100 years ago: “With a fine day a larger crowd witnessed the horse races than on opening day. It was estimated that between 400 and 500 persons paid at the main gate. The grandstand held about half of these. The program included five races.”

75 years ago: “At commencement exercises to be held at Smiley Junior High. Durango High School will graduate 129 of its students, members of the 1939 senior class.”

50 years ago: “Dr. Leo W. Lloyd will head a Durango bipartisan committee to raise funds for the John Fitzgerald Kennedy library in Cambrdige, Mass. The campaign is part of a nationwide effort to establish a memorial to the assassinated president. During his lifetime, Kennedy took personal interest in the project, which will be at Harvard University where Kennedy was an undergraduate.”

25 years ago: “Boy Scout Adam Tucson, 13, put the motto ‘Be Prepared’ to use to save a child’s life. The small congregation of the Spanish Assembly of God Church was left dumbfounded when a 2-year-old boy began choking during mass. ... Tucson tried performing the Heimlich maneuver once – but feared he could break the baby’s ribs. So with his hand on the child’s larynx, Tucson gave three quick blows to the back, and a jawbreaker popped out of the infant’s mouth.

Most items in this column are taken from Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not be verified.