Oregon History Timeline for February 2019
100 years ago (1919)
Olson’s Opera House hosted a basketball game between Mt. Horeb and Oregon after which a basket social was held. The proceeds from the social were to be used to defray expenses to send the Oregon players to the Sectional Normal Basketball Tournament at Whitewater next month. So far this season Oregon had won nine games and lost only four.
The rules for the above mentioned “social” were as follows:
- Every lady (young or old) was invited to bring a box or basket of “eats” (enough for two people) to the hall for the auction.
- Your name is to be placed inside the box and it should be well wrapped.
- As many ladies may combine in arranging a box as desired and it will be sold accordingly.
- The committee in charge had set a minimum price of 50 cents and a maximum price of $2.00 on each single box or basket.
- The boxes or baskets were to given to a member of the committee who would take care of them prior to the auction.
It was reported that the influenza epidemic accounted for the loss of 2,260 Wisconsin lives in November.
Dr. W. E. Ogilve was getting things in place for the opening of his dental office on the second floor of the Connor building,
The Presbyterian Church held its annual meeting. Reports showed a flourishing organization despite ten weeks without services due to the pastor’s vacation and the influenza. This past year electric lights had been installed and floor covering of linoleum laid. Shilton and Tipple whose terms on the church board expired, were re-elected trustees for a term of three years.
Miss Cornelia DeJean left for Milwaukee and from there she will go to Chicago.
She is looking over the styles for her spring millinery trade.
A memorial service for Theodore Roosevelt (who died 6 January1919) was held at the Presbyterian Church. By act of Congress Sunday, February 9th had been declared “Roosevelt Day”. Services were conducted throughout the country.
Norton Ames (1st photo above), who recently returned from overseas, arrived home on a 30-day furlough. He was met at the [train] station by members of the Soldier’s Reception Committee and school children. From there he was escorted to the public square where he was welcomed back by Andrew Madsen (2nd photo above), president of the village. Norton had served as an airplane pilot on submarine patrols from Pont Delgado in the Azores Islands.
50 years ago (1969)
The annual PTA (Parent Teacher’s Association) Fun Nite was planned by co-chairs Emmett Barger and Noel Halverson. There was a ten-cent admission charge. The event included games, a white elephant sale, bake sale, a cake walk, various food stands, and a dance with live music.
Earl Gransee, president of the Oregon Rotary Club, presented librarian, Joan Wethal with a $25.00 check for the purchase of new books. Rotary members contribute one dollar each to the fund depending when their birthdays fall.
Tickets for the Oregon Charity Ball sponsored The Woman’s Club were on sale at the Bank of Oregon, Bon-Don Beauty Shop, or from any ‘’Club member. Mrs. Al Kapusts was the chairperson for ticket sales. The event included a New York steak dinner with salad bar. A dance l followed the dinner with music provided by the Bob Leyson Band. The Ball was held at the Four Lakes Yacht Club in Madison. One half of the proceeds were donated to CARE and other half used for local projects. About 230 people attended the event.
The Oregon Cub Scout Pack No. 350 awarded six scouts with a Webelos status.
The six scouts were Jeff Robert, John Statz, Jeff Manion, Jon Dary, Bruce Knutson, and John Hueppler.
Mary Neath was named 1969 Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow for Oregon.
Senior High School. Her paper will be forwarded to the state competition.
The Oregon Fire Department was called out for a house fire at the corner of Union and State Street Streets. Although there was considerable damage to the structure and its contents, the renters escaped without injury. The house was owned by Ken Rittenhouse.
Oregon Heating and Air Conditioning (Norman Champion and Earl Gransee) moved from their downtown location to their new location at 742 Market Street.
About 300 people attended the annual Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet held in the high school cafetorium. The program was presented by 17-year old Eagle Scout, Keith Knutson (on right), who showed slides of the World Jamboree held in Idaho this past summer.
