Two hundred and thirty-three residents—of which eighteen were women—cast their ballots at the annual village election. C. W. Netherwood defeated F. B. Cowdry for village president (116-96). The Observer reported that the long-delayed 1910 census report of smaller communities had been released. The Village of Oregon’s population was 712. However, it was noted that if the section west of the railroad tracks known as Copenhagen Street (now Jefferson St.) had been included, as it should have been, that it would have added another 100 to the village’s population. In 1900 the village had had a population of 697.The Oregon Telephone Company issued a new telephone directory containing about 330 names, an increase of about 40 subscribers since last year’s directory. An improvement in service was being made; providing all-day service on Sundays, the same as the week-day service. Their 325 miles of lines provided service not only to the Village but to the outlying Towns of Oregon, Fitchburg, Dunn, Rutland, and Pleasant Springs.
50 years ago (1960)
The Village had a record turnout of 673 voters for the spring election. The incumbent, Village President Forest E. (“Steve”) Madsen, who had been serving the village for the past 24 years in that capacity as well as that of county board supervisor, won in both races over local druggist, Earl Lawson. The results were 381-285 for village president and 388-266 for county board supervisor. The three elected to the village board were Jay Bossingham (an incumbent), Arthur Ames, and Erwin Olson.
Glen Campbell resigned as Superintendent of Public Works to take a similar position at Brillion, Wis. Glen had worked for the village for the past 24 years, holding many positions. Starting in 1937 he oversaw the operations of the disposal plant and as the village grew, took on the responsibilities of the water dept., street commissioner, building inspector, and more recently the planning and organizing of work for a new swimming pool. He also filled in as village clerk following the illness and resignation of Donald McGill.
The OHS Junior Prom was held on April 28th. The theme was “Shangri-La”. The Dan Garson Orchestra provided the music. The King and Queen were Dale Manion and Caryl
Anglemyer. Anna Doyle, Oregon’s oldest resident died. She had celebrated her 100th. birthday on January 6th. Born in a log cabin near Brooklyn a century ago; she recalled Indians traveling through the area and could remember relatives returning from the Civil War.
The Grand Lodge Officers of the State of Wisconsin lay the cornerstone for the new Masonic Lodge building on Spring Street. Among the things included in the cornerstone was a history of the Lodge since it was chartered in 1865. The Order of Eastern Star also added items of their history dating from 1893.
OHS students Sue Jallings, Neal Jones, Phyllis Caruso, and Nancy Jallings all placed “A” at the Forensic District Contest held at Whitewater. This entitled them to participate in the state competition.
The OHS Annual FFA Banquet was held. Recognition was given to the following award winners in their respective categories: Bernard Lobeck (sheep), Doug Crotty (beef), Neal Christensen (poultry), Dan Brown (dairying), and Carl Larson (swine). Carl was also the recipient of the Senior Agricultural Achievement Award for 1960.
Gordon Hansen and Gordon Beason placed first in the doubles at the Rotary Club Bowling tournament with a score of 1221.
25 years ago (1985)
The two newly elected Village Board trustees were Steven Ansay and Kevin Durkin. Bob Gorel was elected for a second term. Lena Rowe and Bill Kortte retired from the board, having decided not to run for another term.
The OHS Players presented Brian Clark’s play, “Whose Life Is It Anyway?” The play dealt with the very challenging issue concerning a person’s right to die. Is there such a right and who decides? The cast members included Lisa Tyler, Erik Kay, Julie Binger, Nicki Gilbert, David Welch, Fred Natkins, Michelle Thompson, Jenny Uphoff, Dan Berg, Ken McGlauchlen, Russ Phillips, Bob Ebbe, Kris Arnett, and Katy O”Brien.
Four OHS girls received the Girl Scout’s Silver Award; the highest achievement award girl scouts can earn. The recipients, Wendy Dyke, Stacie Spencer, Karen Wood, and Dawna Wright, were members of the local Girl Scout Troop #343.
