This Week in 1972 – 50 years ago: Rick Banke pitched superb baseball for 14 innings as he shut out two teams, Moorhead and Little Falls, to lead the Alexandria Cardinal baseball team to the Region 6 title in Alexandria on the Knute Nelson field. The day belonged to the senior right-hander as he shut out the Moorhead Spuds, winners of District 23, 1-0 on a neat three-hitter and came back to the championship game against Little Falls to throw a 2-hitter and also shut them out. Banke went the full 14 innings, seven in each game, to pace the Cards to their first trip to the state tournament in baseball.
1972, 50 years ago: As plans continue with Mississippi Valley Airways (MVA) and scheduled airline service for the Alexandria area, James Koos, representing MVA, announced that Alexandria will be served by one flight per day. Fare will be approximately $22 one way. Until an airline agent is established at the Alexandria Airport, reservations can be made by calling the Arrowwood Lodge. Travel arrangements can also be made through Bursch Travel Agency. MVA will accept air freight shipments to anywhere in the United States. Weight limitations are individual pieces weighing up to 150 pounds.
A bomb threat Sunday evening emptied the Andria theater. According to the police report, an adult male called the theater at 9:50 p.m. and said that a bomb was to go off at about 10:15. The theater was emptied and Alexandria police and Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a preliminary search. The theater was then closed for 12 hours.
1997, 25 years ago: The Alexandria City Council issued $2.74 million in general obligation improvement bonds to help finance the water and sewer extension project. City officials said they believe it is the largest issuance of bonds that the city has authorized in its 120-year history. (The Alexandria Lakes Area Sanitary Sewer District project was larger - a total of $23 million in the mid-1970s - but it included townships.)
A new visitors’ center was opened during the annual “Free Day” at Carlos State Park north of Alexandria. About 250 visitors enjoyed refreshments at the center. The building, 60 feet by 28 feet, replaces an old structure that was moved here from St. Croix State Park in the 1940s. Reserved camping at Carlos State Park has already been booked through Labor Day. The park, however, has 30 percent of its campsites available for “walk-ins” on a first-come, first-served basis.
2012, 10 years ago: Donnelly Custom Manufacturing Company, an industry leader in short-run injection molding, recently purchased three new machines – a hot-plate welder, CNC Grinder and all-electric injection molding machine – to further enhance in-house capabilities to support customer needs and reduce lead times and eliminate the time and cost of outsourcing machining and tool work.
Leaders at State Bank and Trust have announced their intention to rebrand the locally owned community bank as Bell State Bank.
Just for fun,1947 – 60 years ago: Kathryn LeRoy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James LeRoy, was elected governor of Minnesota Girls’ State. The election was held at the State Fairgrounds in St. Paul.
Sports Trivia, 1972 – 50 years ago: Not since Glenwood captured the District 22 golf title in 1962 has another team been able to beat the Alexandria Cardinals. Jim Perdue’s linksters won their tenth straight championship last week by nine shots over Long Prairie. Dave Kluver paced the Cardinal team to the championship by carding a two over par 76 on the course in Glenwood. Kluver finished second in the individual race. Paul Dyke came in with a 78 for third place individually and Lee Toft had a 79 to share fourth place and give the Cards a team score of 233.
Rachel Barduson of Alexandria is a regular contributing columnist to the Echo Press Opinion page.