This Month in History
March
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)

Local tobacco growers were alerted to a new and distinct variety of Spanish Tobacco Seed that was now available from C. R. Martin’s Cigar Factory in Oregon or from George Montgomery. It was said to produce a plant of greater size, that enhanced the yield, but maintained its pointed shape; increasing the number of leaf points on the stalk making for a smooth finish and no baggy leaves. The cost was 35 cents an ounce or $5.00 per pound.Frightened by a passing train, a team of horses belonging to a local livery stable broke loose from the cutter to which they were harnessed. They team was finally caught two miles east of the Village on the Peterson farm.

The J. F. Jensen Auto Co. (located in the present day Badger Auto Body building) were selling 1914 Maxwell autos for $750.00. The ad noted that “There is no car on the market that can possibly compete with it”.

Donald McGill gave a Victrola concert in the main room of Oregon High School It was noted that the program would consist of “high class concert and operatic selections”. Don was making his rounds in the community with this relatively new entertainment. (Don’t know what a Victrola is or how it worked? . . .stop by Oregon Area Historical Museum.)

50 years ago (1964)

The newly proposed formation of an Oregon Chamber of Commerce was the agenda of the fifty-five area business and professional people meeting at the VFW Hall. Addressing the group was Bob Anderson, membership director of the State Chamber of Commerce. The result of the meeting was the formation of a sixteen man committee assigned to work on the next phase of organizing a chamber. Members of the committee were Norm Champion, Bill Mossman, Allan Gasner, John Struck, Butler Delany, Dr. Bill Plummer, Earl Lawson, Lee Henriksen, Bill Hagstrom, Marv Jensen, Ron Erfurth, Carroll Kellor, Dave Mandt, Francis Killerlain, Roland Cross, and Ed Lawson.

Ron Tauchen and Larry Wegger, OHS Juniors, were elected to the All-Conference Basketball squad of the Madison Suburban League (Central Section).

The OHS Wrestling Team finished their season with several record holders: Dean Pernot, conference champion (season record 13-2); Les Small, fastest pin record in the conference (19 seconds); Dennis Kjellstrom, most consecutive wins (11 in a row); Dennis Strander, conference champion (undefeated in 11 bouts); Russ Spilde, undefeated season; Ron Sloniker, most pins for the season (9); Jack Henriksen, best of the freshmen on the varsity squad, with a record of 13-2-1) The wrestling coach was Fred Lehrke.

The Gamble Store in Oregon was advertising Coronado Color TV receivers that were the ultimate in color reception. Customers were encouraged to stop in and see their favorite program. (At this time Gamble store was located at the present site of Peaceful Hearts.)

Archie McCallum, manager of Oregon Milling Co., demonstrated to local farmers how they would no longer have to shovel corn and grain from their trucks unto conveyer belts. Now with a truck hoist they have the means to lift up the front end a truck and let the contents slide from the box onto the belts.

The OHS Ag Dept. hosted evening adult classes for area farmers. OHS Agriculture instructor, Fenton Abrams, emphasized how farmers had to become more efficient in their operations. Some area farmers that attended the classes were Clem Dalsoren, Erv Noggle, Harvey Frederickson, Les Gammeter, Ken Hagemann, Al Koehler, Bill Lynaugh, Phil Peterson, John Stone. Bill Martinson of Martinson Implement in Brooklyn supplied some of the equipment.

25 years ago (1989)

Oregon School District officials proposed that a three-year plan be undertaken to create computer labs in each of the district’s five schools. The cost is estimated to be in excess of $500,000.

The Straw Hat Players presented a production of Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs”. Cast members included Jenny Uphoff, Katy Marshall, Joan Capelle, Carol Alleman, Joel Kapusta, Chris Phistry, and Jace Nichols. David Lawver directed the play. Mike Watts was stage manager and Chad Kopenski, assistant stage manager.

