Oregon Area Historical Society & Museum

 July 1951

Bids Wanted

Notice is hereby given that sealed bids for the sale of the Storytown school building will be received by the district clerk, Mrs. Ruth Ames, up to 10 o’clock a.m. July 7th.  The property includes the land it occupies, the school building and other buildings on the property.

The board reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

School Board,

Mrs. Ruth Ames, Clerk

Bob Keenen Injury

Bob Keenan had the misfortune to fall Saturday while working at the creamery and sustained a chipped elbow.  However, while he is partially disabled, he is still on the job. 

Square Dancers Picked for Movie

Several teenagers of Oregon and surrounding area are very appreciative of the work of Bill McKee who instructed them in square dancing to the extent that they were picked to square dance in the Texas-Wisconsin dairyland movie filmed recently at the Thos. Hefty farm.  Those from Oregon who took part were Mike Barry, Jean Martin, Herb Gundlach, Thomas Caine, Jean and Janet Whalen, Janie Purcell, Billy McKee, Jr. and Bud Sholts. 

The End of Dishwashing Drudgery – Westinghouse Automatic Dishwasher

You can write the end to “after meal” slavery, just touch a dial and your dishes are washed with this Westinghouse automatic dishwasher, and you don’t have to “make room” for this new under-counter Westinghouse.  It fits right under a standard counter surface.

The roll out wash well gives easy, no-stoop loading.  The dishes are rinsed, then washed and rinsed two times and dried in fresh, electrically heated air.  You’re free to relax after a meal – just like the rest of the family.

Come into our showrooms for a demonstration of work-saving dishwashers.

-Wisconsin Power and Light Company-

New Chlorophy Toothpaste

A new and different toothpaste has been developed with the chemical “chlorophyll” as the active ingredient.  The successful application of chlorophyll to dental use, as made possible by Chloresium toothpaste, meets a long-felt need of the dental profession for a dentifrice that would actively help promote healthy gum tissues while at the same time effectively cleansing and polishing the teeth.  This new toothpaste is also very effective in combating bad breath for a longer period of time due to the prolonged action of chlorophyll.  In addition, chlorophyll relieves minor gum irritation, tenderness and bleeding gums, promoting normal, healthy gum tissues through its healing qualities.  Chloresium toothpaste containing chlorophyll is available at Lawson’s Drug Store.

Disables Vets’ Favor

Disabled Wisconsin war veterans are now eligible for special auto license markers that will advise the motoring public of their handicaps and will be allowed to waive ordinary parking restrictions. 

The legislature passed such a bill several weeks ago, and now the governor has signed it into law. An unknown number of such crippled ex-soldiers will apply to the motor vehicle department for distinctive plates. 

Scrap Shortage Threatens Steel Production

Oregon members of industry are being called upon now by the Dane County Scrap Mobilization committee to help the government of this country in its serious steel shortage by selling their scrap to local or nearby dealers. Armand Lee of Oregon has been named area chairman for the town of Oregon.

Steel mills must have scrap to make steel.  Everyone from filling station attendants to truck repairman are asked to bring this iron and steel scrap out in the market – not as a donation but as a sale to area dealers.  Obsolete machinery, tools, jugs, dies, fixtures, and other broken equipment, worn beyond repair, abandoned or good, but no longer in use are urgently needed, 

July 1976

Bicentennial Here This Weekend

Oregon will join in the celebration of the nation’s 200th birthday this weekend with an eventful program of activities and exhibits commemorating the Bicentennial. Starting with the opening ceremony at 10:00 on Saturday morning and finishing with an ice cream social on Sunday afternoon.  The opening ceremony will be held on the Oregon High School grounds. Village President Norman Champion will read the preamble to the constitution and Rev. Fred Loutsenhizer will conduct the invocation.  The flag will be raised along with the Bicentennial Flag.  Mike Hammer will lead the singing of “America the Beautiful”.

Throughout the day on Saturday until the evening program at 8:00 p.m., the County Bicentennial quilt will be on display in the High School gym.   Oregon’s square on the quilt is the monument.  The Evergreen-Donnahugh quilt will also be on display and will be given as a door prize to someone who passes through the exhibit and registers.

