Oregon History Timeline for December 2016
1916 (100 yrs. ago)
The Oregon Basketball Association elected Raymond Comstock, manager and Arthur Sholts, treasurer.
The school requested the following of the parents of school children going home over their lunch hour, “We still notice many children coming back to school long before the first bell rings at noon. We would appreciate it greatly if parents would give them [the children] some work to do at noon which would occupy their attention until one o’clock.”
J. Chase, university inspector of accredited high schools, paid a visit to the Oregon school. He commended the school administration and board of education on the improvements made and assured them that the school would remain on the list of accredited schools.
The new Tipple School house was dedicated on December 8th. Those attending the ceremony gathered at the old school and marched to the new building. Mrs. Wm. Newton, the oldest resident of the school district, raised the flag while the pupils sang “America”. Howard Zink, the youngest voter in the district, dedicated the new building “in his usual pleasant manner.” The poem “The School House on the Hill” was read by L. J. Morrison and a history of the school was given by Mrs. Edgar Nichols. After addresses by Professor Harper of Madison and Professor Sholts of Oregon, the program was closed with the singing of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”.
The Village of Oregon now has an electrically lighted service. The Village had thirty-seven 250-watt street lights. Also, a number of homes and businesses have been connected to the service. An advertisement placed in The Observer by a M. C. Hobbs. stated “We believe a nice present for wife or mother would be a table lamp. We also suggest a Coleman lamp. These lamps have wonderful service and are of remarkable efficiency. No cost for one year, mantles and globes excepted .”
Frank McDermott moved to Oregon from the Litel farm near Albany and has purchased Henry Usher’s billiard and pool hall and barber shop here in the village. He and his family have moved into the Perry Netherwood residence.
An act of Holiday vandalism occurred in the Town of Dunn . The following article from the Wisconsin State Journal was reprinted in the Observer: “The farmers of the Town of Dunn believe that the meanest man in the world has just paid them a visit. A beautiful evergreen planted at the Swan Creek school house about twenty years ago was chopped down Friday night and evidently appropriated as a Christmas tree. Sentimental value was attached to the tree for the reason that [it] was planted years ago by children who are now successful farmers in the Town of Dunn. It was a landmark in the community.”
A lost item: “Lost. . .Saturday, child’s alligator purse, containing small amount of change. Finder please return purse to Sweeney’s Grocery and keep the change as a reward..”
The Danish Brotherhood elected the following officers: Walter Rasmussen, president, Chris Miller, vice-president, S. B. Therkelsen, secretary, and M. C. Karmgard, treasurer. Other offices were filled by Hans Jorgensen, J. F. Jensen, R. Petersen, Chris Nielson, Henry Jensen, and A. Fredricksen.
1966 (50 yrs. ago)
Schroeder Pharmacy was offering customers double Gold Bond Stamps on purchases made every Monday and Tuesday from now until Christmas.
The following Oregon Businesses will be open every night (except Saturday and Sunday nights) starting December 1st : Lawson Rexall Drugs, Oregon Super Market, Oregon TV, Reeve Jewelry, Sportsman’s Bar, Jay & Ann’s Gift Shop, R. & L Beverages, Ginger & Roger’s Western Wear, Kenney’s Ben Franklin, and Jay & Ann’s Inn.
The six OHS Seniors returning this season to coach Tom Mueller’s basketball team were Norm Sorenson, Phil Hanson, Dan Welzin, Tom Olson, Denny Johnson, and John Mihlbauer.
Paul Kohlman moved his grocery store, The Corner Store, to a new location west of the Masonic Center (present location of The Oregon Area Senior Center) The older location was located in the present day area of Madsen Park. and at one time was the site of The Portland Hotel. Paul, proprietor of the grocery store for the past 22 years, named his new store, Paul’s Supermarket. He announced that his new store would be opened all day on Sundays until 6 p.m.
Ceremonies dedicating the new high school were attended by 400 to 500 residents. Director of the School Board, John Black, welcomed everyone and William C. Kahl, Superintendent of the Dept. of Public Education gave the keynote speech. Remarks about the accomplishments and future of the district were made by School District Superintendent, E. A. Kozlovsky and OHS Principal, Henry Appel. David Heller, president of the student body, made remarks on behalf of the student body.
