On Dec. 10, 1959, the four male members of The Platters were acquitted of charges of aiding and abetting prostitution. They had been arrested four months earlier.
In 1962, “Lawrence of Arabia” had its royal premiere in London. Peter O’Toole starred as English officer T.E. Lawrence.
In 1967, singer Otis Redding and four members of the Bar-Kays died in the crash of his private plane in Wisconsin. Redding was 26.
Also in 1967, singer Steve Miller signed a precedent-setting contract with Capitol Records. He received a large advance on his band’s first album and a sizeable royalty rate.
In 1971, Frank Zappa broke a leg and ankle and fractured his skull when he was pushed from a London stage by the jealous boyfriend of a Zappa fan. Zappa spent months in a wheelchair recovering.
In 1972, singer Roberta Flack and two members of her backup band were injured in a car accident while driving into New York.
In 1995, rapper Darren Robinson of the Fat Boys died of cardiac arrest after a bout with the flu. He was working on a comeback album at the time. Robinson was 28.
In 1996, country singer Faron Young died in a hospital in Nashville, a day after he shot himself in the head. He was 64.
In 1997, bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee of Motley Crue were arrested for allegedly knocking over a security guard at a concert in Phoenix.
Also in 1997, bass singer Jacob Carey of The Flamingos died of a heart attack in his home in Lanham, Maryland. He was 74. The Flamingos were best known for their hit “I Only Have Eyes For You.”
In 1999, bassist Rick Danko of The Band died in Woodstock, New York. He was 56.
In 2005, comedian Richard Pryor died of a heart attack at a hospital outside Los Angeles. He was 65.
Also in 2005, Garth Brooks married Trisha Yearwood in a private ceremony at their home in Oklahoma.
In 2007, Led Zeppelin reunited for the first time in 30 years, for a tribute concert in London for Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun.
Today’s birthdays: Actor Fionnula Flanagan (“Waking Ned Devine”) is 83. Actor-singer Gloria Loring is 78. Drummer Walter “Clyde” Orange of The Commodores is 78. Country singer Johnny Rodriguez is 73. Actor Susan Dey is 72. Musician Paul Hardcastle is 67. Actor John J. York (“General Hospital”) is 66. Actor-director Kenneth Branagh is 64. Actor Nia Peeples is 63. TV chef Bobby Flay is 60. Singer-guitarist J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. is 59. Bassist Scot Alexander of Dishwalla is 53. Drummer Meg White of The White Stripes is 50. Actor Emmanuelle Chriqui (“Superman and Lois,” “Entourage”) is 49. Rapper Kuniva of D12 is 49. Actor Gavin Houston (“The Haves and the Have Nots,” “Guiding Light”) is 47. Bassist Noah Harmon of Airborne Toxic Event is 43. Actor Patrick John Flueger (“Chicago P.D.”) is 41. Country singer Meghan Linsey is 39. Actor Raven-Symone (“That’s So Raven,” ″The Cosby Show”) is 39. Actor-singer Teyana Taylor is 34. Actor Kiki Layne (“Coming 2 America,” “If Beale Street Could Talk”) is 33.
Tim Nelson will be back in Litchfield to direct a musical play at the Litchfield Opera House. “The 1940s Christmas Radio Show” will be presented on Tuesday, December 17th at 7 p.m.
Nelson says there’s a cast of 14 – with half of the actors coming from his playhouse in California and the other half from Litchfield Community Theatre. He says it’s a feel-good, family Christmas show with 1940s music.
Nelson says he’s currently doing “A Christmas Carol” at the Rose Center Theater in Westminster, California on the weekends which is why the show in Litchfield was scheduled for a Tuesday evening. He says tickets are $10 which includes dessert and you can get them in advance by calling the Litchfield Opera House (call 593-7830), or purchase them at the door.
The students at St. Philip’s Catholic School in Litchfield have been busy getting ready for a Christmas concert. “Rejoicing with Mary” will be presented at the Church of St. Philip on Thursday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
5th grader Zacharias says they will also perform the concert for residents of Ecumen next week. He says they had a visit last Friday from St. Nicholas and learned all about him during St. Nick Night.
Zacharias says they are close to reaching their financial goal for their annual marathon so any additional donations to the School of St. Philip would be greatly appreciated. He says he’s looking forward to Catholic Schools Week at the end of January – especially the field trips.
5th grader Maci says she’s looking forward to the dress up days during Catholic Schools Week. She says the students collected food for the Meeker Area Food Shelf during the month of November and collected over 100 pounds of food and about $400.
Principal Andrea Dietrich says St. Philip’s School is in the lighting contest in Litchfield so any votes for the school would be appreciated. She says the Believe It Achieve It event is coming up on February 1st at the Litchfield Eagles Club with the Dueling Guitars and tickets are on sale at St. Philip’s School, St. Philip’s Church and at the Litchfield Eagles Club.
The Litchfield School Board certified the 2025 property tax levy last night in the amount of $6,680,892.20. It’s an increase over last year of 5.66% or $358,023.74.
Business Manager Jesse Johnson gave a presentation on the levy and budgets during the truth in taxation hearing. Johnson also told the Board last night about a sprinkler pipe that had frozen over the Thanksgiving break and then burst – flooding the main entrance to the High School, the vestibule, office, conference room, lobby and commons area, and the clean-up that has been taking place in the meantime.
Also last night, out-going Litchfield School Board members Julie Pennertz and Michelle Falling were recognized by their fellow board members as it was the last meeting for both of them. Falling says she’s served with good people on the Litchfield School Board during her 4-year term and there are always challenges. Pennertz says a lot has happened over the past 8 years as she’s served, but her fellow board members have been very cooperative.
Pennertz mentioned COVID as one of the challenges, and fellow board member Darrin Anderson added that they’ve gone through 2 superintendent searches in the past 8 years, a referendum and building projects. Board member Greg Mathews says school board members across the nation face threats and it takes thick skin to serve. He commended quality people like Julie and Michelle for their willingness to serve on the Litchfield School Board.