At 12:30 on Saturday afternoon Disney movies will be shown in the High School cafetorium.  All three movies have heritage of America themes.  The movies will run continuously until 5:00 p.m.    At 8:00 p.m. a free short program will be held in the High School cafetorium.  There will be some readings, some audience participation singing, some beautiful slides will be shown, and Gordon Sinclair’s commentary “The Americans” will be played.  Fireworks will follow the program beginning at 9:00 pm or at darkness from the High School football field, where bleachers will be available for seating.

From 2 pm to 5 pm, the ice cream social event will take place in the High School cafetorium.  The cost is 10 cents.  

The official committee members responsible for the weekend are Charles Curran, W.A. Hagstrom, Chris Weigt, Mary Duerk, Luella Ames, Rich Rygh, Howard Hippman, Dennis Breyer, Florice Paulson, Jay Bossingham, Robert Berman, Ina Stoehr, Kay Domini, Clare Zach, and Gehard Lundey.  Gloria Weeden and Gary Waterworth were active earlier in the year. Unofficial members were Bill, Monica and Charles Plummer.  Committee chairperson gives her thanks to all who helped with the celebration.  

Ringing Bells to Commemorate Bicentennial

At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, Oregon will take part in a national 2-minute bellringing ceremony.  At that time, from coast to coast, Hawaii, and Alaska, all church bells will be rung to commemorate the nation’s birthday.  Any individual is welcome to join the ceremony and ring a bell of their own.  The simultaneous nationwide ringing of bells on July 4th will herald the country’s entrance into its third century.  Communities, churches, schools, fire departments, universities and individuals will toll bells and carillons in conjunction with the ringing of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia at 2:00 p.m. EDST.  The time selected is exactly 200 years from the precise moment that the Liberty Bell proclaimed the independence of the new nation.

There is great interest across the land in a symbolic national effort to commemorate our 200th anniversary. Now we are asking all Americans to join together on this historic occasion and let the sound of every bell in the country ring out to declare our freedoms and signify our unity. Corresponding times for the different time zones will be 2:00 p.m. EDST; 1:00 p.m. CDST; noon MDST; and 11:00 a.m. PDST.

Town of Oregon Bicentennial Park Dedication

About 125 people gathered on Sunday, July 18th to celebrate the dedication of the Town of Oregon Bicentennial Park.  Speakers included Lyman Anderson, representative to the State Assembly; Richard Wagner, executive director of the W.A.R.B.C.; Carol Kramer, coordinator of the Dane County Bicentennial Commission; Rita Plummer, chairman of the Village Bicentennial Committee; Phil Peterson, chairman of the Town of Oregon; and Todd Anderson, chairman of the Town of Oregon Bicentennial Committee.  Fr. Schumacher gave the invocation and benediction, and Bob Searl entertained those present with a song.

Featured at the ceremony were Dallas and Polly Lamont from Washington, D.C., whose generous contribution ensured the success of the project.  A part of the park, the prairie on the top of the hill, will be named in their honor—Lamont Prairie.

The highlight of the program was the transition of the deed from Dr. S.L. Chase, former part-owner of the property, to the Bicentennial Committee and then to the Town of Oregon.

The park was dedicated to the past and the way of life that was; to the present to provide a natural area to enjoy; and to the future so that residents of the area in the centuries to come will have a chance to observe a small piece of land which will have remained relatively undisturbed for many years.  The purpose of the park is to provide a place where flora and fauna indigenous to the area can exist in an undisturbed yet observed state.

A great many peoples generously supported the project from beginning to end, but the success of the project was due, in large part, to the efforts of the entire Bicentennial Committee. Members of the Committee are Todd Anderson, chairman; Harriet Sackett, Mary Anderson, Shirley and Duane Miller, Richard Lindberg, Richard Schmale, Sandra Champagne, Joan Wethal, Alta Jensen, Howard Severson, Blanche Stratman, and George Gay.

St. John’s Lutheran Church Break Ground

In a special ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday June 27, St. John’s Lutheran Church broke ground for a new education unit.  The building was designed by Sovik, Mathre, Sathrum, Quanbeck Architects of Northfield, MN and is being constructed by Vogel Brothers Construction Company, Madison, WI.  The total cost of the project is to be $331,830.

The five-acre site of the new building located on East Netherwood Street was purchased ten years ago from John Eugster.  After years of study and debate, the congregation, at a special meeting on May 23rd, approved the funding of the project.  The congregation looks forward to late November completion.

