This Week in 1972 – 50 years ago: A Super Viking 300, which rolled from the factory Nov. 1, became the 1,000th Bellanca delivered by the Alexandria-based Bellanca Aircraft Association. At the time of delivery, Viking production stood at 17 units per month, marking a steady increase from 1966, through the recession period, to date. The Super Viking is the most successful series of aircraft produced by the Minnesota firm. It took 16 years to make its first 1,000 Vikings but at its current pace the next 1,000 will take five years.
1972, 50 years ago: From Erc Aga’s column “Under My Hat” - “I couldn’t help but think as I watched the state highway workmen resurface a bit of old Highway 52...how long that pavement has been taking a beating from ever-increasing traffic. It was 1929 that they went through town with the pavement, and to my knowledge not a foot of it has ever been replaced. With that in mind, observe our nearly-new freeway approach south of town. Yup...they just don’t make things the way they used to...and that goes for highways too.”
1982, 40 years ago: There’s a new game in town entitled “Heritage Alexandria” and it’s very similar to the popular Parkers Brothers game of Monopoly. A major difference, however, is that board spaces have local business names. The game was developed by Citigames, Inc. of La Crescent, Minnesota. Alexandria is one of 39 cities in the country where the games have been developed. Some of the businesses which appear on the board game are Trumm Drug, Pete’s Super Valu, White Mart, Saar Motor Sports, Dean and Jim’s Red Owl, Riverside Skateland, Freeway 66–Howie’s Oil and Anderson Furniture–Funeral Home.
1997, 25 years ago: A new telephone prefix has been added in Alexandria. New Sprint customers are being offered the “759” prefix as the first three digits of their seven-digit number. Continued growth in the area resulted in the additional prefix. Alexandria is now served by three prefixes: 762, 763 and 759.
Special Memories has completed its expansion into the former Alex Tailoring location at 510 Broadway in downtown Alexandria. The store now has additional retail space for gift and collectible merchandise as well as a convenient parking lot entrance.
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2012, 10 years ago: County Road 44 NW in Alexandria will now be known as Voyager Drive. The change is happening because of recent road or street jurisdiction changes approved by the county and state. One of the changes resulted in Douglas County turning its jurisdiction of County Road 44 to the city.
Just for fun, 1987 – 35 years ago: A name has been chosen for the new elementary school to be built in District 206. It will be called “Voyager” Elementary School. The name was submitted by Sonny Cave of Alexandria. Cave explained that a Voyage “is a journey through air and space. Children are voyagers traveling through life. Children are our promise of the future. Young people are truly Voyagers. Gifts to us all.”
Sports Trivia, 1982 – 40 years ago: The Alexandria girls cross country team qualified for the State cross country meet for the third straight year as they ran to team honors in the Region 8AA meet held at Detroit Lakes. The Cardinalettes used a solid team performance in totaling 33 points to win their second straight Region championship. Five Alex runners finished in the top 10 led by Julie Thorkelson with her time of 12:43 which was good for third place; Bobbi VanAmber (4th), Jamie Gay (7th), Rebecca Ryskamp (9th) and Shari Betterman (10th).
Rachel Barduson of Alexandria is a regular contributing columnist to the Echo Press Opinion page.
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