The following are segments of stories taken from the front pages of the Whidbey Island Record 50, 25 and 15 years ago on Thursday, Jan. 12, 1967, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 1992 and Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002.

50 years ago

Editor: Ted Pong

Botesch selected by school board

“Harry E. Botesch of Everett is the architect selected for design of the new high school to be built on South Whidbey. The decision was made at the regular meeting of the South Whidbey School Board last night with all members of the board present. Possible sites for the new school were discussed but no decisions were made, and Botesch will be invited to inspect the premises of any prospective purchase.

“The school board has received acknowledgement from the state that the state has received the initial request for state aid in construction of a new school. The next step will be to determine the site and have the architect draw up preliminary plans to make actual application for aid.”

25 years ago

Editor: Jim Larsen

Southend’s first major fast food franchise in the works

“South Whidbey’s first major fast food outlet is in the works in Clinton.

“Local developer Robert K. Porter plans to create six lots at the corner of Highway 525 and Bob Galbreath Road.

“According to his land use consultant, Tom Roehl, a Dairy Queen or “Dairy Queen type” restaurant is being eyed for a gas station and convenience store. “There’s lots of interest in that since Simmons’ closed,” said Roehl, referring to the garage that sold gas in Clinton for nearly 50 years.”

15 years ago

Editor: Matt Long

‘Potter’ packs

the Clyde

“With matinees scheduled for four straight days last weekend, Lynn and Blake Willeford anticipated big crowds for the South Whidbey premiere of ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone” at The Clyde Theater in Langley.

“The theater’s owners got what they expected as people lined up for tickets more than an hour early for shows on Friday and Saturday. The film, which is about a boy wizard who attends a private boarding school for children with magical gifts, drew both hard-core fans of the J.K Rawlings “Harry Potter book series and people who wanted to find out why critics and kids think the books are so special.”