Fifty Years Ago This Week in West Rome - 6/26/1967 to 7/2/21967

West Rome residents living on and near Watson Street picketed Minge Inc. to protest the presence of a Minge-owned concrete mixing plant adjacent to their homes. The residents asserted that a concrete mixing plant should qualify as heavy industrial, while the area where the plant was located was only zoned for light industrial. Part of the problem was that any suit had to work its way through the legal system in Rome, and one of the owners of Minge Inc. was none other than Judge Jerry L. Minge, who had very unflattering things to say about the residents and their protests. He stressed that he was speaking only as a company owner and not as a judge… but oddly enough, he had no trouble finding judges who were willing to help him work the legal system against the homeowners. The case was supposed to be heard in the May term of the court, but for unknown reasons, that case number was never brought up (gee, I wonder how that happened?). Homeowner W.C. Patterson submitted photos showing piles of gravel within seven feet of a Watson Street home, explaining that the continual noise and dust was destroying the quality of life for the Watson Street residents and negatively impacting property values. Patterson said that the Rome City Commission and the courts “have given us the runaround—they’ve put off everything." 

Summer school students were complaining about the heat in their summer school classes at East Rome High School. “It’s hard to focus when it’s so hot,” one unnamed student said. Of course, we all knew exactly what they were talking about, since neither West Rome nor East Rome High School was air conditioned; the only cooling came from the banks of windows that could be tilted open,but that did little good during summer heat or humidity. Needless to say, the complaints seemed to have generated little sympathy in the community… (I remember being very pleased when I found that one of my classes was held in one of West Rome’s trailers—because the trailers had air conditioning!)

Work on the second phase of the East Rome Interchange, which would extend the interchange connector from East Rome to US 27 at Walker Mountain Road, got underway this week in 1967, with road grading and other construction scheduled from June ’67 to the spring of 1968. Eventual plans called for four-laning with a median all the way to Cedartown (but anyone who drives that area now knows that eventual plans never came to pass—while some widening has been done, the four-lane-with-median plan was abandoned).

Piggly Wiggly had lamb shoulder for 29¢ a pound, JFG mayonnaise for 39¢ a quart, and Shurfine peanut butter for 33¢ a jar. Kroger had Swiss steak for 69¢ a pound, Country Oven potato chips for 39¢ a bag, and whole watermelons for 47¢ each. Big Apple had spare ribs for 47¢ a pound, cantaloupes for 49¢ each, and Chase & Sanborn coffee for 59¢ a pound. A&P had ground beef for 39¢ a pound, Marvel ice milk for 39¢ a half-gallon, and large grapes for 39¢ a pound. Couch’s had chicken breast for 45¢ a pound, okra for 19¢ a pound, and large eggs for 35¢ a dozen.

The cinematic week began with Double Trouble (starring Elvis Presley) at the DeSoto Theatre, A Man for All Seasons (starring Paul Scofield) at the First Avenue, and Caper of the Golden Bull (starring Steven Boyd & Yvette Mimieux) at the West Rome Drive-In. The midweek switchout brought the new James Bond film You Only Live Twice (starring Sean Connery) to the DeSoto Theatre, Hawaii (starring Julie Andrews and Max Von Sydow) to the First Avenue, and A Fistful of Dollars (starring Clint Eastwood) at the West Rome Drive-In.

The Association took number one this week in 1967 with “Windy.” Other top ten hits included “Groovin’” by the Young Rascals (#2); “Little Bit O’ Soul” by the Music Explosion (#3); "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” by Scott McKenzie (#4); “She’d Rather Be With Me” by the Turtles (#5); “Respect” by Aretha Franklin (#6); “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli (#7); “Let’s Live For Today” by the Grass Roots (#8); “Come on Down to My Boat” by Every Mother’s Son (#9); and “Don’t Sleep in the Subway” by Petula Clark (#10).

