Fifty years ago, Joe Pekarna got his doctorate of dental surgery degree.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the June 19 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

Ten years ago, former Scott West Panthers wrestler Pat McNamara earned a first-place trophy in the NCAA National Tournament and was designated an All-American.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the March 27 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

Here's what's been going on in and around New Prague lately, according to the New Prague Times:

- More than $25,000 was raised during a dinner to benefit Jeff Gravon, New Prague's boys basketball coach. He is undergoing treatments for cancer. Tubby Smith, the Minnesota Golden Gophers boys basketball coach, spoke during the event, which was held last weekend at the Ridges at Sand Creek golf club and attended by 500 people. Later, it was discovered that Gravon's cancer had spread to his shoulder and doctors deemed it necessary to amputate his arm.

Here's what's been going on in and around New Prague lately, according to the New Prague Times:

Fifty years ago, Janet "Kitty" Radermacher was crowned Sno-Queen at St.Cloud State Teachers College.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the Feb. 7 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

A savings account for the further education of the daughter of a fallen soldier from Jordan has been set up.

U.S. Army Pfc. Joshua Anderson died Jan. 2 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jordan's first casualty in the war. He left behind Hannah, his wife, and Savannah, their 3-year-old daughter.

If you would like to make a donation to the fund, which will be used after Savannah has reached age 18, send it to:

Savannah Anderson

c/o Riverland Bank

700 Seville Drive, Suite 100

Jordan, MN 55352

Mollee Francisco of the Chaska Herald reports:

CHASKA -- With its toes already wet, Dunwoody College of Technology now appears ready to take a deeper plunge into higher educational offerings for the southwest metro. Beginning this spring, it will start offering degree and certificate programs in Chaska.

Fifty years ago, University of Minnesota doctors spent seven hours operating on David Eiden, 6, of Jordan. He had a hole in his heart.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the Jan. 10 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

Some of 2008's numbers from Jordan -- in roughly chronological order -- are:

$90,500

paid to Jordan City Administrator Ed Shukle in salary

0

dates before Ken and Fern Crane got married

20

years of annual Jordan Lions scholarships being given out