Apalachin Community Press, October 1999
25 Years Ago - October 1974

It's October 1974. Only 70% of the estimated 11,000 eligible military deserters have surrendered under President Ford's amnesty program.

Former President Nixon leaves the hospital after an 11-day stay for phlebitis in his left leg and a blood clot in his lung.

President Ford enlists the nation's help to "Whip Inflation Now" (WIN). WIN buttons are distributed.

First Lady Betty Ford returns to the White House after two weeks in the hospital for cancer surgery.

Ed Sullivan, host of a TV variety show for 23 years, dies at the age of 72.

Mexico announces the discovery of huge oil reserves.

The Oakland A's win the World Series.

President Ford testifies before the House Judiciary subcommittee on Criminal Justice. He denies that he made a deal to pardon Richard Nixon in exchange for his resignation.

Richard Burton, 49, announces plans to marry Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia.

Nixon is admitted to the hospital for surgery for phlebitis. He is in critical condition.

Three major tobacco companies announce price increases which will mean an extra five cents per pack for consumers.

In Africa, a team lead by Dr. Karl Johanson and Dr. Maurice Taieb discover the partial skeleton of an early hominid believed to be 1.5 million years older than the remains discovered by the Leakeys. The discovery is nicknamed "Lucy" after the Beatles' song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

Ralph Nader's consumer group demands that the government ban the most widely used food coloring, Red No. 2, because it is a potential carcinogen.

Snow falls in Broome and Tioga Counties on October 2 and 3, temperatures sink into the low 30s, and flocks of Canadian geese fly south.

The new Vestal Library is formerly dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The library has been open in its new location - the former Loblaw's grocery store - for a month. Formerly located at 516 Front Street, the library has about 30,000 volumes and is open seven days a week (9am - 9pm on weekdays, 9am-5pm on Saturdays, and 2-8pm on Sundays).

The price of sugar and cocoa is skyrocketing. Local restaurants are removing sugar from their tables and serving it only on request because customers are taking too many sugar packets! Candy bars get smaller and more expensive. Last year's 1.26 ounce 10¢ bar is now 1.2 ounces and costs 15¢.

Rising sugar costs also cause the end of an era - we say good-bye to "penny candy." Sweets such as lollipops, fireballs, and bubble gum are now 2¢ each. Licorice sticks are now three for five cents.

Broome County planning commissioner Joseph Missavage says that the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City could replace Binghamton as a regional shopping center.

The annual Halloween Parade is held in Owego.

Pranksters smash windows, spatter eggs on houses, smash pumpkins, and trim trees with toilet paper.

On Tuesdays, we're watching Good Times, Adam 12, Happy Days, M*A*S*H, Hawaii Five-O, Police Story, Barnaby Jones, and Marcus Welby, M.D. But on the last Monday in October, we're all watching Rhoda get married to Joe.

Movies playing at local theaters include Gone with the Wind; What's Up, Doc? with Barbra Streisand; The Longest Yard starring Burt Reynolds; The Odessa File, Disney's Castaway Cowboy; 11 Harrow House; Animal Crackers with the Marx Brothers; and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Top tunes include I Honestly Love You by Olivia Newton John, Nothing from Nothing by Billy Preston, Then Came You by Dionne Warwick and the Spinners, and Jazzman by Carole King.

And at the Hi Way Fruit Market on the Vestal Parkway MacIntosh apples are six pounds for $1.00 and a gallon of New York State sweet cider is $1.19 in their jug.

Happy Halloween!