April 2023 Timeline

100 Years Ago: April 1923

• Mr. and Mrs. Jens Peter Jensen were given a reception at the Lutheran church Sunday evening in honor of their 25th wedding anniversary.  It was given by he members of the Danish Lutheran Church.
• Mr. and Mrs. William Ace Sr. celebrated their golden wedding last Thursday.  Following members of the family attending the reunion:  William Jr.  Frank, Samuel and Arthur and their families, one daughter, Mrs. Anton Farrell and family of Belleville.
• Excerpts from the winning essay by Catherine Naismith “What Constitutes a Real American” (Essay contest by American Legion):
  A real American wants:
  To guard his health; tries to secure a good education; must be a sincere Christian;  to be law abiding; should have a keen sense of responsibility.
• Oakhill School:  A spelling test of 150 words was given to the fourth grade.  Alice Noyce had four of the words wrong, The best of anyone in the class and was awarded a little prize.
• Kenneth Peterson, little son of Victor Peterson, fell 12 feet onto the cement floor of the barn.  The physician was called immediately but no serious injury was found.
• Marvel Morrison and Cletus Brown have been very sick with measles the past week.  Both are on the gain.
• Swan Creek Mothers’ Club will hold a bakery sale and bazaar in the Woodman Hall on Saturday.
• (April 26th) Farmers feel rather discouraged by the backward spring.  Few have even plowed for oats.
  
  

50 Years Ago: April 1973

• This is National Library Week.  During 1972 the Oregon Public Library acquired 1000 new volumes, bringing the total to 9200.  The 1972 budget was $15,870 of which the village was returned $12,220 by the county.  Mrs. Wesley Wethal, the librarian is state certified, and so is Mrs. LuJean Smith, an assistant librarian.
• Oregon school authorities have announced the appointment of Roger Pribbenow as Varsity Basketball coach.  Mr. Pribbenow replaces Mr. Tom Mueller who has resigned his duties as basketball coach.  Mr. Mueller will continue to head up the high school track program.
• Showing congratulating their son, Jan, on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout are Mr. and Mrs. Harold Zuercher.  Jan was honored at the April 10th Court of Honor for Oregon Troop 50.

• The Oregon Fire Dept was called to the Mareno Larsen farm last Friday to check on a yar old fire.  A fire in the barn on the farm last Spring evidently ignited material in the adjoining silo.  The contents have been smoldering for the past year and last Friday occasioned a call to the department.  Since there is no danger and the silo is not needed, the department check the contents, secured the silo and returned to Oregon.

25 Years Ago: April 1998

• Parents and caregivers were invited to talk with area child care providers and learn more about choosing child care, building a positive relationship with their child’s care provider and knowing what to expect. A preschool director and a licensed home care provider were on-hand to lead the discussion and offer insights learned from their years of experience.
• Quilt Donations: Representatives Eleanor Franke, Lillian Yaun and Dorothy Tauchen from the Oregon Area Senior Center’s Craft Afternoon are shown giving quilts to Susan Jenette from the Salvation Army. Susan spoke to the seniors about the Salvation Army and its many programs. Members of the Afternoon Craft made and donated more than 70 quilts to homeless families being helped by the Salvation Army.
• The beautiful, historic stone buildings could be seen from Highway 14. Many people, however, did not know that the scenic beauty of these old buildings nestled in the trees between Highway 14 and Highway M was the Oakhill Correctional Institution. An open house was held for the neighbors of OCI to educate them on upcoming building projects. OCI, which is a minimum-security facility housing over 500 inmates, was originally opened as the Wisconsin School for Girls in June 1941. Their mission is “…to provide a secure and safe environment for staff, visitors, and inmates, while always working closely with the members of our surrounding community.”
• Oregon’s Summer Fest to have a new look. The Chamber of Commerce Executive Director said Oregon’s Summer Fest will have a new look. Among the changes will be a Summer Fest Market with an Art Fair and Craft Show accompanied by a Farm and Flea Market. Those events were to be held in the “Market area” at the corner of Spring and Grove streets, near Netherwood Elementary School. Other changes included limiting Bingo to only one night, but with an event put on by Oregon Sports and Fitness called the “Wild and Wacky Fitness Challenge.” Also added that year was a Mini Horse Fair with a petting zoo.
• A draft study reviewed by the Village of Oregon’s Finance Committee recommended the village immediately hire an administrator to oversee the operation of the village government. The study was commissioned the prior fall. It recommended the administrator have expertise in engineering, planning and economic development. The current village’s clerk-treasurer job description included the title of Administrator. Other observations made by the study were:
  • Village budgets should be more user friendly.
  •  Hire a financial consultant to improve audit reports and assist with refinancing general obligation bonds for the Oregon Area Library at a lower rate.
  • Use a financial consultant to explore better venues for earning higher interest rates on cash reserves the village held

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10 Years Ago: April 2013

• The Oregon Area Historical Society recently fulfilled a Dane County Capital Grant to improve and update the history museum when four custom made cabinets were delivered from Madison College.  The Cabinets were made by students in an MATC class taught by Oregon’s Patrick Molzahn.   Molzahn’s son Alexander made two nearly identical cabinets as an Eagle Scout project three years ago.
• All she wants to do is dance.  To avoid the spring break blues, toddlers and youth let loose at the Oregon Public Library at an all-out dance party at the end of march.  Parents joined in during the party, where kids got to play a little of their own music too, with shakers, tambourines and more.

• The Village Board last week adopted a Code of Ethics for village officials and candidates that prohibits them from taking “any official action” that could financially benefit themselves, a family member or an organization with  which they’re associated.
• Habitat for Humanity:  When Ted Stuntebeck and his 11 year old daughter move into their new home next week, they will be the 10th area family since 2008 to have a home built by volunteers.  

• Long time president of the Oregon Park Board, Jon Blanchard, is stepping down after some 27 years on the board.  During his tenure 12 additional parks were built: Merry Hill, Rustic Vineyards, Thompson, High Meadows, Hawhtorne Estates, Bergamont, Stone Ridge, Keller Alpine Meadows, Windcrest, Meadow View, Liberty and Forest View.  Also the newly created dog park.