This week in 1967, Leonard Nimoy made his first venture into the field of recorded music with Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock’s Music From Outer Space. The album combines Nimoy’s Spock-like narrations with sound effects and music. The album, which includes such tracks as “Music to Watch Space Girls By,” “Twinkle Twinkle Little Earth,” “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” and “A Visit to a Sad Planet,” actually climbed to 83 on the Billboard album charts.

 Daredevil was one of the Silver Age Marvel heroes to earn his own annual, but at long last Daredevil Annual #1 was released this week in 1967. The lead story forced Daredevil to confront Electro and his Emissaries of Evil (think of them as Daredevil’s five-man version of Spidey’s Sinister Six—the Emissaries consisted of Electro, Stilt-Man, the Matador, the Gladiator, and Leap-Frog) in a story written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Gene Colan.

Fifty Years Ago This Week in West Rome - 6/19/1967 to 6/25/1967

Construction began on a $50 million expansion at Plant Hammond this week in 1967; Georgia Power intended to add a fourth generating unit to the plant; the new unit would give Plant Hammond an 8000,000 kilowatt generating capacity, making it the second-largest generating station in Georgia. Plans called for at least 300 new jobs to be added once the construction was completed, while the construction itself added brought in almost 400 jobs.

And speaking of construction, the first girders and concrete blocks began going up at Gala Shopping Center this week in 1967. The builders hoped to finish the shopping center (which was right across Redmond Circle from West Rome High School) in time for the Christmas 1967 shopping season, but they warned that any significant weather delays could push the opening into 1968.

Seventh District Congressman John Davis unveiled plans to extend the Blue Ridge Parkway from Blue Ridge all the way south to the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park, offering easy access to the north Georgia mountains. As we now know, the plan didn’t develop quite the way John Davis foresaw it, but it was pretty close geographically speaking: the proposed extension eventually became the Zell Miller Parkway and I-575, which terminates within a few miles of Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park.

Funny how history repeats itself: fifty years ago this week, Kroger advertised that they were slashing prices on thousands of items, offering lower-across-the-board prices, and re-establishing themselves as a low-price leader in Rome’s grocery market. “Watch Kroger for the most revolutionary food news in Rome history,” they advertised. Alas, the price changes were a bit less impressive than the advertising implied: while Kroger insisted that they lowered prices on 2149 items, most price drops were a nickel an item or less. 

Piggly Wiggly had sirloin steak for 89¢ a pound, potatoes for 12¢ a pound, and Pepsi Cola for 99¢ a case plus deposit. Big Apple had rump roast for 79¢ a pound, Campbell’s chicken noodle soup for 19¢ a can, and grapes for 19¢ a pound. A&P had fresh whole fryers for 25¢ a pound, Maxwell house coffee for 69¢ a can, and lettuce for a dime a head. Kroger had ground beef for 39¢ a pound, tomatoes for a quarter a pint, and Luzianne coffee for 49¢ a pound. Couch’s had pork chops for 49¢ a pound, okra for 19¢ a pound, and Blue Plate peach preserves for 35¢ a jar. 

The cinematic week began with The Absent-Minded Professor and The Shaggy Dog (both starring Fred MacMurray) at the DeSoto Theatre, A Man for All Seasons (starring Paul Scofield) at the First Avenue, and Devil’s Angels (starring John Cassavettes) at the West Rome Drive-In. The midweek switchout brought Double Trouble (starring Elvis Presley) to the DeSoto and The Countess From Hong Kong (starring Marlon Brando) to the West Rome Drive-In, while A Man For All Seasons refused to release ites grip on tdhe First Avenue Theatre.

The Young Rascals took number one this week in 1967 with their laid-back “Groovin’.” Other top ten hits included “Respect” by Aretha Franklin (#2); “She’d Rather Be with Me” by the Turtles (#3); “Windy” by The Association (#4); “Little Bit O’ Soul” by the Music Explosion (#5); “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers In Your Hair)” by Scott McKenzie (#6); “Somebody to Love” by Jefferson Airplane (#7); “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” by Frankie Valli (#8); “Sunday Will Never Be the Same” by Spanky & Our Gang (#9); and “Let’s Live For Today” by the Grass Roots (#10).

