Oregon History Timeline for May 2018
100 years ago (1918)
The senior class play, “Prof. Pepp” , a farcial comedy by Walter Ben Hare, promised plenty of pep and humor. The cast comprised of Sheldon Chandler, Thomas Grady, Cyril Grady, Stanley Chandler, Edwin Blaney, Clement Criddle, Earl Montgomery, Vera Clapp, Anne Sweeney, June Ellis, Violet Madsen, Eva Sholts, Lucille Welch, Bertha Slinde, and Vergene Buche. The play will be held in Olson’s Opera House.
M. J. Wischhoff, a seller of RCA Victor recordings, advertised several new recordings. His newspaper ad mentioned the following: “Long Boy” and “Indianola” put on one record by the Victor Military Band is a fine dance record. “Each Stitch is a Thot [Thought] of You Dear” by Henry Buhr, brings back the memories of a mother’s love for her boy in France. “Roses of Picardy” and “Loves Garden of Roses” are two exquisite songs of sentiment sung by Lambert Murphy who displays a fine tenor voice. We must not forget our friend Billy Murry in “K-K-K-Katy”which pictures efforts of a stuttering recruit to pour out his heart to his best girl”.
The Miller Rubber Co. announced that Sheil Auto Co. of Oregon would be handling their quality auto tires and Miller Red and Gray Inner Tubes. However, a dealer’s limited monthly allotment could restrict their availability.
The Oregon Telephone Co. announced that their petition for an increase of rates had been approved by the Railroad Commission. As of June 1st the rates will be as follows: Farm line $13.00 per year or $4.50 per quarter; business line, $2.25 per month; residence (single party), $1.50 per month; (two party), $1.25 per month; and (four party), $1.00 per month. Farm line subscribers will be given a $1.00 discount if the payment for a year’s rent is received within 30 days of the due date.
Miss Marie McGill on a recent visit to Madison gave a violin solo at the senior recital in the studio of the Wisconsin School of Music.
Marie McGill (with young Helen Fincher and dog, Highball)
The OHS Alumni Association elected new officers. Those elected were Mrs. Frank Anderson, president; Helen Shampnor, vice-president; Martin Gorman, secretary; and Catherine Barry, treasurer.
One of the recent movies showing at the Opera House was “The Pawn Shop” starring Charlie Chaplin.
Rev. W. D. Brenneman preached his farewell sermon at the Methodist Church. He leaves in about a week for the Great Lakes Training Station where he will enter YMCA work.
A free lecture by W. M. Wisdom of New York City was given at Olson’s Opera House. The title of his talk was “The World Has Ended—-Millions Now Living Will Never Die”. The lecture had been arranged by the Associated Bible Students. Its premise was quoted as follows:
“Thousands of America’s sons are gone to the battlefield. Many may die there. This lecture gives conclusive proof of future blessings for them whether they die Christians or not. This message will bring joy and comfort to every heart.”
Soldiers passed through Oregon: About 5,000 mud-bespattered soldiers trudged along Main Street of the village on another lap of their journey to Sparta. The soldiers composed the 161st Artillery Brigade of Camp Grant and were en-route to Camp Robinson at Sparta where they will have heavy gun practice on the government range. In the line of march were soldiers on foot, some on horses, some on wagons, and others riding motor trucks. There were 2,000 horses accompanying the brigade. The troops had camped on the Alsop farm near Brooklyn the night before and would be camping the following night on the Dane County Fair Grounds.
Troops through Oregon, 1918
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Sheil moved into the Henry Taylor house on South Third Street. [State Street]
On the following Saturday there will be a “measuring and weighing day” in Oregon for all children under six years of age. Parents are requested to bring their children to the Red Cross rooms on that day, the hours being from 9 o’clock in the morning until noon and from 1 o’clock until 5 o’clock in the afternoon. The following committee has been appointed to do the weighing and measuring, Mrs.Dan Sheil, (chairperson), Geo, Thompson Jr., Mrs. E. S. Johnson, Mrs.Ernest Shellestad, and Mrs. Wm. Dunn.”
50 years ago (1968)
Marcia McAllister was crowned the 1968 Miss Oregon at the 3rd Annual Miss Oregon Pageant. Nearly 700 spectators and participants attended the event which was held in the Oregon High School cafetorium The Master of Ceremonies was Clark Hogan, a well known area radio and TV personality.
Phillip Helgesen was named District Superintendent of the Oregon School District, taking over from retiring E. A. Kozlovsky who had been a member of Oregon school system for the past 41 years.
Retiring School Superintendent Kozlovsky was honored by the Oregon Education Association with a banquet whose theme was ”Hats off to Mr. K”. Over 200 gathered for the event. Luella Ames served as the toastmistress and Mrs. Charlene Caucutt was in charge of the program.
The Madison Suburban Conference, consisting of 18 schools, voted to disband and form three autonomous conferences. Oregon will become a member of the Capital League which will include Milton, Lake Mills, DeForest, Evansville and Oregon. The change will become effective at the end of the 1968-1969 school year.
The Bank of Oregon advertised that the monthly payments on low interest car loans could
be as little as $5.00 per hundred.
