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
March 16, 1965
A heavy agenda greeted members of the Prior Lake Board of Education on March 8. One of the agenda items: At the present time the band has 52 uniforms and some are over 11 years old. There are 75 band members. Dean Affeld, band director, was present to display the proposed uniforms. Blazer style coats will be for both boys and girls with trousers for boys and skirts for girls.
Coaches Gene Nei and Courtlin Story announced that 28 boys signed up for high school baseball and the first day of practice was held earlier in the week.
Machinist Mate Fireman Dennis A. Thorsfeldt, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Erling Thorsfeldt of Prior Lake, is serving aboard the seaplane tender USS Salisbury Sound, operating out of Whidbey Island, Wash. While in the Seventh Fleet, crew members of the ship had the opportunity to visit the ports of Yokosuka and Iwakuni, Japan and Keelung and Koashiug, Taiwan.
Published 40 years ago
March 18, 1985
District 719 administrators released current enrollment numbers during the meeting of the Prior Lake School Board. A total of 2,810 students were enrolled as of March 1. The figure is up slightly from the previous year when 2,771 children were attending Prior Lake schools. WestWood Elementary School showed the largest gain of 44 students. Prior Lake Junior High’s enrollment declined by 26 from the previous year’s total.
The Prior Lake Players spring production of “My Fair Lady” was scheduled to open on April 12. Ted Sammis was listed as the production’s musical conductor and Dan Digre as the vocal director. Key cast members included Laura Dahl playing Eliza, Troy Stanley as Professor Higgins, and Colonel Pickering played by Chuck Burns.
Police Chief Dick Powell reported that his department received numerous calls from local residents complaining about cars exceeding the 30 mile-per-hour speed limit on Fish Point Road and County Road 12. He said the department would address the issue through the use of speed traps at those locations.
Published 20 years ago
March 19, 2005
Two competing athletic dome plans were presented to the Prior Lake Parks Advisory Committee. Representatives of the area’s youth hockey and soccer athletic organizations were invited to the presentations to discuss future needs and potential funding sources.
Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church announced plans for its 13th annual Easter drama presentation featuring 50 cast members.
