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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 31, 1960
Page
5
St Pauls Lutheran at Fourth and Sherman led by Pastor Paul E Krohn holds Sunday school at 9 30 a m and a Sunday service at 10 45 a m with the topic Our Hope at the Beginning of a New Year.
The Rev. James C. Bodley rector. 7 30 a.m Holy Communion 9 15 a.m Family service and classes 11 a.m Holy Communion and sermon at corner Gordon Drive and Jackson Street
John Barton leads the Beech Street Church of Christ at 16th Avenue and Beech Street with Bible study at 9:00 a.m. and worship at 10:50 a.m. Sunday evening service at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Bible study follows at 7:00 p.m.
Somerville hosted Student Night featuring talks on how Christianity influences college students by Marie Moon and Sammy Pierce both from Florence State and Gary Watkins from Auburn University. Pierce sang What Will You Do With Jesus. Earl Gurley led worship in pastor Rev. Fred Donovan’s absence. Special music came from Elliot Johnson and Mrs Hafford Sharp.
Two Watch Night services are planned in the Neel area. One will be held at 7 o clock tonight at Pun kin Center Assembly of God two miles west of here with Rev Gene Lanier as pastor. The other service will feature speakers yet to be arranged and include fellowship and refreshments led by Rev Huie Turner. The public is invited.
The Rev and Mrs Robert E invite at 802 Gordon Dr SE for an open house this evening from 8 to 11 o'clock. A Watch Night service is planned at the church tonight at 11 30.
The 1961 outlook for consumers emphasizes moderating wage gains and rising living costs with more jobs possible but not in traditional sectors. Automation, tax hikes, and inflationary pressures shape paychecks, food and housing costs, and discretionary spending while competition helps hold prices.
Enrollment in Decatur schools rose to 6,005 by year end 1960, up from 5,806 in 1959, with about 400 more this year. The five year increase totals 1,800 pupils as families move for industrial jobs at Chemstrand, 3M, Auto Lite and other firms.
At the end of 1960 the Decatur district covers Morgan Limestone and Cullman Counties. About 10 800 people receive old age survivors and disability insurance benefits totaling over five and a half million dollars yearly. Beneficiary numbers rose about 25 percent since December 1959. About 600 disability applications were filed this year due to amendments that shorten the time to receive benefits while keeping age requirements at 65 for men and 62 for women. Those already drawing benefits may earn more this year and still receive some benefits. The Social Security office urges those over retirement age who still work to inquire about changes in law. The document lists district county figures for benefits and payments.
In MORGAN county 5 000 beneficiaries receive 233 800 monthly or 2 805 600 yearly. The breakdown includes 2 300 retired workers and 1 350 disability beneficiaries among others. Growth since 1959 is 26 percent. CULLMAN county lists 3 700 beneficiaries totaling 150 000 monthly or 1 800 000 annually with 1 500 retired workers and 830 spouses as part of the mix. LIMESTONE county shows 2 100 beneficiaries at 90 000 monthly or 1 080 000 yearly including 850 retired workers and 450 spouses. year over year gain is 27 percent.
The Decatur Post Office reported expansion in 1960 with new routes and staff, estimating a 12 percent mail volume rise and 5 percent revenue gain. By December 19 receipts reached 378,989.75, up from 377,375.49 in 1959, with year end projections between 12,000 and 15,000 more. Plans for 1961 include a new post office building near the Well Street Addition facing Ferry Street, with Washington papers and approvals in progress.
A fragment from a broadcasts log lists various WAJP WMSL and WAPI programs through the day with schedule items and sign ons. The nearby note quotes Postmaster Self praising the 1960 mail operation as their most economical and efficient, handling the largest volume.
Earl Wilson recalls a humorous 1960 year filled with jokes about Kennedy Nixon and other stars. The piece lists jokes from Jack Kennedy to Marilyn Monroe and Khrushchev, with quips from Eddie Murphy era tone but focusing on political and entertainment figures.
The Decatur Daily notes Lucian Czarnecki, 11, Watervliet NY as today’s Britannica Junior winner and Fred Ruffell of Pleasant Grove Utah as a winner. It explains atom theory with Greek origin and basic particle types, and includes jokes about peace burying the hatchet.
McCulloch Bros Garage at 205 Moulton St W is franchised by Willys Sales Corp to handle the Jeep four wheel drive family. Ruben H. McCulloch and Lee F. McCulloch head the new Willys dealership offering full Jeep line, parts and service. The firm’s key personnel include Ruben as sales manager and Lee as service and parts manager.
An unofficial Decatur construction tally shows 1960 permits at $6,063,974 with 1958 near $12 million. After a 1959 dip and early 1960 slump, activity surged in the second half led by October’s million dollar month, aided by $232,000 for new houses. Marion Sims earned many new-home permits. An odd note mentions 600 million snails eaten by French gourmets in a recent year.
A local business run by two brothers over four years highlights the Jeep line of vehicles designed for six passenger family use and heavy off road hauling with a gross vehicle weight up to 9,000 pounds.
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