This Month in History
December
The following material was compiled by Gerald Neath for the Oregon Area Historical Society from material published in the Oregon Observer.

100 years ago (1915)

The First National Bank of Oregon reminded those with relatives and family still “in the old country” this holiday season, that foreign drafts reasonably priced are available at the bank.

Local merchants were selling the annual Red Cross Christmas Seals to help raise funds to fight tuberculosis . Merchants participating in the campaign were J. P. Connor, B. McDermott & Son, Cowdrey & Buche, A. M.. Anderson, Dan Benson, Eugene Sweeney, W. H. Dunn, Anna Nelson and Oregon Drug Co.

Dr. Rodney Fox sponsored a dance in his large, new barn located northwest of the village. About 250 people attended. Thompson’s Orchestra of Madison provided the music. The barn will house Fox’s prize winning herd of Shorthorn cattle. J. H. Gallagher manages the farm.

Due to the failure of the corn crop in the area, many farmers were selling their cattle and hogs before they were ready for market. In one week, local dealers, Richards and Roberts, shipped 35 carloads of stock to Chicago and Milwaukee. The shipments consisted of hogs, cattle and sheep.

The high school basketball season started. Oregon’s Junior team beat the Waunakee Juniors 31-11. The players of the Junior team were Ted Elliott, Arbie Peterson, Raymond Comstock, Richard Clark, Max Wolfe, and Arthur Sholts, Jr. The Senior Team also won their game over the Waunakee Seniors by a score of 49-15. The players on the Senior Team were Alex Johnson, Erwin Tijpple, Burr McWilliams, Roy Cowdrey, and Lyman Jackson A dance followed the games.

Thomas Walsh was appointed to a four year term as postmaster of the Oregon Post Office; taking over from Donald McGill. He appointed Miss Catherine Moran as his assistant. The position of postmaster was a political appointment. Donald McGill had been appointed by President Howard Taft in November of 1911. Mr. Walsh, a good Democrat, was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson upon the recommendation of Wisconsin Senator, Paul Husting.

The Oregon Chapter of the Eastern Star held their installation ceremonies. C. W. Netherwood was the installing officer and Mrs. Adell Shampnor, Installing Marshal. Installed to head the group for the coming year were Emma Fisher (W.M.) and C. R. Fisher (W.P.) Those elected/appointed to other positions in the organization included Mona Paulson, Alice Wolfe, Mary Gray, Alta Buche, Lucile Hanan, Nettie Wilkins, Jennie White, Nona Ellis, Bernice Hanan, Stella Hillstad, Ione Anthony, Augusta Christensen, Anna Fincher, Margaret Devine, and J. B. Devine.

50 years ago (1965)

Jerry Swinehardt manager of the Midland Service Station (located at the present downtown Kwik Trip) advised residents to prepare for snowy and icy roads by purchasing steel-studded snow tires.

Kenney’s Bowling Team sets a season record in league bowling completion at the Oregon Bowling Alley. The team posted 2955 while competing against the R. & L. Beverage Team. Members of the Kenney team were Jim Flint, Larry Beers, Ken Cox, Tom Arnold, and Erv Olson.

Girl Scout #509 held a Candlelight Ceremony at the home of Mrs. James Wolowicz. Those attending included Joyce Clup, Connie Ringen, Nancy Schwann, Lita Wolowicz, Ann Nielson, Susan Attwell, Karen Emling, Kristine Hansen, Karen Rygh, Darlene Zimmerlee, Cheryl Smith, Charlene Lawson, Suzanne Schneider, Kathy Bruha, Kristine White, and Diane Waefler.

Oregon TV, owned and operated by George Hecox, held an “Open House” featuring special pricing for Motorola and Emerson Televisions and Channel Master Transistor Radios. Prize winners at the event were Mrs. Richard Detra, Lois Lindholm, Dick Nicolson, Mrs. Erwin West, James Burmeister, and Betty Raha.

Cynthia Gefke is the Wisconsin winner of a trip to the National 4-H Club Congress for the Home Improvement Project.

Maurice Moler of Route 1, Oregon, won first place at the recent International Livestock Exposition at Chicago for his Dorset eve lamb. The lamb also took honors as the reserve overall grand champion.

