This Month in History
May
The following material was compiled by Gerald Neath for the Oregon Area Historical Society from material published in the Oregon Observer.
100 years ago (1910)
Fincher Bros. Livery Stable announced that they had purchased a new Ford five-passenger touring car and that they would be using it in connection with their business; priding themselves in keeping up-to-date with their equipment. As always they would continue to provide good rigs at “living prices” and when needed careful drivers would be provided as well.Oregon Civil War veteran, C. W. Netherwood joined a party of over 200 from Wisconsin to journey to Vicksburg, Miss. to participate in the dedication of the Wisconsin monument. A special train carried Governor McGovern and other state officers including members of the monument commission and the veterans. Upon returning, Netherwood stated that he was gratified to have had the opportunity to visit the place where he helped fight the biggest battle of the war and that he had located the very spot where he had stood firing up till the time that he was seriously wounded and carried from the field. The siege of Vicksburg lasted from May until July 4th. 1863.Members of the Oregon High School graduating class of 1911 were Alice McAvoy, Nora Hanan, Gwendoline Latham, Glen Orr, Blanche Clapp, Dorothy Walsh, Robert Keeley, Agnes Sweeney, Frank Whalen, Nellie White, Nellie Latham, Lillian Main, and Edward Cusick.

50 years ago (1960)
Dr. E. S. Johnson was one of seventeen Wisconsin physicians honored by the State Medical Society. He received the Society’s 50th Year Membership Award. Dr. Johnson had graduated from The Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery in 1911 and began his practice in Oregon in 1913.

Miss Shirley Kuehni, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kuehni, and Miss Sandra Cahoon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Cahoon, were named valedictorian and salutatorian respectively of the 1961 OHS graduating class. Sixty-seven seniors received their diplomas.

Ron Lange’s bowling team took first place honors in the 1960-61 OHS bowling league season at the Oregon Bowl. Members of the team were Ron Lange, captain; Dick Noyce, Morrie Haukereid, and Denny Hanson.

Sylvan Farris of Oregon accepted the position of Superintendent of Public Works, filling the vacancy left by Glen Campbell who recently resigned to accept a similar position at Brillion, Wis.

Gene Nelson announced that he had taken over the management of the Oregon Truck Stop (a Gulf station formerly located across from the cemeteries) and that he had retained the services of Jim Drea as mechanic. The Nelson’s had also remodeled the Truck Stop Restaurant. Besides Marion Nelson, two others employed in the restaurant were Alice Jones and Virginia Sugden.

Coach Jack Statz’s OHS baseball team ended their season with an 8 and 1 record. Their only loss was to Monona Grove (7-3) in the semi-finals of the District Tournament. Morris Haukereid was named Most Valuable Player for the year and Duane Appledorn, team captain.

Matt Edwards, owner of Edwards Electric in Oregon, caught a 22 inch, 5 pound German Brown Trout in the Tipperary Stream between here and Belleville. Edwards commented with a bit of pride, that his companion, Leon “Jack” Johnson (also of Oregon) had the fish on his line four times but just couldn’t bring it in!

Donald Grundahl was hired by the Village as a police officer to take over the duties of Ervie Olson who had recently resigned. It was noted that when not scheduled for police duties, Grundahl would be assisting the street department.

25 years ago (1985)
Gordon Kopke announced the Grand Opening of his expanded greenhouse business, “Kopke’s Fruit of the Bloom”. Kopke said that after the successful trial runs of the past two seasons he had decided to greatly expand his selection of flowers and vegetables; marketing them directly from the grower to the customer.

Attorney Jack McManus moved his legal practice from Madison to his property in the Town of Dunn; housing it in a uniquely designed and decorated log building.

The OHS track team took the top score in the Beaver Dam Invitational. Dan Kissling led the way winning the 100-meter, 200 meter and the long jump plus anchoring the winning 800-meter relay team. Others that contributed to Oregon’s success were Chris Cain, Derek Schaefer, Chris Packard, Larry Gnewuch, Dan Rolfe, Dan Lyons and Eric DeVenecia. The team went on later in the month to win Oregon’s own Panther Invitational.

Cynthia A. Riley was appointed the new postmaster at Brooklyn having previously served as postmaster in Burnett, Wis. She succeeded Grace Neath who had retired in January of 1986.

Jeanne Doyle of the Oregon-Brooklyn area was chosen as “Outstanding Volunteer of the Year in Dane County”. She was selected from a field of 64 nominees by the co-sponsors, United Way of Dane County’s Volunteer Service Bureau and Massachusetts Mutual Life.

The teacher’s union and the local district school board reached an agreement for the l986-87 school year after what was described as a “marathon bargaining session”. The agreement included an average salary increase of $1,960.00 per teacher and a starting salary for beginning teachers of $17.500.

A class of 195 seniors graduated from OHS. Roger Wetzel, an OHS guidance counselor, noted that the graduating seniors would most likely follow the recent pattern: 30-35% will go on to a four year college, 20-25% will attend a two year school such as MATC, and about 40% will go directly into the work force. Karen Forsberg was the class valedictorian and Chris Forest, the salutatorian.

Vera Putnam retired from Valley Bank of Oregon (formerly Bank of Oregon). Vera, a life long Oregon resident, had worked at the bank since 1950. Prior to starting her career at the bank, she had worked for eight years in the office of The Dawes and Newton Trucking firm (located at the site of the downtown Kwik Trip).

10 years ago (2000)
The Oregon Police Department begins the process of moving into its new facility on Park Street.

The Oregon School District honored the following 2001 retirees: Joyce Abrams, John Bauman, Shirley Erfurth, Ed Guziewski, Chris Johnson, Lynn Kepper, Royce Kreul, Cynthia Liddle, Betty Manson, Clarissa Shockley, Thomas Sinks, Mary Weigand, and Jo Ann Wroblewski.

Market Street was being extended 550 feet to the north, taking it up to the Village’s northern boundary with the City of Fitchburg; allowing for the expansions of Wisco Industries and The Oregon Sports and Fitness Center.

The following OHS DECA students attended the 2001 International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California: Erin Gomach, Rick Steward, Allison Broadley, Carlee Bewick, Kim Budenz, Any Drake, Erin Healy, Sarah Below and Kristi Zuhlke.

Mary’s School of Dance celebrates its 25th. Anniversary at its annual recital held at the Oregon High School Performing Arts Center.

OHS FFA students win both state contests for Agronomy and for Wildlife and Environmental Science. The teams will be going on to the National FFA Convention on Louisville, KY. The Agronomy team consisted of Abby Hady, Aaron Shotliff, Jesse Kapusta, and Alex Hady. The Wildlife and Environmental Science team consisted of Josh Troia, Greg Hill and Joel Hardy. Their coach was Steve Zibell.

Rick Conroy, associated principal at OHS, speaks of a need for an alternate high school program; stating that it would be cost effective for the District. The estimated cost per student if Oregon had its own program would be about $4,475.00 as compared to the current average cost of $9,600.00.

The new intermediate school gets a name: Rome Corners. Jan Bonsett-Veal, the school’s principal, said that out of a list of 51 names considered, it was narrowed down to three; Rome Corners, Sandhill, and Brookview Knoll. The winning name, Rome Corners received 231 out of the 540 votes cast. Rome Corners was an earlier name for the Oregon Area.


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