1966, as temperatures slipped to the mid-70s for highs and the mid and upper 50s for lows.
The management of the Coosa Valley Fair announced plans for a special amateur “hullabaloo and discotheque contest” slated for Monday, September 19th—but any interested local bands had to submit their applications this week in 1966. Rome’s fair-runners also announced a number of scheduled guests for the fair, including Atlanta Falcons Randy Johnson & Tommy Nobis, “the world’s strongest man” Paul Anderson, and WSB Popeye Club host Officer Don (Don Kennedy).
The Chieftains took on the Carrollton Trojans at home on Friday, September 16th—and for the second time in the season, they played to a scoreless tie. Because their one win for the season was against their only Region 6-AA opponent they had thus far played, they were still 1-0 in region play. Roger Weaver’s outstanding performance in the first three games made him the number two ranked rusher in the region.
Ready for a retro kitchen flashback? Ads in the Rome News-Tribune this week in 1966 promoted the two “exciting new kitchen colors” for appliances and decor: Harvest Gold and Avocado. These colors joined Coppertone, which was added a few years earlier, as the “in” colors for trendy kitchens.Piggly Wiggly had t-bone steak for 89¢ a pound, cantaloupes for 39¢ each, and bananas for a dime a pound. Kroger had ground beef for 39¢ a pound; white seedless grapes for 15¢ a pound; and Coca-Cola, Tab, or Sprite for 99¢ a case plus deposit. A&P had smoke ham for 49¢ a pound, potatoes for 12¢ a pound, and Eight O’Clock Coffee for 69¢ a pound. Big Apple had ground beef for 39¢ a pound, peaches for a 19¢ a pound, and Irvindale ice cream for 49¢ a half-gallon. Couch’s had chicken breasts for 49¢ a pound, Banquet ice cream for 49¢ a half-gallon, and sweet potatoes for a dime a pound.
The cinematic week began with Walk Don’t Run (with Cary Grant & Samantha Eggar) at the DeSoto Theatre, Once a Thief (with Alain Delon & Ann-Margret) at the First Avenue, and The Russians Are Coming (with Carl Reiner & Eva Marie Saint) at the West Rome Drive-In. The midweek switch out brought Butterfield 8 (with Elizabeth Taylor & Laurence Harvey) to the DeSoto, Marco the Magnificent (with Anthony Quinn) to the First Avenue, and a double feature of the Russ Meyer films Motor Psycho (with Haji—whoever he was) and Faster Pussycat Kill Kill (with Tura Satana) to the West Rome Drive-In.
The Association climbed to first place on the Top Ten this week in 1966 with their harmony-laden hit “Cherish.” Other top ten hits included “You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Supremes (#2); “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan (#3); “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles (#4); “Bus Stop” by the Hollies (#5); “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” by The Temptations (#6); “Black Is Black” by Los Bravos” (#7); “96 Tears” by “? & the Mysterians (#8); “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?” by the Beach Boys (#10); and “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops (#10).
This was the week that The Monkees made its premiere on NBC; the half-hour musical comedy, inspired by the Beatles’ A Hard Days Night, would propel the pre-fab four to musical stardom—and impressively, the four (Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork) would go on to become significant musical talents in their own right. (And in case you missed it, they’re still recording: the Monkees released a superb new album, Good Times, earlier this year, featuring contributions from all four original Monkees, including a track by the late Davy Jones.)
Other shows that premiered this week in 1966 included Family Affair (September 12th on CBS), The Rat Patrol (ABC on September 12th); The Girl from UNCLE (NBC on September 13th), and Mission: Impossible (CBS on September 17th).
Friday, September 02, 2016
Fifty Years Ago This Week in West Rome - 9/5/1966 to 9/11/1966
The statistics involving school integration were made public this week in 1966. One white teacher transferred to previously-all-black Main High School; two black teachers transferred to West Rome High School. Sixty black students transferred to West Rome High.(According to the paper, not a single student chose to transfer to Main High School.) The Rome City School System reported no problems related to integration.
West Rome trampled over Chattanooga, racking up a 26-0 win on Friday night, September 9th, led by the outstanding running of Roger Weaver, who gained 204 yards in 18 carries, including one 59-yard touchdown run; Weaver also set up another touchdown with a 46-yard run. “Roger did a great job, ran exactly the way a coach likes to see his boys run,” Coach Paul Kennedy said. “He had great second effort on a couple of runs, especially on the touchdown. Why, he was hit at the line of scrimmage, but came roaring back and the result was six points!”
Congress approved Rome’s proposed new federal building this week in 1966; the new 89,000 squad foot facility, a combination post office and federal building, was estimated at $3 million. Once constructed, all federal offices and the post office would move out of its location 4th Avenue/East First Street location (a block of Broad Street), where federal offices had been located since its construction in 1896.
At their September 6th meeting, the Rome City Commission received its first bids for a Rome cable TV system. Several local companies, led by Rome Antenna, attended the meeting to protest the plan, saying it put the city in direct competition with private enterprises that specialized in antenna sales, manufacturing, and installation, but the City Commission refused to respond to those concerns.
