Peek at the Past

Here’s what made the news 42 years ago, from the June 26, 1969, edition of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

Burning ban

back on

More than 100,000 square miles of Alaska are closed to open burning in an effort to reduce the possibility of wildfire in tinder-dry areas.

The area affected by the closure extends from the Arctic Circle south to the top of the Kenai Peninsula, and from the Alaska-Yukon Territory border west to the Alaska Range.

Although the closure may cause some hardship or delay land clearing and construction projects, it is necessary because of the worst fire danger level in Alaska’s history.

Tale told by a local legend

“Once upon a time there were three bears — two cubs and a big, black mama bear,” begins a page 3 story penned by Dorothy Page. “They all came to call at 5 a.m. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Wilbur out Hollywood and Vine way.

“Inside, Linda and her new baby daughter, Lore, were just getting up. Linda heard a noise on the back porch and assumed that the dog was up and around, too.

“Because her husband was still sleeping, she opened the door to quiet the dog, and here on the back porch, coolly eating the dog’s food, was a black bear cub.”

In the end, all were OK — even the family dog, who had to be dug out after burying himself under the house.

Assembly settles on mill levy

After a second veto this year of the 1969-70 Mat-Su Borough budget, the assembly and chairman appear to have reached a compromise. A levy of 13 mills will finance the appropriation for the next fiscal year. The assembly had approved a budget ordinance by a narrow 3-2 vote June 13 that would have required a $30,000 loan from the non-areawide fund and a $54,000 loan from other sources.

That was vetoed by the chairman, who based the move on the opinion of the borough attorney that it’s illegal to borrow beyond the level of anticipated receipts for the fiscal year.

It cost what?

According to advertisements in the Frontiersman, in 1969 you could:

• Enjoy a champagne party, including live music and a steak dinner for two, for $15.

• Get an 11-by-14-inch portrait photograph for $2.95.

• Barbecue hot dogs for 79 cents a package.

• Make smores by toasting marshmallows over the fire, three packages for $1.

• Eat a roast beef buffet dinner for $3.75.