The Way We Were

Feb. 15, 1923

A number of parents and invited guests attended the father-son and mother-daughter dinner at the gym last Monday evening, presented by the Wrangell Boy Scouts. The boys darted busily here and there, seeing to it that everyone was fed. Not a woman or a Girl Scout was permitted to help, and the entire credit for the success of the dinner rests on the Boy Scouts. Just before the gathering dispersed, Superintendent Gross made an announcement of interest to the community, and especially to the young men who comprise the high school basketball team. For some time, he said, he had been at work on a plan for an education trip to the states for the team, and this trip will be made soon. He plans to take the boys to several interesting manufacturing plants and to show them various other things of interest while south.

Feb. 13, 1948

Mrs. M. O. Johnson, chairman of the Board of Control of Bishop Rose General Hospital, announced today that she expected the arrival of a permanent doctor for Wrangell early next month. Dr. John O. Bangeman, now practicing in Missoula, Montana, has been in communication with the board and said he would leave Missoula the last of February for Wrangell. Dr. Bangeman is no stranger to Alaska, having served with the Army at Fort Richardson. He comes to Wrangell highly recommended by Dr. Earl Albrecht, territorial health commissioner, who served with Dr. Bangeman in the Army.

Feb. 16, 1973

Wrangell and Stika played two basketball games last week that could only be termed “unusual.” Wrangell won the first 60-45. Sitka bulled to a 60-55 victory the second night. The scores are only half the story. First, Wrangell seemed to be jinxed and couldn’t toss a ball through the hoop. Later the two teams engaged in so much physical contact that 62 fouls were recorded. In the initial contest, Wrangell hoopsters were unable to find the bucket until just before the end of the first quarter. “We went 22 straight shots before one went through,” said Wolf Coach Carroll Merritt. The first quarter score was 14-5, Sitka. At the half Sitka led 26-19 but by the end of the third quarter Wrangell had the lead 42-33 and went on to win. The second night, Sitka elected to play a physical game and Wrangell responded in kind. The contest turned into a melee, with 57 personal and five technical fouls, two players ejected for fighting and with Miles DeWitt going out with a broken right hand. “By the time the games were finished we had six players out on fouls, with injuries or ejected.” Merritt said. “They got us mad and we lost. It’s that simple.”

Feb. 12, 1998

This weekend’s Tent City Festival seemed well attended and the weather encouraged involvement from all ages in the events. Again this year the Coast Guard Cutter Anacapa, stationed in Petersburg, made a special trip to Wrangell for the crew to enjoy the activities as well as lend a great deal of help. A few years back the festival became a bit bedraggled and didn’t evoke much inspiration for locals to dress up or play out. If not for the spirited energy of the young men off the Anacapa, the annual festival might very well have wilted for lack of attention. But these fine young men participated in everything from the fashion show, dressed in their sharp uniforms and escorting lovely ladies down the runway, to the bed races. They set an excellent example to Wrangellites of all ages by participating to such an extent. We now look forward each year to their arrival.