Column - 1962: April temp of 87 degrees delights golfers

Talk about it

The following is a collection of stories and other items that were included in Alexandria newspapers over the years.

100 YEARS AGO

APRIL 1912

The sinking of the Titanic was printed in the April 25 issue of the newspaper. The ship’s band played Nearer My God To Thee with Captain Smith standing on the bridge as the sinking ship took more than 1,500 persons to a watery death… When Colonel Olmstad refused to surrender at Fort Pulaski, the national Civil War soldiers opened a home front at the site and on April 11, the troops surrendered. Days later, the bill to emancipate the slaves passed the House and in a federal order issued by General Hunter, all Negro soldiers who served at that garrison were declared confiscated and set free.

50 YEARS AGO

APRIL 1962

When the mercury soared to an impossible 87 degrees, the Alexandria Golf Club came alive with spring-starved golfers. Bob Jones, Cecil Strand, Art Tanger and Bob Tessmer watched “Hoot” Toon prepare to drive… Hancock Concrete Products, Inc. of Hancock, makers of concrete pipes, culverts and similar products, will open a branch plant on McKay Avenue… The estimated cost of the proposed new fire-city hall building will cost about $185,000 to build, furnish and landscape… The proposed trip to Africa for the Siiri family has been postponed because of a severe concussion their son, Robert, suffered when he fell from his bike… The 16,000 square-foot Algon Ballroom, built and owned by Lee Hens and Dick Merten, is due to open May 15… Alexandria High School will graduate a record 217 seniors, 10 more than 1961.

25 YEARS AGO

APRIL 1987

In observance of Arbor Day, the Alexandria newspapers will give away 100 Black Hill spruce trees to area youngsters 12 years old or younger… Construction of the new 67,000 square-foot K-Mart Store will begin soon, with a completion date in early November… A mallard duck made a deposit at First Bank Alexandria of 10 eggs under a juniper bush outside the south entrance… Five-year-old Lacey Lundeen is a contestant in the Miss Junior America-Petite pageant in St. Paul in May… The search is on for Vicki Sundegaard, a mother of two and an asthmatic, who disappeared April 18. Her car and purse with her inhaler were found near where she was last seen. So far, there is no evidence of foul play… Trent Anderson and Sheila Pexsa were named male and female Outstanding Scholar-Athletes of the Year by Activities Director Dale Serum.

10 YEARS AGO

APRIL 2002

Thinking they were participating in a luncheon to honor Sheriff Bill Ingebrigsten, Goldie and Earl Mittag were honored with the Sertoma Club’s “Service to Mankind” award. They were singled out for doing hundreds of volunteer hours for Douglas County… Janell Spaeth, a hairstylist at Salon Alexis, is joining a bicycle trip in Europe to benefit AIDS research. The 575-mile ride from June 30 to July 6 will begin in Amsterdam and end in Paris… Tastefully Simple plans to build a 57,400 square-foot warehouse and 42,300 square-foot office space adjacent to their present facility… Police Officers Scott Stumpf, Tom Jacobson and Burt Crary were honored for saving the lives of two residents by using an Automated External Defibrillator.

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Marge Van Gorp of Alexandria is a regular contributing columnist to the Echo Press Opinion page.

Tags: opinion, columns