This week we take a look back at 1964, when U.S. President Lyndon Johnson signed the landmark Civil Rights Act into law, banning discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.
These were the top five songs topping the U.S. music charts:
1.“Rag Doll” – The 4 Seasons
2.“A Hard Day’s Night” – The Beatles
3.“II Get Around” – The Beach Boys
4.“Memphis” – Johnny Rivers
5.“The Girl From Ipanema” – Stan Getz
Sean Connery, A.K.A. James Bond in “Goldfinger,” requested his martini be “shaken, not stirred.”
Here is what was happening in our Valley, as stolen from the microfilm edition of The Evening Sentinel!
Tuesday, July 21, 1964
Hurricanes To Perform
ANSONIA – The Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps will participate in the state convention parade of the American Legion Saturday in Hartford. The Hurricanes will be defending their title against some of the top corps in the state.
Sergeant Healey’s Vacation Ends
ANSONIA – Sergeant Henry F. Healey, in charge of the police department on the midnight to 8 a.m. shift, has resumed his duties after two weeks’ vacation.
Tennis Courts Here Neglected
DERBY – Every night, local tennis enthusiasts go to the courts in Coon Hollow Park only to find the two courts, one of which lacks a net, not in use. Two of the courts have been resurfaced with a poor grade of hard patch, while a third, a clay court, has been allowed to deteriorate over the years.
William ‘Red’ Clynch, local recreation commissioner, said today that his department had installed a new net this year and has another on order. The two courts will be lined within the next few days.
Kerite Workers Present $500 For Fire School
SEYMOUR – Fire Chief Richard T. Kieley, president of the Valley Fire Chief’s Association reported at last night’s meeting held at the Citizen Engine Company that he has received a check for $500 from the Kerite Employees Foundation to help defray the cost of the training center under construction on O’Sullivan’s Island, Derby.
Wednesday, July 22, 1964
Facchini Passes Karate Testing
ANSONIA – Bill Houghout, black belt instructor for the New Haven Karate Club and dean of the Wallingford and Ansonia clubs, announced today that Louis Facchini has passed his grading for brown belt. Mr. Facchini is instructor of the Ansonia club. The test was given in West Haven.
Stolen Car Found
DERBY – A Derby man’s stolen auto was recovered at 1 a.m. today at the Seymour-Ansonia town line. It belonged to Alfred Martino of Grandview Boulevard. Patrolmen Stanley Golebieski and Angelo Santilli investigated.
Touring Scouts Spent Night At Navy Base
DERBY – Scouts of Explorer Post 33 and Troop 3, who are on a motor tour, spent Saturday night at the United States Naval Ammunition Depot in Red Bank, NJ. The trip to Red Bank was slower than expected due to a traffic jam on the Garden State Parkway.
The group lunched at National Boy Scout Headquarters in New Brunswick, NJ. After a visit to the Scout Museum, they continued on to Red Bank. The scouts enjoyed a swim in the base pool and after dinner, a softball game was played.
Disabled Persons Can Become Voters
SEYMOUR – Town Clerk Richard R. Pearson said permanently disabled persons can be made voters at their homes. Such individuals must apply for a special session of the Board of Admission of Electors at their homes at least three months before the day of election.
“Flattered” City Clerks Says She Isn’t Candidate
SHELTON – Mrs. Isabelle A. Laborie, city clerk, told The Sentinel today that although she was “flattered” by reports that she might be a candidate for the GOP mayoral nomination, the rumors were not true.
Mrs. Laborie, who has been city clerk for the past four years, in squelching the mayoral candidate rumors, joins the ranks of Town Committee Chairman Albert Cawthra, Mayor Vincent Tisi and former Mayor Frank Cicia as prominent Republicans who do not want the GOP nomination for mayor.
Thursday, July 23, 1964
’54 Class To Push Plans For Reunion
ANSONIA – Plans for the 10-year reunion of the Class of 1954, Ansonia and Pine High School, will be furthered by classmates Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. in City Hall. The affair will be held Aug. 2 in Rapp’s Grassy Hill Lodge, Derby.
Post Employees Enjoy Vacations
DERBY – Joseph Teodosio, clerk in the Derby Post Office, is on two weeks’ vacation from his duties.
Edward Rioradan is on three weeks’ vacation from his duties as a carrier in the local post office. David Welton, also a carrier, is on a weeks’ vacation.
