December 1949 (age 50)

In mid-December, President Harry Truman took the proposal for an airplane ban over the canoe country wilderness to his Key West retreat (shown here in 1946). After discussing the issue with his staff members while lounging on Truman Beach, the President, dressed in swimming trunks, walked up to his study in the Little White House and signed the executive order. White House staff member Russell Andrews later told Sigurd that, just before signing, Truman joked, "This is a battle between the beaver and the airplane boys. Let's give it to the beaver."

Articles and editorials praising the air ban appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, Milwaukee Journal, and newspapers across Minnesota. Congratulatory notes began arriving at Olson's home, where he spent 24 hours on the phone upon receiving the news. "I want to be among the first to congratulate you on your life-time achievement," wrote a Twin Cities supporter. "I know how glad you must feel to know that your long days and busy nights in sweltering D.C. helped to make it a reality," wrote John Sieker, chief of the Forest Service's Division of Lands and Recreation. "A tremendous victory for you," said Bob Mueller, editor of Sports Afield. Grant Halladay, who did the filming for Olson's documentary, 'Wilderness Canoe Country,' wrote, "Did anyone ever tell you that you are famous? Well you are! In the past two weeks I've run into quite a large number of people that know you and want to know more about you." "No—a thousand times no," responded Sigurd. "I am not famous. There is such a thing as notoriety for evil done in this world and I believe that fits me better." On a more serious note, Sigurd thanked Halladay for working on "Wilderness Canoe Country." "That picture spark-plugged the whole North Country," he said. "Without it, it would have been impossible to have told the story in such a way that people were willing to fight."

December 1964 (age 65)

A fairly quiet month, no major news.