This Month in History
June
The following material was compiled by Gerald Neath for the Oregon Area Historical Society from material published in the Oregon Observer.
100 years ago (1914)Fifteen students graduate from Oregon High School. The graduates were Lucile Hanan (Valedictorian), Charlene Wackman (Salutatorian), Joseph Caine, Wilmay Zink, Howard Zink, William Elliott, Ada Johnson, Rachael Garvoille, Vincent Kivlin, Mary Cusick Homer Madsen, Arlene Montgomery, Lillie Peterson, Lawrence Egan, and Alma Schumann. Providing musical selections at the commencement exercises were the OHS Glee Club and Eleanor Barry. Presentation of the diplomas was made by Principal, L. G. Foster.

An appreciation for the school janitor: “George Theobald, who has been the faithful and efficient janitor of the school building for a number of years, was given a very pleasant surprise one day during commencement week. He was called into the opera house and ushered onto the stage where he was presented with a beautiful rocking chair by the senior class. The gift was a token of esteem and respect . . .”

It was reported that the Oregon Telephone Company had strung a cable along Janesville Street. The cable, with 52 pairs of wires, is large enough to take care of the increasing business for years to come. It was stated that this was only one of the many improvements made to the system since the Pease boys had taken over the plant.

Criddle & Kellor installed a new gasoline pump in front of their garage. The pump, standing between the sidewalk and gutter, has a 280 gallon tank buried in the ground. It was noted that this arrangement is the latest development for gasoline retailers, providing convenience and simplicity in handling the oil [gasoline]. It does away with the old way of measuring and lessens waste.

The Danish Brotherhood elected the following officers for the coming year: Past president, Carl H. Larson; president, Henry Jensen; vice president, Wm Peterson, secretary, S. B Therkelsen; treasurer, M. C. Karmgard; warden, Walter Rasmussen; trustees, H. I. Anderson, F. Christensen, Ceris Nielsen; inner guard Chris Johnson, and outer guard, John Rasmussen.

Merchant, T. H. Grady, published the following notice to his customers: “Having started the erection of a new store building, which will require considerable ready money, I would ask all those knowing themselves indebted to me to call and settle by cash or bankable note. Having extended credit to you, I hope you will return the favor by paying your account at this time.”

The Camp Fire Girls under the supervision of Mrs. Grace Anderson and Margaret Shelton were at Lake Kegonsa , occupying Rutty Cottage. The following girls were there: Ruth Milbrandt, Ava Winter, Mary Burt, Beth Haynes, Vivian Thornton, Hester Tuttle, Carrie Rollins, Olga Karmgard, Lillie Knutson, Edna Rasmussen, Alice Main, Doris and Dorothy White, Loraine Crocker, Wilma O’Brien, Mildred Sprecher, Minnie Jensen, and Hazel Carlson.

50 years ago (1964)

The winners of the Chamber of Commerce’s Community Slogan and Symbol Contest were named. First prize went to Mrs. Robert Killerlain for her drawing of a saddle horse. . .representative of the many stables and horses in the Oregon area. Her slogan was “Oregon, the Horse Hub of the Midwest”. The second prize was award to Mark Davenport for his saddle horse symbol with the slogan “The Saddle Horse Capital of Wisconsin”. Vera Putnam won third prize for her slogan “Friendly Oregon. . .Like Your Hometown”. The ideas from the contest were to be used by the Chamber to format a symbol and slogan for Oregon.

Schroeder Pharmacy was advertising the following specials: A pint of heavy mineral oil for 29 cents; Brycreem for hair grooming for 63 cents; Coppertone Sunscreen at 63 cents, and Lavoris Mouthwash for 66 cents.

The First Invitational High School Horse Show was held at Orfordville High School. Oregon students awarded prizes were George Williams, John Ryner, Jeff Faust, Kathy Waldsmith, Marc Wernick, and Pat O’Brien. In the overall team scoring the Oregon Team won the Championship with 44 points. George Williams won the Individual Championship Trophy with a total of 15 points.

Bill Outhouse, president of the Oregon Chapter of the FFA, received the Wisconsin Farmer Degree at the 25th. Convention of the Wisconsin Association of Future Farmers held at Green Lake, Wis. He and Pat O’Brien were the delegates from the Oregon Chapter, accompanied by their advisor, Fenton Abrams.

