PEEK AT THE PAST: Aug. 3, 1961

Here’s what made news in the Mat-Su 49 years ago, from the Aug. 3, 1961, issue of The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

Prison camp proposed

A presentation outlining a plan to bring an adult prison camp to the Valley drew an interested local crowd. Although a final site for the camp will be made by Gov. William A. Egan, staff from the State Youth and Adult Authority are making aerial and ground surveys of possible locations, including some in Homer, Eklutna, Little Susitna, Chickaloon, King Mountain and Buffalo Mine.

It’s the Buffalo Mine site that is most suitable, a representative from the authority told Valley residents. Along with being available, the land is also close to the State Youth Conservation Camp and School to share professional personnel services and equipment.

The types of offenders sent to the camp would be those who, after careful screening, show a need and capability of being rehabilitated.

Outside perspective presented to chamber

An Arab journalist visiting the Valley says people of the world’s Arab countries could learn much from Alaskans. The journalist made the comments during a presentation to members and guests of Matanuska Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The man, a correspondent working in the United States for a Cairo, Egypt, newspaper, admitted he knew little about the 49th state.

“But then, most Americans visualize the Arab as living in a tent in the desert,” he said. “Finding such a man is as difficult as my finding Eskimos whom I thought heavily populated Alaska.”

He said many Arab countries “are very poor. There are 19 million people, many of whom eat meat but once in six months.”

He said Arab countries don’t want money from America; rather, for the United States to live up to its “In God We Trust” motto, which he said is “indications to the Arab of life in the United States. … I have found very disturbing that in many cases, Americans have lost faith in their country’s principals. This is bad, and the faith should be regained. There is no need to lose faith and dignity.”

Pondering ‘the Martian question’

In an advertisement for local churches sponsored by six local businesses, including the Frontiersman, readers are presented with “The Martian Question.”

“If there are intelligent creatures on some other planet, your son and mine may one day meet them,” it says. “What sort of people would you hope these ‘Martians’ to be? Believers in God, or atheists? … Wouldn’t it be heartening to find on that planet a world of churches, of faith, of folks at worship and at work for the truth revealed to them by God?”

It concludes with a schedule of church services and the thought that “this world … isn’t yet all we want Mars to be.”

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in August 1961 you could:

• Buy 10 pounds of flour for 75 cents.

• Make Sunday breakfast with thick-sliced bacon for 69 cents a pound.

• Snack on grapes for 29 cents a pound or three containers of cherries for 89 cents.

• Rent a bachelor apartment — furnished — for $60 a month.

• Watch Gregory Peck in “Duel in the Sun” or Elizabeth Taylor in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” at the Center Theatre. In the mood for something more adventurous? There’s also “Tarzan’s Fight for Life,” starring Gordon Scott as Tarzan.