60 YEARS AGO - 1953

Two former local girls, M. Louise Decker and Martha Decker, now of Marietta, were among that 100,000 crowd of racing enthusiasts who attended the Kentucky Derby recently.

The M.Y.F. of the Stafford Methodist Church entertained the graduating class of Stafford High School with a dinner and activities. Seniors present were: Shirley Ball, Ruth Wells, Ruth Archer, Joy Knapp, Jessie Dilley, Bill Mallett, Harold Robbins, John Guiler and Bernard Hines.

Pictured in the Beacon this week is the spacious parking lot filled with cars at the new River Local High School when the cornerstone was laid May 3. The crowd was estimated at 1200.

Movies this week: “Girls in the Night”; “Red Snow”; The Blue Gardenia” and “Treasure of the Golden Condor”.

Gas and Oil news - Carl Martin et al have a 10 bbl. Injun producer at their George Rinard No. 3, near Rinard Mills. Paulus and Decker are drilling at 2,000 feet at their Lee McCammon No. 1, west of Woodsfield.

Notice to Theater Patrons - At last “High Noon”, one of the most talked about pictures of the year is being screened for you at my theater. I publicly want to recommend this picture to you. As you know Gary Cooper won the Academy Award for his performance. It will be shown May 17-19. Glenn Fliehman, Manager Monroe Theater.

Ray Christman, Charles Rousenberg and Ann Wartenberg are the honor students of this year’s graduating class at Woodsfield High School.

50 YEARS AGO - 1963

A delegation from the riverfront area was present at the meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners Monday to request the commissioners  pass a resolution to petition the Common Pleas Court for authority to establish the Ohio Lee Water and Sewer Authority.

The Brownsville Eighth Grade Commencement will be at Jolly Grange Hall May 22. Members of the graduating class are Stevie Janeda, Wilene Haught, Elliot Weber, Charles Cline, Eddie Hensel, Herman Edinger and Beverly Bever.

At the regular meeting Tuesday, the Monroe Local Board of Education enacted the transfer of grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 from the Lewisville building to the Wayne building, effective with the opening of the 1963-64 school year.

An interesting article entitled “I’m Tired of Being a Statistic” by former Jerusalem resident James Mann was published in a recent issue of The Ohio Farmer. The author ably describes rural living conditions in Monroe County.

Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Hall, Graysville, are announcing the engagement of their daughter Betty Ann to Willis G. Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cars Anderson, Graysville.

Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Straub, Sardis, are the parents of a son born May 9. The new arrival has been named Wayne Edward.

Load up the gang and head to the movies! Selections include Vincent Price in “The Pit and the Pendulum”; “Drums of Avalon” with Franking Avalon; “Fancy Pants” starring Lucille Ball and Bob Hope; “Narcotics Story”.

Ad - Free Chick Day at Monroe Feed, May 22. Bring boxes to put chicks in. 25-100 leghorn cockerels free with 25 to 100 pounds of starter.

40 YEARS AGO - 1973

Pictured on the front page this week are steeple jacks as they repair the tower and dome of the Monroe County Courthouse. Both the dome and tower wil lbe water-proofed, new pieces of copper will be placed over bad places on the dome and the tower will be tuck pointed.

School district voters during last week’s primary approved a vocational schol bond levy with 71 percent of the vote and operating levy for the vocational school with 67 percent of voters saying yes.

From “News of Yesteryear - Thirty Years Ago” (1943) - Old razor blades and keys are wanted for the scrap drive which is being conducted in Woodsfield and Monroe County as part of the intensive salvage collection campaign to provide war plants with materials vitally important in the manufacture of equipment for servicemen.

Notice - As I have had several pair of shoes repaired for several days, would you please come and pick them up. I am not responsible for shoes left over thirty days. Clyde DeLong, owner.

Featured flicks: Goldie Hawn in: “Butterflies are Free”; “Shootout” starring Gregory Peck; “Lady Sings the Blues” starring Diana Ross.

For rent - Apartment in Woodsfield. Six rooms, full basement, range and refrigerator. $110 per month.

Dual routing in the afternoon in some areas, combined with special routing in other areas will be implemented in the Switzerland of Ohio School District next school year in an effort to correct the long elementary school day in the district.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley J. Heft, of the Citizens National Bank of Woodsfield, attended the 82nd annual convention of the Ohio Bankers Association held in Toledo May 8-10.