MARY BRASWELL: Looking back at life in November 1953.

Each week Albany Herald researcher Mary Braswell looks for interesting events, places and people from the past. You can contact her at (229) 888-9371 or [email protected].

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled (7-2) that baseball is a sport, not a business. See what else was going on in November 1953.

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—The Albany Hospital League held a blood-typing drive. Every citizen was encouraged to have his or her blood tested for type to save time in case of a medical emergency. A list was to be compiled for safekeeping at Phoebe.

— Opening day for the Anchorage, a home for the rehabilitation of alcoholics, was just a few weeks away. The director, Stouffer Moses, came from Baltimore, bringing his wife and five children, to oversee the facility.

— For sale: 10 acres with pecan orchard, seven miles south of Albany near Radium Springs … $1,200.

— New! A 12-bottle carton of Coca-Cola. Price was 50 cents, plus deposit (or returns).

— Georgia Gov. Herman E. Talmadge declared that the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to end racial segregation in Southern schools would be “nothing less than a major step toward national suicide.”

— Within 48 hours, two train-automobile collisions were reported from Dawson. Fatalities numbered three. In addition, three others were seriously injured.

— While the number of tuberculosis cases were continuing to fall, on average four new cases still arose each month in Dougherty County.

—Lovett’s Food Store on Broad Street had a limited number of Baby Gail dolls at the special price of $5.98 with a $10 food purchase. This 24-inch doll had saran hair that could be shampooed, curled, combed and brushed. The regular price of the doll was $15.98, which included a five-piece hairdressing set.

— In the first half of the 1953-54 fiscal year, Albany’s Cudahy plant processed nearly 35 million pounds of livestock.

— Southern Bell Telephone Co. was nearing completion of converting all Albany phones to the dial system. Company representatives would be available to explain the new system and each subscriber would be issued an instruction booklet.

— The Dougherty County Mental Health Association began a campaign to collect small gifts for some of the 11,000 patients at the State Mental Institution in Milledgeville. Gift suggestions included combs, brushes, toys, gay bandanas, stationery and other items with no sharp or pointed edges.

— Donors were generous with supplying the Clothing Room at the courthouse before school started. By the first week in November, however, there was only one little dress and six pairs of pants remaining. Residents of the city were once again asked to check closets and drawers for any clothes outgrown by their children. By simply calling phone No. 4428, arrangements would be made to pick up the clothing.

— The U.S. Air Force and the Marine Corps announced that, effective immediately, an Albany establishment known as the “Playhouse” was off limits to all military personnel attached to Turner Air Force Base and the U.S. Marine Corps Depot of Supplies.

— Wanted: Man to chauffeur and help with cattle. House with cold and hot water and electricity furnished PLUS $30 per week straight salary.

— Bobs Candy & Peanut Co. introduced a new product exclusively to Albany customers. Bobs Pe-Kons candies were molded into the shape of a pecan half and “chock-full” of pecan meat. A contest was held for the best five submitted recipes using Bobs Pe-Kons, as well as the best five sales slogans for a nationwide promotion. Each prize was $10.

— A bill to consolidate the Albany and Dougherty County governments through a constitutional amendment was introduced to the Georgia Legislature.

— The Salvation Army asked for toy donations to its Empty Stocking Fund. All toys were accepted. Broken toys were repaired and repainted when possible and, when not, used for parts.

— Just in time for the holiday season, the Cake Box Bakery opened at 1015 W. Broad St.

— Savelle Jewelry Company was the place in Albany to get baby shoes bronzed. Bron-Shoe carried a lifetime warranty and was available in several styles. Style No. 49 with an ashtray made on the side was popular for $7.15.

— Two of Turner Air Force Base’s F-84 Thunderjets collided mid-air about 10 miles west of Albany off Dawson Road. One pilot ejected and was able to open his parachute, suffering minor injuries. The other pilot died in the crash.

— The Lee County 4-H Club participated in the statewide Tree Appreciation Day. At the end of the school day, every child received a tree to take home and plant. Across the state, approximately 2.5 million trees were given to students to plant.

— Santa’s pre-Christmas plan to visit Albany was released to the public. On the day after Thanksgiving, he would arrive at the airport and ride in an open car to the new Flint River Bridge. From there, a large float made by Turner Air Force base personnel would be Santa’s perch. Children were invited to the Albany Theater for selected movies, prizes and candy. Sponsored by downtown merchants, there was no charge to the children.

— Dougherty County Juvenile Court Judge Hudson Malone spoke to the Albany Lions Club on juvenile delinquency. He stressed that juvenile crimes were on the increase all across the state and country. The three reasons for the spike were listed as broken homes, abandoned mothers and, “with all due respect to them,” working mothers.