August 3, 2007

50 YEARS AGO
August 1, 1957 — Wheat harvest got an early start in the county. Meanwhile the barley crop was running about 35 bushels per acre.
The “combination special” at the A&K Dairy Bar was a hot dog and chocolate malt for 39 cents. The Hillsboro eatery urged diners to try their “mouthwatering shakes from our new Sweden Shake Maker.”
Vandals fouled the Hillsboro swimming pool with nine dead bullheads.
The Eldorado Farmers 4-H Club earned kudos from N.D. Highway Patrolman Orvin Anderson for their safety project. The clubmembers erected “dead end” signs on four township roads, including one that had been the site of at least three accidents.
40 YEARS AGO
August 2, 1967 — A 15-year-old Hillsboro boy was killed in a farm accident near Buxton, N.D. It was the boy’s first day of working on the farm and he was fatally injured when the box of a grain truck lowered unexpectedly and trapped him.
The local Babe Ruth team won second in state. Coached by Ed Beyer, the Red River Valley team included players from Hillsboro, Mayville, Northwood, Hatton and Portland. Duane Emery and Jerry Olsen represented Hillsboro on the squad.
30 YEARS AGO
August 4, 1977 — Hillsboro city commissioners set down rules for the use of HUD grant money for urban renewal. The city received about $229,000 in total grant money and about $30,000 had been set aside for merchants to remodel their storefronts. The funds would be available on a sliding scale depending on how expensive a remodeling project might be. The remainder of the grant money was earmarked for additional urban renewal projects in the city.
Work began on 12 low-rent housing units for the elderly in Galesburg. The project was estimated to cost $249,610 and would be paid for with a 40-year loan from HUD at nine percent interest.
20 YEARS AGO
August 3, 1987 — Hillsboro’s Liz Hanson competed in her 20th consecutive state women’s golf tournament. As defending champion, the 58-year-old settled for runner-up in the senior match play competition.
May-Port Equipment expanded into Hillsboro when owner Don Hanson bought the Case-IH Power and Equipment dealership.
Keith Gunderson’s 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door hardtop sports coupe won first prize in the Classic Chevy National Show in Springfield, Mo.
10 YEARS AGO
August 2, 1997 — Traill County’s Belmont Park came to life again with faith, food, music, a flea market and family fun. Reminiscent of the old settlers picnics held from the 1930s to the 1970s, the picnic was revived five years ago at the 15-acre park along the Red River between Buxton, N.D. and Climax, Minn.
Hillsboro crafter Ann Gasal was seen on the QVC network as part of a live broadcast from the N.D. State Fair featuring 20 North Dakota-made items for sale by mail. Gasal displayed her Old World Traditions pomander kit.
Aal Lutheran Church, rural Hillsboro, celebrated its 125th anniversary.
— compiled by Michelle McLean