The Way We Were

December 18, 1919

Delegate George Grigsby has introduced in Congress a bill to empower the Town of Wrangell with authority to issue bonds in any sum not exceeding $80,000; provided, that not to exceed $15,000 of the proceeds of the sale of said bonds shall be expended for the construction, enlargement and equipment of schools: not to exceed $25,000 thereof shall be expended for the acquisition and construction of a water-supply system; not to exceed $15,000 thereof shall be expended for the construction of a sewer system; not to exceed $20,000 thereof shall be expended for the construction of a city dock; and not to exceed $5,000 thereof shall be expended for the construction of a floating dock. The bill was referred to the Committee on Territories. If the bill passes, a special election will be held in Wrangell at which election the question of whether such bonds shall be issued shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the town of Wrangell.

December 15, 1944

A Christmas program will be given by the Sunday school of the Presbyterian church on December 22, beginning at 7 p.m. Santa Claus has promised to be on hand with candy, fruits, and gifts for pupils of the Sunday school. Each class of the Sunday school is putting on a section of the program. The beginners and primary classes under direction of Mrs. L. M. Campbell, Mrs. Knut Ness, Mrs. I. C. Bjorge and Mrs. Kenneth Stensland have prepared a number of group songs which they have learned. A number of Christmas recitations will also be included. The intermediate girls’ class under Mrs. George Sumption will act out “The Night Before Christmas” and will also sing the two-part song “Silver Stars are Shining” The junior boys, directed by Rev. Judd, include recitations and songs for their part in the program. The entire older group of the Sunday school has prepared the song “O’er the Hills a Star is Gleaming” and will also sing Christmas carols. Margorie Sharnbroich is in charge of the music for the Sunday school and will be the accompanist for the different groups during the program.

December 18, 1969

Approximately 80 persons stood in wind and rain to watch the opening of Wrangell’s Christmas season Friday. The ceremonies took place on the west end of Front Street by Wrangell Wharf where the city Christmas tree is located. At 5:30 p.m. the Wrangell School band under the direction of Don Riach played “The First Noel” and “It came upon a Midnight Clear.” Mayor Don House then gave a short speech thanking Wrangell Lumber Co. and the high school student body for buying new garlands for the city streets. He also commented that he hoped the ceremonies would become an annual occasion but that weather would be better for it next year. He closed his speech with, “I hope all of you, when you go home to write your letters to Santa Claus, will include on your list of presents a new diesel for the city light plant.” Only two Christmas garlands were across the city streets as of the opening. The two others had not been unpacked and the third garland is in Juneau due to a shipping error. All are expected to be up for Christmas.

December 15, 1994

Santa will be visiting Wrangell Saturday after a “fun-packed sailing” trip with Mrs. Claus on the Alaska Marine Highway System. He will make a stop at the ferry terminal from 6 to 7:30 pm. before boarding the M/V Malaspina to begin his journey back to the North Pole.

“Our crew members look forward to escorting Santa and Mrs. Claus throughout Southeast, so that children have the opportunity to talk with Santa and give him their holiday wish list,” says system director Greg Dronkert. “Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Alaska Marine Highway System wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday season.” Santa began his tour of Southeast Sunday, visiting children in Haines.

 

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