Those were the days

5 years ago — Week of Nov. 25, 2004

The 935-acre Albertson Ranch, located along Gypsum Creek, was sold to developer Russ Hatley. He planned a residential development at the site which would include 535 homes and both an 18-hole and nine-hole golf course.

Pam Schultz, member of the Gypsum Town Council and organizer of the Gypsum Daze celebration, was named Citizen of the Year by the Eagle Valley Chamber of Commerce. Performance Automotive in Eagle was named Business of the Year.

Thanks to contributions from Great Outdoors Colorado, Vail Board of Realtors, Berry Creek Metro District, Arrowhead Metro District, Colorado Association of Realtors, Edwards Metro District, Western Eagle County Metropolitan Recreation District and Eagle County a new skate park opened in Edwards.

Megan Ehrenberg of Eagle was selected to participate in the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C.

10 years ago — Week of Nov. 25, 1999

Volunteers packed more than 150 Thanksgiving food baskets for need areas families. Eagle Valley High school students collected 1,339 cans of food for the Thanksgiving basket food drive.

Ken Long took over the position of Gypsum town planner.

Gypsum Mayor Steve Carver treated the local senior citizens to a barbecue dinner.

Hockey players Chad Warren, Tony Powell and Mac Garnsey held their Vail Midget A team's win the Vail Sportsmanship Tournament at Dobson Ice Arena.

Susan Kraemer was named top producer of the year for Preferred Real Estate.

Law enforcement agencies in Eagle and Garfield counties were still seeking clues in the four-year-old, unresolved murder case involving 32-year-old Cynthia Spair-Burkey. The victim's body was found in the Colorado River near New Castle five months after her abandoned car was found near the Interstate 70 Shoshone exit in Glenwood Canyon.

20 years ago — Week of Nov. 30, 1989

The Eagle County Commissioners had a long day with few “yes's” and many “no's” when they reviewed the 1990 community donation requests. Saying they had many mandated services to provide that resulted in sparse cash reserves, the county nixed requests from the Vail Valley Marketing Board, the Colorado Ski Museum, the Eagle County Historical Society, the Eagle County Child Care Task Force and the Vail Valley Foundation. Additionally, the commissioners cut the “Wings for Independence” July 4 air show at the county airport from the budget.

A federal grand jury investigation was pending following the arrest of two Miami men and the seizure of $4 million in cash by local law enforcement personnel. The Thanksgiving Day arrest occurred in Interstate 70 in Eagle County after Colorado Port of Entry personnel reported a weigh discrepancy recorded by a tractor-trailer at the Colorado/Utah border. The driver claimed the semi was empty, but port official determined it was carrying a 4,000 pound load. Colorado State Patrol Trooper Cindy Hurd ultimately stopped the vehicle when she observed it swerve over a white line and discovered the cash when she searched the semi.

The town of Eagle anticipated a $1.7 million budget for 1990. (The town's anticipated budget for 2010 is $4.7 million)

The official “Ghostbusters” vehicle, a vintage ambulance with lots of enhancements, stopped in Eagle. The car was on its way from California to Chicago.

30 years ago — Week of Nov. 29, 1979

A study was submitted to the Eagle County Commissioners and the county's Human Resource Council that indicated the county did not have enough elderly people to justify construction of nursing home. However, the study suggested a senior housing complex would be a more realistic option for the area.

A proposal to build a recreation complex adjacent to Eagle Valley Middle School resurfaced. Supporters of the plan noted it could be built for approximately $600,000 by forming a special recreation district.

Eagle Valley Telephone Company announced phone service would be interrupted for several hours during the upcoming weekend. The company warned customers that if their service was out of order, it would be useless to go try to use a neighbor's phone, because it also would be out of service.

The Edwin C. Johnson Bore of the Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel was set to open for eastbound traffic after a brief ceremony on Dec. 21. Following the opening, the tunnel would finally operated a a four-lane facility.

40 years ago — Week of Nov. 27. 1969

Eagle Mayor Harry Long announced a “open and frank discussion” of the community's planned water system improvements. The town board was proposing a $350,00 bond issue to pay for the project.

Ski Club Vail announced the 80 members of its junior racing program. Local participants included Becky Ellison, Kris and Eric Stienberg, Peter Seibert, Terry Nottingham, Brad Clark, and Tab and Scott Morgan.

Ski Club Vail planned a ski swap and miscellaneous sale at the Manor Vail conference room.

The Colorado Department of Revenue tested a new concept — a mobile driver's license testing office. The testing van was set to visit the county weekly to administer vision and written tests and a driving examiner traveled with the van to administer driving tests.

“Elvis ‘69” was the feature presentation at the Eagle Theater.

50 years ago — Week of Nov. 26, 1959

More than 9,000 Western Slope residents were living on their Social Security payment, amounting to nearly $6 million annually. Eagle County had more than 225 people on Social Security. The county's total payment pool was $14,000 per month.

More than 150 4-H club members, leaders and parents attended the annual achievement day program in Eagle County. Donald Chambers was the county 4-H president.

A number of long-time residents were celebrating significant birthdays. Sam Lemon was turned 79, Mrs. William Lea turned 82 and Bert Wolverton turned 85.

The Eagle Pharmacy advertised Sno-Flak Spray in frost pink, silver blue or snow white. “Attach the spray container to vacuum cleaner and use to decorate your tree, mantel piece, door spray or table decoration.” The cost was $4.98 complete, but the store offered a layaway option for customers.

60 years ago — Week of Nov. 24, 1949

For the first time in eight years, the Eagle Chamber of Commerce announced it would sponsor a holiday lighting contest. “In years past, the town gained widespread reputatation for the beautiful holiday lighting decorations and neighbors from many towns in nearby communities drove here to view beautifully decorated houses,” the Enterprise reported.

The district governor visited the Eagle County Lions Club meeting. Musical entertainment for the evening included a saxophone solo by Harold Long and a flute solo by Shirley Chambers.

The Independent Lumber Company in Eagle advertised “Christmas gifts the whole family can enjoy.” The business offered a layaway plan.

70 years ago — Week of Nov. 24, 1939

Glen Trester, who had pleaded guilty to kidnapping a Denver traveling salesman, received an eight to 17-year sentence “at hard labor” from District Judge Luby.

In another district court case, Elizabeth Arrondale of Ruedi, a native of England, was granted United States citizenship. Mrs. Arrondale received citizenship just a few days prior to her 80th birthday.

Specials at the Eagle Market included a one-pound box of Valencia chocolate covered cherries for 27 cents.