Less than a month after the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the Beatles performed their newest song, “All You Need Is Love,” for the worldwide broadcast of the Our World television special on June 25, 1967. If you ever get a chance to watch the film of the event, keep a lookout for the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and the Who mixed in among the backing singers.

Fifty Years Ago This Week in West Rome - 6/12/1967 to 6/18/1967

The Rome Board of Education approved a change in the marriage policy for high school students. For several years, the rule had required that a high school student receive permission from his or her principal to marry 30 days prior to the wedding date, or else the student would e forced to withdraw from school. The board voted to waive that rule in the case of a high school student whose fiance was being sent to Vietnam as a part of military service. (Today, it’s hard to imagine anyone even considering a policy that would require a  student get permission from his or her principal in order to get married.)

Three teenagers were apprehended after a crime spree that includes burglaries at several Rome grocery stores, convenience stores, churches, and schools, including both East and West Rome High School. The thieves had stolen cash, merchandise, tape recorders, record players, and other electronic items; some of the stolen merchandise was recovered in Rome, while some of it was recovered in Atlanta, where the teens had transported the merchandise in order to sell it.

Rome’s crime spree wasn’t over, though: at 4am on Tuesday, June 13th, a 15 year old boy was apprehended after breaking into Skelton’s Motorcycle Shop on Shorter Avenue, where he stole a motorcycle, a helmet, a jacket, and a shirt (apparently he wanted to be fashionable while riding). They also found wallets in his possession that belonged to West Rome residents whose cars had been broken into earlier that evening.

Piggly Wiggly had sirloin steak for 89¢ a pound, okra for 29¢ a pound, and Luzianne coffee for 69¢ a pound. Big Apple had whole fryers  for 25¢ a pound, Bama apple jelly for 25¢ a jar, and Armour pork & beans for a dime a can. Kroger had T-bone steak for 99¢ a pound, White Lily Flour for 49¢ for a five-pound bag, and angel food cakes for 49¢ each. A&P had pork chops for 59¢ a pound, Double Cola for 89¢ a case plus deposit, and cabbage for a nickel a pound.  Couch’s had pork steak for 59¢ a pound, Georgia peaches for 15¢ a pound, and the ever-popular pork brains (beloved by pig zombies everywhere) for a quarter a pound.

The cinematic week began with War Wagon (starring John Wayne & Kirk Douglas) at the DeSoto Theatre and the West Rome Drive-In, and A Man for All Seasons (with Paul Scofield) at the First Avenue Theatre. The midweek switchout brought a double feature of The Absent Minded Professor and The Shaggy Dog (both starring Fred MacMurray) to the DeSoto Theatre and Devil’s Angels (starring John Cassavettes)  to the West Rome Drive-In, while A Man For All Seasons seemed destined to spend at least one full season at the First Avenue Theatre.

The Young Rascals took number one this week in 1967 with “Groovin’.” Other top ten hits included “Respect” by Aretha Franklin (#2); "She’d Rather Be With Me” by the Turtles (#3); “Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)” by Engelbert Humperdinck (#4); “Somebody to Love” by the Jefferson Airplane (#5); “Little Bit o’ Soul” by the Music Explosion (#6); “Windy” by the Association (#7); “All I Need” by the Temptations (#8); “I Got Rhythm” by the Happenings (#9); and “Mirage” by Tommy James & the Shondells (#10). 

Once again, the Monkees had two albums in the Top Ten Charts this week in 1967 (More of the Monkees at #4 and Headquarters at #6). This meant that the Monkees had two albums charting higher than Paul Revere & the Raiders’ Greatest Hits (#9) and Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits (#10). People forget just what a pop powerhouse the Monkees were in their first two years!

This was the week of the Monterey Pop Festival, which featured The Who, Simon & Garfunkel, Eric Burdon & the Animals, The Byrds, the Association, Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother & The Holding Company with Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, Booker T & The MGs, and Ravi Shankar—but it was Jimi Hendrix who became a rock star as a result of the Festival. It was here that he did his legendary bit of setting his guitar on fire, which made him a shock-rock sensation (yes, this was what passed for shock-rock in 1967!).

