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
July 27, 1965
Prize catch from Spring Lake: A 5-1/2 pound, large mouth bass was hauled in by Gale Klingberg, assisted by Allan Dueffert, both of Spring Lake. Klingberg said he was using frogs for bait when he hooked the prize bass on his first cast the previous Monday evening.
Crack down on vandals: Beer parties and vandalism by youths was the general topic for discussion around Prior Lake, not only during the summer months, but throughout the entire year. Many such occurrences are exaggerated, according to a story in the Prior Lake American. In many of the beer raids made in the area, youths apprehended by Scott County officials turned out to be repeat offenders. A recent raid in Prior Lake involved many first-time offenders. It was believed that many of the offenders migrate to the lake area during the summer months. Concerned persons who are disturbed by the lack of ordinances and law enforcement are encouraged to direct their suggestions to the proper channels of the area affected. For an all-out crackdown on violators, and all-out effort will be needed!
On the big screen: The Prior Lake Drive-In Theater on Highway 13 was showing these films: “Those Calloways,” starring Brian Keith; “The Lively Set;” “None But the Brave,” starring Frank Sinatra; and “McHale’s Navy Joins the Air Force.”
Published 40 years ago
July 29, 1985
Serving on state VFW Auxiliary board: Lorraine Borka, Prior Lake, was elected State VFW Auxiliary Junior Vice President for a one-year term. Within three years, she would serve in other roles and rotate into the office of state president.
Air Force Academy graduate: Kris Schaumann, son of Brig. Gen. and Mrs. Robert Schumann of Prior Lake, was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was a 1980 graduate of Prior Lake High School.
Junior high or middle school? A committee was established by the Prior Lake School Board to look into the possibility of creating a middle school out of the present junior high school. Superintendent Cy Kruse recommended the creation of the committee to “examine the middle school concept and determine whether it is educationally and organizationally suitable for initiation into Prior Lake Public Schools in the fall of 1986.”
Published 20 years ago
July 30, 2005
Athletic needs assessment: Several community residents representing the city and school organizations, and at the request of city officials, met with Wold Architects and Engineers as a task force to discuss the community’s current and future athletic needs. The city had discussed putting forth a $5 million park referendum in 2009.
New addition: Mystic Lake Casino Hotel opened its new 16-story hotel tower that featured 170 new guest rooms and suites, as well as a new lobby area.
Hall of Fame inductees announced: The Laker Hall of Fame Class of 2005 featured four new inductees, including: Aanna (Hanson) Hoch, a three-sport athlete; Clement Felix, a 1955 graduate of Prior Lake High School and four-year letter winner in football, basketball and baseball; Chris Baker, 1984 graduate and two-time state title winner in swimming in his senior year; and Bill Hansen, teacher, football coach and athletic director for Prior Lake High School for nearly two decades.
