PEEK AT THE PAST: March 10, 1960

Here’s what made news in the Mat-Su 50 years ago, from the March 10, 1960, issue of The Frontiersman:

Census ramps up

The U.S. Census Bureau is looking for workers to help count the Mat-Su’s population. The area’s Census crew leader, Rene Nielsen, is accepting applications for the position of enumerator. Classes for Census takers will begin near the end of the month.

Windy time in the Valley

With strong north and northeast winds blowing for nearly a week, there hasn’t been much damage reported around the Valley. Winds reached 63 mph on Tuesday, and the damage that has been reported is mainly blown down television antennas and two large plate glass windows broken in the Ehrhart Building.

The newspaper reports roads have been kept clear of debris and schools remained open.

Palmer youth show

well in boxing matches

Boxing matches sponsored by the Palmer Elks Club were called a “big success” by those in charge of the event. There were boxing matches between the Anchorage Boys Club and members of the Palmer Elks Boxing Club, with proceeds used for the club’s cerebral palsy project. According to the report:

“The Palmer lads, who have been receiving their boxing training under the guiding eye of Walt Ward, showed up very well against the Anchorage youths, who have had a three-year boxing program. Out of the 10 matches, three trophies were claimed by Palmer boys.”

Hospital ordered to pay up

The Valley Hospital Association was notified by the state Employment Department of Labor this week that it must pay more than $7,100 into its employees’ Unemployment Compensation Fund. This represents monies that should have been paid from March 21, 1954, through Dec. 31, 1959, and includes penalties and interest.

According to the notice, the hospital has 30 days to make the payment or else a levy may be placed on its property. Or, the hospital could be ordered to sell assets to satisfy the payment.

In an answer to the notice to pay, the hospital’s board of directors drafted a letter “pointing out that through the years the operation of the Valley Presbyterian Hospital has been a deficit operation … able to continue operating through credit extended by local businesses.”

It goes on to say the hospital has also been under increasing pressure from those businesses to “relieve them of the burden of carrying the hospital’s accounts over an extended period.”

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in March 1960 you could:

• Rent a room at the Hyland Hotel in Palmer for $3 a night single occupancy, $5 for double.

• Buy two cans of Boy-Ar-Dee spaghetti with meat sauce for 76 cents.

• Get cut up chicken fryers for 59 cents a pound.

• Buy a package of Bar-S wieners for 59 cents, or two cans of Vienna sausage for 47 cents.

• Choose turkey, chicken or chopped beef TV dinners for 59 cents each.

• Get fresh pork chops for 79 cents a pound.

• Buy a ladies handbag from Kislosky’s Dept. Store for $3.99 to $25.

• Get five cartons of frozen vegetables for $1.