The Way We Were

Nov. 20 1924

The present week has been observed as National Education Week in the schools. No elaborate program has been prepared but the emphasis in all the regular classes has been placed upon the country’s need of an educated citizenship. Col. Knott, who was with Gen. Allenby on the occasion of the taking of Jerusalem in the world war, gave a vivid picture of some world war scenes in connection with a very inspirational assembly lecture at the high school on Thursday. In the afternoon of the same day, Brigadier Simms, of The Salvation Army, gave a talk at the grade school, illustrated with lantern slides.

Nov. 25, 1949

A joint meeting of the Wrangell Health Council, the Red Cross and the Tuberculosis Association met in the state public health office last week. Several of the town’s organizations were represented, but not all, and a request was put forth for all representatives of local organizations to attend these meetings. The organizations have decided to place a loan closet in the hospital, to be equipped with sick room supplies that anyone may borrow if they cannot purchase the necessary items. The items will be checked out to the parties and will have to be returned within a certain length of time, but if they still have further need they may ask for a reissue.

Nov. 20, 1974

The fight against a city plan to annex a massive chunk of Wrangell Island, including about 800 residents, will be abandoned, a leader of the opposition said this week. Orden Phillips, owner of Panhandle Trailer Park just outside the city line, said the Ketchikan attorney retained to weigh the chances of beating the annexation in the court has recommended the move. No official meeting of the opponents has been called to affirm dropping the matter, Phillips said, but he indicated the feeling “is to drop it.” The city proposed the annexation, which will expand the city limits to take in the northern third of the island, and the action was approved by the state Local Boundary Commission after a public hearing here. The annexation will become fact unless it is challenged and denied by a majority vote in the coming legislative session.

Nov. 25, 1999

The sound of drums will soon be echoing through Wrangell when students of Jennifer Brady-Morales finish their instruments. Twenty two students, both adults and children, worked for four days last week crafting handmade elk hide drums with artist Brady-Morales from Sitka. The artist is well known Alaskan whose work is on display at the Alaska State Museum and the Smithsonian. Students heard Brady-Morales lecture on the history of drum making, to increase respect for the craft. The drums will be played at a JOM potlatch on Nov. 29 at the SNO Building and will be on display at the high school on Nov. 30 during a program celebrating National Native Heritage Month.