Piggly Wiggly had Maxwell House Coffee for 59¢ a pound, Blue Plate mayonnaise for 59¢ a quart, and ground beef for 49¢ a pound. Kroger had smoke picnic ham for 39¢ a pound, eggs for 45¢ a dozen, and Country Club ice cream for 47¢ a half-gallon. A&P had chuck roast for 39¢ a pound, seedless grapes for 19¢ a pound, and iceberg lettuce for a quarter a head. Big Apple had pork steak for 69¢ a pound, a two-pound jar of Lenox Park peanut butter for 79¢, and a two-pound package of the brand-new Blue Bonnet margarine (Their jingle is indelibly burned into my brain: “Everything’s better with Blue Bonnet on it…”) for 49¢. Couch’s had fresh whole fryers for 29¢ a pound, Bama apple jelly for 19¢ a jar (and the jar could be used as a drinking glass after you had eaten all the jelly!), and Double Cola for 69¢ a case (plus deposit).
The cinematic week began with What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? (with James Coburn & Dick Shawn) at the DeSoto Theater and Batman (with Adam West & Burt Ward) at both the First Avenue Theater and the West Rome Drive-In. The midweek switch out brought Walk, Don’t Run (with Cary Grant & Samantha Eggar) to the Desoto Theater; The Tenth Victim (with Marcello Mastroianni & Ursula Andress) to the First Avenue; and a double feature of Situation Hopeless (with Alec Guiness in his pre-Star Wars days) and Slender Thread (with Sidney Poitier) at the West Rome Drive In.
The Supremes held on to the number one slot this week in 1966 with “You Can’t Hurry Love.” Other top ten hits included “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles (#2); “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan (#3); “See You in September” by the Happenings (#4); “Summer in the City” by the Lovin’ Spoonful (#5); “Land of 1000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett (#6); “Sunny” by Bobby Hebb (#7); “Workin in the Coal Mine” by Lee Dorsey (#8); “Bus Stop” by the Hollies (#9); and “Guantanamera” by the Sandpipers (#10).
TV viewers boldly went where no viewer had gone before when Star Trek debuted on September 8th, 1966; other debuts for the week included That Girl (9/8/66), Tarzan (9/8/66), The Green Hornet (9/9/66), and The Time Tunnel (9/9/66). That’s quite a week for fans of superheroes and science fiction (and Marlo Thomas)! That Girl would ultimately run for five seasons on ABC, Star Trek would last for three seasons on NBC; Tarzan for two seasons on NBC, while both Green Hornet and The Time Tunnel hung around for only one season.
West Rome trampled over Chattanooga, racking up a 26-0 win on Friday night, September 9th, led by the outstanding running of Roger Weaver, who gained 204 yards in 18 carries, including one 59-yard touchdown run; Weaver also set up another touchdown with a 46-yard run. “Roger did a great job, ran exactly the way a coach likes to see his boys run,” Coach Paul Kennedy said. “He had great second effort on a couple of runs, especially on the touchdown. Why, he was hit at the line of scrimmage, but came roaring back and the result was six points!”
Congress approved Rome’s proposed new federal building this week in 1966; the new 89,000 squad foot facility, a combination post office and federal building, was estimated at $3 million. Once constructed, all federal offices and the post office would move out of its location 4th Avenue/East First Street location (a block of Broad Street), where federal offices had been located since its construction in 1896.
At their September 6th meeting, the Rome City Commission received its first bids for a Rome cable TV system. Several local companies, led by Rome Antenna, attended the meeting to protest the plan, saying it put the city in direct competition with private enterprises that specialized in antenna sales, manufacturing, and installation, but the City Commission refused to respond to those concerns.
Piggly Wiggly had Maxwell House Coffee for 59¢ a pound, Blue Plate mayonnaise for 59¢ a quart, and ground beef for 49¢ a pound. Kroger had smoke picnic ham for 39¢ a pound, eggs for 45¢ a dozen, and Country Club ice cream for 47¢ a half-gallon. A&P had chuck roast for 39¢ a pound, seedless grapes for 19¢ a pound, and iceberg lettuce for a quarter a head. Big Apple had pork steak for 69¢ a pound, a two-pound jar of Lenox Park peanut butter for 79¢, and a two-pound package of the brand-new Blue Bonnet margarine (Their jingle is indelibly burned into my brain: “Everything’s better with Blue Bonnet on it…”) for 49¢. Couch’s had fresh whole fryers for 29¢ a pound, Bama apple jelly for 19¢ a jar (and the jar could be used as a drinking glass after you had eaten all the jelly!), and Double Cola for 69¢ a case (plus deposit).
The Supremes held on to the number one slot this week in 1966 with “You Can’t Hurry Love.” Other top ten hits included “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles (#2); “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan (#3); “See You in September” by the Happenings (#4); “Summer in the City” by the Lovin’ Spoonful (#5); “Land of 1000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett (#6); “Sunny” by Bobby Hebb (#7); “Workin in the Coal Mine” by Lee Dorsey (#8); “Bus Stop” by the Hollies (#9); and “Guantanamera” by the Sandpipers (#10).
TV viewers boldly went where no viewer had gone before when Star Trek debuted on September 8th, 1966; other debuts for the week included That Girl (9/8/66), Tarzan (9/8/66), The Green Hornet (9/9/66), and The Time Tunnel (9/9/66). That’s quite a week for fans of superheroes and science fiction (and Marlo Thomas)! That Girl would ultimately run for five seasons on ABC, Star Trek would last for three seasons on NBC; Tarzan for two seasons on NBC, while both Green Hornet and The Time Tunnel hung around for only one season.
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