AI image made at Canva.com
This week, we head back to 1958!
Gunsmoke was America’s most popular TV show.
In 1958, the average household income in the U.S. was $4,650, a gallon of milk cost $1.01, eggs were 55 cents a dozen and a loaf of bread cost 25 cents.
The average cost of a new home was $10,450, and the average monthly rent was $92.00, up from $90.00 a year earlier.
The price for a gallon of regular gas averaged 25 cents.
A first-class stamp cost four cents.
The federal minimum wage was $1.00.
Dwight D. Eisenhower was president. His campaign was noted for the simple slogan “I Like Ike.”
These were the top five songs in the U.S. this week:
1. “At the Hop” – Danny & The Juniors
2. “Get A Job” – The Silhouettes
3. “Short Shorts” – Royal Teens
4. “Don’t” – Elvis Presley
5. “Sail Along Silvery Moon” – Billy Vaugh and his Orchestra
Here is what was happening in our Valley, as stolen from the microfilm edition of The Evening Sentinel!
Monday, Feb. 10, 1958
Fuel Oil Truck Topples Into Ravine
ANSONIA –A fuel truck containing 500 gallons of range oil parked on an incline on North Prospect Street Extension this morning at 8:30 o’clock rolled down over a steep embankment, flipped over several times and landed upside down in a ravine. Some of the oil in the tank spilled out.
The truck owned by the Derby Coal & Charcoal Company was operated by Ronnie Bettencourt, of Derby, who was making a delivery of fuel oil when suddenly the truck started to roll down the road. A pumper from Eagle Hose Co. was called to the scene to wet down the oil that spilled down the embankment. The truck was removed from the ravine by a wrecker from Vellaco’s Garage, Derby.
Elks’ Valentine Dance Scheduled Saturday
DERBY –The annual Valentine’s dance of the Derby Lodge of Elks will be held Saturday night in the lodge ballroom with dancing from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Joe DiCamillo and his orchestra will provide the music. Supper will be served at midnight with the Derby Emblem Club catering. Albert Markovics and Theodore Kupsche are co-chairmen for the event.
Explorer Robert Gorman Guest of Gov. Ribicoff
DERBY – Robert Gorman, guide of Explorer Post 22, was a guest of Gov. Abraham A. Ribicoff at Hartford Saturday. Explorer Gorman represented Housatonic Council Bout Scouts and was one of 11 Scouts and Explorers to be guests of the governor as Scouting began celebration of his 47th birthday.
Alumni Defeats Kerite Cagers; Ted’s Spa Wins
SEYMOUR – Winning the battle of the unbeaten at Clark Memorial gym Sunday, the Seymour Alumni cagers clinched a tie for first round honors in the Semi-Pro League with a 60 – 56 triumph over the Kerites. The Alumni now has three straight triumphs while Kerites are 3 – 1 and a victory for the former over the Evzones Sunday will earn the first round crown.
In the opener of the twin bill, Ted’s Spa won its first game with a 57 – 41 thumping of the scrappy Evzones.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1958
DeFelice To Cut Area For Fields Within 6 Weeks
ANSONIA – The Board of Aldermen last night adopted a recommendation of the Board of Public Works that permission be granted to Louis DeFelice & Son to proceed with the excavation and grading of the area at Nolan Field between the tennis courts and Hillside Home.
A Public Works letter “in view of the urgent need for a Little League field and a practice field in this area” recommended that permission be granted to the DeFelice Company to proceed with the excavation and grading to elevations planned by the city engineer.
Fishing Equipment Stolen From Auto
ANSONIA – John Preston, Sr., of North State Street, reported last night that he parked his car in front of the American Brass Co. office building on Liberty Street, Sunday at 4 p.m. and someone broken open the trunk on the car and stole fishing equipment and wading boots valued at $115.
Skating Not Allowed On Local Reservoirs
DERBY – Frank Hallaman, superintendent of the Birmingham Water Company, said skating is not allowed on the reservoirs in the Sentinel Hill area. Mr. Halliman reminds parents the reservoirs are full of springs and the ice is extremely dangerous. The reservoirs are also private property.
3 Robins Arrive In Deep Freeze
SEYMOUR – Although the “deep freeze” continues, a sign that spring can’t be too far away was noted early today with the arrival of three robins on the lawn of Mrs. Victor Bergstrom, Housatonic Terrace, off Roosevelt Drive.
Police Salary Hikes Proposed To Finance Board
SEYMOUR – Salary increases for the Police Department for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1959, were proposed to the Board of Finance last night by the police commissioners at Town Hall.