Village President, William Kortte, signed a proclamation proclaiming the week of March 12th. as Girl Scout Week. There were over 210 girl scouts in the Oregon area and for the first time this year there was a Daisy Scout troop for kindergartens. Girl Scouts present at the proclamation signing were Allison Buehler, Bryn Meyer, Sonya Mueller, Valerie Pfeiffer, Melissa Buehler, Ashley Kortte, Katie Warren, and Amanda Ryan. Scout leader, Susan Mueller, was also present.

Karen Everson was named Woman of the Year by the Unlimited Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association.

Amanda Jeidy, a Third Grade Brooklyn Elementary School student, was one of the winners in The Young Writer’s Contest. Along with the 104 winners from the 12,000 entries submitted, her story will be published in a Young Writer’s Anthology. Her grandfather was the subject of her entry.

With wins over Jefferson and Stoughton, the OHS Boy’s Basketball Team wins the Regional Championship. The leading scorers in the Stoughton game were Mike Statz (16), Derek Schaefer (15), and Ben Conklin (14). However, their season ends at the Sectionals when they lost to Beloit Memorial. Steve Merry, the league’s leading scorer with 324 points was named to the Badger All-Conference (1st. Team). Derek Schaefer and Mike Statz were named to the All-Conference (2nd team).

Champions of the 1989 Oregon Golfer’s Bowling Tournament were Bud Frye, in the scratch division, defeating Bill Marshall (228-222) and Mike Nelson, in the handicap division, defeating Bob Everson (222-209).

Winners in the Boy Scout Pack #350’s Annual Pinewood Derby were Darren Hansen, Chad Schwenn, James Lederer, Daniel Freiberg, Tony Knipfer, Adam Hanson, and Matt Hartwig.

Oregon Police Chief, Dough Petit, awards police officer, Gerard Pehler, the title of “Officer of the Year” noting that Gerard exemplifies exactly what the Oregon Police Department wants in its officers.

10 years ago (2004)

OHS orchestra, strings and composition instructor, Leyla Sanyer, was winner of the 2004 Elizabeth A. H. Green Award, a national honor given annually to a public school teacher who is seen as a leader in his or her field. The award was presented by the American String Teacher’s Association at their annual meeting in Dallas, TX.

Alex Olp, an OHS senior and his brother,Matt, a freshman, qualified to participate in the WIAA State Swimming Meet. Alex, was the first boy swimmer from Oregon to achieve All-State Honors.

The Oregon girl’s freshman basketball team wrapped up a perfect 22-0 season. Members of the team were Nikki O’Brien, Carly Saunders, Rachel Hetland, Jackie Enzenroth,, Ashly Stone, Jessica Wendt, Hannah Tilley, Sarah Schneider, Sheena Christensen, Chelsey Schulz, Jessica Johnson, Carly Vansteendren, Beck McCabe, and Megan Benson.

The OHS boy’s basketball team win the W.I.A.A. Division 1 Regional Tournament with victories over Janesville Parker and Fort Atkinson. In the Janesville Park win, Bren Riese scored 28 points and John Fahey, 20 points. Moving on to the Sectional Tournament, they had a win over Janesville Craig but fell short of a W.I.A.A. Division 1 state berth, losing in the finals to Beloit Memorial 66-59.

OHS boy’s basketball players named to the Badger South All-Conference 1st. Team were Derrick Bavery, Brent Riese, and John Fahey. Derek Breidenbach received an Honorable Mention.

OHS head basketball coach, Kevin Bavery , announced that he would be leaving Oregon to become head basketball coach at Palmetto Ridge High School in Naples, Florida. Kevin had been a coach in Oregon for the past 20 years.

Megan Pehler was named to the Badger South All-Conference Girl’s Basketball (1st. Team). Amanda Prawat and Katie Frisch was awarded Honorable Mention.

The Oregon School Board approved a police liaison officer agreement with the Village, providing for 1,400 hours of police services during the school year. How and what to enforce around the High School facility were issues discussed.

The Dane County Republican Party honored Lyman Anderson by establishing the Lyman F. Anderson Local Government Public Service Award to be given to a locally elected Republican that has upheld values of the Republican Party and given exemplary service to the office that he/she has held.


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