Former Sheriff Fractures Ribs
DERBY – Former City Sheriff James McEvoy, Jr., is confined to his home on E Street with three fractured ribs suffered recently when he slipped and fell against the side of a swimming pool.
Citizens To March In Thomaston
SEYMOUR – The Citizen Engine Company will march in the Thomaston firemen’s parade Saturday at 5 p.m. Great Hill Hose Company will cover for the Citizen’s Saturday from 3 p.m. to midnight.
Friday, July 24, 1964
Some Flooding, Little Damage From Downpour
ANSONIA – Although Main Street from Central Street south to Green Street and Wakelee Avenue between Hall and Mary streets were flooded for a short period of time, little damage to property was caused by last night’s heavy downpours.
The Public Works Department reported washouts on North Prospect Street and at the rear of City Hall.
Derby Scouts Caught In Riot In Capital; Rescued By Cubans
DERBY – Several Boy Scouts of Troop 3 and Explorers of Post 33 were caught in the Cuban Freedom riot in Washington, D.C. earlier this week and were rescued from their predicament by Cubans who escorted the boys back to their car.
A letter from Edmund D. Strang, one of the leaders accompanying the group on the trip, in a letter to The Sentinel today wrote: “Leader Henry Reznik’s group had just climbed the Washington Monument. They were returning to their car when they decided to watch the Cuban Freedom parade, which was passing in front of them. Suddenly, about 50 feet away, a melee broke out. Policemen on horseback moved in on the rioters and herded them back toward where the Scouts were standing. Mr. Reznik moved the Scouts back fast, but the rioters were faster and soon Bob Micci, Henry Reznik, Jr., Bob Piorkowski and Ed Musante were in the middle of the mob which had been throwing dirt and stones at the police.”
School Bidding Within Month
SEYMOUR – The School Building Committee will meet Monday at 8 p.m. at the Seymour Senior High School to go over plans and specifications for the new elementary school in the Skokorat area.
According to Walter Crabtree, architect, the contract for construction of the 13-room Paul Chatfield School will be put out to bid within a month. Target date for occupancy is September 1965.
Echo Hose Win Parade Trophy
SHELTON – The Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Company won a trophy for the best appearing company in regulation uniform in the Southbury Fire Department carnival parade last night in Southbury. The Renegades of the Echoes won a trophy for best senior drum corps.
Saturday, July 25, 1964
Two Cars On Fire
ANSONIA – A small blaze, caused by a broken fuel line, caused minor damage to a 1959 Ford Fairlane this morning at 6:20 on Olson Drive. Fire officials estimated damage at $25.
Martino Wins Essay Award
DERBY – Jeffrey Martino, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Martino of Seventh Street, was awarded the American Legion Auxiliary Americanism essay prize at the department convention at the Hotel Bond, Hartford.
Mr. Martino is a graduate of Derby High School, Class of 1964, and was the winner of the local contest conducted by Ladies’ Auxiliary of John H. Collins Post, American Legion. His essay, entitled “Connecticut – The Constitution State,” was entered in the state contest. He received an award of $15 at the state convention and $10 from the local auxiliary at the gradation exercises held in June.
John Kennedy Grave Visited By Boy Scouts
DERBY – Boy Scouts of Troop 3 and Explorers of Post 33, who are on a summer trip to Washington, D.C., placed a wreath on the grave of the late President John F. Kenndy yesterday.
“At 2 o’clock, the group met an assigned military escort who led them to the grave of the late President John F. Kennedy, where Explorers Ed Handi and Ronald Vigneault laid a wreath on the grave,” Edmund D. Strang, one of the leaders accompanying the group wrote in a letter.
Bike Hit Car
OXFORD – Joseph Carlson of Beverly Drive escaped without injury when his bicycle ran into the side of a car owned the Connecticut Light and Power Company yesterday afternoon on Beverly Drive.
Late License Penalty Rises On Dogs Aug. 1
OXFORD –Town Clerk Arthur Hoyt has announced that starting August 1 the penalty for those who have not secured their dog licenses will be one dollar. The penalty for the first month, which is July, is 25 cents. All dog licenses expired June 30.
Derby, Ansonia Youths Unhurt As Cable Hangs Car Over Hoadley’s Pond
SEYMOUR – Derby and Ansonia youths escaped injury this morning when their car failed to negotiate the curve near Hoadley’s Pond, knocked down seven highway posts and a traffic sign and was prevented from going into the pond by cables which suspended the front wheels of the vehicle about six inches from the water.