Peek at the Past: As it appeared in the Dec. 17, 1953 Frontiersman

Farmers get TV sets for Christmas

Christmas came early for 14 local farmers this week, when George Jackson of the Alaska Dairy Products in Anchorage announced he is presenting each of the 14 with a television set for Christmas. The farmers supply milk daily for the dairy concern.

Palmer civil defense area formed

Ed Fortier, Third Division coordinator for the Civil Defense, told those attending the CD meeting that communication equipment is on order for the Palmer CD organization, and included walkie-talkie sets, a light plant and a radio transmitter.

The equipment is valued at $3,200.

License plate tags for 1954 available

License plate tags, to be used for the first time in Alaska in 1954, are now available at the office of U.S. Commissioner Dorothy Saxton.

The tabs are aluminum, with red numerals and are to be attached over the 1953 date in slots already on the 1953 plates.

Frontiersman subscriptions in the Palmer and Wasilla areas cost $5 a year in 1953.

At Hartley Motors, a 1953 Nash Rambler, with 10,000 miles on it, was listed at $2,150. A 1938 Ford 1 1/2 ton flat bed was $425. The classified section in the newspaper was two columns.

At the Valley Theatre, Marilyn Monroe starred in "Clash by Night," while Howard Hughes and Robert Mitchum could be seen in "One Minute to Zero."

At Koslosky's Department Store, pot roast was 59 cents a pound, chicken was 69 cents a pound and a two-pound box of butter was 99 cents. A 25-pound bag of sugar was $3.69.

Casey Ressler

Valley Life editor

352-2265

Phone

352-2276

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valleylife@

frontiersman.com

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