Editor’s note: The weekly “Prior Lake in the Past” column contains summary excerpts of news items published in the Prior Lake American during decades from the past. We hope our readers enjoy remembering those people and events mentioned in the articles, and this feature provides historical perspective about how much the community has changed over the decades.

Prior Lake American

Published 60 years ago

July 19, 1966

Sunset Beach was the place to be: Area residents were invited to the annual picnic and Fun Day sponsored by the Spring Lake Improvement Association. The event was scheduled at Sunset Beach and was to include entertainment, prizes, surprises and free beverages. Co-chairs were Mrs. Eunice Boltz and Bill Williams.

Man drowns in Prior Lake: A 36-year-old Bloomington man was Scott County’s first drowning victim of the 1966 summer season. Norman Gaulke drowned near Green Heights. He was with two friends and had jumped from a pontoon approximately 75 feet from shore, intending to swim the final distance. His body was recovered by the Prior Lake Fire Department.

Rocking out: A lawn party was held at the home of Paul Plekkenpol on July 9 that featured local boys playing rock ‘n roll music to entertain the people of Maple Park. The band called themselves the “Out Casts.” Members were Steve Recter, Warren Walsh, Dave Nelson, Rich Laymon and Craig Plekkenpol.

Published 38 years ago

July 18, 1988

Two decades of service: Dr. Don Abrams, a family practitioner at Park Nicollet Medical Center’s Prior Lake and Shakopee clinics, was honored for his 20 years of service during an event held at the Prior Lake Yacht Club.

Drought hits county: The Scott County Board of Directors planned on declaring a state of local emergency due to severe drought conditions. Approximately 30 farmers within the county were already obtaining drought relief from two federal emergency haying programs.

Local dentist lands big catch: Prior Lake dentist Mike Babcock returned from a fishing trip on the Nughagak River in Alaska where he caught a 62-pound King Salmon, the biggest fish caught in the river that year. The fish was four feet long and took Babcock four hours to land.

Published 20 years ago

July 15, 2006

New inductees: Six new members were to be inducted into the Laker Hall of Fame during the annual celebration planned for Aug. 3. New inductees for 2006 included: Liz Mee Scott, Chad LeMair, Brad Thompson, Bruce Thompson, Orma Geister and Willard Haas.

Land approved for trust: The Bureau of Indian Affairs granted the request of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to place 752 acres located in Prior Lake and Shakopee into a land trust. Approval of the application had been opposed by the City of Shakopee and Scott County but supported by the City of Prior Lake.