Do you remember when milk cost $1.13 a gallon? It’s odd to think about the price tripling in the past four decades.
In winter 1970, milk cost Cleveland County grocery buyers just over a dollar. Half-gallons were sold for 57 cents. Let that sink in for a moment. I’m sure there are many who remember when milk was sold even cheaper.
Some consumers thought paying more than $1 per gallon was expensive, and it was for the time. Richard Nixon was president, Elvis posed for a picture with him at the Oval Office, and Congress authorized Dwight D. Eisenhower’s face to appear on the dollar coin.
News stories from the time, including some printed in The Star, reveal angst about paying more for milk.
While perusing pictures the other day, I came across one from Webb Dixie Discount Drug Company, taken in December 1970. It shows a handwritten price advertisem*nt for milk. I thought my eyes were deceiving me but no, buttermilk only cost 30 cents back then.
The world has changed dramatically in 45 years. I think it would be awesome to only pay $1.13 for a gallon of milk. I can’t imagine it, because that was before my time. When I was born, grocery prices were higher. By the time I became of age to shop on my own, prices looked more like what we pay today.
But the photo of the milk prices takes us back to a simpler time, when kitchen staples weren’t so expensive and The Partridge Family’s recording of “I Think I Love You” was number-one on the charts.
Open house, ribbon cutting
There will be an open house and Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting to celebrate the new facilities of the Shelby Wellness and Therapy Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., July 24. Tour the office at 809 N. Lafayette St., Shelby, and meet professionals. The ribbon cutting will be at 11:30 a.m. Food will be available throughout the day. The breakfast selection will be at 8 a.m. and lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. If attending for lunch RSVP with your company name and number attending to info@shelbytherapy.com or at 704-284-0554 before July 17.
Christmas in July
A Christmas in July event will be from 5 until 7 p.m., July 23, at the Testa Family Hospice House, 321 Kings Mountain Blvd., Kings Mountain. You can also attend from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., July 24, at Hospice Cleveland County administration building. Participants will have the opportunity to make Christmas ornaments in memory of a loved one who died. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Call a grief counselor at 704-487-4677 to register.
Free program spotlights Catawba Riverkeeper
The public is invited to a program hosted by the Master Gardener group of Gaston County at the Gaston County Citizens Resource Center, 1303 Cherryville Highway, Dallas, at 10 a.m., July 16. Catawba Riverkeeper Sam Perkins will speak on the topic “Catawba River ecology.” The Catawba River Foundation appointed Perkins in 2013. The nonprofit CRF formed in 1997 to protect one of the Carolina’s most precious resources, the Catawba-Wateree River Basin. There will be time for questions at the end of the event. It’s free to attend and no reservations are required. For information call Barbara Linster at 704-674-0860 or email balinster@yahoo.com.
As an expert in historical economic trends and cultural shifts, I can provide valuable insights into the context and concepts mentioned in the article about the changing price of milk over the past four decades. My depth of knowledge extends to economic history, consumer behavior, and the factors influencing commodity prices.
The article reminisces about a time in winter 1970 when milk cost just over a dollar per gallon, with half-gallons selling for 57 cents. This nostalgic reflection serves as a window into the economic landscape of that era. The author notes the surprise at the price tripling over the four decades, emphasizing that $1.13 for a gallon of milk seems unimaginable today.
The historical context is crucial for understanding the dynamics at play. The article mentions Richard Nixon's presidency and Congress authorizing Dwight D. Eisenhower's face to appear on the dollar coin, providing a timeline and political backdrop. This historical reference aids in comprehending the economic climate and policy decisions influencing prices during that period.
Additionally, the mention of news stories from that time, including some printed in The Star, highlights the role of media in shaping public perception and opinion about rising milk prices. Media coverage serves as a primary source of information and contributes to the collective memory of consumers.
The article's inclusion of a photo from December 1970, featuring a handwritten price advertisem*nt for milk at Webb Dixie Discount Drug Company, adds a tangible and visual element to the narrative. The specific mention of buttermilk costing 30 cents at that time provides a nuanced perspective on different dairy product prices.
The author reflects on the significant changes in the world over 45 years and expresses a desire to return to a time when kitchen staples were less expensive. This sentiment touches on broader societal shifts and nostalgia for a perceived "simpler time," resonating with readers who may share similar sentiments.
In conclusion, the article intertwines economic history, cultural references, and personal reflections to convey the evolving cost of a basic commodity like milk. It provides a snapshot of a specific period, invoking nostalgia and prompting readers to reflect on the broader changes in society over the years.
