Oregon Area Historical Society

November 1925

New “Iron Dollar” To Be Put-up in Two-Bit size

     Admitting failure to popularize the silver dollar and the $2 bill, treasury officials have decided to mint a new coin, a combination gold and silver dollar, because of the rapid deterioration of paper money.  The proposed new coin will be of distinctive appearance, possibly a gold center with a rim of silver, and will be slightly larger than a quarter.  Banking, a merchandising interest, which handles large sums of money, has indicated that the new dollar bill would be desirable.  Those who prefer paper dollar bills, the common currency, will still be able to obtain them, but officials point out that the paper dollar has a life of only six to ten months.

Local News:

The first “married folks” party of the season will take place at Dunn’s Opera House.  Leaver’s Harp Orchestra will furnish the music.  Basket lunch and coffee served free.  Tickets: $1.00; spectators             

 25 cents.  Everybody invited.

     The local Northwestern depot has been given a thorough renovation and has been painted and varnished on the inside.  The exterior has also been painted.

     Hans Knudsen has purchased the blacksmithing tools, equipment and stock from Chas. Schoen and announces that he is ready to serve the public in any blacksmithing work.  

School News:

     The musical entertainment Saturday evening was very well attended.  The fine sum of fifty dollars was realized on this program.  This money will be used to help pay for instruction in music at the school. The program featured a variety of performances which included selections from the school orchestra, a violin solo, a piano solo, readings, and a whistling solo. The program was followed by a talk by Mr. Carew on the value of a Parent-Teacher Association.  The majority of those present expressed their approval of the project.  

     Beginning this week, all pupils will be given one iodine tablet per week provided their parents’ consent to the treatment.

     The biology class under the direction of Miss Linehan and Mr. Carew visited the Oscar Mayer Packing Company plant and the zoo at Vilas Park.  At the Oscar Mayer plant we were shown every detail of the killing, cooling, inspecting, curing and shipping of meat products.    At the zoo, we learned how various animals were studied for special adaptations to be made for a particular environment. 

 “Steve” Still Finds Basket

     Forest Madsen went on a scoring spree in the Lincoln School gymnasium, just as he used to do in the halcyon days of his career at Oregon High School.  Madsen’s 19 points aided his team to a 34-19 win over the F.R.A. five.   Madsen wasn’t the only important wheel in the victors’ scoring machinery, but he was usually under the basket by the time their short passing game worked the ball to a point of shooting vantage, and he handled the tallying rather well.  

Ag School Plans Ag. Short Course

     An opportunity is to be offered to farm boys between the ages of 14 and 21 in this community to attend a short course in agriculture at the high school this winter.  Classes will be held on Saturday mornings or on a weeknight, whichever is more convenient for the students to attend.   A course in Farm Shop and Mechanics should meet the needs of every farm boy who is interested in the use and repair of tools and farm machinery.  

Novebmer 1950

Fire Destroys Barn on Blaney Farm     

     The members of the local fire department were aroused from their slumbers Saturday morning by the shriek of the village siren and were called to the Blaney (formerly Luke Tusler) farm on the Fish Hatchery Road to put out a barn fire.  When the boys arrived at the scene, they found the building enveloped in a mass of flames.  Since there was no hope of saving the barn, they gave their attention to protecting surrounding buildings. The barn contained a large quantity of baled hay which was also consumed.

     Tom Gorman had some sows and small pigs in the barn, and it is reported that one sow and a few small pigs were burned. 

McElroy-Spink

     A very pretty wedding took place Saturday afternoon, November 4th at 2:00 at the Presbyterian church when Arlene McElroy and Robert M. Spink were married. The service was performed before an altar banked with palms and the marriage service was read by Rev. George Conner.  The bride was given in marriage by her father George McElroy. 

     The bride was attended by the groom’s sister, Miss Lois Spink, while the groom chose Halvor Bjornson as best man.  Mrs. Ralph Sholts sang “Because” and “I Love You Truly,” and Donald McGilll presided at the organ. 

     The bride wore a navy blue gaberdine suit, white feather hat, and her corsage was of red roses.  The bridesmaid wore a light brown suit and pink feather hat.  Her corsage was of carnations.

    Following the wedding service a reception was held in the church parlors for 200 guests.  

     The couple left on a trip to the south and will be at home to friends November 11 in the new home on East Lincoln Street which the groom has built.

     The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George McElroy and holds a position at the Corner Store.  The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Spink and is in the carpenter business.  Both are graduates of Oregon High School. 

Reward! Reward!

     A reward of $25.00 will be paid for information leading to the identity and arrest of the person or persons who opened several fire hydrants in the Village of Oregon on Monday night October 30, 1950.

The Oregon Police Dept.

Random Shots

     A local woman received a bill from her grocer the other day.  Among the items listed was one tom cat.  Knowing that she had not bought a tom cat at the store, or any other type of cat for that matter, she took the bill to the grocer to see about it.  She was somewhat relieved and completely satisfied to learn that the entry was the clerk’s abbreviation for “tomato catsup.”

     We must be getting stronger.  A few years ago, we could hardly carry home five dollars’ worth of groceries. Now we have no trouble carrying home ten dollars’ worth.

