50 Years Ago Red Cross plans ditty bag work

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1970

Girl rescued from angry sea

HOMOSASSA, Fla. ( AP) – Bait house operator Duncan McRae out guessed the Gulf of Mexico Monday to rescue a 23- year- old Eustis bank teller who was swept out to sea by a strong current and stranded for 20 hours.

McRae said he joined the search party looking for Glenda Faye Lennon shortly after she was reported missing by her husband, Robert, Sunday evening. Small boat owners, fishermen, the Coast Guard and the Florida Marine Patrol searched most of the night without success until McRae figured out Monday morning where the currents might have swept Mrs. Lennon.

McRae, however, said there really wasn’t very much to it.

Mrs. Lennon drove off her husband’s boat a few miles off Crystal River Sunday afternoon when she got hot while sunbathing.

The current swept her out to sea and when she called for help from her husband he could not reach her.

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1970

The Rome chapter of the American Red Cross is preparing to meet a request for 500 filled ditty bags to be distributed to American servicemen and Vietnam next Christmas.

The project, called “Shop Early Vietnam 1970,” now in its 50th year.

The chapter’s quota has been filled in past years with the assistance of community organizations, religious groups, business firms and individuals who have participated in the program according to W. G. McWilliams, chairman of the Rome chapter.

Instructions for making and feeling the Christmas gift bags are available at the local Red Cross office, 2011/ 2 East 1st St. The bags are to be shipped from Rome on Oct. 1 to ensure their arrival in Vietnam in time for Christmas.