Here are highlights in history for Oct. 17, gleaned from the files of the Albert Lea Tribune:

1988 — A column by the late Geri McShane wondered how folks survived before the advent of remote control devices for television sets.

1978 — Three foreign journalists spent the weekend at the Lawrence Gustafson farm near Freeborn. They were from Nepal, Australia and Burma.

1938 — The Albert Lea Hatchery on South Broadway Avenue was purchased by Land O’Lakes Creameries.