Oregon History Timeline for February 2018

 

100 yrs. ago (1918)

Plans were being made for Dane Co. high school and grade school boys to become farm hands for the coming season; helping alleviate the farm labor shortage due to the war. The Boys Council of Defense League hope to organize 10,000 boys state-wide for the coming spring farm work. Those participating will be given special training in agricultural work during the months of February, March, and April and will also be able to complete their school studies with full credit by April 15th. Many from the Oregon School District plan to participate in the program.

A letter from Pvt. Elmer Peterson to L. E. Pennewell from Camp Grant (Illinois) dated 27 January, mentioned the cold winter nights and how he was just recovering from the grip [flu] and a bad cold, due in part to his having guard duty on cold winter nights when the temperature would frequently sink to zero and below. His unit had recently been equipped with rifles and was now having manual of arms and machine gun drills. Next they will have gas mask drills. He noted that gas was “one of the most important features of the modern warfare.”   They were required to put on a mask and adjust it in eight seconds. Entertainment at the base frequently consisted of a “smoking party” or a talent program. The Y.M.C.A. and K of C. (Knights of Columbus) provided the troops with many other opportunities for entertainment during the week as well as Sunday Services.

The partnership between Blaine Hughes and M. J. Wischhoff was dissolved. The jewelry business will be continued by M. J. Wischhoff. Hughes and Wischhoff had purchased the business from W. J. Laughlin four years ago.

The high school offered three new classes this semester: Practical Agriculture, taught by Mr Balliette; Bookkeeping with Miss Shannon; and Library Methods with Miss Chapman as instructor.

The school had a half holiday on February 1st when the septic tank became filled.

The business of Cusick, Richards, & Roberts gave the following notice to their coal consumers: “Owing to the extreme shortage in [the harder] anthracite coal and the strict regulation of the fuel administrator, we will be able to furnish only [the softer] bituminous coal for furnace consumption from now on.”

Frank Fincher made a trip to Woodstock, Illinois to purchase a “car load” of horses. [most likely referring to a railroad carload]

John Cusick entertained a card club at his home. The hostesses were Misses Mary Cusick, Nelle Kivlin, and Mrs E. F. Kramer. Four tables of 500 were played, with prizes won by Mrs. John Cusick and Mrs. Geo. McDermott.

Miss Cornelia DeJean held two card parties at her shop for the benefit of the Red Cross. The parties raised $5.75 for the cause.

The Oregon Hotel, [also known as the Portland Hotel] located at the corner of Main and Park Streets, was sold on the 26th of February, in pursuant of a judgement of foreclosure. Over the following years as the hotel business declined, the building was used for a variety of businesses. A grocery store was located there for many years.

 

50 yrs. ago (1968)

The OHS wrestlers finished their season in a three-way tie for first place in the Central Division of the Madison Suburban Conference. Sharing the title were Oregon, Lake Mills, and Milton all with a seven and one record. Doug Strander won the 120 lb. class conference championship at the Conference Tournament. Members of the OHS varsity wrestling team were Jim Greene, Ron Johnson, Bob Gray, Doug Strander, Tim Christensen, John Rowley, Les Gammeter, Art Sandridge, Greg Trosper, and Tim Crapp. Their coach was John Bauman.

Tom Jones and Noel Halverson co-chaired the PTA Fun Night activities. Music for the high school dance was furnished by Itch’s Band (members: Nick Brashi, Steve Ibach, Jerry Burns, and Craig Smith). The Woman’s Club handled a white elephant booth. A bake sale was co-chaired by Mrs. Tom Jones and Mrs. Felix Gruman. The Chamber of Commerce Booster Band provided music during many of the activities.

Oregon residents belonging to the Lakeland Shrine Club were promoting the Zor Shrine Circus coming to the Dane County Coliseum in February. Participating in the promotion were Casper Meister, Walter Subey, Erwin Lappley, Earl Gransee, John B. McManus, Norman Champion, Robert Jenkins, Don McGaw, Earl Lawson and Earl Wheeler.

The Brooklyn Fire Department moved into their new station located on South Rutland Avenue.

The cost of the building was about $21,900.00. The Brooklyn Department had 23 volunteer members. Maurice Smith was the fire chief; Walter Jensen, the assistant chief; Harold Rasmusson, secretary-treasurer; and Clarence Jensen, the fire inspector.

Construction of the new sewer plant addition has gotten on its way and is expected to be finished by early summer. The addition will cost about $200,000 and the new pumping station around $88,000.

The Oregon Public Library reported that as of January 1, 1968 they had 6,212 books on their shelves. Eight hundred books had been purchased the previous year. Circulation during the prior year was 29,970 with 758 registered users in the village. They were hoping to work on plans for additional space.

The local OHS FFA Chapter prepared for a week of activities and the awarding of special recognitions. Officers of the local chapter were Fred Clark, president; Klaus Koss, vice-president; Steve Gefke, secretary; Doug Buxton, treasurer; Dick Olson, reporter; and Jerry Elmer, sentinel. Their advisor was William Harris.

About 300 cub scouts, parents, and guests attended the Annual Blue and Gold Banquet of the Cub Scout Pack #350. The event was held in the OHS cafetorium. Awards and recognitions were given by outgoing Club Scout president, Dale Crottiy. Tom Jones was elected the new scoutmaster. The local PTA sponsored the cub scout program.

New residential construction began in two new plats: Lease-Bavery Builders on the former Frape Corp. Plat located between Park Street on the south and Brook St. on the north and the Waefler-Gasner Addition at the intersection of Oak St. and Nygaard St.

 

25 yrs. ago (1993)

Cub Scout Troop #350 recently held their Annual Pinewood Derby. With this year’s theme being “Pirates”, many of the cars ware decorated to fit the theme. The derby winners were Ben Kunz (grand champion); Brad Blumer (Bear); Drew Smith (Wolf); Matt Erbs (Webelos 1), and Aaron Thiel (Webelos 11).

