On September 30, 1967, the UK’s first national pop radio station, BBC Radio 1 was launched. The station was established as a successor to the BBC Light Program, which had broadcast music and other shows since the end of World War II. Radio 1, meanwhile, was created as a direct response to the rabid success of offshore pirate radio stations, such as Radio Caroline and Radio London, which had been outlawed by the UK Parliament. Radio 1 served as the home to such legendary DJs as John Peel, Alan Freeman, Kenny Everett, and Tony Blackburn, while today, it remains one of the most influential music stations around the world.
In 1995, Mariah Carey made chart history when she began an eight-week run atop the Billboard Hot 100 with “Fantasy,” making her the first female act to debut at the chart’s No.1 spot. The enduring track, which heavily samples the Tom Tom Club’s 1981 song, “Genius of Love,” marked the singer’s ninth No.1 hit in the US and became a Top Ten hit around the globe.
In 1978, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John topped the UK pop chart with “Summer Nights,” their second No.1 from the Grease soundtrack. The track spent seven weeks at No.1, and, combined with an earlier nine-week run with “You’re The One That I Want,” the duo spent 16 weeks at No.1 in 1978. In the US, the song reached No.5.
In 1995, Simply Red scored their first UK No.1 hit with “Fairground.” It was the British group’s only song to top the chart.
In 2006, Justin Timberlake’s second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, topped the US album charts. Prior to its release, it also became the most pre-ordered album on iTunes in the history of the service.
In 1965, Donovan made his US television debut on Shindig!, along with The Hollies, The Turtles, and the Dave Clark Five.
BORN ON SEPTEMBER 30
1933: Cissy Houston
1935: Johnny Mathis
1947: Marc Bolan (T. Rex)
1964: Trey Anastasio (Phish)
1964: Robby Takac (Goo Goo Dolls)
1984: Keisha Buchanan (Sugababes)
1986: Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons)
Meeker County 4H members are getting ready for the national observance of 4H Week. The special week from October 5th through the 11th will give club members a chance to talk to other kids about joining 4H.
Meeker County 4H Extention Educator Cassidy Martin says there are 8 clubs in Meeker County with about 370 kids involved and there are also some independent members. She says the kids can study any number of project areas and it’s kind of a self-directed, choose your own adventure program.
Martin says 4H is for kids from Kindergarten to one year past high school and the clubs meet once a month so the members learn about conducting a meeting, handling finances and participating in community service projects. She says there are different project bowl competitions that the members can compete in throughout the year, along with day camps, workshops and overnight camps.
Forest City Livewires President Alexis Blunt says she joined 4H when she was in Kindergarten and she specializes in poultry and rabbits. She says she’s been participating in rabbit bowl since she was in the 3rd grade and she was able to take her ducks to the State Fair for the first time in August.
Blunt, who’s in the 8th grade, says she plans to stay in 4H as long as she can – a year past high school. For more information about joining 4H, call the Meeker County Extension office at 693-5275. You can also go to the University of Minnesota Meeker County 4H website or social media for more information.
Zion Lutheran Church of Litchfield had a Meeker County Food Drive on Saturday, September 27th at Family Fare and Walmart. They collected 1,740 pounds of food, and $3,598.71 in cash.
Keith Johnson says the donations will allow the food shelf to buy $14,394.84 of food and supplies for those in need. He says they were thankful to the staff of Hicks Bus Line in Litchfield for providing two mini busses which were filled with food products and supplies. They were also thankful to the staff at Family Fare and Walmart for allowing them to solicit donations for the Meeker Area Food Shelf – and thankful for all the people who donated money and food.