The Yellowed Pages: News from 25 years ago in The Baltimore Guide
by Jacqueline Watts
editor@baltimoreguide.com
Mrs. Mary Ordakowski was at it again. Mrs. Ordakowski, who decorated her house for every holiday, outdid herself for 1982 with her Easter decorations, which featured large crepe paper eggs, bunnies, chipmunks, garlands and cellophane grass.
Mrs. Ordakowski’s house was a particular favorite of the children and staff at William Paca Elementary School #83, who visited often to see what she had on display.
Bob Irsay, who was destined never to be a favorite of any Baltimorean, refused to sign a long-term lease for Memorial Stadium, thus making it likelier that $22 million in general obligation bonds earmaried for stadium renovation would expire July 1 unspent. Problem was, Irsay had to agree that if he moved the Baltimore Colts out of town before 1996, the date the bond would be paid off, he would repay the $22 million bond, and he was unwilling to do that.
Governor Harry Hughes expressed disappointment, but Mayor William Donald Schaefer announced that he was confident the Colts would stay in town because the fans were still supporting the team. Irsay said it was a business decision.
General Motors was looking at its Broening Highway plant and a similar facility in Texas to build a new series of front-wheel drive intermediate cars called “N-Cars.”
The line, which would replace the Chevy Monte Carlo, Buick Regal, Pontiac Grand Prix and Oldsmobile Cutlass, was scheduled to begin production in 1984.
The Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. issued shutoff notices to 74,000 customers, ending the annual winter moratorium on power cutoffs. The power company estimated that 7,100 customers would be cut off for lack of payment, and that nearly half of those would then pay the bill and be back on the grid within two days, 80 percent within 30 days.
Social Security trustees announced—again— that the system would run out of money unless Congress approved another increase in the tax rate. The increases approved in 1981 and 1982 were not sufficient, said John Svahn, Social Security commissioner, because of the lingering recession. This time, Svahn said, the situation was so dire that if Congress did not act, the agency would have to stop issuing checks beginning in 1983.
Customs agents seized a boatload of trucks—literally—at the Locust Point Marine Terminal. The 22 Mack trucks and 12 Fruehauf trailers were bound for Tripoli, Libya, in violation of the export ban imposed on the country. Reagan administration officials had accused Libyan dictator Col. Muammar Qaddafi of sending assassination squads to kill U.S. government leaders when they imposed the export ban.
The city Department of Public Works issued a warning about two men posing as city water inspectors who told homeowners that they needed a new water meter at a cost of $300. (Some scams never change).
James Capplin, the DPW spokesman, explained that the city did not send inspectors to homes without an appointment, that all city workers were equipped with photo identification that they were required to show on demand, and that city workers are forbidden to accept payment for services; if any payment came due the city would bill the homeowner.
The students of St. Elizabeth were getting ready to put on their spring musical, “Bye Bye Birdie.” A cast of 11- to 14-year-olds portrayed characters in the story of a teen idol who had been drafted into the military, and his promoter’s grand idea to pick the perfect small-town girl to give him a going-away kiss.
As the weather warmed up, school administrators were thinking not just about summer vacation, but about the following fall. Our Lady of Pompei had an enormous advertisement proclaiming that the school was now accepting registration for the school year 1982-83, for grades K-8 and 9-12. Parents were advised to bring children’s baptismal certificates, birth certificates, medical records and most recent report cards.
And at the end of the school year, high schoolers were looking to order their class rings. Lakein’s Jewelers had a sale on ArtCarved Siladium class rings. Rings were $79.95, with up to $26 of custom options free of charge. Each ring carried a full lifetime warranty.
The Maryland Veterinary Medical Association urged all pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and cats against rabies. The association reported that 64 rabies cases had been reported in the state in the last six months. A rabies outbreak in Virginia and West Virginia appeared to be spreading into Western Maryland, the association reported.
The Guide had coupons for White Coffee Pot, Jr. If you were doing the Lenten non-meat diet, a salmon cake sandwich and fries was 99 cents. A fresh tuna sub was 99 cents as well.
State Sales Company announced that it had a full selection of Easter supplies for sale, including musical, plush and rubber rabbits. Not to be outdone, Sweet Craft Candies on German Hill Road announced that it had an array of hollow and solid bunnies plus factory over-run salt water taffy.