Jackie Garvoille, daughter of Gerald and Donna Garvoille of Brooklyn, was crowned the 1986 Miss Oregon. Jackie was a sophomore at OHS. Others participating in the event were, first runner-up, Dea Marie Mortensen; second runner-up, Kelly Hedge, and third runner-up, Kelly McGlauchlen, Tracy Popp, Brenda Roberts, Kristi Gorsuch, DeAnne Anderson, and Jenny Smith.
The former Cedarberry Inn Supper Club (located where the State Bank of Cross Plains is today) opens as Tucker’s Inn under the management of David and Katy Erfurth Dill and Tom Haegele. The name “Tucker’s” came from Tom Haegele’s nickname.
The OHS track team placed second at the Oshkosh Invitational in a field of 55 competing schools. Dan Kissling’s performance in the 60-yard dash of 6/6 gave him a first-place finish for the event. He also placed second in the long jump with a leap of 21’1 ¼”. Chris Packard came in third in the long jump. Other outstanding competitors at the event included Larry Gnewuch, Derek Schaefer, and Dan Rolfe.
10 years ago (2000)
Gerald Luebke defeated the incumbent, Michael Krembs, for Village of Oregon president (1057-367). This was the first contested race for the office in 12 years. In Brooklyn Susan McCallum won the election for village president by twelve votes (150-138), defeating Helen McCord.
The OHS girl’s softball team had a strong start in a couple of non-conference games. Senior pitcher, Erin Johnson, pitched 14 shutout innings to help the team win a pair of shutouts over Clinton (7-0) and (5-0). Erin struck out 16 batters in the first game and 13 more in the second while only walking two.
In league bowling, Jeff Perkins of the Thursday Three Man Team rolled a 300. This was his second perfect score game; the first coming in l993.
Greg Nimmeman’s OHS girl’s soccer team opened their Badger Conference season winning shutouts over Waunakee (1-0), Fort Atkinson (9-0), and Steven’s Point (1-0). Later in the month, they came in second at the Janesville Invitational; winning over Oshkosh West and Janesville Craig, but losing in the championship game to Verona (1-0).
OHS received recognition for its Excellence in Education Program. The program was developed by OHS marketing teacher, Tom Scharine, as a unit of study in advertising and the principles of marketing. Student teams were to develop a marketing strategy for increasing awareness of career opportunities in the U. S. Air Force. This included developing budgets, applications, and other materials needed to implement the program. Attending the recognition was Air Force Brigadier General Duane Deal who congratulated the winning student team of Kristi Zuhlke and Cassy Christenson as well as congratulating Tom Scharine for developing the program. Also recognized were OHS faculty members Rick Conroy, Al Kuehl, and Robert Prahl who had assisted with the program.
Dane Co. Executive, Kathleen Falk announces that the Oregon Youth Center was one of three Dane County centers receiving a $7,000 grant. Oregon Youth Center Board President, Maggie Schmelzer, welcomed the grant as an opportunity to expand programming and help with the volunteer staffing.
The Oregon Village Board voted to move ahead with the Fire Station project by approving the design and having it put out for bids, in spite of a bit of controversy about the architectural design which some described “being as boring as a box” and looking like a prison.
A Curves exercise facility was opened on Janesville Street by Brenda and Daryl Swanson.
The Depot Days in Brooklyn featured a “Walk in the Past” through the Mount Hope Cemetery. Al Hipke, Pastor Fred Surrett, and Jim Bossingham portrayed three well known Brooklyn citizens of the past, Dr. Rodney Gray, Rev. Edmund Upson, and John Porter.
Katie Totel’s Netherwood Knoll kindergarten class, with the help of fifth-grade students, decorated grocery bags from Bill’s Food Center with Earth Day themes and messages. The bags were returned to Bill’s to be used on Earth Day.
The Oregon Band Boosters held their annual spaghetti dinner and announced the winners of their raffle. The Dan Rossiter family won the first prize of a $5,000 American TV shopping spree; Shirley Schiffner, $2,500 grocery shopping spree; Ann Benedict, $1,000 Kohl’s shopping spree; Mary Packard $1,000 of Kwik Trip coupons; and Ron Erfurth, a two-night stay at the Kalahari Resort.