25 Years Ago - 1985

The Motley Volunteer Firefighters have launched a fund drive to secure a $12,000 “Jaws of Life” tool for rescuing victims trapped in car accidents and any other type of accident where such a tool is needed. Started officially on Jan. 1, the fund is already about at the halfway point.

A former Staples resident was elected to the Alaska State Legislature in last November’s election. Roger Jenkins, son of Leslie and Mayme Jenkins, ran as a Republican candidate for his district of Spenard, a part of the city of Anchorage. He narrowly defeated Democratic candidate Mary McKinnon. A recount showed a win by 32 votes. Jenkins was born in Staples in 1941 and was graduated from Staples High School in 1959.

The new owner of the Cardinal Café, Gary Carlson, took over the business on Monday from previous owners Wanda Lucas and Irene Muhvich.

Excerpt from Looking Back (1935): “Chief of Police Dailey has asked that a warning be issued to the children of the city and to parents that in the future the practice of hitching sleds to sleighs must stop. This is a dangerous practice.”

50 Years Ago - 1960

On December 31, William Lorentz, after 29 years in the oil business in Staples, under the name of Farmer’s Oil Station, has retired. On Jan. 1, his daughter, Mary Jane, took over ownership of the station.

D. E. Rosevink, aviation structural mechanic third class, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman J. Rosevink of Staples, was promoted to the present rank December 16, while serving at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida.

The Staples Fire Department reported a higher number of calls than in recent years. In 1959 they answered 55 fire alarms.

REMINISCENCES: We are finally coming out of a long, cold and dreary weather spell. As always it is affecting me. While I celebrate the changes in our Minnesota weather I prefer this type of weather to come in smaller doses.

I’m going to take this time to mention how much I appreciate the many phone calls and letters from you last year. I’ve asked many questions and some of you good people helped me out and led me in the right direction.

For those of you who wished me to address certain subjects, I haven’t forgotten you. For those of you who called to reminisce with me - it was great. For the old friends and acquaintances who “got in touch” again, I thank you. (Particularly you, Ronnie Bjerga, who played the elf to my fairy as sophomore servers at the junior prom. I need to send you our kindergarten picture.)

Thanks to Phil Stone, Pete Card, Jr., Ruth Voeltz, Doreen Scott and the many, many others who were kind enough to give their input. I should have made a list.

Thanks to classmate Janice Latterell for the book on the class of ‘65. Good job putting that together.

As I said, the weather is affecting me. The sun is shining brightly and even though it is below zero and I’m using my window, this will be cut short while I enjoy.

Happy thoughts to all.