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George Russell of Altoona submitted this photo of the sixth grade safety patrol at Adams School from the mid 1950s. George is on the left in the third row. His twin brother, Tom, who is deceased, is on the left in the fourth row.
Readers are encouraged to send or deliver old local photographs of general interest for use in Yesteryear. Information about people and places should be included. Photos must be 30 years old or older and should be sent to Yesteryear, Altoona Mirror, P.O. Box 2008, Altoona, PA 16603, or emailed to community@altoonamirror.com. For more information, call Brenda Carberry, community news coordinator, at 814-946-7459.
Local news on this date
Nov. 22, 1950
A class of 33 Altoona police officers, including several from the Pennsylvania Railroad Police and surrounding towns and boroughs, graduated from a 10-week police school conducted by the FBI, followed by a banquet at the Juniata Pavilion. Vaul E. Rouzer was Altoona Police Chief.
Nov. 22, 1975
The Altoona Maennerchor, a male group that sang in both German and English, Ed Kritzer director, was joining with the Sweet Adelines women's singing group for a concert at Altoona Area High School auditorium to benefit the Order of the Eastern Star.
Nov. 22, 2000
Joseph V. Adamec, bishop of the Altoona-Johnstown Catholic Diocese, attended and spoke to a meeting of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C., at which about 300 attended and reaffirmed their anti-abortion stand.
Nov. 22, 2015
World War II veteran Don Booterbaugh of Altoona, 93, a former paratrooper and private pilot, was treated to an airplane ride at the Blair County Airport by a program called "Second Wind Dreams" at Elmcroft Senior Living.
Nov. 23, 1950
The longest and most colorful Santa Claus parade in Altoona's history was to be held tomorrow. It was to include more than 2,000 local student mummers. Mummers made fun of traditions like marching with business suits and briefcases instead of rifles. They were accompanied by 14 high school bands and choral groups in six divisions. About 10,000 lollipops and candy cups were to be given out to the crowd.
The new seven-story Altoona Veterans Administration Hospital was officially dedicated this week with the Altoona Mirror running a special 23-page dedication edition covering all phases of the facility. The groundbreaking took place just under three years prior.
Nov. 23, 1975
Local 130 of the International Alliance of Theatrical State Employees and Motion Picture Operators, was marking its 70th anniversary. George Varner was president. He had worked at the 11th Avenue Opera House, Orpheum, Lakemont Park Theater, Mishler, Jaffa Shrine, Roosevelt Junior and Altoona High, Strand, State, Olympic, Capitol and local Theaters.
A new police communications system was being installed at City Hall by the Bell Telephone Co. at a cost of about $226,000. It was a joint project of Altoona, Logan Township and State Police.
Nov. 23, 2000
Altoona City Council voted to accept the old Baker Mansion Bell for City Hall being offered by the Blair County Historical Society. Both buildings were undergoing renovations.
It was reported that this month 50 years earlier, Nov. 24, 1950, Altoona was paralyzed for several days by the worst ice storm to ever hit the area, taking as long as weeks to clear up. It was the same time the Altoona VA Hospital opened and a Christmas Parade was being planned. Traffic, electric power, radio, trolley cars were out and hospitals went to emergency power. Hundreds of workers from around Central PA came to the city to assist.
Nov. 23, 2015
After CapForte LLC of Boca Raton, Fla., listed 37 Altoona properties it wanted to purchase for subsidized housing, Don Devorris of the Altoona Redevelopment Authority said that the authority preferred neighbors buy the properties.
A new religion in the city called Vineyard Altoona, Derek Heilman pastor, leased two spaces in the Altoona Transportation Center as places of worship for $750 a month. They had previously been meeting as New Life Community Church.
National, world news on this date
Nov. 22:
In 1963, John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was shot to death during a motorcade in Dallas; Texas Gov. John B. Connally, riding in the same car as Kennedy, was seriously wounded. Suspected gunman Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president.
In 1986, 20-year-old Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion in history, stopping WBC titleholder Trevor Berbick in the second round of their championship bout in Las Vegas.
In 2005, Angela Merkel took office as Germany's first female chancellor.
Nov. 23:
In 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed Nov. 25 a day of national mourning following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
In 1971, the People's Republic of China was seated in the United Nations Security Council.
In 1980, an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 people were killed by a series of earthquakes that devastated southern Italy.
In 1984, Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie completed one of the most famous passes in college football history, connecting with Gerald Phelan for a 48-yard touchdown with no time left on the clock as Boston College defeated the Miami Hurricanes 47-45.
Local news compiled by Tim Doyle. National, world news from The Associated Press.