Take a look back at Franklin County’s history through news and photos that appeared in local newspapers 25, 50, and 100 years ago on Oct 15th.
25 Years Ago
October 15, 1996 – Tuesday
“HOT TOYS: ‘Tickle Me Elmo,’ ‘Space Jam’ are picked to be hits”
Attention early-bird shoppers: A wiggling, giggling Sesame Street star, a team of Michael Jordan and Looney Tunes figures and a mini-shopping mall complete with a tiny gold card are among this year’s hot holiday playthings.
Even before the Halloween candy hits the front step, toy watchers are picking the big winners for holiday 1996. Topping nearly everyone’s list: Tyco Preschool’s Tickle Me Elmo ($28), a soft, cuddly version of the popular Sesame Street character that talks, chortles and shakes with laughter when his belly is tickled.
Another top choice: Playmates’ Space Jam action figures and accessories ($7.99-$9.99), based on the animated movie starring Jordan due Nov. 15.
“There’s not a boy 5 and up who won’t want to see the movie and then go buy the toys,” says Jim Silver, publisher of Toy Book magazine.
Hasbro’s Star Wars and Trend-master’s Independence Day action figures ($4.99-$24.99) also are expected to be holiday must-haves. Ditto for Nintendo’s 64-bit video game system and Sony’s PlayStation (both $199).
Melanie’s Mall (CAP Toys, $3.99 to $34.99), collectible stores and kiosks that combine to make a mega mall, complete with food court, motorized escalator and 3″inch fashion dolls, looks like a sure winner, says Chris Byrne, editor of the industry newsletter Market Focus: Toys.
As usual, Mattel’s Barbie will reign supreme, particularly the new animal-loving Pet Doctor Barbie ($21) and the ever-popular Holiday Barbie ($30).
Among other hot prospects:
- Mattel’s 101 Dalmatians plush toys ($16-$30).
- Milton Bradley’s Goose-bumps-based Terror in the Graveyard board game ($15).
- Tyco’s TycoVideoCam video recorder for kids ($100).
- Lego’s Fort Legoredo, a 690-piece Wild West fort ($84).
- Ty Toys’ Beanie Babies bean-bag animals (under $6).
50 Years Ago
1971 – October 15, Friday
“Chamber Speaker”
McConnelsburg – Murray Kauffman, Chambersburg, president of Franklin County Heritage, Inc., will speak at the Fulton Chamber of Commerce meeting Oct. 19 in the American Legion Home at noon.
His talk, scheduled for 12:30, will offer suggestions and guidelines to people of Fulton County who are involved in acquiring the Fulton House for a county library.
100 Years Ago
October 15, 1921 – Saturday
“ Will Lecture in Newark”
Mrs. Grace G. Farmer, of Montclair, a member of the editorial council of the Missionary Review of the World, and widely known as a speaker at summer missionary conferences held at Northfleld, Mass.; Chambersburg, Pa.; Ocean Grove ; and elsewhere, will give a series of four Thursday night lectures Clinton Avenue Baptist Church, New- : ark, on “Current Topics for World Citizens, beginning this week, with a discussion of “Japan and Korea.”
Mrs. Farmer’s father was the pastor for many years of the First Baptist Church, of Detroit, and while widely known among Baptists of the country his daughter is large number of persons of other faiths through her writings and lectures.
Subjects chosen by Mrs. Farmer are, in addition to that stated, “China and India,” “Africa and Latin America,” and “The Church in the World.” She will speak under the auspices of the Young Ladies’ Missionary Society of the Clinton Avenue Church.