Fifty Years Ago This Week in West Rome - 6/5/1967 to 6/11/1967

Two fifteen-year-old juveniles were arrested and charged with larceny after they broke into newspaper racks at the Johnny Reb Food Store on Shorter Avenue. The youths successfully made off with a total of $9.20 in cash. Based on statements made by one of the boys, the police were also looking at them as likely culprits in recent break-ins of vending machines at East Rome High School, which netted the criminal masterminds an addition $6.20. Seems like a lot of work and risk for fifteen bucks, doesn't it?...

Much like May of 2017, May of 1967 was a cool, rainy month—and as a result, Floyd County’s cotton crop was hard hit. More than 500 acres of cotton had to be plowed under because of weather damage, reducing the  Rome area’s cotton production by almost a third. (And back in 1967, when Floyd County and northwest Georgia had a number of textile mills who relied on that cotton crop, that was a big financial hit for the area.)

Those students who spent too little time focusing on their schoolwork had a chance to atone for their scholastic sins: registration for summer school took place on Friday, June 9th, from 8am to noon at East Rome High School, with classes starting on Monday, June 12th. Summer school students were required to pay $50 per unit for high school courses (junior high courses were only $25 per unit--which seems only fair, since junior students only pay half as much attention as high school students).

Piggly Wiggly had chicken breasts for 28¢  a pound, watermelons for 99¢ each, and Sealtest ice cream for 59¢ a half-gallon. Big Apple had round steak for 79¢ a pound, Southern Maid barbecue sauce for 29¢ a bottle, and Blue Bonnet margarine for 29¢ a pound. Kroger had smoked ham for 39¢ a pound, strawberries for 33¢ a pint, and five pounds Dixie Crystals sugar for 59¢. A&P had sirloin steak for 89¢ a pound, Campbell’s chicken noodle soup for 15¢ a can, and cantaloupes for 35¢ each.Couch’s had stew beef for 33¢ a pound, butter beans for 15¢ a pound, and Showboat pork and beans for a dime a can.

The cinematic week began with Eight on the Lam (starring Bob Hope & Phyllis Diller) at the DeSoto Theatre and the West Rome Drive-In, and A Man for All Seasons (starring Paul Scofield) at the First Avenue. The midweek switchout brought The War Wagon (starring John Wayne & Kirk Douglas) to the DeSoto Theatre and the West Rome Drive-In, while A Man For All Seasons stayed around for another week at the First Avenue.

Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” took first place yet again this week in 1967. Other top hits included “Groovin’” by the Young Rascals (#2); “I Got Rhythm” by the Happenings (#3); “Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)” by Englebert Humperdinck (#4); “Him Or Me—What’s It Gonna Be?” by Paul Revere & the Raiders (#5); “Somebody to Love” by Jefferson Airplane (#6); “She’d Rather Be With Me” by the Turtles (#7); “Little Bit O’ Soul” by the Music Explosion (#8); “All I Need” by the Temptations (#9); and “Creeque Alley” by The Mamas & The Papas (#10). 

The first pop festival was held at Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, California, this week in 1967, beating the more famous Monteray Pop Festival by a week. Performers included The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, Country Joe & the Fish, Canned Heat, and more.

Back in the 1960s, TV had usually reverted to reruns by June—but CBS went against the trend and aired a brand-new Peanuts special on June 10th. You’re In Love, Charlie Brown had a spring theme—so while a June airing seemed a little bit late, it was still spring according to the calendar, so there you go….

Spider-Man met the X-Men in X-Men #35, on sale this week in 1967. Marvel knew which character was going to sell the book, too: while it was the X-Men’s book, Spider-Man is more prominently featured on the front cover, and is positioned just below the logo, where part of his costume would still be visible on spinner racks and waterfall racks that were so common in grocery stores and drugstores in the 1960s.