PEEK AT THE PAST: March 21, 1979

Here’s what made news in the Mat-Su 31 years ago, from the March 21, 1979, issue of The Frontiersman:

Man burned in cabin fire

The Houston and Willow fire departments responded to a cabin fire on Old Pittman Road near Rainbow Lodge and found that one of its two residents had suffered burns over 18 percent of his body.

The man was sleeping when the wood stove caught fire. The man woke up, but lost his way in the cabin for a short while before finding his way out and walked to the Rainbow Lodge to report the fire.

Swenson wins 1979 Iditarod

Rick Swenson of Eureka finished the 1,049-mile sled dog race to Nome in 15 days, 9 hours, 37 minutes and 47 seconds, winning the race’s top prize of $12,000. In a photo essay from the last checkpoint and finish of the race, Wasilla rookie musher Ron Brinker earned the nickname “Mr. Happy.” Although he finished 35th, Brinker reportedly was one of the happiest mushers throughout the endurance race.

Business as usual in Willow?

A spaceship has landed in Willow — at least that’s what’s reported on page 3 of the March 21, 1979, Frontiersman.

Aboard the ship were Miss Copycat, the Captain, Balloonians and Moon Mice.

This otherworldly experience happened on the community theater stage and the Earth People eventually found harmony with the Moon Mice, the story reports.

“The Landing” was a unique production pulled off by professional puppeteers Joe and Ronna Leon, helped by more than 100 Willow-area students. The puppeteers were in Willow for two weeks as part of the Artists in the Schools Program sponsored by Arts Alaska Inc.

Students help name owl

The Matanuska Electric Association’s owl mascot finally has a name — Watcha Watts.

Homestead Elementary School first-grader Bill Hight entered the winning name in the cooperative’s contest to name the mascot. Julie Stehlic, a Sherrod Elementary fifth-grader, was second with “Less McTrcity.” Both were awarded MEA windbreakers.

Crossing has new management

The grocery store, café, Laundromat and gas pumps at White’s Crossing (Mile 66.5 Parks Highway) came under new management this month. Some of the immediate changes include the café now serving homemade soup and chili, as well as fresh-made hamburger patties. Plans also call for a remodel to expand the eatery and add more washing machines and dryers to the Laundromat.

White’s Crossing was originally opened in 1961 in an area where there were virtually no services available to the Willow area.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in March 1979 you could:

• Buy pork chops for $2.09 a pound.

• Snack on red delicious applies or oranges for 49 cents a pound.

• Get a 15-ounce bag of popcorn for 99 cents.

• Buy Pop Tarts for 79 cents a box.

• Get a bottle of Old Mr. Boston Rocking Chair Whiskey for $3.59.

• Gear up the kids with heavy-duty boots for $6-$7.

• Buy a 50-foot sprinkler hose for $8.50.