THE WAY IT WAS - Half a Century Ago in Euclid

Editor's note: The following news, sports, and other items were

culled from the pages of a 1966 edition of the Euclid News-Journal-the

city's former weekly newspaper.

APRIL 1966 - The research section of the Illuminating Co. reports

that more multiple-dwelling units were constructed in Euclid in 1965 than in

any other community in Cuyahoga or Lake County. Some 1,114 multiple

units were added in 1965, an increase of 70% over the 1964 figure.

Meanwhile, construction of single-family units dropped from 92 to 76

compared with the prior year.

(As viewed in some comers of the community, the trend seemed

worrisome.)

                                                            ***

Teachers at Benjamin Franklin School, East 215 and Wilmore Ave.,

approved a switch to "gradeless" report cards. For nearly two years, Ben

Franklin students have been taking home "check marks" instead of A's, B's,

C's, and F's.

"We have eliminated the word 'failure' from our vocabulary," noted

Roland Steinmetz, the school's principal. "We've eliminated competition as

a motivating device - and a lot of good things are happening."

                                                            ***

An "expert" on flying saucers - James Lester Black -is the guest

speaker at a meeting of the Flying Saucer Searchers Club at the Northeast

YMCA on East 152nd St.

"I've never met a man from outer space," Black admitted, "but I've

talked to people who say they have. They say [the visitors] look much like

us ... For all we know, there might be one in the audience here tonight."

Black also commented on reports of airplanes being "kidnapped" by

space ships, never to be seen again. And he speculated that the aliens use

some type of force field to maneuver their ships. "There must be forces in

nature which they can control - and which we do not know enough about.

Evidently, they have teleportation and may be able to travel faster than light.

They can think themselves to a distant point."

                                                            ***

Holzheimer's IGA Market at 26588 Lake Shore Blvd. advertises

"free delivery" of phone orders of $10 or more. And it offers semi-boneless

ham for 67 cents a pound, fresh lean ground chuck for 59 cents a pound, and

kielbase sausage for 77 cents a pound... Meanwhile, Perkins Pancake House

on Shore Center Dr. offers "honey-dipped" fried chicken dinners for just one

dollar. The dinners include southern corn meal pancakes, coleslaw, bread,

and butter.

***

Kiwanis Club president William B. Partner announces that the

organization is planning to honor local servicemen who have completed a

tour of duty in the Vietnam War - as well as servicemen preparing to leave

for that Asiatic combat zone.

***

Just in time for Easter: Alvin's Jewelers at 690 East 185th St offers

17-jewel pendant watches with matching chains for just $12.95, as well as

14-karat gold crosses, set with a genuine diamond, for a mere $7.95.

***

Gearing up for baseball action, Euclid Panther pitching ace Mike

Corrigan is likely to enjoy a fine season, says Coach Bob Addis. "He's in

terrific shape. He has excellent control - and he's ready," the coach points

out.

Though not yet in the same class as the Indians' "Sudden" Sam

McDowell, Corrigan has a "sneaky" fastball, the veteran coach says. (The

story suggests that the Euclid hurler might become known as "Mysterious

Mike.")

On the track oval, sophomore distance runner Terry Rieder sets a new

team record in the two-mile run, clocking 10:23.6 - despite brutal weather

conditions -in a meet against the Collinwood thinclads.

                                                            ***

Over at St. Joseph High, a student council committee selects Mike

Verespej - a four-year honor student - as "Viking of the Week."

Previously named the top German language student, Verespej is active

in the Math Club and has served on the staffs of the school newspaper, the

"Norseman," and the yearbook. (In later years, he fashioned a lengthy

career in the business press, including a stint with Industry Week magazine

- a Cleveland-based publication.)

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Volume 8, Issue 7, Posted 11:11 AM, 07.07.2017