Class of 1973 Celebrates 50 Years

Seated on floor. William “Bill” Law. Front row. Left to right. Pam Ellison Jones, Cheryl Cheesebrew Sturm, Barb Wilson Fluharty, Judy Ellison Hanlon, Kathy Metheney Smith, Sue Brannon Oshoway, Brenda Morehead Richards, Wilma Headley Mace, Peggy Sampson Dye, Beverly Bush Browning, Terry Gherke Blankenship. Back row Teddy Holbert, Chuck Heiney, Clarence Deweese, Daniel “Dip” Mace, Robert Conrad, Wendell McKown, Bruce Bates, Glen Seigrist, Daniel Cain, Rick Blankenship

In the year 1973, U.S. unemployment was 5.6%, the average family income was $12,900, and a new house cost around $32,500. The retail price for a gallon of gas averaged 39 cents, the minimum wage was $1.60 per hour, and an ounce of gold cost $106.48. Eggs were 69 cents a dozen, Oreos were 59 cents for a 19-ounce package, and peanut butter was 99 cents for a 2½-pound jar.

In the year 2023, unemployment is at 3.5%, average family income is $31,133, a new house cost on average $416,100, The retail price for a gallon of gas $3.54, Minimum wage is now $7.25 an hour, and an ounce of Gold is valued at $1,913.96. To buy a dozen eggs in New York in April of 2023, the cost was $4.21. America’s treasured cookie, the Oreo, is now $4.48 for a package and Peanut Butter that once cost .99 cents will now cost the average American ” $6.22.

While all those things can have a monetary value, one thing that cannot is the invaluable price of friendship. Calhoun County High School Class of 1973 gathered at the Western Sizzlin’ Steakhouse in Parkersburg to celebrate 50 years of friends on August 5, 2023.