Oregon History Timeline for February 2017
1917 (100 yrs. ago)
The First National Bank of Oregon newspaper ad included the following notices: “We are glad to cash tobacco checks for you, drawn on any bank. We have supply of the new half dollars and dimes, recently coined.”
The Portland Hotel served a midnight supper for the Danish Brotherhood masquerade party held at the opera house. Music was provided by the Leavers Harp Orchestra. Reflecting on the low attendance, it was noted that such parties were not as popular as they had been in the past.
The Junior High School Class presented the comedy “A Daughter of the Desert”. It illustrated the daring adventures of western life thirty years ago.. The proceeds from the play were to be used for a reception in honor of the Senior Class and for the cost of the commencement decorations. The play was held in the Opera House.
The Bank of Oregon newspaper ad gave their male customers this bit of advice: “Give your wife a check book. A checking account is a business education for a woman. A few years ago women knew little of business methods. Today there are thousands who do their own banking. Has your wife a bank account? If she hasn’t, give her one today. The wives of successful business men know how to made a deposit, They know how to draw a check. Women are becoming a part of the business life of the country. We strive to please the ladies.”
Were you sick and/or missed school? Your name may have been mentioned in the local newspaper. Those high school students recently on the sick list were Arthur Sholts, Vera Clapp, June Ellis, and Lyman Jackson. It was noted that Lucile Welch was back in school after a month’s absence.
Advice for keeping informed of current events: “The Congressional Records are received daily at the high school, and are especially interesting these stormy days when ‘war’ talk is so common. Parents interested, have your children take these home so you may get acquainted with the doings of Congress first hand.”
The Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor met at the home of Nyna Criddle. The following officers were elected for the ensuring year: Frances Tipple, president; Ruby Pease, vice-president; June Ellis, recording secretary; Mrs. Eva Devine, corresponding secretary; Marcella Taylor, treasurer; and Nyna Criddle, organist.
1967 (50 yrs. ago)
Dennis and Barbara Orvis, operators of D & B Transport, were advertising gas at 31.9 cents per gallon of regular and 32.9 for ethanal plus. There was always free bubble gum for the “kiddies”.
Corinne (Corky) Hansen bowled a season record 242 game and went on from there to a 567 series. She led Barry’s Stables to a 768 game and a 2,198 total.
The Oregon Fire Department honored retiring fire chief Don Bunnell for his 20 years of service to the department. Guest speakers were Arthur Emerson, fire chief of the Town of Madison and Oregon’s first assistant fire chief, Gerald Booth. He was also commended for his service by Village President, “Steve” Matsen, and president of the Oregon Fire Protection District, Garry Sheil. He was presented with an engraved watch by the local firefighters. About 43 firemen and guests enjoyed the ham dinner and oyster stew. Jerry Booth became the new fire chief.
” Duell’s” Dandy Donkey Basketball Basketball Game had the local firemen winning over the Jaycees by a score of 24-14, following a 3 minute playoff. It was noted that Neil Denton was one of the most colorful, wearing his Chamber of Commerce red vest and white cowboy hat. Bill Hagstrom sustained a nasty spill that incapacitated him for the rest of the evening. In the preliminary game the faculty had defeated the Jaycees 60-56.
OHS wrestlers, Rolley Glasgow, Dave Strander, and Greg Trosper won championships at the Madison Suburban Conference Meet , giving them the opportunity to go on to the regional competitions. Rolley and Greg advanced from the Regionals to complete in the Sectionals.
Barbara Piggott bowled a National Honor Count at the Oregon Bowl with scores of 243, 213, and 152, for a total of 608. This was only the second national honor count achieved by a woman at the Oregon Bowl.
Noel Halverson and Ron Kneebone co-chaired a PTA Fun Night, which featured carnival like events, along with music by the Oregon Chamber Booster Band. The grand prize of the evening, a boy’s bike, was won by Bill Duter.
On the weekend nearest Washington’s birthday, local businesses promoted special sales during what they called “Hatchet Days”.. . . prices bering cut reminiscent of the proverbial story of George cutting down the cheery tree.
1992 (25 yrs. ago)
The Straw Hat Players presented a production of the comedy/fantasy, “The Enigma” by John Patrick. The cast included Jerry Cunningham (Phil), Joel Kapusta (Stu), Carrie Weldon, (Elsa, the tigress) Lisa Bovre (Nora), Laura Richman (the gorilla), and Elana Wilson and Heather Rozman (the enigmas). Paul Heitmann directed the play.
