How will you celebrate New Year's Eve this year?
At the Romeo Community Archives, we know that people observed it in a variety of ways in Romeo, including a party at the Romeo Community Youth & Civic Center in 1959.
The December 31, 1959 issue of The Romeo Observer had this photo of four young people decked out while standing in front of a Christmas tree at the Youth Center on the front page. The paper even identifies them. From left to right, they are Don Ruff, Mary Lynn Priest, Karen Glisch (daughter of Joseph Glisch - an original member of the Youth Center Advisory Board), and Jim Stark.
But why would the newspaper would have this picture on the front page? The main reason is that it has an article about the Youth Center's second annual New Year's Eve Ball. Apparently, the party was "for young people and 'young people at heart'." It also provided music from the Melody Blues orchestra, corsages for the lades, favors, and noisemakers as well as served New Year's breakfast. The people in the photo were simply getting a head start. On top of that, it was the end of the decade, so why not highlight that?
The building remains on the same place where it was erected on Morton Street in 1957. It's now known as Romeo-Washington-Bruce Parks & Recreation.
Wherever you celebrate it, have a wonderful New Year's Eve like these young people did! See you in 2024!
To learn more about Romeo Community Youth & Civic Center, you can contact the Romeo Community Archives at rca@romemodistrictlibrary.org or call (586) 690-4890.
Source: The Romeo Observer, December 31, 1959, p.A-1; The Romeo Observer, January 14, 1971, p.2-A; Romeo-Washington-Bruce Parks & Recreation "Our Story" video; and December 1957 Romeo Telephone Directory