This Was Brainerd - Jan. 8

30 years ago (1988)

Bob Gross credits humble origins for setting him on the right path. Gross was chosen by Brainerd Community Action as the 1987 Citizen of the Year, and at 44, he is the youngest to receive the award. The superintendent of schools moved to Brainerd in 1968.

40 years ago (1978)

Jack Madden, 68, a pioneer resorter who parlayed a tiny Gull Lake facility into a huge resort complex, has died in Florida. More than 40 years ago he and wife Peg opened Madden Lodge, which accommodated 10 people. The huge complex today was co-owned with his brother Jim and John Arnold.

60 years ago (1958)

(Photo) Roy Rapf of Cross Lake is a strong man. He has to be to hold up this 30-4 northern he speared at Fox Lake. The largest northern taken here in many years, Rapf says the fish "smashed up my fish house pretty bad after I pulled him through the hole."

80 years ago (1938)

A Timothy Township man is on trial this week in federal court in Fergus Falls on charges of forgery. He is said to have access to the post office box in Brainerd where WPA checks were sent. He is charged with taking 30 checks intended for other employees and signing and cashing them.

100 years ago (1918)

The Boom Lake skating rink will soon stage a masquerade party. This al fresco affair will be under the watch of committee chairs Percy Carbine and Rudolph Engisch. The rink claims to have more pretty girl skaters on its surface than any rink its size in the country.