Column - 2002: Kensington council member chosen by drawing cards

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

NOVEMBER 1912

Construction that began two years ago on the Horace Hills Irvine home on Summit Avenue in St. Paul is now complete. The 14,700 square-foot structure has 20 rooms, including nine bedrooms and fireplaces, 10 bathrooms and two porches and was built with brick and stone for the lumber icon at a cost of $50,000. (100 years later: Members of the Irvine family lived in the home until 1965, at which time it was presented to the Minnesota Department of Administration and it became the governor’s mansion. It has been the home of 10 Minnesota leaders since the Rolvaag administration. In 1974, it was placed on the Register of Historic Places. The State Historical Preservation Office of the Minnesota Historical Society must approve any restoration on the exterior.)

50 YEARS AGO

NOVEMBER 1962

New innovations are built into the 1963 Mercury Monterey. A Breezeway extended roof adds more head room and shades passengers from the sun. The rear window opens for controlled “Flo-Thru” ventilation, thus eliminating much wind, traffic noise and weather when side windows remain closed. The rear window angle cuts glare and improves visibility. See how practical elegance can be at Syvrud Motors… Postmaster Dave Steinley announced that the star route has been discontinued and all mail will go by Great Northern truck route instead… C. Fred Hanson, the man who first proposed the educational feature of the G.I. Bill of Rights, was presented the Rotary Club “Orchid of the Month” for his outstanding contributions to veterans’ welfare and the American Legion.

25 YEARS AGO

NOVEMBER 1987

Bonita Jo Northway is in competition this week for the title of Miss Minnesota USA. She is a graduate of Jefferson High School, AVTI, and Powers Modeling School in Edina… A historical “first” happened at the Alexandria polls when Dorothy Kobs was elected Alexandria’s first woman mayor. There were 14 write-in votes for mayor, including Kirby Puckett, who received the most with four votes… Ann Bancroft, the first woman to reach the North Pole, will share her experiences at Jefferson High School this week… Art Troness described his life as a Japanese POW as the “nightmare that never really goes away.” Dennis Dalman tells the vivid story in the November 11 issue of the Lake Region Echo.

10 YEARS AGO

NOVEMBER 2002

After Kensington’s election last Tuesday, incumbent council member Randy Peterson and newcomer Scott Marlow were tied with 53 votes each. A new deck of cards, a shuffle, plus a draw at the count of three equaled a tie as each drew a four. Then another shuffle and another draw. This time they each drew a queen. The third draw declared Peterson the winner… Tischer Management has presented the city of Nelson with a proposal to develop up to 300 “affordable homes” on a 100-acre area located primarily in the city limits… The Alexandria City Council formally approved the plan that will gradually annex 14 sections of Alexandria Township into the city. Annexations will be completed by 2015.

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

Tags: opinion, columns