New info on the past from Bill Clifford

A photo display in the Newark Tea Party Replay Gallery has been updated with new information, thanks to Bill Clifford, former radio newsman. There are two photos from an event held at the Joe Sinsabaugh estate showing Ronald Reagan, William Buckley and John Ashbrook. Here's the link.

Bill was kind enough to remind me of some of the details, along with lots of other little things in Bill's and my history. He worked for WCLT in the early 70's and again in the mid-80's. He served on Newark City Council from 1976-79 and was an auxiliary fire chief.

That was during the years when Gene Malloy and Tom Bader served as chiefs of Newark Fire Department. Gene is featured in one of the Gallery Replay pages at this link.

Turns out they all get together for breakfast once in a while. Here's what Bill said about it:

(Remember: Radio guys always write in caps (so they'll be heard?))

CHIEF MALLOY IS 83. HE WILL BE 84 ON CHRISTMAS DAY. HE AND HIS WIFE, MARY, LIVE IN NEWARK AGAIN AFTER A NEVER TO RETURN MOVE TO FLORIDA IN ABOUT 1978. THEY HAVE BEEN BACK FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS.

WE HAVE BEEN CLOSE FRIENDS, ESPECIALLY SINCE LOSING MY MOM AND DAD NEARLY FIVE YEARS AGO. IN FACT WE MEET FOR BRUNCH NEARLY EVERY SATURDAY AT SOME LOCAL RESTAURANT. HIS WIFE JOINS US ALONG WITH TOM BADER WHO BECAME CHIEF WHEN GENE RETIRED. ALL ARE IN VERY GOOD HEALTH FOR THEIR AGES.

Bill also had more info about the totem pole featured recently at this link.

MY LATE FATHER, TIM CLIFFORD, WAS PLANT MANAGER AT LICKING LAUNDRY ON JEFFERSON STREET WHEN THE RACCOON CREEK FLOODED THE WEST SIDE OF NEWARK FROM NEAR 6TH STREET TO CHURCH STREET ON THAT FATEFUL JANUARY DAY.

THE RISING RIVER ASSOCIATION CONSISTED OF NEWARK BUSINESSMEN WHO RAISED MONEY TO HAVE AN INDIAN FROM ALASKA CARVE THE POLE TO KEEP THE EVIL WATERS OF THE LICKING WITHIN ITS BANKS. I THINK HE MAY HAVE COME TO NEWARK TO CARVE IT AND SEE THAT IT WAS ERECTED PROPERLY.

THE LICKING, SINCE THAT TIME HAS NEVER FLOODED TO THE DEGREE OF THE 1959 FLOOD.

IT LOOKS LIKE NEWARK’S FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT HAS DONE A GREAT JOB FOR 46 YEARS, ALTHOUGH A COAT OF PAINT MAY BE HELPFUL.

Bill also told me that about 1964 or 65 ...

NEWARK SCHOOL TEACHER RON CALLENDINE HAD SET UP HIS HOME-MADE TELESCOPE FOR HIS SCIENCE CLASSES AT ROOSEVELT. I CAN’T REMEMBER IF IT WAS 8TH OR 9TH GRADE. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NEAT TO SEE IF WE COULD GET A PICTURE OF THESE YOUNG SCIENTISTS LOOKING AT THE STARS. I GOT A HOLD OF YOU AT HOME, YOU CAME UP AND TOOK SEVERAL PICS AND AT LEAST ONE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE ADVOCATE. THIS WAS DONE AT JOHNNY CLEM SCHOOL YARD, ON JEFFERSON ROAD. I WAS ABOUT 14 OR SO.

JUST TO PROVE I HAVE “NEWSMAN” BLOOD, I REMEMBER A PROJECT EACH OF US HAD TO DO IN THE FIRST GRADE AT BEN FRANKLIN IN 1956-57. CAPITOLA LOUGHMAN WAS OUR TEACHER. I DID A THERMOMETER, BECAUSE I WAS FASCINATED BY, OF ALL PEOPLE, JOE HOLBROOK AT CHANNEL 10. JOE IS RETIRED NOW, BUT WENT BACK A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO TO A TRIBUTE TO FLIPPO THE CLOWN, WHEN FLIPPO (BOB MARVIN) DIED.

THERE ARE SO MANY EVENTS TO REMEMBER, AT AGE 57, ITS HARD TO BELIEVE WHERE TIME HAS GONE.

Your memories and input are greatly appreciated, Bill. I'm sure you are well-remembered and you could write a heck of a blog here, even if it would have to be in all-caps.