The Way We Were

Sept. 27, 1923

Little Beatrice Palmer added several dollars to the Red Cross fund Monday when the Alaska was in port. Mrs. Stephen Grant, the community nurse, and Mrs. Shurick hastily set up a Red Cross booth outside the Wrangell Hotel when the boat appeared and arranged a display of beautiful flowers and Red Cross posters, with the eye to the travelers who would soon appear upon the streets of Wrangell. Just as all was ready, Beatrice, on her way from school, was seized by the enterprising ladies and arrayed with some of the Red Cross posters. Then she was given some flowers to sell, the price to be decided by the purchaser, and so well did her wares take that the sum of $3.55 was realized. The flowers were donated by Mesdames Shurick, J. G. Grant and Wm. Taylor.

Sept. 24, 1948

The Al Binkley farm has been ground for a doe and two yearling fawns since last spring when they first wandered out of the woods surrounding the Binkley acreage to call on the family. In fact, Mrs. Binkley reports they liked the place so well that they evidently spread the word around in case of a hard winter, and now the Binkleys are hosts to a double trio. The animals are so tame, Mrs. Binkley said her daughter and young playmates can pet and feed them and many people have enjoyed taking movies and stills of the nonchalant visitors. The Binkley residence is about four blocks from Wrangell’s main business section.

Sept. 28, 1973

Dedication of the refurbished Shakes Island Community House will be a highlight of the Grand Camp Convention of the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood scheduled here Nov. 12-17. Program committee Chairman Ethel Gonzales said ceremonies at the community house, an important Tlingit historical site, are scheduled for the afternoon of Nov. 11. The community house was authentically rebuilt by the Alaska Native Brotherhood last year. The convention also will celebratethe founding of the Alaska Native Sisterhood in Wrangell. Mrs. Jo Ukas is a surviving charter member of the group. She was first secretary of the organization.

Sept. 24, 1998

At the regular city council meeting Monday evening, the council discussed an ordinance concerning junk vehicles and possible ways of dealing with the problem. A citizen made a request to the city earlier this fall to look into the junk vehicle ordinance(s), as he had a situation next door where several junk vehicles had been parked for an extended time. The proposed ordinance was on the agenda for a public hearing, but no written or oral testimony was brought forth. Recognizing the weakness of the resulting ordinance. Mayor Privett urged community members to be considerate of their neighbors and to work with them in solving the junk vehicle situation.