Mrs. Earl Wheeler entertained the ladies of the Northside Luncheon and Card Club. Prizes at “500” were won by Mrs. W. B. Minch, Mrs. Frederick Kivlin, Mrs. Ralph Sholts, and Mrs. Owen Richards.
Nellie McGill was named chairperson of the local Easter Seals Campaign.
Many local businesses have “Hatchet Days” specials in celebration of George Washington’s birthday. The specials will be offered the weekend of his birthday Thursday thru Saturday.
25 years ago (1994)
The Oregon School District Food Service received a $556 grant to support an innovative nutritional program. Project director, Robyn Wood, will use the funds to build a permanent food guide pyramid for use in classroom instruction. With this instruction it is hoped that students will become more involved with foods and menu planning.
The Village Board was informed that its sewer plant was in need of upgrading and that the initial cost estimate is $5.3 million.
County Supervisor, Lyman Anderson, withdrew his proposal for a conditional use permit to extract limestone from a 49-acre portion of his farm in the Town of Oregon.
The Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 30th anniversary. Thee original members were in attendance: Marvin Jensen, Butler Delany, and Norman Champion (pictured above). Marty Verhelst and his wife, Debbi (CPA’s) received this year’s Small Business Person of the Year Award. Patty McMannes took over as president for the coming year. A resolution was approved to change the organization’s name to The Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce, to make it more inclusive to businesses in the out lying area and school district.
Heather Grove apartments located on Spring Street started to rent units, offering clients construction discounts.
A Washington Day dinner was sponsored by the Peoples United Methodist Church. The event was held at the Oregon Middle School cafeteria.
Seven OHS varsity wrestlers qualify for the WIAA Sectional. The seven were Josh Lavik, Kent Thompson, Ryan Glassmaker, Tony Melone, Cory Manix, Rick Disch, and Brad Pernot.
The Oregon School Board adopted a policy to have a student representative (non-voting) on the board. The representative and alternate would by elected by the student body. The two elected were Tony Byers and alternate, Ben Klapper.
Billl’s Food Center celebrated 15 years of service to the Oregon area. In 1978 they were the first store to occupy the shopping plaza.
10 year’s ago (2009)
Casey Garton, member of Oregon Scout Pack 350, Den 4, was the winner in the Pinewood Derby. Casey won all 12 of his races to win the Wolf (second grade) division as well as winning the pack’s overall title for a second year in a row.
OHS students present a production of the “The Ashgirl”. Jackie Kursel played the Ashgirl and Colin Lethem, Prince Amir. The play was directed by Kathleen Tissot.
Village Board made a commitment to buy the home at 340 Florida Ave.as part of the settlement relating to the flooding in August of 2007 of the Badfish Creek floodplain. Funding will be from grant money. Financing for purchasing the last of the six homes (370 Florida Ave.) will be decided later in the year.
The Chamber of Commerce award winners of 2009 included Erika and Mike Weidler of Firefly Coffeehouse for Outstanding Business Owners; Phil Harms, longtime Service Award, and Dan Bertelson, the President’s Award.
OHS junior, Greg Riss, performed in the 8th Annual Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Percussion Extravaganza held at Mills Humanities Building on the UW Campus in Madison.
Dane Co. officials made a proposal to buy land in the Town of Oregon from the Lyman family farm to create a county park.
OHS Assistant Principal, Kyle Cherry, announced that he would be leaving at the end of the school year.
The OHS Cantabile Choir, as one of a select group of choirs throughout Wisconsin, traveled last month to Eau Claire to perform at the Wisconsin Choral Director’s Association State Convention. This was the first time they had performed for any one else besides family and friends. Jennifer Yancey was their director.
The OHS automotive technology department recently became the 13th in Wisconsin to earn accreditation through the National Technicians Education Foundation.
OHS wrestlers Luke Ballentine and Ryan Haas-Denton won championship titles in their class at the WIAA Division 1 Sectional Tournament. Kevin Sommers took second place in his class. All three earned the opportunity to compete at the state tournament.