St. John’s Lutheran Church Cookbook

The Women of St. John’s Lutheran Church are in the process of printing another two thousand copies of their latest cookbook. Seven young people from St. John’s are earning money to attend an All-Lutheran Youth and Adult Gathering in New Orleans, August 11-15.  The youth will help assemble the cookbook and will solicit pledges for the time they work assembling the books.  

The Youth Organization of the American Lutheran Church in partnership with the Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is calling youth and adults to gather in New Orleans, under the theme “FOR ALL THE SAINTS”.  The dream of the “Gathering” is to help bring fresh insight into ministry within the parishes of the church, call forth an awareness of Christ’s cosmic lordship and renew the commitment of our youth and adults to bless the world through a gospel mission.

The Women of St. John’s printed five thousand cookbooks last summer and sold the last copies less than a year later.

Those young people who will be going on the tour are: Kay Ferguson, Craig Lehnherr, Brian and Robin Larson, Linda Johnson, Shelly McFarland, and Ed Swanson.

Community Bank Sets First Meeting

Andrew J. Anderson, president of the new Community National Bank to be built on Oregon’s north side, announced this week that authorization has been received from the U.S. Comptroller of Currency to call for their first meeting of shareholders.  As a result of this authorization, the first annual meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, July 29, at 1:30 p.m. at the Stable restaurant in Oregon.

A tentative date for the opening of the bank in a temporary banking facility has been scheduled for September 15.  The facility will be located on the building site for the new bank at 733 North Main Street.  Plans for the bank building are being finalized, and it is hoped that construction can begin by September 1 this year.

Doug’s I.G.A. Weekly Specials

Ground chuck – 89 cents/lb.

16-oz pkg Oscar Mayer wieners – /$1.05

Quart size Miracle Whip salad dressing– 87 cents

Family size bar Zest soap – 37 cents

Gardner’s Bread – 1 lb. loaf – 49 cents

40 oz. Skippy Peanut Butter – $1.89

Kleenex Jumbo Boutique Towel, 1 roll pkg – 2 for 99 cents

Assorted Flavors 46-oz cans Hi-C – 2 for 89 cents

Dr. David Hall Joins Oregon Vet Clinic

Dr. and Mrs. David Hall and son Jason have recently moved to Oregon from St. Paul, Minnesota.  Both David and Sandy were raised in small towns in Minnesota and decided to return to a small community to live.  Dr. Hall is practicing veterinary medicine at the Oregon Veterinary Clinic with Drs. Mahr and Orvick.

In 1967, Dr. Hall graduated from the University of Minnesota where he received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.  He worked for Rosemont, Inc in Minneapolis for five years and then went back to the University of Minnesota to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine.  In his spare time, Dr. Hall enjoys skiing, hunting and fishing.  His wife, Sandy, was employed by Reliance Insurance Company in Minneapolis four years before their son Jason’s birth.  She is presently a homemaker who enjoys skiing, tennis and cooking.  Jason is four years old and will attend Oregon Preschool in the fall.

Atty. Jonathan Hajny Partners with Atty. Howard Hippman

Announcement was made this week that Atty. Jonathan Hajny has entered into partnership with Atty. Howard Hippman as of July 1, 1976.  Atty. Hajny is a native of Stoughton, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School on May 29, 1976, and was admitted to the State Bar and Western District of Wisconsin (Federal Court) on June 28 of this year.  Atty. Hajny is also a 1969 graduate of Colgate University, Hamilton, N.Y.  He served in the United States Air Force from 1970 to 1974 and was stationed in Alaska for three years.  He and his wife, Myra, live at Route 2, Stoughton, WI.

The two attorneys are associated with Mr. Wendell Woods of Sharon, WI, in the practice of law under the firm name of Woods, Hippman and Hajny.  Attorneys Hippman and Hajny will be moving into their new offices at 123 South Main Street, Oregon, in the near future. 

Mrs. Madsen Landscapes ‘Mini-Park’

The small area of village-owned land on the corner just south of the Home Café was landscaped and sodded through the generosity of Mrs. F. E. Madsen.  She gave this donation to the village in memory of her husband, long-time mayor “Steve” Madsen.    A plaque with an appropriate inscription will be placed on the stone marker in the center of the park.

Oregon Observer’s “Observations”: New Mini-Park

A sudden transformation in downtown Oregon has taken place this past week.  In the corner area adjacent to the Home Café, where the Corner Store stood for years, a new “mini-park” has suddenly appeared.

