25 Years Ago by Beverly Brown

It's August 1973.

President Nixon accepts full responsibility for Watergate abuses because they occurred under his administration.

Many consider California Governor Ronald Reagan a strong contender for the Republican nomination in 1976.

Vice-President Spiro Agnew is under investigation for taking kickbacks from contractors. Agnew says the charges are lies.

James Bonner, a biologist with the California Institute of Technology, predicts that within two or three generations babies will be conceived in test tubes on a mass scale. He also predicts genetic selection and engineering, cloning of farm animals, and committees formed to select human genotypes to perpetuate.

The Kremlin refuses to allow "Sesame Street" to air in the Soviet Union.

Jack Nicklaus wins his 3rd PGA title.

The U.S. ends the bombing of Cambodia.

Because of the national energy crisis and rising fuel costs, the governments asks auto makers to tell buyers of 1974 cars how many miles to expect from a gallon of gas.

Secretary of State William P. Rogers resigns. Nixon plans to nominate Henry Kissinger to the position.

In London, doctors use the first CAT scan.

A massive earthquake hits Mexico.

A tornado with winds of 500-600 mph hits West Stockbridge Massachusetts.

John Ford, director of movies such as "The Quiet Man" and "Stagecoach," dies in California.

New York Telephone Company's office in Binghamton hires two male operators - the first regular male operators.

A fire at the F. R. Stair Company lumber yard in the Village of Owego destroys the sawmill and two trucks.

The beef shortage causes some groceries to ration beef.

Tioga County farmers say that 1973 is the best year they can remember.

The Tioga County Legislature unanimously votes to let the Owego Scamps gymnastics club use the gym in the basement of the former Owego Junior High School. The club hopes to build a new building.

By 1990, Tioga County is expected to grow 40%, and have 67,250 people.

Contractors repairing the Court Street Bridge ask for a one-month extension for completion.

The Tioga County Fair gets off to a rainy start. Featured events of the fair include the Demolition Derby, Hell Drivers Thrill Show, and the Blue Ridge Quartet. Admission is $1.50.

The Tioga County Legislature is reluctant to spend money for a four-color tourist brochure. One legislator says, "It doesn't seem to me that tourism is Tioga County's wave of the future."

A 9.8 mile stretch of Route 17 opens between Nichols and Waverly, completing over 250 miles of four-lane highway between Orange and Stueben Counties.

The Broome County Veteran's Memorial Arena is officially dedicated. It is billed as one of the best recreational facilities in the nation. Its builder, Edward J. Nezelek, states, "The Arena is a building which will be useful for the next 40 or 50 years, the same as any other building."

Broome County considers raising their sales tax to 7%.

Ten thousand people attend the 2nd Annual Airport Day at the Tri-Cities Airport which features the Red Devils Precision Aerobatic Team, glider demos, and radio-controlled model airplanes.

Movies playing in local theaters include "The Neptune Factor," "The Sound of Music," "Battle for the Planet of the Apes," and "Romeo and Juliet."

Tuesday TV shows include "Maude," "Temperature's Rising," "Hawaii Five-O," and "Marcus Welby, M.D."

Shows on Broadway include "A Little Night Music," "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope," "Grease," "Irene" starring Debbie Reynolds, and "Pippen" with Ben Vereen.

"Back-to-School" shoes feature platform soles, chunky heels, and bump toes. Ads for the shoes claim that they are "a great show with cuffed pants."