In 1966, Sowa lad delivers local newspaper on unicycle

75 years ago

Dec. 8, 1941

• Grays Harbor young men flocked to the army and navy recruiting offices today to add their names to the list of young Americans answering the call to the colors after Japan’s attack on American outposts yesterday.

Both the army recruiting offices in the Becker building and the navy recruiting office in the post office reported that men were waiting this morning to apply for enlistment.

• Orders issued this afternoon by the army for a complete blackout of Harbor cities tonight, in anticipation of a possible Japanese air raid, were cancelled early this evening. The people are warned, however, to be prepared for blackout orders later.

Dec. 9, 1941

A grim aspect of modern war plunged Aberdeen and Grays Harbor into sudden darkness last night as the army, suspecting Japanese bombers were off the coast, suddenly ordered a complete blackout.

Within minutes, thousands of lights had been doused. Homeowners rushed to cover their windows. Drivers turned off their headlights and crept cautiously through the streets. Business houses quickly began extinguishing all lights and signs. Theater marquee lights snapped off.

50 years ago

Dec. 8, 1966

First recipient of a newly-created annual award at Aberdeen High School, Richard Balkema, long-time AHS principal and sports fan, was presented with a blue and gold lifetime pass to all Bobcat athletic events in ceremonies last week in the Miller Auditorium.

The award to be presented annually to a person chosen for service and enthusiasm for Aberdeen Athletics over a period of years, also included a class ring.

Dec. 9, 1966

• Terry Sowa, 16, picks up a bundle of the Aberdeen Daily Worlds each day Monday through Saturday and delivers them by unicycle to 77 subscribers in the Riverdale district of Raymond.

Terry says the unicycle is much more handy than a bicycle on his route. For one thing, you can stop and balance without much effort and without dismounting, place a paper in the box and then turn around on a dime and head off for the next stop.

Terry, a sophomore at Raymond High School, has been a World carrier about three years, having inherited the run from his brother, Rick, a RHS senior who held the job for several years.

• Oscar Charles Lovgren, a man who dedicated a very active life to the youth of the community, died yesterday afternoon at the age of 82.

Best known for his activities as executive secretary of the Hoquiam YMCA. Lovgren was affectionately tagged “Mr. YMCA.”

25 years ago

Dec. 8, 1991

He was only 15 at the time, but Robert Bush of Olympia remembers Dec. 7, 1941, as if it was yesterday.

He would go on to win the Congressional Medal of Honor in the war that started that day.

Saturday, he told about 75 people gathered at the Pacific County Courthouse for a commemorative service that Americans must never forget the lesson learned 50 years ago.

Bush was washing his mother’s car outside the family’s Willapa Valley home that Sunday late in 1941 when the news came over the radio: The Japanese had launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The news was stunning but it was nothing compared to the revelations in the days to follow — when the names of the local boys who were killed in the attack were released. First it was the neighbor boy from across the street. Then it was the kid who had lived just up the block.

“The deaths remind us of the price we pay to maintain our freedom,” Bush said. “Our challenge is to remember them … to ensure that something like (Pearl Harbor) never happens again.”

Dec. 9, 1991

For some, shoplifting is a cheap thrill. For others, it’s a lucrative business. For many, it’s a quick and easy way to support a growing drug habit.

But for Harbor retailers, shoplifting is a frustrating crime. Sticky fingers have cost them more than $1 million so far this year.

Aberdeen Police have distributed posters to 19 stores showing the mug shots of the “Dirty Dozen” — 12 habitual shoplifters best-known to local police.

“We need to make the shoplifter’s task as difficult as possible,” said Police Chief Bill Ellis.

Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom