The Star-Lite outdoor theatre opened its season here 50 years ago in may featuring Yul Brynner in "The Magnificent Seven." "The Apartment" with Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemon was showing at the Dakota Theatre, and "The Trapp Family" -- a 1956 West German movie that inspired "The Sound of Music" -- was the feature at the Empire.
The Grand Forks Chiefs began their season in May 1961 with a 6-5 thriller win over Duluth-Superior here. But the Dukes came back to even the series with a 10-2 thrashing of the local team.
Do you ever wonder in 2011, "Where is the League of Women Voters now that we need them?"
The League was around 50 years ago and sponsored a debate attended by 350 people on the type of city government Grand Forks should have. Keith Bacon and Frank Kosanda, representatives of the Association of Grand Forks Taxpayers, proposed to change to a City Commission from a City Council form of government.
The Herald weighed in with a front-page editorial saying the existing 14-member council with two members from each of the seven wards was the most representative form of government and better than a five-member commission.
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The front page headlines on the Herald on May 16, 1951, read: "City retains council rule -- No vote wins by 466 edge."
There were 3,265 votes opposing the change to a commission form of government versus 2,789 in favor in the special election May 15.
"Grand Forks will continue to have a mayor and 14 aldermen as its legislative-executive branch," the Herald reported. "The city manager system was not at stake in the election, although City Manager Alan Webster and his handling of city affairs has been an issue at times."
City Council President F.C. Bundlie expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the election.
Other news from 50 years ago:
** Eight UND students pleaded innocent in Grand Forks magistrate court to disorderly conduct arising from a seven-hour melee on campus.
The event resembled the mud fight of the 1958-59 school year. Twenty Grand Forks policemen battled rock-hurtling students who at one point uprooted a telephone pole and battered the door of Hancock Hall, a women's dormitory.
In all, about 1,500 students were at the scene, although officials said no more than 300 students took part in the disturbance.
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** Hugo Magnuson announced plans for construction of a third Piggly Wiggly Store in Grand Forks. It was to be built between 12th and 13th avenues North and east of North 20th Street.
The lot was being cleared by Ulvedal Construction Co. Construction was expected to start in June, and the store would be occupied in December.
Magnuson opened his first store in December 1955 at 117 N. Washington St., and his second store at 1631 S. Washington St., in October 1958. There also were two other Piggly Wiggly stores in Greater Grand Forks.
** Grand Forks Federal dedicated its expanded carillon bell system. Throughout America, leading financial institutions were installing these bells. They had an English-type bell tone together with a harp attachment and played from a console or other device.
Instrument controls were within the building, while the tones peeled from a giant tower atop Grand Forks Federal at 12 S. Fourth St.
** Grand Forks was on the move 50 years ago. Air Force authorities were taking bids for a 50-room hospital on Grand Forks Air Force Base with a price tag of $1.2 million. Air Force Day attracted 12,000 visitors to the base. Construction of the hospital was slated to begin in July.
There was a grand opening of the Chuck House at the Westward Ho Village. And KILO radio station owned by the Herald had a slogan, "Hear news first on the first station."
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Names in the news 50 years ago:
** Richard Hill, 28, was named principal of Schroeder Junior High. He had been an instructor in the College of Education at UND.
** Diane Ulvedal, 18, Central High senior, wearing a Jackie Kennedy hair style and a big smile, was chosen Miss Grand Forks.
** Mrs. Gerald Ryan was reelected president of St. Michael's Hospital auxiliary.
