Special to the Times/News

(Editor's Note: The Highline Times is celebrating its 60th anniversary this month. Last week, Anne Holmes highlighted news from the Times predecessor paper from Aug. 1945. This week she looks at 1965, and next week she will focus on 1985.)

In its first year, the Glendale-Highline Gazette - distributed free to residents in the Highline School District and the Glendale telephone area - highlighted local sports news, announcements of upcoming meetings and personal war stories from local service men.

Twenty years later the newspaper had a different look. The name had changed to The Highline Times and a single copy cost ten cents. Front-page stories featured locals, but addressed more general interest topics to a much larger community.

The nation was again involved in an overseas conflict - the Vietnam War. Lyndon B. Johnson was President. As the conflict in Vietnam escalated, Johnson increased both the monthly draft call and number of American troops in South Vietnam.

In addition to the war, people at home were dealing with racial tensions as demonstrators protested decades of unjust conditions.

However, in early August the seriousness of national issues took a back seat to local celebrations.

Seafair activities were winding down. Beauty competitions flourished around the Sound. An interview with newly crowned Miss Burien, Kelly Farmer, highlighted a busy schedule and positive attitude as she happily attended a flurry of activities in a theme of green.

Appearance being all important, Miss Farmer's three chaperones took seriously their responsibility to see that she was dressed appropriately and arrived at functions on time.

A photo showed the 1965 Burien float entered in the Grande Seafair Parade. Its theme, "A Suburban Haven," gave an accurate portrayal of how the locals felt about their growing community.

The number of visual and performing arts groups in the Highline area continued to increase. Local artists were busy planning and advertising their first Burien Arts Festival to be held at the end of the month.

A variety of presentations would feature local talent. The Burien Arts Festival Committee would present The Wingless Victory by Maxwell Anderson and directed by Allen Reamer. The cast consisted of members of the Workshop Theatre.

According to Reamer, the play, a drama with racial overtones, "is directly applicable to the problems of today."

The cast from Sylvester Junior High summer stock, plus other Highline residents, planned to perform several concerts. The performing arts programs were part of a three-day visual art show throughout the Burien 400 Shopping Arcade.

Articles also emphasized Highline's growth. Work was underway to widen First Avenue South from two lanes to four from 160th Street to 174th Street.

Construction had begun on a million dollar shopping center to include Safeway, Wigwam and a major drug store. A branch of People's National Bank would be part of the new shopping center.

Groundbreaking for the new Gov-Mart Baza'r had begun with hopes it would open before Christmas.

A small reference to the Vietnam war appeared in an announcement for the Greater Burien Democratic Club. The public was invited to join the discussion on "How Should the United States Be Involved in Viet Nam?"

The Highline Times articles showed a growing and vibrant community that was aware of national conflicts.