These are some highlights from the News Journal on December 5, 1977:
National headlines
• ‘Mine workers ready to strike’
“WASHINGTON (AP) — The United Mine Workers union is ready to call its 10th strike in 40 years at midnight, even as negotiators continued meeting into the final hours of the current contract. … At mines in Ohio and West Virginia, more than 2,200 miners were reported off the job late last week. More absenteeism was likely today, the final work day of the expiring contract.”
Locally
• ‘Freezing rain blamed for power outages’
“Downed electrical lines apparently caused a tree fire outside Clinton Memorial Hospital this morning and power outages at the hospital and at least five residential areas in the county.” A photo showed a tree split by ice at the Dale Liggett residence at 751 Prairie Ave.
• Local obituaries included Anna Blair of Wilmington, Glenn Butler of Martinsville, Ada Mooney of Martinsville, Bertha Williams of Cincinnati (formerly of Wilmington), and newborn Sarah Lewis of Clarksville.
• Locals shown enjoying the annual tea dance to ring in the holidays at Snow Hill Country Club included “Mrs. Edwin Loving, Mr. Herschel Bolton, Mr. Robert Lestrich, Mrs. John Williams, Mr. Don McNeil, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Radcliffe, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Carey, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bobb, Mr. Bob Germann, Mr. Roger Bennett, Mrs. Ray Cosler, Mr. William Katter, Mrs. J.D. Smith and Mrs. Bennett.”
• The Progressive Mothers Club met including hostesses Mrs. Virginia Brommund, Mrs. Rebecca Webb and Mrs. Robert Ballinger.
• The English Club met at the Denver House for the annual Christmas dinner and party with 23 attendees including president Mrs. Paul Van der Voort. Gifts were exchanged with “Jamie Knowles acting as Santa’s Helper” and the event was planned by Mrs. Mary Schnapp, Mrs. Virginia Danford, Mrs. C.B. McCollister, Mrs. Ray Murphy and Mrs. John Rossman.
• The East Clinton Astros’ varsity basketball team fell to Little Miami 84-74 despite sophomore forward David Cluxton’s 20 points and Mark Smith and Rock Spurlock with 14 and 12, respectively.
• Winners of the Knights of Columbus basketball free throw competition were 11-year-olds Christina Meyer and J.D. McIntosh; 12-year-olds Laurel O’Brien and J.R. Brooks; 13 year-olds Amy Haley and Brad Barber; and 14-year-olds Lori Allen and Ricky Lewis.