Jay’s team in the Oregon Euchre League of Southern Wisconsin finished as league champions of the1967-68 season. Members of the winning team were Emil Matson, George Westbye, Wilbur Kinney, Jay Bossingham, Stan Palmer, Ken West, Aldel Krause. Laverne Ringhand, and Ray Manion.
Holy of Mother of Consolation Parish elects a church council: Elected for three year terms were Pat Molony, Louis Fahey, Kathleen Hayes, Frank Baxter, and Mrs. Harold May. Elected for two year terms were Howard Larson, Lee Dunn, John Stack. Mrs. Roland Cross. and Vernon Dunn. Those elected for one year terms were Tom Caine, James Meier, Mrs. Robert Staley, Richard Georgeson, and Richard Schmale.
Prisoners at the Oregon State Farm finished their project of making promotional signs for the Chamber of Commerce. The decorative plaques had a silhouette of a black horse on a gold colored background, calling attention to the fact that Oregon had been registered with the Wisconsin Secretary of State as “the Horse Capital of Wisconsin”. The signs will be hung on poles throughout the village. Gerald Navis, superintendent of the farm, coordinated the project.
The Oregon Firefighters sponsored their annual dance. Providing the music was Sammy Eggum and his Dairyland Jubilee Band.
George Dolan purchased the former Haight Equipment, Inc. He will continue to sell and service Case and M-C International farm equipment.
The Chapter of the Eastern Star marked its 75th Anniversary. It was founded in 1893.
Howard J. Zink’s House of Home Fashions (Oregon branch) opened for business The store was located at the corner of South Main and Jefferson Streets [current site of Sonny’s Restaurant]. A Grand Opening Celebration is planned for June 2nd.
25 years ago (1993)
The Town and Country Women’s Club installs new officers. The officers for the coming year are Pat Lindberg, president; Jan Jardine, 1st vice-president; Ellen Broadly and Jean Bailie, 2nd vice-presidents; Doretta Umnuhs, secretary; and Mary Wilson, treasurer.
Lundey’s Greenhouses, serving the Oregon area since 1953, reminded residents of Mother’s Day and spring planting. They were offering geraniums at $1.99 apiece. The greenhouses were located at 221 Wolfe Street.
A group of Oregon Spanish students spent eleven days touring Mexico, studying the Mexican culture and touring historical sites. During the visit they stayed in the homes of Mexican families.
Four OHS students were accepted into the Wisconsin Honors Music organization. The winners were Chad Grote who will sing with the Wisconsin Honors Choir; Jim Uphoff, who was accepted into Wisconsin Honors vocal jazz; Julia Wood (viola); and Sarah Halverson (violin) who will perform with the Honors Orchestra.
Reigning over the Junior Prom were Joseph Hrubes, king and Nicole Stopple, queen.
This was the 21st year of the Oregon School Volunteer Program at the district elementary schools. Carol Landahl and Nancy Halford were the coordinators of the program.
Two 1st grade teachers retired from the Oregon School District; Jean Cleary, having taught for the past 33 years, and Marge Farris having taught for the past 19 1/2 years.
Molly Osborne (first baseman) and Cathy Gustrowsky (designated hitter) were named to the All-Badger Conference Baseball Team (1st team). Those receiving honorable mention were Heather Muth, Pam Crowley, and Nikki Smith).
Jason Kuehl was an unanimous selection to the All-Badger Conference Baseball Team (1st team). He had batted over 500. Pat Roper and Aaron LeVoy were second team selections.
Chris Mitchell was honored as one of 16 male athletes in the State to receive the WIAA Scholar Athlete Award. It was the first time that an Oregon athlete had received this award.
10 years ago (2008)
The Village switches to annual property assessments; a practice known as the “full value method”.
Last month Joann Ace was crowned Miss Midwest Horse Fair Queen at the Midwest Horse Fair. Joann was a 2007 Oregon High School graduate.
The 7th Intergenerational Prom was organized by students of the 5th thru 8th grades. Among those organizing the event were Oregon Middle School 8th graders Marin Oschmann, Jayme McMahon, and Cara Knipfer and 7th grader, Mauri Hughes. The event was held in the OHS Commons from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and featured the music of All That Jazz, an 18-piece orchestra. This year’s theme was “Forest of Dreams”.
Two OHS artists recently received awards for their original work. Allie Baryenbrach earned an honorable mention in the 16-18 age group in The Waterfowl Association’s 2008 Wisconsin Duck Stamp Contest. Her entry was a colored pencil drawing of two mallard ducks. Richie Russell was awarded first place for his photography at the Annual Wisconsin
Deer & Turkey Expo. His winning entry in the fauna category was for a close-up of a snapping turtle.
The Village continues to struggle with issues relating to stormwater guidelines and the Bergamont development.
The Oregon Farmer’s Market moves from the Village Hall parking lot to the parking area in front of Bill’s Food Center due to the reconstruction of the downtown area.
The Oregon High School Concert Band have new attire for their concerts. Tuxedos and gowns will replace their worn out uniforms.
The OHS receives a grant that would allow the district to make plans for an alternative high school for those in need.
Carrie Janes, teacher at Netherwood Knoll Elementary School, was awarded by a local TV station a “Crystal Apple” recognition for her teaching skills. She had been teaching in Oregon for the past 13 years, where she taught early childhood special education.