Wallace Behnke of Brooklyn was the recipient of the Bell Award from the Dane County Holstein Breeder’s Association . The award, made at the association’s annual meeting and banquet, was in recognition of Wallace’s many years of service.
The Oregon Athletic Boosters donated a $2,000 ice making machine for the high school’s athletic department The ice can be used to treat injuries as well as provide cool relief on hot practice days.
Six OHS students attended the Dorian Vocal Festival at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Those attending were Christopher Brown, Matt Briscoe, Jeff Horstmann, Elizabeth DeLamater, Jennifer McBee and Jodi McBee. Jenifer and Jodi Mcbee chose to audition and were advanced to the semi-finals of the top 40 soloists. One thousand three hundred students from 321 high schools participated.
Seven residents of the Oregon area, members of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, helped their unit, the 128th Tactical Fighter Wing, earn the highest rating ever awarded to an individual fighter unit. Members from the Oregon area were: MSgt. Dale Jones, Sgt. Candance Mahoney, SMS Eldon Jones, SSgt. John Mahoney, SSgt. John Mackenzie, Sgt. Tom Abrams, and Sgt. Andrew Abrams.
2007 (10 yrs. ago).
Lyle Wanless announced that he will be resigning as the general manager of Genesis Housing, Inc. He had served in that position for the past 16 years, following the death of Allen Gasner.
A group of youth from the Oregon Youth Center were awarded “Achievement in Sound Mixing” at the Youth Film Festival. Their entry was for a five minute comedy entitled “Brenda, International Woman of Mystery”. Ben Wunsch was the cameraman and assistant director and Drew Peterson, the writer and director. The competition had been held last December in Madison.
Brenda McLellan announced that she will be leaving her post as Oregon Youth Center director and moving to Kansas. She had been the center’s director since 2005. Her replacement will be Shane Gahagan.
OHS swimmer, Matt Olp earned his second Badger Conference Championship and broke the school record in the 100-yard freestyle.
Local ski racers Schuyler Bostadt, Mike Harring, Hannah Gunderson, and Jennifer Millikan participated at the conference ski race at Tyrol Basin. The Oregon/Edgewood team of Gunderson and Milliken finished first, qualifying them to advance to the State meet in LaCrosse.
The Oregon/Brooklyn Lions Club awarded prizes to three 7th graders for their entries in the club’s annual “Peace Posters” contest. The winners were Ballee Paddock (1st place); Lauren Bucheger (2nd place); and Samantha Ricker (3rd place).
Oregon swimmers finished the highest-ever at the sectional meet in Baraboo. Members of the swim team included; Dan Faust, Joey Knuesel, Tae Olson, Norm Schwenn, Matt Olp, Peter Tissot, Mike Wollin, Brock Watson, Greg Thelsen, and Pete Curtis . Their head coach was Wendy McNall.
The OHS Girl’s Basketball Team earned a No. 5 WIAA Regional Seed with their win over Monona Grove, 55-48. Carly Solberg had a game high 17 points.
The four OHS varsity wrestlers that advanced from the Regional Competition to the Sectional were Dustin Lee, David Beers, Danny Gratz and Joe Stetzer.
OHS students Tom Bjoraker and Greg Riss performed in the Sixth Annual Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Percussion Extravaganza Concert held at Mills Concert Hall.
The Straw Hat Players celebrated their 25th Anniversary. The two founding members were Paul and Judy Heitmann with the assistance OHS choral director, Gay Shaw.
School bus driver appreciation week was observed. Oregon area drivers recognized included
Dave Lehmann, Ed Hagstrom, Neil Denton, Stan Lyon, Donna Lappley, John Lappley, Barb Elmer, Dan Elmer, Wayne Ace, Bary Bothun, Wanda Ace, Jim Hagstrom, Julie Hagstrom, Al Wiedel, Judi Weidel, Connie Carl, Keith Shotliff, James Putnan, David Welch and Jeff Schmidt.
The Brookyn area drivers were: Karen Parson, Marcel Thoma, Jerry Jensen, Bruce Carl, Judy Kersten, Todd Wiedel, Kathy Buttchen, Dorothy Wendt, Wilfred Wendt, and Brad Wiedel.