The following items were taken from the Tri-Cities Daily Newspaper as published fifty (50) years ago on September 3, 1956 as the Class of 1957 entered our Senior Year.
September 3, 1956 was the opening day of school for 1956-57 school year and was the Tuesday after Labor Day. (What a difference these days, schools have been going for weeks now.).
New teachers at Sheffield High School were Mrs. Janet Hanlin, teaching English, and Mr. David Bratcher, Assistant Football Coach and teaching Civics and History.
A report on the Sheffield football team was a telephone interview with Coach Wright. Coach Wright who said that he was not sure how the team would be and that he was not even sure who the starters would be. There were 55 members on the team and the Coach mentioned the following: backs would include Jerry Ingle, Bo Vincent (well that was close), and there would be an experienced fullback in Wiley Montana. Ronald Nesbitt would be the only end back with experience having played the previous year after Hootie Crittenden had hurt his shoulder. Tackles would be set with Bill Olim (195) and Dale Williams (190) backed up by Sockwell (Kenneth), but that the guards would be green as gourds, including Myrl Andrews.
At the Labor Day Festivities, there had been a Labor Day Beauty Contest which was won by Miss Joyce Grainger. She was Miss Labor Day of 1956.
In local news, there was much optimism about the Ford Motor Co. plant that was being constructed to use aluminum from Reynolds Aluminum in casting auto engines. Also, the plans for the construction of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Canal were being finalized.
The New York Yankees and the Milwaukee Braves were nearing the end of the season and had just about wrapped up the pennants in their leagues.
The Pilot Club had sponsored a Safe Driving Contest that had been judged by Lt. Howard Kelly (remember Kelly the cop? Some us may remember him from personal experience) with the winner being Frances Crockett. The award was presented by the Sheffield Mayor, Mr. C. L. Beard.
Television for that night on our three available stations included the Vic Damone Show, Bob Cummings Show, Studio One, and the Ernie Kovacs Show. The cable company was also advertising shows such as I Love Lucy, Sid Caesar, and Arthur Godfrey.
Available theaters included the Colbert, and the Shoals showing Johnny Concho with Frank Sinatra, the Tuscumbian showing Alexander the Great with Richard Burton, the Princess, showing Crashing Las Vegas with the Bowery Boys and the Norwood, showing Dakota Incident with Linda Darnell. Remember there were also several drive-in theaters open including the Joy Lan, the Park Vue and the Wilson.
Some prices in 1956: Regular Haircut, 50 cents, Barbecue Dinner, 75 cents, and 4 tires for $69.40. (Times and prices have certainly changed).