75 years ago: “To perplex further the people of Durango, sporadic attacks of mumps are being experienced. Mrs. Hamet McAllister, teacher in Smiley Junior High School and Miss Maude Bray clerk in the forest office, are victims.”

50 years ago: The following appeared in the section titled Hilltopper, “The theme for Homecoming is ‘Men to Match Our Mountains.’ Everybody at Fort Lewis is working on Homecoming floats and general Homecoming activities.”

25 years ago: “Molas and Red Mountains passes on U.S. Highway 550 north of Durango were restricted to chains or snow tires as winter arrived anew in Colorado, leaving some areas slushy and snow packed.”

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