The Way We Were

Dec. 6, 1923

The monthly report of the community nurse as given to the executive board of the Red Cross reveals the need of the nursing service for the community for as long a time as it can possibly be continued. The fact that a thoroughly competent, well-trained nurse can be sent for in case of accident or illness and that her services can be secured for a small fee – which is turned into the Red Cross at the end of the month – should be a matter of pride and congratulations to every citizen.

Dec. 3, 1948

The drive, which began just one month ago today to bring Wrangell’s Bishop Rowe General Hospital out of the red, to the tune of $3,999.97, was declared ended today by the Rev. H. Hall, secretary-treasurer of the hospital board. There is now a surplus of $255.36. Father Hall expressed his deep gratitude to people of Wrangell and to the many outside of town who contributed so generously. “Although the present indebtedness has been raised and there is a small surplus,” he said, “the hospital board and citizens of Wrangell must see that we do not run into the same disgraceful situation three years from now. Plans must be formulated and acted upon which will make it possible for the hospital to meet its deficit yearly.”

Dec. 5, 1973

Wrangell’s new 874 telephone prefix went into effect Monday, but it won’t be too noticeable to locals because the prefix is only needed for people out of town calling in. Jerry Elliott, Wrangell manager for General Telephone Co. of Alaska, said the change from the 844 prefix was made because 844 is becoming the standard prefix for time signals nationwide. Local calls will still be made without any prefix by just dialing the four main numbers. Out-of-town callers must use 874 in order to reach a Wrangell number. Elliot said new telephone numbers for local phones will be sent out with the next telephone bills in the form of paper stickers that can be pressed onto the telephone dial.

Dec. 3, 1998

A total of 21 Wrangell High School students are included in the 32nd annual Who’s Who Among American High School Students, 1997-98. Students are nominated by high school principals, guidance counselors, national youth groups, churches and education organizations based upon students’ academic achievement and involvement in extracurricular activities. Wrangell students are: Aaron Angerman, Sherina Clark, Heather Eastaugh, Andrew Helgeson, Levi LaLonde, Laura Molinek, Andy Morse, Alec Pempek, Robbie Rooney, Brandon Smith, Valerie Strasburger, Cody Angerman, Joshua Davison, Lacey Frabel, Erin Jamieson, Colton Lee, Celeste Montoy-Palmer, Jacqueline Nikodym, Jess Robinson, Mark Seimers and Jedidiah Smith.