This is the result of the generosity of Mrs. F.E. Madsen, who donated the funds for the sodding and landscaping to this piece of the village-owned property in the name of her late husband, F.E. “Steve” Madsen.  This is indeed a fine gesture by Mrs. Madsen and one which will leave a beauty spot in the center of town for years to come.

A short ceremony is to take place at the mini-park.  Mrs. Madsen will officially present the landscaping to village officials.  

Fire Destroys Barn on Handel Farm

Fire destroyed the barn on the Wilfred Handel farm on Rutland-Dunn Townline Road, on Wednesday June 30th.  Oregon firemen responded to the alarm at about 1:10 in the afternoon, and found the barn completely engulfed in flames.

The Oregon firemen soon requested aid from Fitchburg and Brooklyn Fire Departments because of the severity of the fire and because a strong wind was blowing embers over other farm buildings.  The roofs of two sheds were set aflame but were soon extinguished and the blaze was confined to the barn. About 3,000 bales of hay and 1,000 bales of straw were destroyed in the fire. 

Oregon Observer “Observations”:  No Penny Days This Year

The popular “Penny Days” in Oregon that attracted thousands of fun-lovers and bargain hunters for several years is apparently a thing of the past.

The first few years it went over with a bang, starting on Friday evening with the Rotary Club fish fry. Free coupons were given out by merchants which enabled kids to ride the carnival attractions for about half the price of usual admissions. These rides go full blast throughout Friday night and all day Saturday.  

Cotton candy, root beer and watermelon were sold for a ridiculous low price.  Cotton candy machines were rented by the Chamber.  Thanks to Chamber members, Girls Scouts and other citizens, the root beer and cotton candy kept rolling along steadily.  Members of the Optimist Club volunteered its services in tending the watermelon stand, carving and selling slices of juicy melon.  Meanwhile, Mom and Pop took advantage of the bargains at the local merchants’ stores.

The overall event was indeed a success in all ways, and so different that it attracted publicity from throughout the area.  However, times change…the popular kiddie rides were first to feel the impact of ever-increasing prices charged by the vendor which reached a point at which the rides could no longer be offered at a bargain price.  The Chamber’s retail committee reached the unavoidable conclusion that the rides had to be dropped.

Last year the “Penny Days” were held again, without the rides. The bargain-priced cotton candy, root beer and watermelon were again offered at ridiculously low prices.  However, with a smaller number of downtown merchants participating and the kiddie rides no longer available, the event lacked the interest it previously commanded. The decision was reluctantly made to discontinue the Penny Day annual event and try something else.  “Penny Days” became a victim of inflation.

So while it brings about a bit of nostalgia to see “Penny Days” abandoned, there’s always hope for something new to take its place, and I’m sure it will …this is a challenge to the retail committee of the Oregon Chamber, and I’m sure they’re equal to the task.  

Bernice Mitchell to Retire

Bernice Mitchell completed over 13 years of service at Oregon High School this week.  After July 1, Bernice plans to lead a more leisurely life at home.  Mrs. Mitchell was the first full-time Oregon High School secretary, and as such, has seen many changes take place.  When Bernice started in 1962, the high school enrollment was 450, and the office was on the top floor of what is now known as the Red Brick building.  Since that time there have been two moves into new high school buildings. The first move was in 1963 into the present junior high building; and the second in 1966 into the present building.

One of the big tasks which Mrs. Mitchell had in the high school office was keeping the activity accounts.  This has grown and changed over the years too.  In 1962 the activity accounts were kept on simple ledger sheets.  Today modern bookkeeping machines are used.  The size of the accounts was also much smaller in 1962 with total receipts being little more than $1,000.  Today the high school account receipts total nearly $150,000 for the year.

The students, staff and administration of Oregon High School will miss Bernice and the orderly, businesslike way she kept the books in these changing times.  Named to replace Mrs. Mitchell is Mrs. Sandra Schoonover.

Pauline Champion in Nebraska Last Week for Supreme Session

Mrs. Norman Champion, Hayler Court, was in Omaha, Nebraska from June 19 to the 25th.  There she attended the Supreme Session of Daughters of the Nile last week.   Mrs. Champion, who is the junior past queen of the Madison Daughters of the Nile, was the Supreme Escort to the American flag at the ceremonies.

