50 Years Ago (or thereabout)
From the Polar Star, Nov. 23, 1956
Tragedy and Happiness in the Far North
By Ron Rhodes
"As Far as They Could Go" if we are to judge from public opinion, went quite a long way toward portraying the realistic meeting of an advanced civilization and an arrested civilization. The theme used has been a common one in the many navels on the subject and has now been successfully employed in what appears to be the first play about Alaska.
Though Miss Carrighar's plot is an old one, it is fairly well supported by many catch lines that ease the tendency of the whole toward staleness. If course Chester Seveck's totally relaxed manner on stage and his Eskimo dances also keep the play from becoming dead in certain spots.
As a matter of fact, Miss Carrighar can be thankful for the outstanding performance of the entire cast, which was what made a mediocre play into an above average one.
It need not be mentioned that Eloise Swarthout and David Goodrich both played convincing parts while High Fate, Jr., did a fair job of a difficult part.
25 years ago:
From the Northern Sun/Polar Star, Dec. 4, 1981
Campus Park Due Next Year
By Pam Carson
Those celebrating UAF's 60th anniversary next fall will see a change according to Karen Cedzo, chairperson of the Constitution Park user and advisory committee appointed by Chancellor O'Rourke.
Hoping to "transform an eyesore into a pleasant place to linger," the committee is using an estimated $360,000 to landscape the area bounded by Constitution Hall, Gruening Building, Wood Center and Wickersham Hall, Cedzo said.
A three-dimensional model of the park was made, based on the preliminary design drafted by Facilities, Planning and Construction following the June, 1980 proposal calling for the landscaping project.
The Model was displayed in Wood Center and in the University Museum during the spring and summer, encouraging public input. Since then, the committee has hired landscape architect Kenneth Pendleton of Land Design North Inc. of Anchorage.
"We're negotiating the fee proposal that he's submitted," Cedzo said. "He'll work on our program notes and will produce several optional designs.
Program notes, Cedzo said, were compiled to "spell out our objectives, specific concerns and suggestions."
She added, "many of the people on the committee are experts in their fields and we plan to utilize their expertise."
