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These pictures are from Roaring Spring's 75th Anniversary Military Parade held on Aug. 17, 1962. The first photo is of a replica of the Mercury Space capsule that John Glenn orbited the earth on Feb. 20, 1962. The second is of a U.S. Army Reserve tank (you can also see the Railway Express warehouse which adjoined the Roaring Spring train station). The third is of the Ray-Camp VFW float with veterans from World War I, World War II and Korea. The fourth is of more veterans from those wars marching. These photos are from the Elmer Burket collection which are currently being preserved at the Blair County Genealogical Society. They were submitted by Victor Curfman of Altoona, formerly of Roaring Spring.
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
Aug. 8, 1951
The Blair County Mosquito Control Commission, Walter H. Leedom secretary, reported that between two and four crews were out about 25 days in July, averaging the spraying of about 50 gallons of old oil and 60 gallons of mosquito control oil.
Aug. 8, 1976
The Altoona Area Public Library held its fourth annual Pet Parade Contest entered by about 75 children with their pets. The prize for the ugliest pet was won by Rene Weamer who had an eel named Slip that belonged to a species called Tiretrack.
Aug. 8, 2001
Two former Altoona City officials filed a lawsuit saying the city overtaxed residents $3 million by calling general revenue as recreation revenue and wanted the practice stopped and money refunded to residents.
Aug. 8, 2016
Rocky Greenland, Blair County Director of Public Works, said he was "shocked" when he climbed a scaffold and saw peeling paint, broken caulk, splintered wood and bowed windows at the Blair County Courthouse.
Aug. 9, 1951
After two years of complaints from about 30 residents of Greenwood, Justice of the Peace Cloyd Colyer filed charges against the owners of Jay's Drive-In Restaurant for playing records over their loudspeaker too loud in the evenings, constituting a public nuisance.
An Altoona Horse Show was announced for the Frankstown Hunt Club with 95 entries received for the two-day show.
Aug. 9, 1976
The Central High School Music Parents were sponsoring "Brass Sounds," a show by the top five Drum Corps International groups at Mansion Park Aug. 17.
Nineteen members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Juniata were to travel by van to the Super Dome in New Orleans for a meeting of 25,000 Lutherans called the All Lutheran Youth-Adult Gathering. Pastor Donald Main accompanied the group.
Aug. 9, 2001
In U.S. District Court in Johnstown, Judge D. Brooks Smith ruled that construction on a private prison in Clearfield could proceed. The Citizens Advisory Committee on Private Prisons Inc. had challenged the project. Judge Smith ruled the prison had violated National Environmental Policy but then corrected it.
Altoona City Police auctioned off four machine guns and six rifles because they had been replaced by newer models. The machine guns required a special ATF permit to own. They were used by the military in WWII.
Aug. 9, 2016
A new program called the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps, groups of volunteer high school students, were cleaning up and improving state parks like Prince Gallitzin and were paid for a six-week commitment.
Local news compiled by Tim Doyle. National, world news from The Associated Press will return next week.