REMEMBER WHEN?

50 Years Ago

Dec. 25-29, 1970

The La Grange Leopard reserves salvaged half of a twin bill at Somerville Tuesday night by winning a close 56-54 decision. The regulars, however, dropped a 73-60 contest to the Yegua varsity. The Lep Bees, leading throughout, held a 13-point margin at the end of three heats with a score of 46-33. The Yeguas came to within a point with two seconds to go. With the score 55-54 favoring La Grange, Buddy Grobe dropped in a free throw. Somerville missed on a long shot in the final two ticks of the clock. Clarence Svoboda scored 23-points to pace the Lep reserves. He got an 11-point assist from Kenneth Ripper and 10 more from Charles Mayer.

A blessed Christmas for all their readers was the wish of the publishers and staff of The Record: Mr. and Mrs. Bonner McMillion, Frank J. Hanacek, Mrs. Lloyd Loehr, Fred Karcher, Miss Lanice Oeltjen, Miss Alice Keilers, Chas. W. Priebe, Miss Diane Kovar, Mrs. John L. Sulak and James Roy Wessels.

Indoor decorations at the Wayne Franklin home and an outdoor scene created by young Lyman Smith won first place in the La Grange Christmas Home Lighting Contest. The Franklin home on S. Franklin St. featured animated toys and a table laden with snacks for Santa. Young Smith, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Smith, had set up a “spent Santa,” who was resting in a lawn swing surrounded by gifts.

It was a happy Christmas for the John B. Janda family of La Grange. Their son, Sp/4 Andrew Janda, had arrived home Sunday after nearly 11 months of service in Vietnam. The young soldier, who was drafted on Sept. 2, 1969, and went overseas on Jan. 31 of 1970, had been stationed in the Da Nang area with a military police unit. After his furlough, Janda was to report to Fort Hood, Texas.

The Record and La Grange received their annual Christmas greetings from across the sea. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie T. Henson and Mr. Henson’s mother, Mrs. Alice Mattock, extended good wishes to all their dear friends in and around La Grange. After residing here for a number of years after World War II, they had returned to their homeland about a decade ago. Mr. Henson was employed as a commercial artist for a large motion picture studio in London.

On Christmas Day, the Triumphs were playing at the New Bielau Hall. The admission charge was $2. At the Carmine Hall, George Chambers and the Country Gentlemen were providing the music on December 26 and, on New Year’s Eve, Billy Morgan and the Plow Boys were playing. Admission for each Carmine dance was $1.50.

Carmine businesses sending best wishes for Christmas to their customers were: A.H. Ullrich, Peters Feed Store, Charlie & Max Egg Co., Renck’s Grocery, Texas Garage, Carmine Radio & TV Service, City Garage, Kuhn’s Flower Shop, Weber’s Cafe, Neese Pharmacy, Melvin Wickel, Albers Butane Service, Inc., B.C. Neutzler, Weinert Service Station & Garage, Afflerbach’s Grocery and Feed, The Village Cafe, Carmine Farm & Home Store, Jacob’s Store, Ullrich’s Drive-In and Herbert Kiel’s “Y” Service Station.

The La Grange Chamber of Commerce announced the policy for returning or exchanging Christmas merchandise at local businesses. Gifts could be exchanged for equivalent merchandise, due bills or gift certificates. However, no cash refunds would be made or credits given to charge accounts. The deadline for returning Christmas merchandise was Saturday, Jan. 9, 1971.

A funeral service was held for Mrs. Rosalie (Rosie) Hrachovy, 84, of Hostyn.

Ledbetter’s volunteer firefighters filled up seven trucks of trash before proceeding to the new dumping grounds to deposit their loads in the new pit disposal facility. This large trench, dug by Norris Fuchs and fenced by Merle Sternadel and several helpers, was an old gravel pit donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ben S. Braun. L.E. Lehmann and Mrs. Marvin Matejowsky won a contest sponsored by the firefighters to see who could bring in the oldest piece of junk. Their $5prize was for barbed wire that resembled pieces of tin with barbs that may have dated back to the Civil War.

Navy Seaman Apprentice Frank D. Harrell II, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Harrell of La Grange, graduated from basic training at the Recruit Training Command, Orlando, Florida. He was to report to Shipfitter Class “A” School in San Diego.

The Windsor Theatre on Richmond Avenue in Houston was advertising “Song of Norway,” a movie that was said to pick up where “The Sound of Music” left off. Reserved seat tickets were on sale at the box office or by mail at prices ranging from $2.50 or $3 for evening and matinee shows, and $1.50 for children.

For more great stories, visit Elaine online at www.elainethomaswriter.com/blog/ or call her at 979-263-5031.