Oregon Area Historical Society

September 1925

Bernard Seifert Dies From Burns

     Little Bernard Seifert , the 4-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Seifert, met with a serious accident last Saturday afternoon. His mother had filled a bucket with hot water with which to scrub the kitchen floor. Bernard, who was about the kitchen, backed up, tripped against the bucket, and sat down in it. The water splashed all over his body, scalding him severely. He was immediately taken to St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment and care. Mrs. Seifer accompanied him and remained with him. However, in spite of the best medical skill and tender care, he passed away as a result of his injuries on Wednesday morning.

Oregon Cow Testing Association Organized

      Steps toward the organization of a cow testing association were taken last Friday night when about 25 dairymen met at the high school building. A.J. Cramer and Mr. Button, were present to outline the 

purposes of the association, cost of membership, and advantages to be gained. 

       An organization was formed by the election of the following directors: J. F. Litel, R. H. Schuster, Walter Rasmussen, Arthur Alling and Louis Pease. In turn the directors elected Mr. Schuster- president,  Mr. Rasmussen- vice president, Mr. Litel- secretary/treasurer. 

       A number of those present signed membership contracts that evening, and the work of soliciting members will be continued until the membership quota is filled. 

Dr. Hanan Sells Practice

      Dr. H. E. Hanan has sold his dental practice to Dr. L. F. Whalen, who has been working with him through the summer and who graduated from Marquette Dental College last June.

      Dr. Hanan has been one of Oregon’s most successful businessmen and his reputation as a dentist brought patients from a long distance. He has practiced dentistry for 46 years, the past 42 years in Oregon. 

Young Bob is Winner

        The special primary election drew out but a small vote throughout the state. From the returns on hand, it appears that Bob LaFollette, Jr. will carry the election by an overwhelming plurality in the Village of Oregon and the surrounding townships of Rutland, Fitchburg, Dunn, and Town of Oregon. 

School Year begins Tuesday

      The school buildings have been thoroughly cleaned preparatory to the opening of school on September 8th. All the wood floors have been oiled. Desks, tables, and other school furniture have been cleaned and varnished. The cement floor and toilet fixtures have received two coats of paint, thus improving their appearance as well as the sanitary condition of these rooms. It is hoped that the pupils will appreciate the efforts made to give them a pleasant, wholesome environment and will cooperate with the janitors and school authorities to keep it that way.

September 1950

Prairie Farmer Praises Local Fire Department

     The last issue of Prairie Farmer carried a two-column article on the Oregon School of Advanced Firemanship and Oregon Fire Department.

     Special commendation was extended to the department for its attention to the fire protection needs of its rural areas, in special equipment, in advanced training, and even in the use of “wet water” to stretch its supply of transported water in Oregon’s two tank trucks. 

Today’s Eggs Are Taller and Have Bigger Waistlines

     Eggs are bigger than they were 30 years ago. They are so much bigger in fact, that the trade has found it necessary to adopt larger cases, fillers, and flats to avoid increasing losses from breakage due to overcrowding.  The new equipment is to be known as “regular” in contrast to the old “standard.”

Due to the program of poultry improvement, which began 28 years ago, today’s hens lay more eggs than they have ever done before.  Thirty years ago, the average Wisconsin hen laid 56 eggs each year.  Today she lays 155 – an increase of 99 eggs a year.

Wages Up

     As the nation gradually mobilizes for a new war crisis, Wisconsin industrial wages are responding quickly.  Wages have been moving steadily upward for several months, and employment is also gaining substantially. 

     In July the average factory working man in the state, exclusive of the typically lower pay canning business, which is operated seasonally, got an hourly wage of $1.48, according to the state industrial commission.  The average work week amounted to 41.5 hours, for a weekly paycheck of $59.55. 

Burglars Again Pay This Village A Visit

     Burglars paid Oregon another visit Sunday night and, as usual, did not leave empty-handed.  They “jimmied” the lock on the side door of The Home Owned Store to gain an entrance.  They helped themselves to an estimated $40 or $50 in change left in the cash drawers, an unknown number of cartons of cigarettes, some gum, and possibly some other merchandise. 

     The robbery was committed shortly before midnight.  F.E. Madsen, one of the owners of the store, had been in the place and left about 11 o’clock.  He had occasion to return to the store about midnight.  When he entered the front door, he heard someone go out of the side door and slam it shut. He hurried into his car and drove around to the back of the building, but the culprits had fled in their car. 

Engagement

     The engagement of Miss Arlene McElroy to Robert Spink, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Spink, has been announced by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George McElroy. The wedding will take place in November.

Random Shots

     Strange, isn’t it that no one has devised a device similar to that used on a refrigerator that will turn on the light in the hall when the door is opened at night.  Think what a lot of groping around in the dark such a gadget would save. 

     It is impossible for a woman to be married to the same man for fifty years.  After the first twenty-five years he is not the same man. 

September 1975   

Second Annual Horse Show  

     The Oregon Horse Association held its second annual horse on Sunday, September 14 at Triple-K Stables on Schneider Drive. Of the 36 classes, two were intended to encourage young riders to participate. A “pair class’ was also included. In this class, two matched horses must move well together. Riders’ outfits and tack must also match. Other classes include six open speed events and a variety of halter, pleasure, and horsemanship classes. Each class boasts a beautiful trophy and six ribbons. 

