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).






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