Picture this: Hannibal during August, 1979

Press, security personnel and Hannibal dignitaries await the arrival of the Delta Queen in August 1979, with President Jimmy Carter aboard. Photo by Mary Lou Montgomery

MARY LOU MONTGOMERY

While Hannibal was sprucing up for the historic visit via the Delta Queen of the President and his family in August 1979, the Courier-Post published items of interest to its readers that week.

Hannibal had two hospitals, St. Elizabeth’s, located at 109 Virginia, and Levering, at 1734 Market. Both hospitals would have fully staffed emergency facilities open on the day of the president’s visit; but if an emergency should occur, St. Elizabeth’s hospital was designated as the source of primary treatment for the presidential party. The president traveled with his own doctors, the Courier-Post reported, who would work with local medical staff in the case of an unforeseen emergency.

Cassano’s Pizza and Seafood restaurant was located at 415 N. Main. President Carter and family would walk past Cassano’s parking lot to the garden, and enter the Mark Twain Boyhood home through the back door.

Hannibal mayor was Lillian Herman and Diane Rains was tourism director.

That week, Camilla Ferrell hosted a backyard fair for the benefit of the Leukemia Society of America. Her brother had died in January 1979 from a rare liver cancer.

Prestige Realty had offices at 2727 St. Mary’s Avenue. Walley’s Real Estate offered for sale a 2-3 bedroom house at 228 Shepherd Place, priced in the mid 30’s.

The Hannibal HyKlas stores: Adams Supermarket, 2923 St. Mary’s; Adams Oakwood Market, 3414 Market; and Southside Market, 625 Union, advertised ground beef at $1.49 per pound.

The Mississippi River reading on Aug. 21 was 12.67 feet, up from 11.46 the day prior. Forecasters were predicting a crest of 14.5 on the day after Carter’s Hannibal visit. River stage at Hannibal was 16 feet.

A cool summer resulted in lower than usual attendance at the Hannibal Community Pool, according to Ronny Ferrell, pool manager.  Through Aug. 19, 1979, the pool reported 22,550 swimmers, as compared to 24,229 the year prior.

Tempo, in the Huck Finn Shopping Center, offered a 12 pack of Pamper’s toddler diapers for $1.58 and a 16-pack of Crayola crayons for 25 cents. The store was open 9-9, Monday through Saturday, and closed on Sunday.

At the Holiday Inn, 4141 Market St., the Ship’s Store offered Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, 24 12-ounce cans for $5.85.

Chris Straube was superintendent of Hannibal schools and Nick Ginos was curriculum director.  They were pictured in the newspaper purchasing memberships from Booster Club member, James Griggsby.

State Rep. Gary Sharpe entertained residents of Shady Lawn Lodge, 8 Stillwell Place, by singing old time folk and gospel tunes. Assisting Sharpe were Eileen Clayton, activities director; Bob Dixon, piano player; and Lloyd Kirkpatrick, fiddler.

Quiet on board. While the president visited Hannibal in August 1979, crew and some passengers awaited on board the Delta Queen. Photo by Mary Lou Montgomery.