Santa arrived in Oregon on Saturday, December 18th, escorted by an Oregon Fire Truck.. The Chamber of Commerce had Santa’s headquarters set up in Downtown area where they took free photos of about 400 youngsters visiting Santa.

A daily commuter bus service was started from Stoughton and Oregon to Madison. Commuters could ride from Oregon to the University area, the Capitol Square, East Washington Avenue or the Hilldale area. Fees were 60 cents for a one way trip; $1.10 for a round trip, and $4.25 for a weekly pass. Pickups in Oregon were made at The Waterfall Restaurant, The Corner Store, the A & W Root Beer Stand, and Kellor’s Store.

The Rotary’s winners in their holiday decorating contest were, in the religious category, the Neil Denton home (1st place); Dr. Dukerschein home (2nd place); the Gerald Knobeck home (3rd. place); the Ralph Cross home (4th place); and the Everett Gouker home (5th place). Those winners with just a decorative theme were: the William Berger home (1st place); the Orrill Ferguson home (2nd place); the F. E. Madsen home (3rd place); the Lloyd Bavery home (4th. place).

25 years ago (1990)

A major winter storm hit the area on Monday, December 3rd. dumping a record 17.2 inches of snow within a 24 hour period of time. It was accompanied with wind gusts of over 60 miles a hour.

Bisbee Carpet opens a store and showroom in Oregon at 156 North Main Street.

Alice Seeliger, president of the Chamber of Commerce, along with “Miss Oregon”, Deb Bossingham, “Miss Oregon” welcomes The Chocolate Caper to the Chamber of Commerce.

Scott Anderson was named to the All-State soccer team. He was the lone representative from the Badger Conference to be named to the All-State Team.

OHS senior, Josh Tyre, placed first in the science fiction/fantasy category at the Creative Writing Festival at UW-Whitewater for his composition, “Blood on her Hands.”

The Village Board authorized $5,000 to be allotted for a study and the making of preliminary drawings for a new library facility.

Oregon Middle School students, Laura Pitt and Andrea Brown, received honorable mention for their composition, “Christmas Hoedown”. The recognition was given at the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s concert on December 18th.

The Swan Creek Sewing Circle celebrated their Jubilee Anniversary. Their first meeting was held 75 years ago on December 1st, 1915 at the home of Mrs. Fred (Amanda) Culp.

The DNR approved the purchase of 2,400 acres of land encompassing Hook and Grass Lakes in the Town of Dunn.

10 years ago (2005)

Chris Ziemba becomes the new executive director of Three Gaits, Inc., a therapeutic horsemanship center between Oregon and Stoughton.

A new book club is formed with plans to meet at the Firefly Coffeehouse. The book they are discussing this month is “Alibi” by Joseph Kanon.

The Oregon Area Senior Center announced card party winners: Euchre (women) Bonnie Stout first and Doris Hanson, second; Euchre (men), Virgil Monte, first and Rick Lund, second. 500 (women) Roberta West first and Betty McConnell second; (men) Bill Brickner first and Ray Lawry second. Brandie White won the door prize.

The Lioness’ held their annual Holiday Tour of Homes. The homes included on the tour were those of Christine and Scott Copus; Elizabeth and Matthew Seeliger; Kopecky /Friebert; Arlen and Dorothy Milestone; and the Mortensen home. The proceeds were designated for two $500 scholarships to be given to two Oregon high school seniors.

People’s United Methodist Church hosted a labyrinth walk in their sanctuary. The labyrinth, laid on the floor, is a winding path that help walkers focus inward to its center where they can meditate and/or pray, then leave with a renewed sense of peacefulness and understanding.

The Brooklyn Sno-Hornets Snowmobile Club celebrated their 35th anniversary. The Club was formed on Nov. 4, 1970. The first officers were Bill Martinson, president; Phil Mortensen vice-president; Richard Behnke, treasurer, and Sandy Mortensen, secretary.

Tom Bjoraker and Clay Schmidt were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout and elected to the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s National Honor Society. Both were members of Troop #168 of Oregon., chartered by St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Jane Peschel, former principal Prairie View Elementary School for the previous five years, has now taken the job as director of instruction. She had worked as a building administrator in the Oregon School District since 1976.

The Oregon Public Library, through the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium, can now offer to patrons digital book downloads using the newly developed software program OverDrive.


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