President Trump has likened the present Corona Virus pandemic crisis to being in a wartime situation and at times if feels like that. It might be good to look back and remember another Eastertide that took place in a real wartime situation.

Easter 77 years ago was in many ways typical, but it was not in one important way. We were a nation locked in mortal combat with three ruthless foes, Nazi Germany, fascist Italy and Imperial Japan.

It was a year in which Franklin Roosevelt was in his 10th year as President of the United States, a gallon of gas cost 15 cents. The average cost of a new house was $3,600. The average worker earned $2,000. The average cost of a new car was $900 and a bottle of Coca Cola cost five cents. Other notable happenings from that year included the completion of the massive Pentagon building, Economists declared the Great Depression over as a result of employment produced by meeting wartime defense needs. A side consequence was the ending of the Works Progress Administration, which provided thousands of jobs for the unemployed. Many consumer products were rationed due to wartime needs from sugar to rubber to gasoline.

In wartime news, the Russian Red Army was starting to push back the Nazi armies from their homeland. The American island-hopping strategy was in full strength and in North Africa, Allied armies were throwing back and defeating Rommel’s vaunted Africa Korps and the Eighth Air Force’s strategic bombing campaign against Germany was in full swing.

Locally, the colorful Leo Williamson was re-elected Mayor of Williamsport and at that that Easter season, The Williamsport Ministerial Association’s Good Friday Service held at Pine Street Methodist Church was attended by capacity crowds.

Shoppers thronged downtown stores during the week leading to Easter buying their Easter finery and various Easter related items. Easter lilies were in short supply and were replaced by various other types of spring flowers. Because of sugar rationing, Easter candy was scarce that year in the words of “Grit,” “chocolate eggs were as scarce as museum pieces.” Jellybeans were also in short supply. Almost all candy stores were sold out of chocolate candy early in the week. Meat rationing made it difficult for companies and businesses that traditionally presented their employees with an Easter ham or a slab of bacon, found it difficult to do so. Various types of clothing items and shoes were also subject to rationing and regulations and some were in short supply.

The planting of Victory Gardens was in full swing in the greater Williamsport area at Easter time 1943

Appeals were being made to have local citizens to do their patriotic duty by buying war bonds during the 2nd War Loan Drive.

Recent heavy rain and melting snows raised the depth of the Susquehanna River to 19 feet, causing some low-level flooding in some areas.

The 1943 baseball season opened Easter week with Brooklyn, Cincinnati and Chicago the early leaders in the National League and New York, Cleveland and St. Louis were the early leaders in the American League. For the first time since the founding of the New York-Pennsylvania League, later the Eastern League, Williamsport did not have an entry in the league due to wartime conditions. It left an aching void for the local baseball fans.

At local movie houses, Walt Disney’s “Bambi” was at the Park Theater. The Karlton had a double feature consisting of “Invisible Agent” starring Jon Hall and Jack Benny in “Buck Benny Rides Again.” “Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour,” starring Jimmy Lydon was playing at the Keystone. At the Capitol Theater was “Reap the Wild Wind,” starring John Wayne, Paulette Goddard and Ray Milland and there would be a special midnight matinee Easter night, featuring “Hello Frisco Hello,” starring Alice Faye, John Payne and Jack Oakie. The Rialto had “Slightly Dangerous” starring Lana Turner and Robert Young.

On Easter Eve, Saturday, April 24, the “Gazette and Bulletin” had an editorial titled, “Easter’s Prophetic Meaning: Victory!”

The annual Easter sunrise service that was normally held at the Grampian Hills Cross was moved to Brandon Park due to wartime conditions. That was also the case in 1942. The Williamsport Council on Christian Education issued an invitation for members of the military police unit stationed at the Penn Street Armory and the aviation cadets training at the Dickinson Junior College to attend the service.

Interestingly, Easter was observed on April 25 that year, the latest date it was celebrated during the 20th century. It is scheduled to be observed that late again in 2038.

The day after Easter the “Gazette and Bulletin” reported that city churches were filled for Easter services. The weather was overcast and chilly in the morning but the sun came out in the afternoon. It was warm enough for people displaying their Easter finery to discard their overcoats. Being a war year there were many uniforms present at Easter services and other gatherings.

More than 700 persons attended the outdoor service at the Brandon Park. Bandshell. There were no benches there and those attending stood during the 35-minute services. The request for complete silence during the service and upon entrance to the park was cheerfully complied with.

We at Webb Weekly hope you enjoyed this glimpse into an Eastertide past and that it shows that we as a nation have overcome great adversity and obstacles and can do so again.