25 YEARS AGO
by Beverly A. Brown

It's June 1973.

In Athens, the cabinet abolishes the Greek monarchy.

Secretariat wins the Triple Crown.

ABC, CBS, and NBC agree to broadcast the Watergate hearings on a rotational basis with PBS replaying the broadcast each evening.

John Dean tells Watergate investigators that Nixon was involved in the cover-up.

The June issue of Field and Stream magazine features a centerfold of Phyllis Diller wearing a rhinestone choker, knee-length gold boots, and waterproof waders. Playgirl features a nude centerfold of "Days of Our Lives" star Ryan MacDonald.

Nixon orders a 60-day freeze on all retail prices.

New York Governor Rockefeller proposes that all states reduce the speed limit to 55 mph this summer to conserve gas during the energy crisis.

The Supreme Court upholds a Pittsburgh ordinance barring male/female categorization of want ads.

Skylab astronauts splash down after a record 28 days in space.

Irish President Eamon De Valera, 90, retires after a 57-year career.

During a visit to the US, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev declares the cold war is over.

As Brezhnev is leaving the Western White House in California, he spots actor Chuck Connors and rushes over to give him a bear hug. Connors lifts Brezhnev off the ground, then gives him a cowboy hat and two Colt .45 six-shooters.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is one of the first events at the newly opened Broome County Veteran's Memorial Arena. Tickets cost $4, $5, and $6.

Broome County Legislature approves plans for a $1.5 million Health Science Building at BCC.

A freak thunderstorm in Tioga County knocks out electricity in the Village of Owego and drops hail the size of popcorn in Waverly.

The third annual tour of Owego's historic homes is sponsored by the Owego chapter of the Business and Professional Women.

At BCC's 25th commencement ceremony, a record 877 students receive degrees in the Broome County Arena.

Kelly Klees is crowned Little Miss Apalachin at the annual Apalachin Firemen's Field Days.

The Tri-Cities Soaring Society sponsors a two-day glider contest at the Tri-Cities Airport in Endicott.

The Owego-Nichols Jaycees sponsors the Owego-to-Nichols Raft Race. The five-mile race starts at the Hickories and features homemade rafts.

Shell Oil Company halts drilling in the Town of Barton when no natural gas deposits are found.

Chicago performs at the Broome County Arena for a sell-out crowd of approximately 6,900.

Owego Town Board member George Penney suggests that Owego is ignoring its best potential as a tourist attraction - the "largest collection of classic revival period homes in the country."

The 76th and final class graduates from the nursing school at the Binghamton State Hospital.

Repairs to the bridge over the Erie-Lackawanna tracks on Route 17C near IBM are causing traffic to back up.

The Town of Owego abolishes the 50 vehicle entrance fee to Hickories Park.

At Owego Free Academy, the 100th commencement ceremony is held for the largest class ever - 289 students. The class of 1973 starts a new tradition by planting a tree in front of the new OFA.

Rev. Leo ('Mat') Matuszewski, pastor of St. Patrick's in Owego, is transferring to Ontario, New York. His two brothers, who are also priests, are surprise guests at a reception to honor Father Mat.

The Tioga County Deputy Sheriff's Association sponsors the Miller-Johnson Trained Animal Circus at Shangri-La Speedway in Owego.

Movies playing in local theaters include "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds," "Camelot," "Sounder," "Jeremiah Johnson" starring Robert Redford, "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" with Warren Beatty, and "Live and Let Die."

Sunday night TV shows include "60 Minutes," "The FBI," "NBC Mystery Movie," "Mannix," and "Barnaby Jones."

Top tunes in the Tier include Give Me Love Give Me Peace on Earth by George Harrison, Kodachrome by Paul Simon, Daniel by Elton John, and Playground in My Mind by Clint Holmes.

And a passport costs $10, plus a $2 processing fee if obtained at a county center or the post office.