Oregon History Timeline, January 2019
100 years ago (1919)
Guy Smith arrived from an aviation camp in Florida to spend a few days at his home.
Herbert Golden, who had been an employee of Prichard & Cusick this past summer, is moving to Randolph, where he will be employed on a farm.
The Oregon Equity Warehouse received a shipment of New York apples. They will be sold by the barrel at Sweeney’s Grocery.
During a Sunday morning Worship at the Oregon Methodist Church, Arthur Sholts gave an address on the occasion of the first gold star for their service flag. It was in commemoration of the death of Matthew James who had died en route to a cantonment (i.e. military garrison or camp).
The installation charge for telephones has been lowered by the Postmaster General to $3.50 for all installations. The new ruling went into effect December 1st.
Fincher Bros. listed the following prices for their new Ford vehicles: Runabout $500; Touring
Car $525; Coupe $650; Sedan $775; and a truck chassis for $550. They also sold the Universal Fordson Tractor for $885.
T. M. Cusick sold his farm in the Town of Dunn to Harry Merrick who had been on the Jay
Bossingham farm this past year. The farm consisted of 104 acres. The price paid was $150 per acre.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Christenson, former residents of Oregon and now residing in Evansville, mourned the death of two sons who died one day a part from the influenza epidemic.
Dr. W. E. Ogilvie, a graduate of the Marquette Dental College in Milwaukee, has rented rooms on the second floor of the Connor building where he plans to open a dental office about February 1st.
J.S. Cusick purchased the stock business from Owen Roberts as well as buying 15 1/2 acres of land west of the stockyards. He will continue in business from that location. Mr. Roberts has also disposed of his Brooklyn interests to the Frye Bros. and retired from active business. He had been connected with the area stock and warehouse business for the past 30 years.
The business and professional men of the Village entertained the returning soldiers and sailors
with a reception and dinner at the Portland Hotel.
Fourteen soldiers and sailors attended along with about 60 local area business men.
A. E. Hanson, the junior member of the firm of Custer & Hanson, has purchased his partner’s interest in the firm and in the future will carry on the garage business alone. He will continue to handle Oldsmobile cars as in the past. Mr. Custer, who retires from the firm, will return to his farm.
50 years ago (1969)
The Oregon Rotary Club announced the Holiday decoration prize winners: 1st Prize in the religious category went to the home of William Berger and in the decorative category, the Norman Champion home. Other winners in the religious category were the homes of Gerald Knobeck, M. J. Wischhoff Sr., and Jim Wenz. Other winners in the decorative category were the homes of Roland Rygh, Gerald Wickus, and Earl Wheeler. The neighborhood that was given special recognition for the best decorative area was Hayler Court.
Lawson Drug Store announced the winners of their recent Christmas drawings: Ruth Mauer, electric casserole; Edna Erfurth, electric bun warmer; and Gloria Cleary, electric warming tray.
It was announced that Orrill Ferguson will join the Hagstrom Insurance firm.
He will be specializing in sales work for all types of insurance.
A new OHS group called the Pom Pom Girls was organized to entertain during the half time at basketball games. Members of the group were Ann Bryne, Patty Dukerschein, Lois Maier, Karen Doerfer, Barb Enders, Judy Stricklestad, Luann Erfurth, Helen Xander, Rosemary Smith, Ginger Lemke, Diane Nyhus, Terri Packard, and Cheryl Smith. Their advisor was Sally Grover.
They plan to develop a series of precision drill steps and arrangements to accompany the Pep Band.
The Oregon Bowl hosted the MBA (Madison Bowling Association) team events. This was the first time the event was held at the Oregon alleys.
It was announced that a new clothing store, The Squire, will open soon in Oregon where Schroeder Pharmacy was formerly located. Randy Morrison, formerly with Spaeth’s Clothes Post in Madison, will be the general manager.
Former Oregon businessman, Frank Fincher, was awarded a 50 year membership certificate by the local Masonic Lodge. In addition to the certificate, fifty-nine year member, Owen Richards, presented Frank with a 50-year pin.
Earl Wheeler and his wife, Irene attended the Richard Nixon inaugural.
The Double-R Dairy announced the opening of their meat department managed by Chuck
Rowley. The business was located on present day MM, two miles north of Oregon, the present day site of a Sunoco gas station and convenience store.