November 1975

Village Board Supports Highway 14 By-pass

     The Village Board went on record in support of the Dane County Regional Planning Commission and the Environmental Impact studies, both of which favor the construction of the U.S. Hwy 14 free-way bypass.  The bypass will, among other things, relieve some of the downtown traffic flow. The State Department of Transportation-Division of Highways will hold a public hearing in the Community Building here at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2.  

Sports:

     Powered by senior back Jim Fletchall’s three touchdowns and Mike Greene’s two, the Oregon Panthers flattened the Trojans of Beloit Turner to capture their fourth straight Central  Suburban Conference Championship and their sixth in the seven year history of the league.  Evansville was also victorious on Wednesday night and will share the conference championship with the Panthers. Coach Callaway was more than pleased with his Panthers and was “sad to see the season go”.  But they have emerged and matured as a team, and that’s what really counts. I’m really happy to see these seniors go out with a piece of the championship title.  

School News:

     Another great OHS musical was performed at 8 p.m. on November 6th, 7th  and 8th.  Good turnouts enjoyed the three-night stint of the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein production of “South Pacific”.  Oregon students did an outstanding job of acting under the direction of Mrs. Rosalie Richardson (vocals) and Mrs. Doris Keyes (drama).  Donn Gasner performed in the role of Emile de Beque and Laurie Ehman in the role of Ensign Nellie Forbush.  

Special School District Meeting in the “Red Brick”

    The special meeting is in response to a directive issued by the electorate at the regular Annual School Meeting held last July to study the Elementary Red Brick building.  Specifically, the Board report will address the following: 1) current use of the Red Brick; 2) major improvements over the past eight years; 3) major concerns regarding continuing operation of the Red Brick;  and  4) architectural estimates for renovation or replacement.   Following the Board report, the meeting will be open to recommendations and/or action from the electorate regarding remedies to alleviate school facility deficiencies.  

Bank of Oregon Gets Face Lift

     The Bank of Oregon has just finished installing new facing on the upper half of the building, consisting of anodized aluminum with reflective glass inserts.  Executive Vice President, Allan Gasner stated that this is the final phase in the expansion and remodeling of the bank which has been in progress the past several years, the most recent addition being the new Motor Bank on Jefferson Street just west of the rear of the bank’s main building.

Oregon Churches Celebrate Thanksgiving Together

     This evening (November 27) at 8:00 p.m., the Oregon churches will celebrate a joint Thanksgiving worship service at Holy Mother of Consolation Church.  All the clergy of the village churches will be participating, along with a 40-voice choir representing each of the congregations.  The special Thanksgiving offering will be given to Bread for the World.  The service is open to the community and will be followed by a social hour in the basement of the church.

November 2000

Tis the Season

     The Oregon area will swing into the holidays for all they’re worth this weekend when two special events will imbue folks with the yule spirit. 

     The Oregon Chamber of Commerce will hold an expanded Santa Days beginning Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., based at the Oregon Senior Center, 219 Park St.

     Santa will arrive by fire truck at 9:30 a.m.  Oregon Daycare, Inc. will provide a hotdog luncheon with Santa from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. that day.  The events are free but will include a retail area for children to purchase gifts for reasonable prices. 

     The Lioness Holiday Tour of Homes will be held Sunday, Dec. 3, from 1-5 p.m.  Tickets are $7 and proceeds support Oregon High School scholarships.  Homes on this year’s tour belong to Jo and Jon Temte, 294 N. Main Steet; Donna and Larry Mahr and Kala Hoeschele, 561 N. Main Street; Diane Zimmer, 4265 Schneider Road; and Bev and Ralph Lance, 4371 Schneider Drive.

Holiday Recipes

Cranberry Salad
Dorothy Kruse, Oregon

½ lb. cranberries

1 cup sugar

1 cup seedless red grapes (halved)

¼ lb. small marshmallows

¼ c. chopped walnuts

½ pt. cream (whipped very stiff)

Wash, pick over and drain cranberries and grind in food grinder, or use food processor and pulse to a very fine consistency.  Add sugar, stir and let stand overnight in refrigerator. The next day, fold cranberries, grapes, marshmallows and nuts into the stiffly whipped cream.  Refrigerate until time to serve.  It is a colorful holiday salad.

Best Baked Beans
Elnora Johnson

Submitted by Barb Evenson

1 (3 lb.) jar cooked Great Northern Beans

¼ cup white sugar

1 cup of catsup

1 small onion (chopped fine)

¼ cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. dark molasses.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine onion, sugars, catsup and molasses.  Add to drained beans.  Top with bacon and bake one hour

Serves 8-10

Street Talk

What part of the Thanksgiving meal do you look forward to eating the most?

Alex Bakken

Oregon 

3rd grade

The pumpkin pie —I have it with whipped cream

Dave Fiscus

Oregon

Physical Education Teacher

Leftovers.  It lasts a long time, and you get all sorts of different things.

Barbara Stangler

Oregon 

Writer

Definitely the turkey. The drumstick is my favorite part

Doris Gerry

Oregon

Retired

Probably the pumpkin pie—with real whipped cream. I only do this once a year and that makes it better

Amanda Dottl

Oregon 

10th grade

Sweet potatoes – my dad has a special recipe.

To read these stories in their entirety, please visit the Oregon Area Historical Society at 159 W. Lincoln St. in Oregon. We have many old Observers at our museum.