Morton High School - Top Hat Yearbook (Hammond, IN)

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Kath...Groucho Marx ...C4 Death, orange juice, homosexuality and “suds” titled 1977-1978 as each found its place in newspaper head lines. Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Groucho Marx, Charlie Chaplin, and Guy Lombardo — a few of the famous entertainers whose lives ended and careers vanished in ’77-’78. Their deaths aroused nationwide sadness and marked an end to an era of top notch entertaining personalities. The ‘Crooner’, actor-singer Bing Crosby, enriched American life with his own special singing style in perfecting “White Christmas.” He also appeared with actor Bob Hope in many “road” pictures and specials. Elvis “the Pelvis” Presley initiated a unique variation of American music to the world — rock ’n roll as he made famous such songs as “Hound Dog,”, “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Frankie and Johnnie.” Dark-rimmed glasses, a thick mustache and a dangling cigar symbolized Groucho Marx of the former Marx Brothers, and game-show host of “You Bet Your Life.” Silent movies founded the ever- expanding film industry of today. Comedy actor, Charlie Chaplin contributed to the introduction and popularity of “the movies.” “Auld Lang Syne” lacked the traditional direction of Guy Lombardo on New Year’s Eve as he did not appear for the annual event with his Royal Canadian orchestra. Along with these celebrities, an entire college basketball team lost their lives in the University of Evansville plane crash. An area member of the squad, freshman Ray Commendella of Munster was on the plane and killed. Orange juice promoter Anita Bryant came close to bidding the Florida Orange Bird farewell because of her protest against homosexuality. Individuals supporting gay rights boycotted orange juice and Anita’s performances. She came close to losing her job. Although her views attracted many foes, readers of “Good Housekeeping” magazine managed to dub her the title of “Woman of the Year.” “Soap”, a new controversial television ‘soap opera’ managed to capture high ratings even though a substantial amount of people disliked it because of the subject matter — murder, homosexuality, and sex. Other rookie television series and celebrities highlighted the year by appearing in homes across the nation on the ‘tube.’ They included “Class of ’65,” “Eight is Enough,” “Fantasy Island,” Cheryl Ladd, Suzanne Sommers, and Jack Ritter. Artoo-Detoo, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia emerged as familiar well-known figures due to the success of the motion picture “Star Wars.” The Sci-fi adventure began as an instant hit and soared to top the all-time ticket sale list. Popular movies of the past year included a visit to Earth from another planet in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” John Travolta reigned as ‘Disco king,’ dancing to the music of the Bee Gees, in “Saturday Night Fever.” Wars from the sky and screen came down to Earth in real life for a war of words. President Anwar Sadat of Egypt announced his attempt at a plan for peace in the Middle East. The peace talks were momentarily halted because of a border disagreement between Egypt and Israel. The U.S. and President Carter joined in the encouragement for peace. A radioactive Soviet satellite, that developed friction between Canada and Russia, fell to Earth and landed in a desolate region in Canada. After being found, scientists studied parts and found some to be highly radioactive. America’s coal miners and farmers held the biggest strikes of the year as they received countless newspaper headlines. If the strike had not been settled, area miners may have been without jobs today. Prinze,.,Joan Crawford ... • t •

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i t .BingCrosby... Elvis ...Terry 01 u a ffi co 01 01 W 8 8 4 in ' 77- ' 78 mmrn I HOPICANA W ' GRANGE JUICE ■ keep refrigerated Trdpicana 1 100% PURE PASTEURIZED ORANGE JUSCE • 0 NET 64 FL. OZS. (2 QTS.) ' BOOTS, HAIR NEW FADS Characteristic of 1977-1978, boots and blow-dry hair styles emerged and hit the fashion scene for both males and females. Girls modeled knee- length peasant skirts with cowl neck sweaters worn with or without boots. Coming out as one of the nation’s most popular teenage singing idols, Shaun Cassidy of “The Hardy Boys” television series, hit the top of the rock charts with the songs “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “Hey, Deanie.” Other music sensations ranking in pop charts included UFO, “Short People,” Andy Gibb, Foreigner, and an album “Rumors” by the incomparable group, Fleetwood Mac. Guy Lombardo... Freddie 22 — National

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$c8 (g? K) K) oa £=o The temperature rose to 32°F. Flurries fluttered lightly through the air. The wind increased causing the accumulating snow to drift. The start of the ‘Blizzard of 78.’ Within a few hours on January 26, the Midwest became buried in snow. Roads, businesses, and schools closed. Dr. Otis Bowen, governor, declared Indiana a ‘state of emergency.’ Does this sound too familiar? Eleven years ago to the day, Midwest residents had experienced a similar snowfall. Businesses and schools were closed. Transportation was halted. “When I woke up and saw the snow, I didn’t think too much of it. Just flurries, but as the day went on and so did the snow, I asked myself why was I living here and not in Florida,” stated one local resident. Any trip outside, even if only to empty the garbage, proved to be an adventure. Drifts as high as four feet made passage almost impossible. Continuous snowfall prevented plows from keeping main streets clear. Side SHUT roads remained treacherous. New Hampshire Avenue in Hessville was completely covered by a large drift, making it impassable. Residents were stranded inside for an entire day until a plow could clear the street. Those who went to work on the morning of January 26 thinking the snowfall was only temporary, themselves in a dangerous situation. As the day and the snow progressed, travel worsened. Returning home for many included many hours spent trying to drive through the snow. Some Midwest residents who tried to escape from the blizzard failed. Chicago’s O’Hare Airport closed down for only the third time in its history.Most trains and buses stopped running. One Amtrak train became caught in a 17 foot drift forcing its passengers and crew to remain inside the train until they could be evacuated. All schools and most businesses locally were closed down because of the snow. Morton students received ■£ (S only one “free day” from school. When the blizzard hit, semester break was taking place. One extra vacation day was added so staff members could catch up on work missed during the snow. Millworkers already at work when the snow hit were urged to remain at work instead of trying to make it home. ‘Through rain or snow or sleet or hail ... ’ but not through a blizzard. All postal service was delayed during the snow. After the snow ended, postmen found it difficult to deliver the mail through the many unshoveled sidewalks. Traveling was not only dangerous but sometimes illegal. Some city police placed a curfew as t o when one could drive. Merrillville prohibited any traveling except for emergencies. Tickets were being issued to any unauthorized vehicles on the roads for two days. The East Coast was struck by the snow much worse than the Midwest. New York experienced its worst blizzard since 1888. Winds up to 36 mph created large drifts and a chill factor below zero. Roads and businesses were completely shut down. The New York Stock Exchange closed its door for the first time ever. This year the snow, last year the cold. Below zero weather prevailed in the winter of 1976-77 for more than 40 days. Through this cold period, Midwest residents experienced a taste of Arctic life. The ‘Freeze of 77’ and the ‘Blizzard of 78.’ Freak happenings? Maybe not, the National Weather Bureau says that this type of weather is normal. We have previously experienced unusually mild winters for the Midwest. A blizzard hit the Midwest in 1967 closing schools and businesses. Heavy snow hit again eleven years later causing extensive damage. Will it happen in another eleven years?