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 12, 1966
On the Mighty Mississippi: One way to beat the heat was to take a scenic and enjoyable 200-mile river cruise, as three couples from Prior Lake recently did. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Geren, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Karl Mickus and Mr. and Mrs Robert Lindstam, embarked in their 12-foot cruiser at Aqua Marine on the Minnesota River at 8 a.m. June 26 and headed for Lake City on the Mississippi River where they stayed for two days at the Lake Aire Motel before heading back to Prior Lake.
Playing with the big bands: Jeff Lippka, 19, and his brother, John, 18, sons of Mr. and Mrs. William Lippka of Prior Lake, were selected as members of the six-piece USA band sponsored by WDGY Radio. More than 200 young people auditioned for the band which will perform at various Aquatennial events and the “Teen Band Spectacular” being held at the Convention Hall in Minneapolis and feature Bobby Vee, Jody Miller, The Association and The Runaways.
Tough season for Jays: The Prior Lake Jays were host to the LeSueur Giants for a River Valley League game and took a 21-2 beating in their sixth loss of the season, leaving them in last place. Shakopee led the league with an 8-0 record.
Published 38 years ago
July 11, 1988
Honoring former landmark: When the new Prior Lake Middle School opened its door, the former Prior Lake Middle School was in need of a new name as it transitioned to an elementary building. After reviewing 244 names earlier in the year, the Prior Lake School Board opted to retitle the building as “Grainwood Elementary,” in honor of the former Grainwood Hotel. Heather Rygula, a sixth-grade teacher at Five Hawks Elementary, proposed the name, saying the hotel symbolized the growth of Prior Lake in the 1880s. The hotel served as a summer resort that was built in May of 1879 and served many wealthy socialites from the eastern and southern states until fire destroyed the building in April of 1930.
On the traveling team: Fourteen-year-old Jason Pond was chosen as a member of the Little Gophers baseball team. The Prior Lake teenager would join the team as it traveled to Kentucky, Ohio, Colorado and Iowa, along with Japan and Hong Kong, to play 116 games throughout the year.
Big city celebration: The city’s celebration of Lakefront Days was a big success that drew thousands to the downtown area and Lakefront Park. The event included a Senior Citizens’ Olympics, a parade, a waterski show at Watzl’s Beach, a 10K run and many activities for all ages.
Published 20 years ago
July 8, 2006
Abe sighting on Prior: Tom Eichter won first place in the fishing boat category of the annual July 4 Boat Parade with his Abraham Lincoln-themed boat.
Misbehaving boaters: Residents living in Candy Cove expressed frustration about being overrun by boaters cutting through their yards while carrying cases of beer and using privately-owned docks to transfer others to and from lakeside yards. The July 4 holiday was said to usually be among the worst of days, with an estimated 1,000 partiers in the cove if the weather was good. Neighborhood residents complained about the litter, cigarette butts, abandoned water toys and loud music.
SCALE contribution: The Prior Lake City Council agreed to contribute toward the Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency’s (SCALE) initiative to build a joint training site. The city’s approved contribution was $750,000 of the $8 million project.
