There’s a line from a jazzy old song - “everything old is new again” - that seems to fit many of these bits from the Thursday October 10, 1968 edition of The Lowell Sun. Presidential politics, the stock market, school committee issues, the state budget and the economy are among the highlights.

  • The United Way Campaign opened with a parade and a goal to raise $700,000.
  • The Chelmsford Historical Society President Hazel Stevens accepted a $500 donation from the Lowell Sun Charities for the Museum fund.
  • “Market slides off in heavy trading” - stocks lower in early trading; price advances in the shoe industry; small losses in steel; chemicals were off; rails, airlines and aircrafts were mixed.
  • In the countdown for the Apollo 7 launch Wally Shirra, Donn Eisle and Walter Cunningham visted family, rested and prepared to “man” the spacecraft into orbit.
  • The Sun editorial notes: “the Commonwealth to raise $100 million in new money to make both ends meet” and bemoans the overloaded state payroll and no promise of tax relief.
  • Kendall Wallace reported that the Harvard Survey Group would recommend that the McCarty Bill be abolished. This bill affecting only Lowell and Boston was a legislative reaction in depression days when teaching jobs – even though low paid – were reportedly sold because they at least were secure jobs. When I was hired in 1964, the McCarty bill was still law.
  • Sun Food Editor Marguerite Lyons waxed eloquently about a quite elite gourmet dinner at the Speare House presided over by Chef Louis Cote and hosted by Zenny Speronis and Alex Anton with guests the Misters and Misses Telemachus Demoulas, Harold Sullivan, Peter Speronis, Arthur Anton, Charles Sampas, Socrates Anton, George Demoulas, Steve Sotakos and Dr./Mrs. Costos Kokinos. Even in 1968 women were still identified by their husband’s names without being given the respect of their own first names. “Stuffed Saddle of Veal” was the main attraction.
  • A United States Senate filibuster prevented a vote on the nomination of Justice Abe Fortas to succeed Earle Warren as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. President Johnson citing emotionalism, partisanship and prejudice withdrew his name.
  • City Development Authority Treasurer and board member Robert Kennedy and City Councilor Richard Howe jousted over CDA costs and expenditures. Councilor Armand LeMay also disputed Howe’s figures.
  • The Republican Party Lowell headquarters opened at 11 Kearney Square with Attorney George Leahey, co-chairman of the Lowell United Citizens for Nixon-Agnew on hand. While Lt. Governor Frank Sargent claimed to be “ready to take over” if Massachusetts Governor John Volpe were to bolt to a Nixon/Agnew administration.
  • A brouhaha at the Lowell School Committee meeting pitted Committeemen Bill Collins, Arthur McGlinchey, George Kouloheras and Victor Forsley against Tom Sullivan, Clemmie McDonough and Mayor Bob Maguire on the issue of the three “Boston Deans” consultants screening prospective Superintendent of Schools candidates down to seven for the School Committee to interview.
  • In sports: it was the Tigers versus the Cardinals in the World Series; Jim Nance returned to the Boston Patriots line-up; Rockingham Park touted ten thrilling races with two big Perfectas and Mexico City was confirmed as the site for 1970 World Cup soccer.
  • Cherry & Webb’s anniversary sale offered pure wool shifts and jumpers for $5 (I think I still have a few in the closet) and all-weather coats with zip-in lining for $16.
  • Solomon’s advertised its 40th Anniversary Sale offering “fabrics for the family” but alas it would be closed all-day Saturday for the Columbus Day holiday. (Blue laws?)
  • Fresh-cut roses - cash and carry – available for $1.49 a dozen at Feeney the Florist.Hoare’s Fish Market was selling fresh lobster meat for $5.49 per lb., steamed clams at 50 cents a quart, filet of sole at 67 cents per lb and offered a lobster roll for 75 cents with free french fries!The Branding Iron in Tewksbury offered twin lobsters with french fries, rolls and butter for $3.95 and a Sunday Special turkey dinner “with all the fixins” for $1.95 for adults and $1.25 for children.
  • At Friendly Jack’s “5 gas pumps with 5 men” were waiting for you to fill-up at 25.9 cents a gallon.
  • In Sampascoopies, Mary O’Meara and Josephine Stoklosa were noted as hometown populars.