OHS 1968 alumni gave books to the school’s library in honor long time teacher, Mary Anderson, who had retired at the end of the last school year. The books related to one of her favorite subjects, ancient mythology. At the presentation were high school librarian, Arlene Bickley and 1968 alumni Douglas Johnson, Mitch Spilde, and Greg Trosper.
25 years ago (1994)
OHS hosted the 7th Annual Midwest Choral Festival. Participating were vocal students from Oregon and the surrounding area schools. The event was sponsored by Ward Brodt Music Store, Oregon Choral Boosters, and the Oregon High School along with Oregon choral director, Tom Mielke. The proceeds from the student meals went to the Ronald McDonald House in Madison. Featured was the 73 voice Gustavus Choir of Gustavus Adolphus College of St. Petersburg, Minnesota, under the direction of Dr. Karle Erickson. Dr. Erickson conducted a mass choir of 250 voices in a performance of Haydn’s “Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo”.
The Village increased the cost of grave spaces and internments. Gravesites are now $450.00 for everyone, increased from $300.00 for residents and $450.00 for nonresidents. Interments held Monday thru Friday increased from $350.00 to $450.00 and adult interments on weekends were from $450.00 to $500.00.
DJ’s Steakhouse & Sports Bar (744 North Main St.) now features live music on Friday nights. The band featured on January 7th was “Under the Gun”.
The OHS boys basketball team, winning over Verona (80-72) and Evansville (74-70), became champs of their own Holiday Tournament.
Tim Olson leaves his post as local EMS director and will continue a career with the City of Madison Fire Department. He had been a member of the Oregon Area EMS since August of 1982.
Friends of the Oregon Library held a reorganizational meeting to determine fund raising projects for the coming year. An ad hoc committee, formed by Rita Plummer, reported on needs in the Oregon area for expanded library services and the feasibility of constructing a new facility in the near future.
Oregon students score better than state average. Oregon’s graduation levels are 98.8% compared with 88.5 statewide. Fifty-nine percent say they will be seeking a 4-year college education compared with 48.4% statewide. Another 37.8% say they are headed for a 2-year technical or vocational college while the state average is 22.6%.
10 years ago (2009)
Netherwood Knoll Elementary School lost 113 years of combined experience at the end of the 2007-08 school year due to retirements. The departing educators were first grade teacher, Sandy O’Malley (18 years in OSD); principal, Marilyn Murphy (33 years); first grade teacher, Kathryn “Kitty” Haas (30 years); and first grade teacher Pat Wilkening (32 years).
Doris Deits, owner of Peaceful Hearts Gifts & Books, received the Chamber of Commerce award for having the most festive window display of the holiday season.
Members of the Straw Hat Players went Christmas caroling in downtown Oregon over the holiday season.
The Oregon wrestling team traveled to the Mid-States Classic Tournament held in Whitewater. Ryan Haas-Denton made it through the first day with three pins, moving him to the champion semi-finals. Haas-Denton’s last quarterfinal match went into double overtime before he picked up a 2-1 victory. Oregon wrestlers making it to their quarterfinal matches were David Beers, Luke Ballentline, Dustin Lee, and Kevin Sommers
Vicki Cothroll who had served as director of the Oregon Public Library for the past 13 years, retired. Susan Santner will be taking the director’s position.
A bomb scare at the high school was cleared up by the police department, nothing of danger was found. The cause for concern was a threatening note written in pencil on a boys’ bathroom stall.
The Oregon Skating School makes its home at the new sports arena. The school director is Jean Calzavara-Uhlmann.
Karen Baker, music director at the First Presbyterian Church, retires after 27 years of service.
Jeff Skiles, one of the pilots of the US Airways Flight 1549 forced land on the Hudson River after taking off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, returned to Oregon to be reunited with his family. From there he will be attending the presidential inauguration.
Amy Shulz announced that she is opening the Oregon Pet Spa and Salon at 220 Janesville St.
Oregon’s 7th grade girls Tri-County Basketball Team won the American white division in the year-end tournament held in December. Members of the team were Kayla Catlin, Danielle Ironmonger, Rachel Guenther, Madison Klonsinski, Kyra Woodridge, Allson Christensen, Maddlson Gita, Sierra Herale and Courtney Lewis.