From The Clarkston News archives

25 years ago – 1999
He’s a ‘Lifesaver’: Rob Alonzi, a part-time patrol officer for Clarkston City Police, was honored by members of the Oakland County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his efforts to make the county roads safer. Alonzi was nominated for the award based on the outstanding number of drunk drivers he arrested working evening and early morning shifts. He was among 38 officers from county departments who were recognized.
Theatre improves to keep up with growth: Local acting troupe Clarkston Village Players made many improvements to the little red Depot Theatre which has sat by the railroad tracks for years. For one thing it wasn’t red anymore – it had a new gray and teal paint job. There were other changes inside and out including working on the interior, adding new furniture, rugs, wallpaper borders, draperies and a new coat of paint. The area’s growth and increased patronage were factors that caused the troupe to make changes.
Clarkston youth wins Blue Lake competition: Lissie Okopny had dreams of performing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and she was well on her way. Okopny, a Clarkston High School sophomore, was the winner of the 1999 Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Concerto Competition in Muskegon. As the winner of the competition, Okopny had the honor of performing her solo, the first movement of Mozart’s Concerto for Flute in D Major with the Blue Lake Festival Orchestra during their 1999 season finale concert.

50 years ago – 1974
Post office options land south of town: Clarkston Postmaster Ray Klein reported the U.S. Postal Service agreed to purchase a 77,400-square foot site for a new postal facility on M-15 near Dairy Queen. The new post office building would replace the antiquated structure owned by Pontiac State Bank, which occupied Main Street.
Senior High enrollment due to grow two more years: There would be at least two more years of increasing enrollment at Clarkston Senior High School, according to a tentative enrollment report prepared by Schools Assistant Superintendent Mel Vaara. A total of 1,647 students, up 55 from the previous year, were housed in the building the previous Friday. Only Andersonville, Pine Knob and South Sashabaw elementaries had increased enrollment on the lower grade level. Bailey Lake Elementary lost 87 students due to boundary changes and North Sashabaw Elementary was still down eight students despite receiving 50 additional students from the Walters Lake area.
The mill stream: Clarkston High School seniors Debbie Wentz and Gary Mills had a opportunity to see President Ford only a few weeks after he took over his new office. Wentz, of Pine Knob Road, and Mills, of Perry Lake Road, were among seven Oakland County 4-H members who toured Washington, D.C. as part of the trip called the 4-H Citizenship Short Course.

75 years ago – 1949
Clarkston Rotary Parade attracts large crowd: Clarkston Rotarians were to be congratulated on the success of the parade held on Labor Day. It was bigger and better than ever. More of the town folks showed a keen interest in making the parade worth while. Many stayed home over the weekend just to attend the parade.
Many clubs help with second annual fair: The second annual Labor Day Fair was held at the Community Activities, Inc. Although the day was cold, the spirit of the rally was very invigorating. The only scheduled event which did not take place was the demonstration by the Aerobats.
Local girl wins scholarship: Evelyn Mae McCrum, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rial A. McCrum of Maceday Lake, won state honors at the Domestic Science Exposition. Evelyn placed first over 950 other canning division exhibits. She exhibited ten cans of fruit. The fruit was then sent to the New York National Exposition and was placed first over 7,886 other entries.

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