This week in 1971, 50 years ago: U.S. Sen. Hubert Humphrey will be the main guest and speaker at the banquet of the 39th Annual Convention of the Minnesota Utilities Association, to be held at the Holiday Inn of Alexandria. 350 people are expected for the convention, representing 84 municipal utilities which are members.
1971, 50 years ago: Bellanca will move one of its 7 AC Champ aircraft to the Alexandria State Bank parking lot for the Bank’s Summer Fun Show June 16-18. The Champion will be one of a number of displays featuring summer fun and recreational vehicles and equipment. In addition to Bellanca, exhibitors include Lindquist Equipment Co., Hustad’s, Broadway Mobile Homes, Ollie’s Service, Alexandria Boat Works, Triple R Sports, Rancon Inc. and Alexandria Hardware.
1996, 25 years ago: Workers laid cement sidewalks along the new parking lot of the City Hall in Alexandria. The lot is located in back of City Hall along 7th Avenue. When completed, the lot will have two handicap spaces and 25 other spaces.
Angie Seykora is the new bike patrol officer for the Alexandria Police Department. She patrols the streets each day on an eight-hour shift, making sure bicyclists, skateboarders and in-line skaters are following the rules.
Incidents of MacGyver bomb “pranks” in Douglas County seem to be escalating as the weather improves. At least five incidents were reported to law enforcement and three additional bombs have been reported to this newspaper office. In one case the bomb went off, exploding a mailbox in the process.
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To kick off its new “cool” 1996 season with a newly installed air conditioner, Theatre L’Homme Dieu near Alexandria will present a cool musical, “The Pajama Game” based on the book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell, with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross.
2011, 10 years ago: Two city parking lots in Alexandria may get a makeover soon, one at the southwest corner of 5th Avenue and Hawthorne Street, and the other at the north side of 7th Avenue between Hawthorne and Broadway. At their meeting the city council requested a feasibility report to study the costs of reconstructing the lots. The city set up a meeting with property owners, primarily downtown merchants, to get their input.
Alexandria native and 2011 Academy Award nominee, John Hawkes, will be in Alexandria for a viewing of his new movie, "Earthwork." The screening of "Earthwork" will be at the Cinema 9 Theatre in Alexandria and all proceeds from the event will benefit the Alexandria Area Arts Association Theatre’s loading dock fundraising project. Hawkes promoted his last film, "Winter’s Bone," at Cinema 9 in 2010.
Just for fun – 1971 – 50 years ago: From “Harvey Sez,” the column written by Harvey Hammergren, manager of the Chamber of Commerce: “Osterberg’s Café, just think, is 50 years old this year. They have some of the most beautiful napkins, placemats and coasters, why not stop down and get one as a souvenir and at the same time greet Tony as he has a habit of forgetting his keys and locking himself out. We do want to wish Osterberg’s the very best for the next 50 years or more.”
Sports trivia 1971 – 50 years ago: From Dennis Johnson’s Time Out! Column: “The summer recreation program in Alexandria is in full swing. Softball is the big sport for the adults and young adults in the area with 56 teams organized. The most popular for adults is the men’s Slow Pitch League with 15 teams and about 175 participants. Little League, Junior PeeWees, Legion and VFW baseball is underway. Horseshoe continues to be popular. Swimming and tennis lessons are offered and playground activities, arts and crafts, nature walks, field trips and treasure hunts are also offered.”
Rachel Barduson of Alexandria is a regular contributing columnist to the Echo Press Opinion page.