July 2001

Oregonians Ride for Aids

Five hundred miles is a very long way to ride a bike, especially with temperatures reaching the 90s and the humidity high, yet that is exactly what Oregon residents Jan Thiel, Joe Mischka and over 1,500 other people did two weeks ago for the Tanqueray Heartland AIDSRide.

The ride, one of the four held in the U.S. this summer, began in the Twin Cities and followed Wisconsin’s less-traveled roads enroute to Chicago for the benefit of HIV positive individuals who lack the insurance to cover the high cost of their care. 

The AIDSRides originated in 1994 when a group of 478 cyclists rode the 525 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles, raising $1.6 million for AIDS services at a specialty clinic in the process.  From the beginning the rides have been produced by Pallotta Team Works and sponsored by Tanqueray. 

This year’s Heartland ride began in St. Paul and ended on Chicago’s lakefront six long days later.  Along the way riders had to battle the heat, fatigue and personal limitations that kept some from finishing but their constant support, with frequent pitstops and a crew that moved all the tents, food and other supplies from point to point, made it possible. 

Semi-trailers converted into showers and kitchens, like those used in disaster relief, moved from one day’s end point to the next. Bikes mechanics, cooks and medical personnel followed, making sure everything and everyone was taken care of. “A lot of recognition has to be given to the crew for all they do, because it’s a mobile city,” Thiel said.

District Ends DARE

After much research and study, the Oregon School District has decided to discontinue the DARE program and replace it with Here’s Looking at You, (HLAY), a resistance education program with more proven effectiveness than DARE.

“The DARE program was not as effective as we would have liked to have seen it,” Oregon Police Chief Doug Pettit said, adding that it did help the department with its community policing philosophy.

The school district, with the help of Gerard Pehler of the Oregon Police department, has been teaching the DARE program for ten years and the new direction is far from a snap decision. 

“This is 18 months of research and study,” said Candace Peterson, AODA program coordinator for the Oregon School District. “I think the district has the responsibility to go with the program that’s been able to show it effectiveness.”

For students, the change won’t be dramatic, though district officials hope the results are measurable.  Many of the same principles taught in DARE will carry over to the new program, and there will be no gap in resistance education for students, with HLAY beginning this fall. 

Paulson Named Oregon’s Good Neighbor 2001

The Oregon Parade Committee has selected long-time resident Florice Paulson as Oregon’s Good Neighbor 2001.

Paulson, 83, was chosen “because of her contribution to the Oregon community by way of the dedication she has shown in recording Oregon’s colorful history and documenting Oregon’s past so that it is available for generations to come”, according to the Parade Committee’s press statement.

Paulson is the author of two books on village history; A Walk Back in Time: Did You Know?  The History of Oregon, Wi and The Oregon school District Rural and Village Schools 1846-1998.

Paulson, who was born here in 1917 and has resided in the village for most of her life, is an active member of the Oregon Historic Preservation Commission.  She’s also a member of the villages Historical Society and served as the Society’s second president.

In fact, Paulson purchased the building that houses the Oregon Historic Museum.  “I bought it for the organization and dedicated it to my family,” Paulson said.

As Oregon’s Good Neighbor 2001, Paulson will be featured in the Summer Fest parade on Sunday, June 24.  The parade begins at 12:30 p.m.

Paulson said she was honored to be selected as this year’s Good Neighbor and responded characteristically with her dry sense of humor: “Evidently they couldn’t find anyone else.”

“I appreciate the recognition,” Paulson said.  “I have wanted to give back to the community as much as I can.  Much of the work I’ve done is in memory of my family.  Seeing as how I’m the last of four generation in the village, I thought I’d leave something to be remembered by.”

Paulson’s grandfather, C.A. Hanan, had been the Oregon Village President in the 1920’s and the chairman of the Dane County Board of Supervisors before that.  Her father was a rural mail carrier and her mother, Mon Pauson, was Madison newspaper correspondent for many years. 

Florice graduated from Oregon High School in 1935, in what’s known as the Red Brick building, and she taught there for 14 years before retiring from teaching in 1970.  She worked as a substitute teacher for another six years. 

After her teaching career, Paulson worked as a newspaper correspondent and wrote a series of articles for the Observer in the 1980’s chronicling local history.  She later compiled the stories she had written in her first book.