Brooklyn Labor Day Activities and Parade

      Winning floats in the Brooklyn Labor Day Parade were announced. Ginger Neath’s Dance Studio float took first place in the Beauty class. The Sons of Norway took first place in the Representative Class and Rego’s Bar took top honors in the Comedy Class. 

       The weatherman cooperated beautifully for the big Annual Brooklyn Labor Day celebration. A big crowd turned out for the parade and festivities. The park was a buzz of activity with about 2200 people enjoying the chicken barbeque and festival activities. There was something for everyone. 

Fr. Monroe Retires

        Sunday evening, September 14, parishioners of Holy Mother of Consolation Church gathered to share two important events which began simultaneously 14 years ago. In 1961, the first Catholic Church building was destroyed by fire. In June of the same year, Fr. Charles Monroe was assigned by Bishop O’Connor to this parish and charged with the mission of building a new church.

       On September 16, 1962, the new church was dedicated. The cost of the new building was $325,000. As of September 1, 1975, the entire debt was paid. Festivities included the burning of the mortgage as well as a fond farewell to Fr. Monroe who has elected to retire at this time. 

       Fr. Monroe was born in 1905 in Erin, WI near Holy Hill. He was ordained to the priesthood at St. Francis Seminary in 1936. Before coming to Oregon, he served as an assistant pastor or pastor to many parishes in Wisconsin; as well as working with the deaf at St. John’s School for the Deaf. 

       Fr. Monroe also spoke, and in his own humorous, Irish way, recalled some of his experiences as priest and teacher.

School Enrollment Up 1.85%; Red Brick Repair Too Costly

     The Board received a letter from first grade teachers pointing out high enrollment and high teacher-pupil ratio and recommended the hiring of an additional staff member and adding another classroom. The board requested census figures in order to study the problem. A report on present school enrollment showed a 1.85% increase over the past year.

      After a lengthy discussion, consensus of the board was that the Red Brick building, though the building is structurally sound and safety hazards are not alarming, it did not warrant investment of $350,000 to put it in A-1 condition. It determined that as a result of the expense, there would still not be the additional space needed to relieve the overcrowded conditions that exist in the K-3 section. 

September 2000

Oregon Increases SHARING

     Food savings for volunteer hours is SHARE -ing.  It may not be the same as the definition in the dictionary, but the exchange of volunteer hours for saving on foods is the promise behind the SHARE program in Wisconsin.

     For as little as two hours of volunteer work and $14 per month, a person can get an 8-oz. pizza, a half-pound of sliced turkey, a pound of seasoned boneless chicken breasts, more than two pounds of Italian turkey sausage, an 8 oz. package of seasoned rice, a 6 oz. package of dried apricots, a 20 oz. bottle of tea, a 30 oz. package of stuffing, four ears of corn, a head of cabbage, six potatoes, a pound of carrots, two cucumbers, and five pears. 

     The food savings are estimated to be about 50 percent compared to regular grocery store prices. 

     There were only 9 participants in February when Barb Aker started a program in Oregon.  Now, there are 39 participants. They join the 22,000 participants who shop with SHARE each month.  Most sites are in Wisconsin, but there are few in Illinois and Michigan. Participants include all age groups from young people to those in their 80’s. 

New Motel Proposed for East Side

     Architect and Oregon resident Dwaine Kieler of Architectural Design Consultants Inc. brought a conceptual layout for a motel before the village’s plan commission last Thursday.

     When asked if the commissioner reacted favorably to the concept, Kieler said, “Oh yeah.”

     The motel is planned for a site in the Fox Glen subdivision.  The proposal map shows the site to be bounded by Park Street, Concord and Lexington Drives on the village’s east side – directly across from Park Street and the Oregon Veterinary Medical Clinic. 

     Kieler said the primary attraction of the location is its exposure to Highway 14.  “It’s visible from the highway,” he said.

     With a target of 42 units, Kieler is planning a three-story structure for the motel.  His design includes a two-story restaurant, bar and banquet hall as part of the facility along with a one-story area tabbed for three retail spaces. 

Cash, not home, for Holmes

     Christine Holmes will not get a new home.  That’s because the Oregon resident chose to take $120,000 in cash as the winner of the 2000 Big Brothers Big Sisters Incredible House Raffle. 

     Holmes was offered the opportunity to build a $190,000 Don Simon home on a lot in Madison, finishing it any way she wanted, but she said the taxes and not being ready to move were the main reasons for taking the cash.  After taxes, the $120,000 netted her about $87,000.  

     With the cash, Holmes plans to purchase a new car and pay off her daughters car, pay off her mortgage and house projects, and save the rest for retirement. 

     “I’m looking forward to not having bills to pay off,” she said. 

Street Talk

New members to the Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce were asked: why did you join the Chamber?

Scott Maves, Oregon – Oregon Market Street Storage

We’ve been residents of Oregon for a long time, and we wanted to better the community. 

Pita Fatupaito, Oregon – Oregon Space Metrics

Space Metrics would like to be a part of the business community of Oregon.  We want to be good citizens and join the community. 

Jennifer Mills, Oregon – Oregon Youth Center

Just having the linkage with other chamber members…People together and stronger than on their own.

Kathy Maves, Oregon -Oregon Eagle Eye Embroidery

We wanted to further the business climate

Mary Katic, Fitchburg and Oregon – Mary’s School of Dance

I joined the Oregon Chamber to become more involved in the community that I have taught dance to for the past 25 years. 

Roy Kauper, Edgerton – Breezy Hill Bakery

Now that we manage the farmers’ market, we thought it would be a good idea to do it.