Police salaries for the coming year totals $65,397.40. Commissioners proposed the hourly rate of the seven patrolmen be raised from $1.92 to $2, that the rate for the two sergeants be hiked from $2 to $2.10 and that the hourly salary of the lieutenant be boosted from $2.12 to $2.35. If the raises are approved, the salary of the lieutenant will be $5,640, the sergeants will receive $5,040 each and the seven patrolmen, $4,800.
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1958
Spectacular Blaze Envelope Building In Minutes After Motor Is Shorted
ANSONIA – The plant of Seccombe’s Monumental Works at 185 Howard Ave. was destroyed in a spectacular $50,000 double-alarm blaze which swept the sprawling structure within a matter of minutes this morning at 9:15.
Fire Chief Charles Dick estimated damage to the building at $10,000 and $40,000 to machinery of the elaborate plant, one of the largest monumental works in western Connecticut. The owner, Stanley G. Seccombe, is in Florida.
A stone-polishing and surfacing machine, an air compressor, six motors, one huge crane, a saw with diamond blade and a big electric hoist were destroyed in the flash fire which enveloped the huge frame structure building after flames from a short-circuited motor in the engine room ignited accumulated dust.
Civil Defense Plans
DERBY – Plans for a school for auxiliary policemen and plant guards were discussed at a meeting of Civil Defense personnel and police officials last night in Derby CD headquarters on Elizabeth Street.
William Hansen, Area II coordinator, presided.
It was decided to start the school in March, The first section will run for 10 weeks. Derby was decided on as the tentative location with the exact meeting place to be decided in the near future.
Skokorat Area Group Opposes District Health
SEYMOUR – The Skokorat Area Association last night went on record as opposed to the proposed District Health Department.
Opponents claimed the cost of operating such a health department could not be explained to anyone’s understanding.
It was also said that if the money the town would have to pay into this plan were used by the town to expand the Seymour Public Health Association, over which town residents exercise control, greater benefits could be derived.
Thursday, Feb. 13. 1958
Ice Skating Races Saturday At Colony
ANSONIA – The Recreation Commission will sponsor ice skating races Saturday, starting at 2 p.m., at Colony Pond. Competition will be held for the following age groups: 7 – 9, 8 – 10, 10 – 12 and 12 – 14. Abe Stone, secretary of the recreation board, will be in charge and prizes will be awarded to the winners in each age group.
Storms Hire DHS Band To Lead Them In Parade
DERBY – The Storm Engine Company at a special meeting last night in the headquarters voted to hire the Derby High School Band to lead the company in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in New Haven.
Valentine Hop Friday Evening
DERBY – Ticket sales for the Valentine record hop, to be sponsored by the Naugatuck Valley Chapter of the Albertus Magnus Alumnae in the new Irving School gymnasium Friday night, are most encouraging and indicate a capacity crowd. Joel Alderman, a New Haven disc jockey, will be master of ceremonies.
The entertainment roster includes The Academics, whose singing “stopped the show” at the Alumnae record hop last November, Tom and Jerry, young recording artists from Long Island, and Chico and Freddy, former regulars on WNHC Bandstand.
Boys are reminded that sport jackets and ties are required for admittance.
Friday, Feb. 14, 1958
Lincoln PTA Plans For Show, Founders’ Day
ANSONIA – Plans for a Founders’ Day program, including an “old fashions” fashion show, were made at the meeting of the executive committee of the Lincoln School Parent Teacher Association last night in the home of Mrs. Shea Eisbart. The fashion show will be presented at a meeting of the association Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the school.
Contracts Awarded For Housing Insurance
DERBY – The Derby Housing Authority has been notified by the state Housing Authority that the contracts for owners, landlords, tenants’ public liability and property damage has been awarded to the J.C. Bradley and Sons of Bridgeport, who submitted a bid premium of $550 for three years.
The five-year fire and extended coverage insurance has been awarded to William C. Atwater and Sons of this city, who submitted a bid of $3,861.
Wildcats End Season Tonight
SEYMOUR – The Seymour High Wildcats will conclude season play tonight at 8:15 at Clark Memorial gym when they take on the pesky Branford High Hornets in Housatonic League game.
Both clubs will be battling for third place. The Hornets currently hold that spot with 5 – 5 mark. The Wildcats have a record of 5 – 6 in league action. The Hornets buzzed the ‘Cats in their opening game 53 – 48.
Bungay Brownies Entertain Dads
SEYMOUR – Bungay Brownies of Troop 10 and their fathers enjoyed a “dutch treat” Valentine’s dinner party at Rapp’s Paradise Inn last night. Donna Dziadik led grace. The girls serenaded their dads, singing “I Have a Little Valentine” and the dads returned with “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.”
