THIRTY YEARS AGO

The Blizzard of 1978 is an indelible image in the minds of Hoosiers old enough to remember.

From the Indiana AP newswire:

Hoosiers remember fury of paralyzing blizzard of 1978

Thirty years after a howling blizzard brought life to a standstill, Indiana residents are remembering the storm's fury and how some cheated death while marooned in snowbound cars.

The blizzard began on Jan. 25, 1978, and continued for two more days, bringing the lowest non-hurricane-related barometric pressure ever measured in the United States - 28.28 inches - said Dave Tucek, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Indianapolis.

Eleven people died in Indiana from traffic accidents and the deadly cold that accompanied the heavy snowfall. High winds quickly whipped the snow into drifts the towered 10 to 20 feet high, leaving roads impassable and stranding motorists.

"In the case of the 1978 event, two fronts, two pressure centers, converged and the timing was just right," said Ken Scheeringa, associate state climatologist.


And from the Kendallville News-Sun:

KENDALLVILLE — Meteorologists called it a once-in-a-100-years event.

Those who endured it remember it as the Great Blizzard of 1978.

Three low-pressure systems from the Gulf Coast, the Southwest and Canada converged in late January over Indiana, creating the perfect storm.

Thirty years ago gasoline was 63 cents a gallon. Black’s Sales Co. in Albion offered a 1978 Chevrolet van for $6,522.

The Dairy Queen in Kendallville had four junior Brazier burgers for $1, and milk was $1.25 a gallon, eggs 45 cents a dozen, bread 50 cents a loaf and bananas 17 cents a pound at Maloley’s.

The Park Avenue Kids were scheduled to entertain at the V & A’s Amber Room with dancing and a floor show.


The animated film “The Mouse and His Child” was playing at The Strand Theatre in Kendallville along with a late-night movie for adults-only called “The Girls Who’ll Do Anything.”

The East Noble varsity boy’s basketball team was licking its wounds after losing to West Noble 54 to 52, and the varsity girls learned they would play Lakeland in the opening game of the West Noble sectional.

The Dow Jones industrial average had fallen to a 33-month low at 763.34.

“Happy Days” and “LaVerne and Shirley” topped the TV ratings.

Area residents weren’t thinking about gas prices, the stock market, the cost of bread, sports scores or The Strand Theatre marquee.

They were thinking about survival.

And From The Author:

The Author has not been in a posting mood, lately. Lots of things are taking up what seems to me a more limited view. But that will change.

LET'S JUST REMEMBER SOME QUAINT, IF FAR LESS TEMPERATE, DAYS IN THE DESERT OF THE REAL!