Here’s what made news in the Mat-Su 62 years ago, from the Feb. 7, 1948, issue of the Valley Frontiersman:

Theatre owner sued for lease violations

Owners of the Valley Theatre were accused in a lawsuit filed this past week of failing to live up to the terms of a 3-year-old lease with Cathryn’s Shop. The shop, owned by Fred and Erline Howard of Seward, was a clothing shop for women and children in the former theater building. Among the complaints in the lawsuit were allegations that heat was inadequate.

Sportsmen draft rules, elect board

The Matanuska Valley Sportsman group got right down to business, drafting new bylaws and electing new members to its board. The group hopes its work will get an OK from the American Rifle Association, which it hopes to become affiliated with.

Fairbanks bests PHS, loses to Shamrocks

The Palmer High School freshman team, dubbed in the newspaper as “Palmer’s court babies,” took on “the man-sized job of playing 60 minutes of basketball against Fairbanks High School.” The report says the team “did very well” in a 35-16 loss Monday and another by the score of 32-17 on Tuesday. The report continues:

“Palmer’s over-zealous attack resulted in heartbreak at the basket, for several times the ball twirled inside the net and then swished out again without dropping through.”

Students buy records for dancing party

The first purchases for what will be a permanent dancing library were made by members of the student council of Palmer High School. A committee selected a Tommy Dorsey album and 21 other new records to start the library. Students plan to schedule many dances in the future.

In the lion’s den

Editor Viola Daniels editorializes on the 38th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America:

“Because the work of Scouting is so new to the territory, the costs necessarily will be high in the years just ahead. The Boy Scouts of this area, at the invitation of the Community Chest board, plan to conduct a separate Scout drive, as they originally planned.

“From all indications, there’s nothing the Valley needs more than men who will do their best to help a neighbor and who will be actively interested in assuming the responsibilities of citizenship in the community.”

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in February 1948 you could:

• Play bingo at the Steve Ward building, with the grand prize being a refrigerator, which will be awarded at midnight.

• Purchase hockey skates from Koslosky Department Store for prices ranging from $8.95 to $13.50.

• Visit the new Vic’s Barber Shop, which is now open for business, giving shaves and haircuts 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

• Take the Alaska Railroad from Palmer to Anchorage for $2.55 one way, $3.40 round-trip.