Things I learned about Laredo 1984'

I was scavenging and old box full of mementos and old documents and I came across an old newspaper someone had given me years ago. It's the April 17, 1984 LMT edition and I could not help but peruse through it in search of some interesting tidbits. Here below are 5 things I learned about 1984s Laredo.

1. Apparently, in 1984, Cigarroa's Silver Roses helped to trim beards for contestants that wished to enter a beard growing contest that was sponsored by Laredo Noon Lion's Club. The 5 dollar entry fee donations were split between Sacred Heart Children's Home and a "Crippled" Children's camp in Kerrville. The winners of this hairy contest enjoyed such prizes as a paid weekend at the Encinal Holiday Inn, a one year free front row pass to Laredo Council meetings, or a "prominent position in the snakepit" for the Frontier Day Celebration. Oh joy! Just delightful. (by the way I'm not making these prizes up. Read it for yourself.)

2. It seems that in 1984, newspaper reporters sat around at the post office to interview people that waited till the very last minute to file their income tax. In this piece of hard-hitting journalism, writer Sam Yates notes that things got "mean and ugly" right before the midnight deadline. Read the interviews below.

3. Students and clergy opened up academic discussions at Laredo Junior College with a hearty rendition of "Kumbaya". It seems that the spiritual song was not cliche in 1984.

4. Gaby Canizales's supporters wanted his hometown to support the esteemed boxer during a nationally televised bout. The problem was the lack of venue large enough to accommodate such a large quantity of spectators. At the time, Shirley Stadium was "the only logical and possible place for the event". However, the LISD board, with their old-fartsy and dickhead regulations, "did not permit the private use of the stadium for private profit".  The question was simple! Would the LISD board cave for hometown hero Gaby Canizales and his legion of supporters? Well, if you were around in 1984, you COULD HAVE BEEN COUNTED by sending in the form below. Anyone know how this turned out?

5. On a side note, right next to the Gaby Canizales piece is the showtimes for 1984's "Footloose". Ironically, it too features a similar scenario. Local people attempting to defeat an city ordinance for the benefit of the townsfolk and in defiance of rigid authorities. Classic 1984!