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 those articles, and this feature provides historical perspective about how much the community has changed over the decades.

Prior Lake American

Published 60 years ago

January 11, 1966

Babysitter safety is topic: The Prior Lake Camp Fire Girls, in partnership with the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, scheduled a babysitters’ clinic for youngsters. Topics that were to be discussed included telephone calls, peeping toms and other safety considerations. The clinic was open to boys and girls in grade 7 and up; cost was $1.

Attention, thespians! A new drama group was being organized for local residents interested in theater. A one-act play, “Let the Man Live,” was scheduled for the Prior Lake Village Hall and presented by the Minnesota Valley Players, under the direction of Fred Schultz of Prior Lake. Persons interested in acting, lighting, set design, makeup and costumes were invited to attend the organizational meeting planned for Jan. 16.

Out on the ice: Preparations were being finalized for the seventh annual ice fishing contest sponsored by the Prior Lake Volunteer Fire Department. The winter event was scheduled for that weekend on Prior Lake. The grand prize to be awarded was a 3-horsepower Evinrude motor with carrying case. Runner-up prizes included a clock radio and a Polaroid camera. There was a $1 fee to enter the big fishing event, with tickets sold by fire department members.

Published 38 years ago

January 11, 1988

Arrests made following thefts: Four Prior Lake juveniles were arrested after a Prior Lake police officer observed them using a car to pull a snowmobile from Prior Lake near the Wagon Bridge. The officer checked the serial number and determined it had been stolen from a LeSueur residence, which later led to more charges involving the theft of three other snowmobiles. The youths also admitted to burglarizing a Scott County residence, stealing a motorcycle in Spring Lake Township, as well as a CB radio, Fuzzbuster and radio speakers from a parked vehicle.

Freeze implemented: The Scott County Board of Commissioners approved a hiring freeze until June 1 in an attempt to alleviate a cash flow problem created in late 1986 when funds for state and federal programs were cut. The freeze also pertained to uncommitted expenses. Exceptions included projects which posed a threat to public safety or the hiring of personnel deemed essential by the county board.

PLHS athletes honored: Amy Hennen, a junior at Prior Lake High School and leading rebounder for the Prior Lake Lakers’ basketball team, was named the “Female Athlete of the Week.” The daughter of Larry and Elaine Hennen served as captain of both the basketball and volleyball teams. The “Male Athlete of the Week” was Ryan Pierce, son of Robert and Mary Pierce. He was the captain of the boys’ basketball team and also participated in track.

Published 20 years ago

January 14, 2006

Family legacy continues: Larry Schommer was honored as Prior Lake’s “Firefighter of the Year” during the department’s annual banquet. He is part of a three-generation family legacy within the department. His father, Donald, served for 20 years, while his daughter, Kate, joined the department in August of 2005. Schommer had been a Prior Lake firefighter for 18 years when the award was given.

Gymnasts get high marks: The Laker gymnastics team posted one of their best scores for the year but fell to New Prague, one of the top teams in the state. Senior Kelsey Branson placed second in the all-around competition with her top scores coming in vault and floor exercise competition. Christie Asleson placed sixth in the all-around after earning a score of 31.425.

Work being done on three schools: The Prior Lake-Savage Area School District was in the middle of an aggressive construction schedule at the start of 2006 with several major projects underway. Remodeling of Pond’s Edge Early Learning School was scheduled to start at the end of the school year. The new Jeffers Pond Elementary School was underway, while Edgewood School was in the midst of heavy construction.