Editor’s note: The weekly “Prior Lake in the Past” column contains summary excerpts of news items published in the Prior Lake American during the same week 60, 40 and 20 years ago. We hope our readers enjoy remembering those who are mentioned from years past, and this feature provides historical perspective about how much the community has changed over the decades.
Prior Lake American
Published 60 years ago
Rayalee Gormley, 17, Prior Lake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Gormley, who began her dancing career when she was 5 ½ years old, is now with the Chicago Opera Ballet through 22 states and Canada. Rayalee, the youngest member of the company, is featured in a solo role and was also chosen as one of the four girls for a new ballet added to the repertoire this season.
Victoria Sigmund, Prior Lake, will play Schumann’s “Papillons Op. 2” at a music major and minor recital to be held at the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, Minn., on March 12, at 8 p.m. Miss Sigmund is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Sigmund and a 1964 graduate of Prior Lake High School. She is a freshman music major at St. Benedict’s.
Holy Trinity Methodist Church of Prior Lake will sponsor a pancake breakfast scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, at the high school. Advance tickets are available at 99 cents for adults and 49 cents for children. Proceeds will be used for the building fund, according to Kenneth Haferman, chair.
Published 40 years ago
March 11, 1985
The third largest snowfall in Twin Cities history created few problems for Prior Lake residents on March 4 when 17 inches of snow fell in the city. Three minor accidents were reported by the Prior Lake Police Department. The Prior Lake Coast-to-Coast Hardware store reported a sell-out of snow shovels early in the day.
The City of Prior Lake showed a budget surplus of $160,000 when closing the books on the previous year. Revenue totaled $2.48 million, while expenses came in at $2.32 million. Building permits exceeded original budget expectations, which also positively impacted inspection, zoning and utility connection fees.
Laker swimmers Jim Casey and Dan Waschbusch qualified for the State High School Swimming Meet following the regional tournament held in Rochester. Casey came in second place in the 50 freestyle with a time of :22.47. Waschbusch swam a :56.80 to claim runner-up honors in the 100 backstroke.
Published 20 years ago
March 12, 2005
A spirited debate among Prior Lake City Council members resulted in a plan to offer reservations for public boat slips on the lake. The city will offer 17 public boat slips on Prior Lake – nine that require paid reservations and eight on a first-come, first-served basis. The Lake Advisory Committee had discussed public use of the slips as a way to give access to those who don’t own property on the lake.
For the second straight year, former Laker and current Luther College senior wrestler Ryan LeBeau achieved NCAA Division III All-America status, capturing runner-up honors in the national tournament held at St. Olaf College in Northfield.
Bonds worth $10 million were sold to finance the cost of downtown redevelopment that would include construction of a new city hall and police station.