Friday, March 10, 2006 Looking back is a regular feature of the Modoc County Record, a weekly newspaper published in Alturas, California. The following is transcribed from the March 2, 2006 issue. Looking Back 85 Years Ago – 1921 THE FIRE DEPARTMENT counted 108 maskers on the floor during the recent Fireman’s Mask Ball held in Alturas by the Alturas Fire department Saturday. Receipts amounted to $265.65 from ticket sales, of which $157 was dispersed for prizes and expenses, leaving a net balance of $108.65. First prize went to Mrs. Meritt, best dressed lady. J. McCosh and Billy Brown, best sustained character. 80 Years Ago – 1926 ANOTHER FIREMAN’S Ball broke even on Saturday night with receipts totaling a mere $225. It seems the sickness around town was reason for the small turn out. Winners were: best dressed lady, Miss Lavina Yates; best dressed gent, George Goucher; most original, Lelah Boyd; best sustained character, Walter L. Brown; best sustained group was between A. Rachford, Phil Woodward, Lulu Woodward ., Alice Rachford, Ida Rachford, Ethel Smith, Serita Sanford and Josephine. A deck of cards was Orville Boyd, Mrs. Avis Morrison, Mrs. A.G. Boyd, Miss Mildred Scott and Mr. Charles Stafford…. Modoc County ranked fifth in the state for the amount of timber cut in 1925. 75 Years Ago – 1931 THE BASKETBALL team of 20-30’ians from Alturas went to Lakeview last night to play 20-30Club of Lakeview. Those composing the team were: Warren Briles, Frances Ballard, Dexter Fountain, Elwood Smith, Toad Boyd, Stanley Decious and Harry Pinneo. Lakeview won by two points, 22-20. Not too much to comment about except that in 1933 yours' truly won the prize for most comical character at the Fireman’s Ball. At that time I had hair and it was made into a mass of curls with the aid of a hair curling iron, and then I put on some things that looked like diapers and we had a big time at the dance. The article about the 1926 dance listed Orville Boyd and a Miss Mildred Scott. They became husband and wife not too long after that dance. Mildred was my 7th grade teacher, and I thought that she was a great teacher. See you all again next week if the creeks “don’t” rise. Ron Morgan