The Way We Were

June 20, 1918

Ladies of the Red Cross are requested to meet Friday afternoon at the town hall at 2 o’clock for special sewing. The Northwest division insists that every sock shall have a Kitchener toe. Socks should be eleven inches from the edge to beginning of heel. Fancy striping O.K. but do not use bright colors. Fancy striping in cuffs of socks should be, if used at all, of regular sock yarn such as white and various shades of gray. The soldier is often wet to the knee for many hours and the water soaked skin is likely to absorb any free dye. The soldier must take chances enough without being compelled to take unnecessary ones.

June 25, 1943

The 1943 canning operations started here this week as the first Stikine river sockeye went into the Farwest Wrangell plant, being operated jointly this year by Farwest and A. R. Brueger under the salmon concentration program.

First sockeyes hit the cans yesterday, but the catch thus far has been light and operations to date are limited. Reports from the river said the run had not yet shown in usual number.

Full tilt canning operations will start July 10, with the general opening of this district.

June 27, 1968

Wrangell’s annual Scrap Fish Derby begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Reliance Float in the small boat harbor. Youngsters 11 through 14 will compete for prizes from 9 to 11:30 a.m. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., fishermen from 6 to 10 will take part.

Last year, approximately 100 youngsters took part in the event.

Prizes are given for the largest and smallest fish of each species in each age group. Prizes are also given for the biggest fish taken in the derby and in each age group.

This year’s derby is being conducted by Zona Landstrom.

June 20, 1993

Wrangell American Legion Post delegates to the organization’s Juneau convention returned last week with a harvest of awards, including an “Outstanding Commander” recognition award to Willy Eyon for 1992-3/ Delegates Richard Stokes, Chuck Meissner, Palmer Nore, and Richard Lentz were also among the 158 delegates from Alaska, the Far East, and the Lower 48.

The Wrangell Post, Merlin Elmer Palmer Post 6, received a certificate of appreciation for sending Ian Gillen and Jason Van Slyke to the Legion’s Boys’ State program.

The post was also recognized for “signing up over 100 percent of the membership.” In addition, the post got gifts from Department Commander Bill Weber and from Far East District representatives.