This Week in Marblehead History: 1977

Every week, Marblehead Patch digs through the Marblehead Messenger microfilm archives at the Abbot Public Library to find out what was happening on this week in local history.

In 1977:

A Triple Whammy — One Big Mess, Police Lt. Says: "They were calling it a double whammy when the second storm piling up 17 inches of snow hit. So they knew what to call the third one when it struck Sunday night (A Triple Whammy).

Cosat Guard Rescues Six — The First Man Who Jumped Has Not Been Located: "The high drama of the Coast Guard's rescue of six crewmen of the coastal tanker Chester A. Poling Monday came over the air waves for many Marbleheaders to hear.

Those able to monitor Coast Guard channels, mostly Channel 16, with their radio scanners used primarily for police and fire calls, were gripped by the uncertain fate of the seven-member crew.

Only one crewman died and listeners knew without a doubt that the Coast Guard was directly responsible for saving the six other lives. 

Snow's Expensive — Cost Hits $85,000: "Snow costs a lot of money. Marblehead in this year's budget set aside $25,000 for snow removal for the winter. Many people expected that wouldn't be enough but they knew the Finance Committee would be willing to help — if the need arose.

The need arose.

SSC to Offer Credit for TV Show Roots: Students will be able to earn credits at Salem State College for watching a television series on Channel 5 based on the best-selling book "Roots" by Alex Haley.

The 12-hour production will begin Sunday, January 23, and run for eight consecutive evenings. Featuring such stars as Cicely Tyson, Lorne Greene and Ed Asner, the $6 million series traces the history of the Haley family from the present to The Gambia, Africa of the 1750s. 

Movies: King Kong, A Star is Born, Silver Streak and The Pink Panther Strikes Again.

Advertisement: Luncheons served 7 days from $1.50 up Dave Wong's China Sails restaurants in Salem, Peabody and Danvers

Do you know anyone who was a town resident in 1977? Do you recognize any of these names or moments? Let us know in the comments section below.