Diane Spilde, agent for American Family Insurance, opened a new office at 850 Janesville Street.

OHS wrestlers in their first win over Stoughton since the 1974-75 season improved their Badger Conference record to 5-2, placing them in second place.   Ryan Glassmaker was named “wrestler of the week” by coach, Mike Manix, for his overtime victory by a pin over his Stoughton opponent. At the Conference Tournament, Brek Burgweger and Ryan Kjellstorm won individual Badger Conference championships leading Oregon to a fourth place finish at the Conference Tournament. Those advancing from the regional to the state competition were Rick Clayton, Travis Hynes, Brek Burgweger, Doug Wanless, Ryan Kjellstrom,,and Dan Dent.

Jim Bossingham, owner of BJ’s Hairshop, was named “Outstanding Business Person of the Year” at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet. The new officers of the Chamber for the coming year were Eric Grover of RE\MAX Realty (president); Patti McMannes of WP&L (vice president); and Debbie Verhelst of Martin Verhelst CPA (treasurer).

Ed Borke became Oregon’s new postmaster. He had formerly been postmaster in Darlington.

The Oregon office had a staff of 16 who processed more than 100,000 pieces of mail each week and made 3,900 deliveries.

OHS musicians Sarah Halverson (sophomore, violinist), Juli Wood (junior, violist), and Dan Eisele, (senior, trumpeter), members of the Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, will play at the inauguration of President Clinton at the Kennedy Performing Arts Center.

OHS students joined other local high school teams at the U. W. Memorial Union for an afternoon of a competition/performance of improvisational comedy known as “comedysportz”. Those participating for Oregon were Katie Archer, Tanya Gnewuch, Chad Gote, Jackie Grassel, Jeff Horstmann, Jennny Larson, Colleen McDonald, Molly Osborne, Matt Pickett, and Jim Uphoff

The Badger Conference Middle School Orchestra Festival was held at the Oregon Middle School. Participating were players of stringed instruments of the 6th through 8th grades from Oregon, Middleton, Stoughton Sun Prairie, and Monona Grove. Instructors and guests included Anne Marie Peterson, orchestra director at Brookfield East High School and Madison violinist and ”jazzer extraordinaire”, Jon Vriesacker.

The FFA Week was observed. Those first year members receiving their Greenhand Awards were Beth Outhouse, Lisa Mordecai, Jamie Kowing, Missy Knapton, Kim Fox, Brenda Owen, Andy Lawry, Lee Nolden, Troy Antonewicz, Shad Ladell, Rick Slater, Becky Parkin, Heather Turk, Ryan Glassmaker, Ben Eustice, Kevin Klitzman, Dan Smithback and Brian Uren.

Pat Richter, UW athletic director, was the guest speaker at the Oregon Athletic Booster Club’s banquet.

 

10 yrs. ago (2008)

The Oregon Observer launched a new, larger website, ConnecetOregonwi.com.

The Village adds a third polling station; the first one not to be located in the Village Hall. The voters in wards 7 through 10 will be casting their ballots at the People’e United Methodist Church. Village Clerk, Georgia Johnson, noted that of the approximate 6,600 registered voters in the village more than 1,500 voters are in wards 7-10.

The following awards were given at the annual chamber of commerce banquet: Gary Gorman, “Community Improvement Award for Building Restoration” for his work restoring the Red Brick School; Bob and Jan Krenz (Krenz Engineering, LLC) “New Construction Award” located at 1140 Park St.; Paul Lynch (owner of PLH and Associates) “Outstanding Business Person Award” for his remodeling and renovating of several business buildings; Aaron Ingham of Trachte, Inc. “The President’s Award” for his outstanding service as a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board; and Jeff and Sue Bergey ( Bergey Jewelry and Gifts) “Longtime Service Award” for their membership in the Chamber for the past 34 years.

The Oregon-Brooklyn Lions Club awarded the winners of their annual poster contest. The theme of this year’s contest was “Peace Without Borders”. The first place winner was Rachel Braun who was awarded $100 savings bond plus a $25.00 check for placing 2nd in state competition. Second place in the local competition went to Heather Anuity and third place to Tess Reimer, both of whom were awarded a $50.00 saving bond from the local chapter. Arlen Milestone made the presentations.

OHS junior and senior mock trial teams earned trophies at the regional competition held in Juneau. The team of juniors came in second. Their team consisted of Maureen Zach, Abby Busler, Matt Mixdorf, Jake Butterfield, Perry Trusler, John Thompson, Norm Schwenn, Stephanie Arnold, Katrina Van Ruyven, Caitlin Walker and Jason Kornetzke. The team of seniors who came in third consisted of Andy Kornaus, Myles Kamps, Andy Fronek, Ethan Peters, Natalie Fuller, Paul Olson, Corey Turner, Abby VanderZande, and Mike Hill. The teams were coached by Oregon residents and attorneys Sheri Pollock and Steve Zach. Their teacher was Brian Root.

The OHS hockey team captured its first regional championship, defeating Verona, 5-1. Collin Crim, a varsity starter for the past four years, became Oregon’s the all-time leading scorer. The other Seniors on the championship team were Jeff Bavery, Riley Ayers, Ted Behrend, Corey Janssen, Sam Stein, Mike Caruso, Derek Steinhorst and Jake Bonsett-Veal.

The Village Board gave its final approval for Trachte, Inc. to build in the 80 acre Alpine Business Park. They were the first business to build in the park.

Daniel Rikli was selected as the new principal of Netherwood Knoll Elementary School. He will replace Marilyn Murphy who announced her retirement at the end of the school year.

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