The Look Back, From the CNews archive feature has changed a bit in the new year. We’re reaching back farther into the past now, 25, 50, and 75 years into our vintage editions instead of 15, 25, and 50.
The “15 years ago” entries last year were being extracted from editions printed in 2004. Anything in the 21st century seems to me a bit too recent to be considered for inclusion in an archive feature.
Same with the previous long, long ago listings, from 50 years ago. Those were from 1969. That’s the year I was born. That wasn’t that long ago! The year 1945, 75 years ago, more fits that particular bill for me.
We (actually Wendi Reardon Price, who puts the column together every week) have only been doing this for five weeks now, but it’s already clear World War II was a constant presence on the homefront in early 1945, and it was reflected by The Clarkston News’ coverage. This week includes an entry about  Sgt. Marian Yost, home on a 6-day leave to attend the funeral of her grandfather.
In previous weeks, “Bond sales high in Independence Township” The Clarkston Women’s Volunteer Corps deserved much of the credit for putting bonds sales in the district over the top. Of the $41,850 E Bonds sold, the women sold $35,700 worth; “Clarkston knitters doing fine job” The 50th knitted shirt was completed for the refugee children freezing in war torn countries. Mrs. J. R. Campbell, in charge of the work in Clarkston, said the women in her hometown were really helping; and “Our boys and girls in the service” Edward H. Simerson of the Coast Artillery returned to Fort Story, Virginia, after enjoying a short furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas Simerson of Andersonville Road.
It’s also interesting to see how life would still be going on in Clarkston, even in the midst of a world war. Young William Ludwig earned his Eagle Scout this week in 1945, and the Wolves won their basketball game against Milford.
World War II will last until August in the 75-years-ago column. If you were around back then and the paper covered  something interesting you did, or even if it didn’t, drop us a line and we’ll see about covering it again.