Taken from the pages of The Aegis dated June 27, 1963:
The U.S. Postal Service this week assigned a "ZIP code" number to each of its thousands of branch offices. The new system, which the agency hoped would become as commonplace as car tags or Social Security numbers, was designed to speed up mail delivery. The system would allow for presorting and the future installation of mechanical equipment in post offices. These new machines were to be capable of detecting numbers, but not names, by a system of light rays. Local postal workers asked patrons to write their new codes down for safe-keeping. Mail patrons were to begin using it in their correspondence addresses and in their return addresses by placing the ZIP number immediately following the state name in the third line.
The Board of Education advertised for bids for the building contract for the first sections of the Harford Junior College. The first three units to be constructed would include a science building, a library and an general academic building. It was hoped that these buildings would be available for use by the opening of the second semester of the 1963-64 academic year in February 1964. The buildings would be constructed on the Prospect Hill Farm at Schuck's Corner. The big stone house on the property would be used for both administrative offices and student activities and one of the large barns would be remodeled to house the physical education department.
Havre de Grace would again host thousands of spectators to its city-wide Fourth of July celebration which would open with a mile-long parade. A day long program at the park would be headed by the Honorable Carlton Sickles, Congressman-at-large in Maryland; Sen. William S. James, president of the Maryland State Senate, would serve as master of ceremonies. Preceding the July 4th celebration was a three-day carnival held in the evenings at Tydings' Park.
One of the highlights of the day would be a junior drum corps competition for cash prizes. Fireworks would conclude the evenings festivities.
A tank truck loaded with propane gas in the Miller Gas Company parking lot at the corner of Route 1 and Bond Street started leaking. The gas sprayed in the air 10 feet from the rear of the tank and gave the appearance of fog. All traffic had to be rerouted from the area for several blocks as a precaution against an explosion.
More than 2,000 people showed up to watch 33 boys compete in the second annual soap box derby contest on Main Street in Bel Air. Richard Tilley, a 15-year-old Bel Air boy, won the more than two hour program. Tilley won a $500 Savings Bond as well as a handsome trophy provided by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors. He also earned an all expense paid trip to the annual All American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, to be held in July.
The Board of Education issued a call for Harford Countians to assist new teachers in finding houses, apartments or rooms to rent. People who had rented to teachers agreed teachers make good tenants. The need for continued cooperation from the community would remain urgent until every new teacher had secured adequate housing.
More than 100 men participated in the first major golf tournament held at the Maryland Golf and Country Clubs in Bel Air.
For sale at Woolworth's this week 50 years ago, according to an ad in The Aegis: Inflatable three-ring pool, 52" X 11", $3.98; Steel Web Pool, 6' X 15", $8.88; Sand pail and shovel set, 29 cents; Swim mask, 59 cents; Beach Ball, 59 cents; Dump truck sand toy, 79 cents; Single Shot Cap Gun, 49 cents.