Column - 1987: Baby born in Chevy Caprice in Brandon

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

MAY 1912

Alexandria Hardware sold 30 two-horse ridden corn cultivators this spring. On delivery day, most of the new owners were present to line up for a group picture, after which Allis Chalmers served them dinner… Alexandria High School agricultural students added five new 3’ x 6’ cold frames to the high school garden… Evangeline Lobeck earned $15 for being the best speller in the county spelling bee. The most difficult words for most of the participants were “judgment” and “righteous”… Arthur Mason tracked a mile in 4 minutes and 41 seconds for the silver medal in one state champion race, after which he beat his own record by clocking 4 minutes, 38 seconds to win the gold.

50 YEARS AGO

MAY 1962

Jack Hedine was the recipient of the newly established Forrest Anderson Memorial Award as the Jaycee’s “Outstanding Jaycee of the year”… The new First Baptist Church at Seventh and Hawthorne opened its doors for the first full service on Sunday… Commander Robert Bacchus, USN, has been assigned to the military advisor group in Lisbon, Portugal, as sub-chief of the Navy. While in Lisbon, he will be involved in negotiations for renewal of the United States/Portuguese contract for use of the military air base in the Azores… Rain, rain go away! It has rained every day except for one so far this month. Six inches have fallen in 23 days out of 24… This year’s Jefferson High School co-valedictorians had prefect 4.0 averages: Rhoda Bjjelland, Janice Wilke, Jean Strandness and Peter Perreten. Salutatorian James Overly was near perfect with 3.937.

25 YEARS AGO

MAY 1987

For several years, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce has given packets of information on this area’s heritage, industry and scenic beauty to the Norwegian National Guard when they come to train at Fort Ripley. In appreciation, Norwegian National Guardsman Major Don Skrove presented Chamber Vice President Jim Clayton with an award for promoting understanding between the two units… Eric Jones, Alexandria eighth-grader, received a $100 U.S. Savings Bond for winning first place in the State National Hunting and Fishing Poster Contest… Almost 300 young people attended Sixth Avenue Youth Center on opening night, which featured music, dancing, video games, darts and concession munchies… Little Robert Peter Wood couldn’t wait to get out into the world. He was born in a 1983 Chevrolet Caprice on Second Street in Brandon last Sunday!

10 YEARS AGO

MAY 2002

In a “World Competitor Day” speech in Alexandria, Governor Jesse Ventura said it was time to take a cue from the Big Ole statue: “Strap on your helmet. Pick up your spear and your shield. Get ready to do battle in the international arena.”… Alexandria Extrusion President Tom Schabel explained to Governor Ventura how his company’s aluminum extrusion products are being used and marketed worldwide… Dr. Bill Kraker bottle-fed “Bam-Bam,” a 1-week-old orphaned fawn, at his Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, a part of his Animal Doctor’s building. The deer will be released into a nature reserve or state park in about two months… Governor Ventura approved the Alexandria Technical School’s $9.1 million request for a science wing and auditorium.

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

Tags: opinion, columns