24 Dec 1948
Page 1
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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Dec 24, 1948
Page
1
The piece frames Christmas as a return to simple things and kindness, celebrating a child's birthday and urging peace among men. It warns that atom-age power without human restraint endangers civilization and praises childlike hope as central to human destiny.
Shafter Post Office reports a doubling of Christmas mail and packages this season over last year. From December 15 to 25 staff handled about 24 000 cards and 4 000 packages, aided by new residents and expanded staffing. Main office to open Christmas morning for incoming packages only.
Mr and Mrs A W Eckman complete a two week transcontinental trip returning to Fresno Avenue Shafter after attending the thirtieth annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation in Atlantic City NJ Eckman joined as a non delegate while Mrs Eckman took part in associated women sessions The journey included stops in Tennessee Valley Authority Washington DC New York and Muscle Shoals and featured visits to Wilson Dam and the Willard Hotel in Washington with a day spent touring the national capitol.
Postmaster George Guenther announced the Shafter Post Office will operate a two hour parcel window on Christmas Day from 9 to 11 a m Only package and parcel distribution will be offered and no other services or windows will be open due to the large volume of unclaimed items aimed at helping residents pick up gifts.
Shafter police officers made eight arrests and sent offenders to court. In Judge E K Grants court Fountain L Colvard was fined 25 dollars for liquor law violations. Judge Frank G Shaw imposed a 250 dollar fine and 180 days suspended for two years on J D Wade for drunkenness and DUI. Lawrence Johnson received 25 dollar fine and 30 days. Three 18 year olds were fined 25 dollars each and 60 days for purchasing beer at Smiths Corner. George E Galvan Gerald H McGinnis and Stephen R Gilwitz faced counts. John T Clark and Thomas F Kendrick were held on vagrancy charges for later court appearances.
Snow fell in Shafter and Wasco for a brief morning flurry the first since 1942. The light snowfall began around 6:45 am and lasted about an hour with cars fields and rooftops lightly dusted before melting. Temperature dipped near 31 degrees and stayed below 35 from midnight to 9 am.
A string of ten trotters and pacers from the Neuman and Neuman Crawford stables heads to Sportsman's Park Phoenix for a 62 night harness racing meet opening January 16. Neil Boardman and Jack Crawford accompany trainer duties as the crew travels by auto van. Entries include Frilla Hanover Carol Dale Montgomery Spencer Lucky Grattan Nite Express Revenue Attorney Pat Lee Scotch Princess with Star Ambush and Lomita Lee also racing for the Neuman Crawford operation. The team will then move to Bay Meadows in May after Phoenix.
Shafter Rotary members held their annual gift exchange at Motel Canelo. Members drew names, opened profession appropriate gifts, and donated most toys to needy children under Scout Kenneth Pipkin. Five Rotary Boy Scout troop members promoted cotton bale ticket sales for a new Scout Building opening next week. Glenn Nay led the meeting with a Jingle Bells finale.
Shafter's fifth annual Community Chest drive ends today as organizers report the $4 825 quota not yet met but a last minute surge is expected. Chairman H W Pat Kelly says several checks are in transit and donations may still be dropped at the Bank of America branch before closing.
Dr. John W. Eckhardt spoke at the Shafter Kiwanis about California and Kern County school redistricting. He warned that California has over 3,000 districts and urged consolidation, noting Kern County could drop from 73 to about 12 districts as a statewide commission studies the issue.
Joe B. Allen seaman USN son of W. V. Allen of Shafter serves aboard USS Tarawa, an aircraft carrier in Task Force 38. The ship undergoes intensive Western Pacific and China Sea training to provide realistic naval drill for officers and men.
Veterans were warned to beware of a nationwide swindle selling veterans forms for government insurance dividends. Anson McArthur, manager of the Bakersfield Veterans Administration, cautioned that dividends are not payable on GI insurance and that official forms will be supplied free by the government.
Bakersfield sub‑contractors sue Richland School District and David A. Brown over unpaid bills for the Richland Aquatic Center. Brown withheld payment awaiting final district acceptance. December 8 district board approved $16,434. suit notes district contract with United Swimming Pool Co. and Brown.
The Boy Scout Building, completed by volunteer effort and local donations, will be dedicated Wednesday evening in Shafter. The two story hall offers facilities for two scout troops and opens for inspection with refreshments and remarks from community leaders.
Work on the new Missionary Baptist Church on Kern Street in Shafter nears finish under Rev. Sam Wilcoxon. The 46 by 82 foot auditorium is due for completion in January with furnishings moved from the nearby present church. The existing building, used for Sunday School, cost 45 000 to erect and will be expanded later with rooms and facilities. The congregation formed in 1936 and Rev. Wilcoxon has led it for 11 years.
Lael Leo Rapp, civil deputy clerk, was appointed by Kern County Board of Supervisors in a special session to succeed the late Stonewall Woody as County Auditor. The term runs until January 1, 1951, and creates a vacancy for the civil deputy clerk post yet to be filled. Rapp joined the county as a court clerk in 1934 and moved to civil clerkship in 1941.
Tonight marks the return of the usual closing time for retail stores in Shafter. During the week most stores remained open until 8 00 p m to handle the Christmas trading rush. Merchants report brisk last minute buying and volumes well over last year with grocery stores noting heavy purchases to stock up for the double holiday.
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