56 Years Ago

* And So They Say: Postmaster Pat Reed: “I guess springs is here. The first baby chicks of the season arrived at the post office this Tuesday.” Dennis Reynolds: “I was already to begin featuring my spring merchandise when the snow made boots more seasonable.” Mary Jo Robinson: “I never saw anything prettier than this snow. We just drove around Sunday looking at it.” Carl Orr: “Now maybe we’ll see some wheat this year.”

* George Ostmeyer, Rooks County Free Fair Secretary, was happy to announce he had signed whom he considered the best show ever to be brought to the Fair—Hank Williams Jr.

* The basketball game on Saturday night, which the Stockton women’s team played with Palco, ended midway through the game due to injuries and illness suffered by the Stockton girls. The worst injured was Linda Lowry, whose kneecap went out of place, and when she fell, she injured her arm. Marilyn Freemeyer’s kneecap was also dislocated, and Mary Becker was coming down with the flu and found herself unable to play.

* The “million dollar” snow the area received two weeks ago had not entirely disappeared when it began to rain, drizzle, and snow the last part of the week. The mixture continued for most of the two days, but since it was barely freezing, the results were a heavy accumulation of pure slush and a moisture content of .40 of an inch.

* Five-year-old Rodney Smith of Palco was in the Hadley Hospital, where he was suffering from a head injury described as highly critical. The accident involved a car driven by his mother, Mrs. Shirley Smith, and a Union Pacific train. It occurred on Wednesday before within the City of Palco at the crossing only about two blocks from the victim’s home. The car was struck broadside on the right and was thrown across the roadway. The victims remained in the car, although it was totally demolished. Residents of Palco reported they heard the train whistle as it approached the crossing, and the engineer said he tried to stop the train when he saw the car drive on the track, but it was too close to it, although the train was traveling at a low speed. Mrs. Smith was treated for cuts and bruises at the Plainville hospital and released later that day to be taken to Hadley since she was suffering from shock. Mrs. Smith was released on Saturday, but little Rodney had not regained consciousness at last reports.

* A break-in had occurred over the weekend at Mosher’s Hardware and Appliance Store in Plainville. Officers stated that the entrance was made by the breaking out of the glass in a side door. According to Sheriff Elmer Odle, the only items taken were a number of guns and boxes of shells.

* From The Feminine Slant By The Office Cat: Something that is really badly needed is a recipe for something every family member will not only eat—but enjoy.

* Looking Backward Fourteen Years Ago: Seniors Gary Poore, Carol Cooper, Mike Ellsworth, Janice Wanamaker, Norman Marshall, Eric Griffin, Judy Peebles, Ilene Davey, Glenna Snyder, Duane Miller, Carol Kellogg, Bonnie Turnbull, Mary Margaret Scribner, Bob Mason, and Allen Roy made up the cast for the pleasing comedy “Daddy Says No.”

* On sale at Slansky IGA were two pounds of Velveeta cheese spread for 98¢, 20 navel oranges for $1.00, ten beef, chicken, or turkey TV potpies for $1.00, and a three-pound can of Crisco with a $5.00 purchase for 69¢.

* Mr. and Mrs. Warren K. Chesney announced the engagement of their daughter, Judy Ann, to Stephen Virgil Blecha. A fall wedding was planned.

* Showing at the Nova Theatre was “The Party,” starring Peter Sellers and Claudine Longet.