Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, October 23, 1975 -- Methodists Celebrated 75th Anniversary -- On Sunday, October 19, the First United Methodist Church of Staunton held its 75th Anniversary celebration of the church on the corner where city street and highway meet. There was a good attendance in the morning church service when the message was delivered by the Reverend C.C. Lowe, a former pastor. The choir, under the direction of Mrs. J. Harold Diel, sang a special number.

Following the worship service there was a delightful hour of visiting and reminiscing over photographs and news articles of years gone by.

At noon there was a catered dinner attended by many church members and guests. Following the meal, various members of the congregation and the minister, Reverend Shearburn, reminisced about the church from 1900 until the present day.

Several gifts and memorials were presented to the church. There were two generous gifts. One was presented by Mrs. John Finnan on behalf of the estate of her uncle, Mr. William Cool and the other by Robert Davis in loving tribute of his parents who are still living, Mr. and Mrs. Al Davis. Letters of congratulation were acknowledged from some people who have been interested in the church in the past.

Mary Lou Courtney closed the afternoon with a beautiful rendition of "The Lord's Prayer."

The arrangements for this day were in the hands of Mrs. Al Davis and her committee.

Thursday, October 30, 1975 -- Leroy's to Have Grand OPENING This WeekenD -- Leroy's Appliance Sales & Service will hold their Grand Opening this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 30 and 31, and November 1, at their new location on Route 4 south of Staunton.

This building, just north of Prairietown Road, was formerly occupied by B & E Motors.

In addition to special prices in honor of the grand opening, Leroy's will also give 3,000 Eagle Stamps or 20 gallons of gas with any appliance purchase on these three days. A sample listing of some appliances available can be found in Leroy's advertisement in this issue of the Star-Times.

BIDDING PROCESS FOR OLD POLICE CARS -- Two bids were received on used police cars at the Staunton City Council meeting. Motion by Vojas, seconded by Best, to open same. Bid 1 from Frank Pernicka was $103.00 for the 1971 car and $153.00 for the 1972 car. Bid 2 from Robert McMahon was $223.00 for both cars, which made a total of $111.50 for each car.

Mayor Masinelli then explained that the bidders being present could up their bids if they so desired and reminded them that the council still reserved the right to accept or reject all bids. It was then decided to give Mr. Pernicka the right to raise his bid on the 1971 car. Each bidder raised his bid until the amount of $290.00 bid by Pernicka was reached. McMahon would go no higher. Motion by Vojas, seconded by Best, the bid of $290.00 be accepted. Roll call - all present voting aye. Motion carried. The 1972 Dodge police car was then put up, Frank Pernicka had been high bidder with a bid of $153.00 so it was up to Mr. McMahon to raise his bid if he so desired.

Each bidder then raised their bid until Pernicka's bid of $470.00 was reached. McMahon would go no higher. On motion by Grabruck, seconded by Vojas, the bid of $470.00 by Frank Pernicka on the 1972 Dodge be accepted. Roll call all present voting aye. Motion carried.

Titles to the two cars to be presented Mr. Pernicka by City Clerk upon payment of $760.00 for the two used police cars.

Lest We Forget

World War Two in the North Pacific

God how lonely it is out in the cold

Sleeping in this vastness you must be bold.

The moon is so brilliant and the stars so clear

You can reach up and touch them they seem so near.

Your body gets numb and your ears they freeze

You can feel the chill right through your knees,

You twist and squirm all the night through

Your body is wracked with soreness, fever and flu.

Finally the dawn reaches over the hill

The cold is so piercing, God what a chill

Our fingers are frozen as stiff as a plank

It affects us all no matter what rank.

What will be the outcome we all seem to say

Perhaps now is a good time to pray.

Forward again, there is no retreat

We wobble along in spite of our frozen feet.

The roar of cannons, the burst of shells

The white snow is red where comrades fell.

Bullets whistle right past your ears

All hell breaks loose, it seems like years.

What goes on is too ghastly to be told

If a bullet didn't get you, you'll die in the cold.

Now we must leave this hell in the snow

What was accomplished I really don't know.

We have consolation whatever that may be

When this is all over it will be ecstasy.

Now again I dream of home and the ones I love

While the Northern lights keep hanging above.

Written in the

Aleution Islands 1943

Submitted by

Joe Dzurus of Staunton