“This Week” in 1975, 50 years ago: Douglas County residents will soon be able to see what they helped buy for $883,414. The new addition to the courthouse will be open for business later this month. The original courthouse building was constructed before the turn of the century. It was completed August 1, 1895 at a cost of $36,640 – including furnishings. The one and only time the 80-year-old courthouse has been expanded was back in 1940 when extra vault space was added to the north side of the building...as part of a WPA project.

1975, 50 years ago : Fingerhut , the largest mail-order company of its kind, is not only feeling the pinch of a slackening economy but is anticipating further profit cuts with the anticipated increase in postage and proposed legislation which would limit closed-end credit to 12 percent. According to Fingerhut’s Vice President Jim Baskfield, the postage increase, which is expected to be 30 percent, is Fingerhut’s biggest concern. Fingerhut has 12 plants in Minnesota. This year, due to a drop in business, four of the plants were closed, and the Morris firm will close soon...The U.S. Postal Service announced that it is seeking bids for construction of a new Postal Service owned facility in Alexandria . The building will be a brick veneer, one-story commercial type construction and will contain an interior of 12,579 square feet.

2015, 10 years ago : The Runestone Electric Association (REA) building has been sold. The property is located next to the Alexandria City Hall . The sale hasn’t been finalized yet but there are plans to use the building for several small offices or one larger operation... Pretzelmaker is coming to the Viking Plaza. It will occupy the space that’s been used for ice cream treats and was last used by Fresh Corner. It will offer pretzels, pretzel dogs and beverages. It has more than 360 locations in the U.S. and worldwide... The former Special Memories building on Broadway between Cowing Robards and Charlie’s Bazaar has been sold. It will reopen in May as a children’s clothing boutique store. Special Memories has moved to a new location behind Cherry Street Books.

Just for Fun – 1975 – 50 years ago : Now showing at the Andria 2 – The Towering Inferno – starring Steve McQueen as the fire chief; Paul Newman as the architect; William Holden , as the builder; Faye Dunaway, the girlfriend; Fred Astaire, the Con Man; Susan Blakely, the wife; Richard Chamberlain, the son-in-law; Jennifer Jones, the widow; O.J. Simpson, the security man; Robert Vaughn, the speaker; Robert Wagner, the publicity man. Get your tickets: $2 for adults; $1.50 for students; 75 cents, children.

SPORTS TRIVIA 1975 – 50 years ago : The Cardinal hockey team finished the 1974-75 season with a 12-9 record, bringing their record over the last two seasons to 24-14, despite the hardships they have had to bear and their lack of ice time in comparison to the teams they play who have indoor ice. It was especially hard this season with several games postponed because of weather and another moved to Detroit Lakes.

Rachel Barduson of Alexandria is a regular contributing columnist to the Echo Press Opinion page.