"Old times there are not forgotten"
The United States severed diplomatic relations with Cuba and sponsored a hostile invasion that failed to dislodge Fidel Castro's government. President Kennedy announced plans for The Peace Corps as an alternative to compulsory military service. The first American in space, Navy Commander Alan B. Shepard, Jr. made a suborbital flight in a Mercury capsule named the Freedom Seven. The Alliance for Progress was created and the United States reaffirmed United Nations membership for the Nationalist Chinese government on Taiwan. American families were advised to build private bomb shelters. Gen. Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines for his first visit since 1946. New York Yankee outfielder Roger Maris hit 61 home runs setting a new major league record for schedules more than 154 games in a season. The last DeSoto automobile rolled off the assembly line.
New book titles: The Coming Fury, Spirit Lake, The Winter of our Discontent and The Agony and the Ecstasy.
At the movies: Two Women, West Side Story, and Judgement at Nuremberg.
On stage: The Night of the Iguana, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and A Man for All Seasons.
Television premiers: The Dick VanDyke Show and The Avengers.
At college, in military service or at work we listened to: Never on Sunday, Where the Boys Are, Apache,Don't be Cruel and It's Now or Never.
January 27
Classmate Marlene Deloris Moore married John Roger Crowder of Prosperity. The wedding ceremony was performed in Beckley. Marlene was employed in the traffic department of Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company in Beckley and Roger was serving in the United States Army at the time of the marriage.
January 27
Classmate Sherry Lee Evans married Jerry Rose, WWHS 1959. The wedding ceremony was performed in Beckley. Following a one night honeymoon in Princeton, West Virginia, the newly weds traveled to New York City where they studied dance and performed in a small company - Ballet Cirque. Initially, they lived in a huge scary house with other company members.
March 1
Marshall College became Marshall University when legislation passed by the West Virginia Legislature approving university status was signed by Gov. W.W. Barron.
May 18
Classmate Frank Huston was released from active duty in the United States Army.
June 26
Honey In The Rock was introduced at the outdoor theater in Grandview State Park. This premier was attended by 1,020 invited viewers. Classmate Linda Carrol Lawson appeared in the production as a dancer .
July 8
Classmate Norman Richard Meadows married Connie Ballard, WWHS 1961. The wedding ceremony was performed in Beckley. Richard was serving in the United States Army at the time of the marriage.
July 14
Classmate Janice Gayle Curtis received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Concord College (now university).
August 28
Classmate Mary Ellen Thorpe married Ed States of Roanoke, Virginia. The wedding ceremony was performed in the First Christian Church in Beckley. Mary Ellen was a student at Concord College (now University) and Ed had just graduated from Concord at the time of the marriage.
September 29
Classmate James Cole was released from active duty in the United States Army.