1920, 100 years ago: The patrons of the Garfield Creamery Association voted 46 to 4 to support the plans of the directors in the building of a $31,000, two-story creamery building. The structure will be built according to the very latest improvements in creamery construction, using brick, concrete and steel. Work will commence at once.
1970, 50 years ago: The First National Bank in Alexandria will begin construction on the corner of 7th and Broadway, located where the Alexandria Hardware store used to be. The building is to be completed in 230 days once construction begins.
The new multi-million dollar Arrowwood Lodge on Lake Darling near Alexandria is taking shape. According to Chuck Munyon, general manager, lodge officials are planning to open up with a full convention on May 1, 1971. Munyon told the PRESS that the Arrowwood is already booked solid for five out of the first seven months extending through November, 1971. Actual cost of the building is $4.25 million with another $500,000 in furnishings. The land value is not included in the above figures.
Alexandria will be adding 17 boys to the Eagle Scout list at a special ceremony at Jefferson High School. Thirteen of them are from St. Mary’s Troop 418, two from Troop 416, First Lutheran, and two from Troop 412, Calvary Lutheran. Never before has a community ever produced so many at one time. Among the dignitaries participating in the Eagle Scout Recognition Ceremony are Governor Harold LeVander and the Most Reverend George Speltz, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Cloud.
1995, 25 years ago: The Douglas County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of more than $150,000 worth of furnishings for the new library facilities in the Douglas County Services Center (formerly Central Junior High). Furniture purchases have been about $20,000 below budget, according to Information Systems Director Tom Reddick, but Library Director Trish Conroy said with that $20,000 left there are still many more needs to bring the library into the 21st century and fundraising requests will continue. In addition to computers, printers, CD-ROM equipment, microfilm and microfiche readers, “There’s been a lot of interest in making Internet (the Information Superhighway) available through the library,” Conroy said.
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The U.S. Postal Service is bracing itself for the annual onslaught of last-minute tax filers. Alexandria Postmaster Bruce Nelson predicts heavy traffic in the vicinity of the main post office. Customers can also mail their returns or extension requests early in the day on Monday the 17th at the Detached Mail Unit at the Viking Plaza Mall, the Contract Postal Unit at Festival Foods or any of the collection boxes throughout the greater Alexandria area. Last minute returns and extension requests may be deposited until midnight in the main post office lobby only, Nelson stressed.
2010, 10 years ago: Although state funding for Pope Douglas Solid Waste Management’s incinerator project fell through, the project is still moving forward.
Just for fun – 1920 - 100 years ago: When completed, the new Arrowwood Lodge will be able to handle two 500-people conventions at the same time.
The new Fingerhut building will be used to expand the enveloping and mailing operation now carried on at Alexandria. It is anticipated that more than 300 people will be employed in the expanded operation when the new building is fully equipped.
Sports trivia 1970 – 50 years ago: Losing only one member from last year’s squad, the Evansville Tigers, under Coach Sherm Brown, is expected to go a long way. The Tigers posted a 4-4 season last year. Captains Keith Englund and Doug Holmgren head the list of returning lettermen. Englund will hold down the catching spot while Holmgren will throw them out from the shortstop position. They open against Barrett.
Rachel Barduson of Alexandria is a regular contributing columnist to the Echo Press Opinion page.
