Remember When?

50 YEARS AGO • JANUARY 2, 1969

LEDGER LINES by K.A.E.

The new year is traditionally a time for making new plans and acquiring new hopes for the future. If we had the power to grant the aims of 1969, we’d grant these:

A community water system for Heron.

An airport for Noxon.

A state park or campground on Trout Creek Bay for Trout Creek.

For Thompson Falls, a new high school to adequately take care of the large number of elementary students who will be crowding into the present facility in the years ahead.

A museum for the chamber of commerce, a completed and paved Short-Cut route via Thompson Pass, and completed new athletic field for Bill Chisenhall and Jim Langley and the Thompson Falls Booster Club.

For Jim Anderson, Dave Schlotthauer and Marv Hash victories and more victories on the basketball court.

For Plains, a surplus of skiers for their Corona Lake Ski Run to keep that recreational facility running smoothly and profitably.

For the River’s Bend Golf Course a watering system and a few more avid golfers to help make possible grass greens in the future.

For Hot Springs a new hospital addition and a road into the Corona Lake Ski Run.

For all the ranchers, bumper calf crops, early spring grass and rising prices. For the mills, adequate log supplies and profitable markets.

And to everyone, a happy, healthful and prosperous new year.

Most of the new year wishes listed above have become true over the years. I’m sure Doc Eggensperger would be pleased.

WINTER STRIKES AREA WITH COLD AND SNOW

Old Man Winter struck over the week end with a fury seldom seen in Sanders County as he dumped more than a foot of snow Friday and Saturday over most of the county and then swung his knockout punch in the form of bitter below-zero temperatures Sunday and Monday. The pummeling that winter gave Thompson Falls sullied its reputation as the “banana belt” of Montana.

Activity throughout the county Saturday was aimed at plowing out from under the snow and Monday it was a matter of just getting started – getting automobiles and trucks going, thawing frozen water pipes and keeping furnaces and heating equipment operating.

The Montana Power-U.S. Weather Bureau official low reading was 25 degrees below zero, but that was mild compared to many private thermometers. One rancher in the Whitepine area reportedly had two different temperatures and each recorded a low of 42 below. To Steve Vulles goes the dubious honor of reporting the lowest reading – a minus 43 at the Montana Highway Dept. garage east of town.

Adding to the misery of winter’s onslaught was a power outage in the Whitepine area which left some ranch homes without electricity for several hours Friday night. “Boy, we really poured the wood into that fireplace,” reported rancher Jimme Wilson. Fortunately, power was restored Saturday in advance of the cold wave.

Wilson reported the snow depth at his Little Beaver Creek ranch was 30 inches Saturday.

Service stations and garages were swamped with requests for aid by motorists who could not get their vehicles started Monday morning.

John Newell, manager of Motor Parts, reported a heavy run on batteries, battery acid, engine heaters, gas line anti-freeze, chains and other winterizing items.

Gambles also reported a heavy run on winter items – heating cables, propane torches and electric heaters.

Stan Groff at Curran’s Husky Service said he was unable to keep up with the calls Monday from residents wanting frozen water pipes unfrozen. Several persons reported broken water pipes and some well pumps in outlying areas were reported frozen also.

Fortunately traffic accidents were for the most part minor and consisted mainly of sliding into ditches and getting stuck.