The Way We Were

May 11, 1922

The high school students appreciate the aid and cooperation they received from the citizens, merchants and teachers in staging their play. A great part of its success was due to the interest shown by the people of Wrangell. Mr. Palmer accommodated us with lights in the afternoon for the matinee. The St. Michael Trading Co. made frequent loans for stage property and costumes to Mr. Havens, who donated his artwork. Special thanks is due.

May 9, 1947

May 24 will be Poppy Day in Wrangell and throughout the United States, Mrs. R. H. Armstrong, president of the Wrangell Unit of the American Legion Auxiliary, announced today. On that day everyone will be asked to wear a memorial poppy in honor of the dead of the two world wars and to make contributions for the welfare of disabled veterans, their families and families of the dead. “The Saturday before Memorial Day has been observed as Poppy Day in all parts of the country for many years,” said Mrs. Smith, in announcing the date of this year’s observance. “Poppies have been worn in memory of the war dead ever since the close of World War I. They are replicas of the wild flowers which grew on the battlefield of France and Belgium fought over in both wars, but they have come to symbolize memory for those who died in any part of the world.”

May 12, 1972

Bobby Ball, of the Ball Ranch near Glenora, 150 miles up the Stikine River, was in town this week along with three companions on his first trip down the river since the spring thaw. Ball said the winter at his place was “tough, with plenty of 50 below temperatures and north winds.” The party, which included Ray Henyu, Charlie Larson and Howard Pete, all of Telegraph Creek, British Columbia, traveled in a 32-foot open river scow that Ball is putting into service for the first time this season after buying it at Dawson and trailering it 900 miles to the ranch. Ball said the Stikine is very shallow for the first 100 miles from his ranch west, but that the channel is well clear of ice. The party came to town for supplies and for Ball to meet with three Outside (two from California and one from Pennsylvania) bear hunters - the first of the season - who were scheduled to be on their way to the ranch this week.

May 8, 1997

As part of a tour of Southeast, members of the Seattle Seahawks football team matched basketball skills against an eight-person Wrangell all-star team at a packed gymnasium Monday night. Those who came to watch some good basketball weren’t disappointed, as both teams played hard, while making the game fun to watch. Even with hijinks and prolonged breaks and foul shots, the game moved steadily along to a fourth quarter tie, 75-75. Going into a three-minute overtime, Wrangell pulled out all stops to win 84-75. The game was brought to town by Alaskans for Drug Free Youth with assistance of the Benefit Basketball Association and its “Score Points Against Drugs” program, now in its eighth season. Through NFL athlete appearances and speeches, such as those Monday at the elementary and high schools, the program seeks to inform young children on the advantages of a drug-free life. Money raised from the Wrangell game will go to support local drug-free events.