Two Village streets, Johnson and Grove, get curb and gutter for the first time.

About 140 attended the first Annual Meeting of the Chamber of Commerce held in the HMC Church hall. Chamber President, Allan Gasner, opened the meeting with a welcoming address and introduced Chamber Director, Bill Mossman, who in turn introduced the special speaker of the evening, Lt. Governor Jack Olson.

25 years ago (1989)

Twenty marching bands participated in Oregon’s Summer Fest parade. Twelve of the bands performed in the field show competition.

Joyce Garner retired after 23 years of teaching at Brooklyn Elementary School; 22 of those years as a kindergarden teacher. Nearly 200 of her colleagues, parents, and former students turned out to honor her.

Oregon School District classroom volunteers were presented with certificates of congratulations at the School Board meeting of June 12rth. Those receiving recognition were Cheryl Thompson, Cindy Brooks, Chris Dicke, Betty Disch, Kris Kann, Kathy Schneider, Paulette Sphatt, and Barb Scott.

Oregon Soccer players, Dansie Mather and Kerry McGlauchlen were chosen by TEAMS/USA to represent Wisconsin in the international soccer competitions in Europe.

The Oregon Community Band, under the direction of their leader, James Baxter, were the featured guest musicians at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo on June 17th.

The OHS Panther Wrestling Club sent four of their team to the Northern Plains Regional National Kids Freestyle Tournament: Jason Rowley, James Hynes, Kyle Weaver and Brek Burgweger.

Five students from the Oregon Middle School were winners in the 1989 AAA National Traffic Safety Poster Contest. Erika Olson won a Certificate of Commendation and Kristin Woodworth, Sara Strom, Erica Perske and Konnie Swinehart won Merit Citations.

The Valley Bank of Oregon (now BMO Harris Bank) celebrated the grand opening of their new facility on Jefferson Street just west of their former building on the corner of Jefferson and Main Streets which now is a greenway with a time and temperature sign.

OHS track members qualifying for the state track meet were distance runners, Bob and Tom Richardson and Dave Williams and hurdler, Derek Schaefer.

Charles (“Chuck”) Curran, received a 35 year service award from his employer, Wisconsin Power and Light.

10 years ago (2004)

An earthquake was felt in Oregon. It was a 3 second quake of 4.1 magnitude that hit southern Wisconsin, at around 1:00 a.m. Monday morning, the 28th. of June. It was centered 70 miles southwest of Chicago.

The popular Krispy Kreme donuts arrived in retail stores in Oregon. Bill’s Food Center and Stop-n-Go announced that they would be receiving daily deliveries from the Krispy Kreme bakery in Brookfield.

A 13-foot Wingra Stone cement mixer truck crashed into the Jefferson St. railroad viaduct. The viaduct only had a 10-foot clearance. The viaduct and railroad tracks were damaged beyond repair. The street was closed for a week to clear way the damaged structure.

Jim Snow was chosen as the Summer Fest’s “2004 Good Neighbor”. The Rome Corners Intermediate School custodian was cited for his support of the school’s athletic programs and for his interaction with the students.

Doug Stampfli took over as OHS head basketball coach with the departure of Kevin Bavery. Chris Benetti takes over as the girl’s head baseball coach form Pam Williams.

The Oregon Village Board approved a Fitchburg/Oregon Joint Business Park Agreement. However, approval by the Fitchburg City Council was still pending.

Seven homes in the Bergamont development will be in the Parade of Homes. Home prices range from $939,000 to $1,250,000.

The Oregon Baseball Team earned its first WIAA State Tournament Berth since 1984. They ended their season in the Badger South Conference with 12 wins and no defeats. Their overall season record was 18-2.

The following OHS athletes were named to the Badger South All-Conference Teams: Soccer: Amanda Prawat (1st. team); Joann Walker and Brittany Shutes (2nd team): Softball: Megan Pehler, Allisha Bott and Claire McGahan (1st. team), Katie Frisch (2nd team); Baseball: Dustin Brabender (first team and All District Player of the Year), Mitch Staley, Brody Wachter, Steven Nelson, and Ryan Stace (1st team); Brian Anderson, Casey Johnson , and Zach Jensen (2nd. team).


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