The Rotary Club named its prize winning Holiday Decorated Homes. First place in the religious theme category went to the Neil Denton home on Kierstead Lane. In the decorative class, first prize went to the William Hoerner home on Sterling Drive. Second place winners were the John Stasny home on Hillcrest Lane for their decorative theme and the F. N. Dukerschien home on Hayler Court for their religious theme..The third place winners were the Gerald Knobeck home on North Main Street for their religious theme and the Richard Anderson on Kierstead Lane for their decorative theme.
1991 (25 yrs. ago)
A ground braking ceremony was held for Genesis V, an affordable housing complex to be located on Oak Street.
OHS was the recipient of a new 1991 Oldsmobile Clera from Stark Buick and Oldsmobile of Stoughton. The vehicle will be use as a teaching aid in the auto mechanics class. Attending the presentation were Jim Olstad, OHS vocational coordinator, and Bob Prahl and Kevin Miller, instructors.
The District School Board approved matching the insurance funds of $7,500 to be used toward replacing the press box that had recently burnt down. Additional funding would be obtained from other local organizations. The Oregon Athletic Club had pledged to raise $15,500 toward the project.
OHS members of the varsity pompon squad , Sarah Rounds, Lisa Wagner, and Tina Gefke, were chosen by “Just for Kix” to be members of the National All-star Drill Team. The drill team will perform at half time at the “Hall of Fame Football Game” in Tampa. Florida on New Year’s Day.
The Oregon Lioness Club sponsored their annual Holiday Home Tours. Homes in the tour this year were those of Duke and Joan Anderson, Al and Claire Joyner, Paul and Terry Larson, and LeRoy and Fern Binger. Larry Svanda and his students in the Industrial Technology class provided plywood plaques in the form of wreaths which were painted by Lioness members and displayed in front of each of the four homes.
New members welcomed into the Optimist Club were Russ Bavery (First Realty Group), Daniel Floieter (attorney), Steve Staton (Jr. High Principal), Randi LacLoed (Valley Bank), and John Black (retired.)
Members of the Oregon Scout Pack #250 helped residents of Oregon manor decorate for the Holidays. Some of the members participating were Erie Price, Jerry Smieja, Nathan Brooks, and Jarred Bogucki.
2006 (10 yrs. ago)
The Firefly Coffeehouse expanded their hours on Friday and scheduled the following events: the Rome Corners Intermediate School Choir; pianist, Laura Keefe; and displays of two local artists, Julie Pietras and Theresa Tolan. The Firefly Book Club was discussing Barbara Kingsolver’s novel, “The Poisonwood Bible”.
Claude and Ellen Marendaz who have been operating The Chocolate Caper for the past 20 years, have this past year moved their business two store fronts from their old location and now are located at 105 South Main Street.
The State Bank of Cross Plains officially opened their Verona and Oregon offices as a result of the merger with the Independent Banks of Verona.
The Village Board voted 6-1 to adopt a Dane County plan that would leave the Janesville, Jefferson, and Main Streets intersection in its present configuration but allowing for some significant changes concerning the slowing down of traffic and pedestrian friendly medians and mandatory turn lanes.
Members of OHS boy’s swimming team, competing in the 400 yard freestyle relay, set a new school record finishing in 3rd place at the Fort Atkinson Invitational with a time of 31.72. Members of the relay team were Matt Olp, Mike Wollen, Tae Olson and Joey Knuesel. Overall, the OHS team finished in 4th place with 226 points just behind defending Badger South Conference champions, McFarland.
The residents of The Town of Oregon attended a tax forum seeking answers to a typing error made by the State of Wisconsin that increased their average 2006 property tax bills by several hundred dollars. The error amounted to a 47 million dollar mistake in recording the Town’s equalized value.
The OHS wrestling team kicked-off their season with the following returning letter winners: Sean Cherry, Doug Stetzer, Luke Ballentine, Ryan Haas-Denton, Kyle Schewe, Denny Gratz, and Marty Brent.