Ledger Looking Back 25 Years: 10/1/1997

October 1, 1997

For the first time in nearly two decades, a chartered 10-car tourist train operating under a company named Northern Parks Limited brought 44 people to Whitehall for an overnight stay on Friday, September 26. The train, powered by MRL diesel engine cars, entered Whitehall just past dusk on Friday, stayed overnight on the tracks in the area behind the fire station, and pulled out about 10:45 AM on Saturday. The Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department helped provide the train water. Each car had a 500-gallon tank for cooking and restroom facilities. The stop in Whitehall was part of an eight-day statewide tour chartered through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Larry Buhl and Mike Hedges started a small business south of Cardwell. The two invested over $100,000.00 in equipment and a product called corion started a company called LaRuth Industries and were the only manufacturer of corion tombstones, grave markers, urns, and urn walls in the nation. Corion is an extraordinarily durable acrylic by Dupont and is unique because of its strength, beauty, and durability. LaRuth Industries completed an urn wall at a cemetery in Havre designed to inter the cremated remains of up to 192 people.

Whitehall Student of the Week was sophomore Mandy Davis, who was nominated by Rod Stout for her “outstanding test and daily work scores” in World History, which reflect her “excellent attitude and work ethic.” Mandy is the daughter of Rex and Barb Davis and enjoys basketball, volleyball, soccer, and riding horses.

Whitehall Athlete of the Week was Travis Atkins, a senior Trojan football squad member. He was nominated because of his “outstanding game with four touchdowns” last week. Travis is the son of Michael Atkins and Kathleen Alter. He enjoys snowboarding, hunting, fishing, and football.