A Look Back

Dec. 30, 1960-One traffic fatality was reported during Christmas week. A Morgan City man was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The state Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate.
Dec. 30, 1960-MCHS beat Decatur 43-37 in a holiday tournament basketball game played in the loser’s gym tonight. The Red Raiders were previously undefeated.
Dec. 30, 2010-For holiday movie entertainment, the primary current attraction is “Butterfield 8” starring Elizabeth Taylor and showing at the Bowline Drive-in Theatre.
Dec. 30, 1960-The Auburn basketball Tigers are favorites to repeat as SEC champs. Coach Joel Eaves feels he has just as much talent as he did last year, and more experience. In a warm-up game played last night, the War Eagles beat Florence State 76-50.
Dec. 30, 1960-Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Shelton, Moulton 2, have named their son born yesterday at Hartselle Hospital Duncan Eric.
Dec. 31, 1960-In a year-end interview, Dr. Wernher von Braun, director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, where many Hartselle people work, says America may be able to put a man in orbit around the earth before 1961 is over. Possibly landing an unmanned Saturn rocket will land on the moon as well.
Dec. 31, 1960-The year just past was not a good one for Hartselle investors. The DJIA rose slightly on the last day of trading but closed at 615.89.
Jan. 1, 1961-Many Hartselle men were out hunting early this New Year’s morning. Hunting seasons for both ducks and squirrels closed at dusk today.
Jan. 2, 1961-Classes resumed at Hartselle schools today, marking the end of Christmas vacation. Attendance was reported to be about average, despite the fact that many pupils are suffering from flu and colds.
Jan. 3, 1961-State Highway Director Sam Englehardt said today that he will award a contract soon for that portion of I-65 that goes from Cullman to Lacon.
Jan. 3, 1961-In a historic development tonight, the U.S. broke diplomatic relations with Castro Cuba. President Eisenhower said “the limit has now been reached…to what the United States in self-respect can accept.”
Jan. 3, 1960-Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Powell entertained classmates at the annual reunion of 1935 Falkville High graduates at their home on East Falkville Pike.
Assisting Mr. and Mrs. Powell during the evening were Mrs. J. W. Alston and Mrs. E. L. Drinkard Jr. Other attendees included Mr. and Mrs. Fred Summerford, Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Bogue, Mr. and Mrs. David Hardwick, Mrs. Larkin Yates, Mr. and Mrs. Hance Sandlin, and Mr. and Mrs. W. C. O’Bar.
Jan. 4, 1961-In the TVC basketball tournament tonight being played in Florence, MCHS was defeated by Butler of Huntsville, 61-55.
Jan. 4, 1961-Hartselle chiropractor Dr. H. T. Sammons lectured at the regular meeting tonight of the Morgan County chapter of the Alabama Hypnosis Society in Decatur.
Jan. 4, 1961-The AEA, to which most Hartselle teachers belong, today called for “whatever action” is needed to increase the amount of money available for schools. AEA has 19,000 members. Education funds have now been prorated for five straight years. The AEA generally does not get involved in politics.
Jan. 5, 1961-Hartselle resident and prominent Decatur businessman Luther B. Roberts was installed as a member of the board of directors of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce at a banquet tonight at the Decatur Country Club.
Jan. 5, 1961-The Stephens chapter of the DAR met at the new home of Mrs. A. D. Sample on Milner Street.
Jan. 5, 1961-Elvis Presley is currently starring in “Flaming Star” at the Bowline. The new Elvis flick is being publicized as “the dramatic thunderbolt of the year.”