The Way We Were

Aug. 17, 1922

A number of matters affecting game conditions in this region have been brought to the attention of the Wrangell Commercial Club. While the club is willing to give its moral support to any movement in the interest of better game conditions, it is nevertheless the opinion of the majority of the members that matters pertaining to game conditions could be more effectually handled by a rod and gun club, whose entire efforts would be solely in the interest of better game conditions. A club of this kind, in addition to getting up enjoyable hunting trips, could make its influence felt in securing sane legislation in matters affecting game in Alaska.

Aug. 15, 1947

Work has begun this week on a series of improvements that Al Freidman, owner and operator of Wrangell Telephone Co., is planning for the telephone system. First step is stringing about 1,500 feet of lead-armored cable in the downtown section, which will greatly facilitate service and do away with old and worn-out lines. The new cable will also aid in the long-distance system to be in operation at the Signal Corps by enabling a customer to receive long-distance calls directly at his home or office phone. Another improvement planned by Freidman is changing the switchboard at the telephone office, enabling customers to get the central office upon lifting the receiver without having to ring as at present. The changeover will require considerable work and new equipment. Freidman said he hoped to have all improvements completed by this fall.

Aug. 18, 1972

Wrangell’s new senior citizens center is scheduled to open Tuesday evening at the Civic Club Building. The state-assisted program for Wrangellites 55 years old and over will go on a regular schedule beginning Wednesday morning. Mrs. Barker said hours for the center will be 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and Tuesday evenings from 6 to 10 p.m.

Aug. 14, 1997

What could be more fun than guttin’ fish and working on a slimline all day? According to Wrangell High School senior Amber Burley and other local teens, their jobs with JTPA are. Amber is one of many youths across the nation taking part in the JTPA (Job Training Partnership Act) Summer Youth Program, a federally funded program that employs at-risk, economically disadvantaged and special-needs youths ages 14-21 during the summer. JTPA Regional Director Sean O’Brian says the goal of the program is two-fold: “To enhance one’s work experience by providing useful skills and developing on-the-job skills, and to improve the person’s basic skills so they’re more successful at fulfilling the basic needs of a job.” Participants do a variety of community service projects designed to improve reading, writing and arithmetic, as well as to develop useful job skills such as a good work ethic, independent thinking, responsibility, initiative, creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Since it began three summers ago, Wrangell’s JTPA program has consistently been one of the largest and most successful in the state. This year’s program has 30 workers and encompasses 14 projects.