Oregon History Timeline for May 2016

 

100 yrs. ago (1916)

The Railroad Commission approved updating and expanding the Oregon depot.   The depot will be extended by 12 feet to the south to accommodate a larger waiting room and an excavation under the depot will be made for the purpose of installing a steam heating plant. Also, the interior will to be refinished; replacing the “cheap green lumber” with a more durable material. The other demand met was that “a night man” would remain at the station until after the mid-night train.

Oregon Public Library held a reception on Tuesday, May 16th. to celebrate the library’s new quarters and to honor the 300th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. A. H. Sholts gave a talk on “The Tragedy of Macbeth”. It was noted: “. . .his discourse was so interesting that he was given the closed attention throughout.” Recorded music was provided by a victrola loaned by Hughes & Wischhoff.

The Observer reported a bit of crime in the Village: “Burr McWilliams was the victim of a hold-up last Wednesday night while passing under the subway [viaduct] south of the village. He was on his way home and when passing that point a man jumped from behind the poles supporting the bridge and grabbed him.   Williams jerked away from him, but just then another man jumped out and hit him twice on the head with a sandbag, rendering him unconscious. When he recovered about an hour later he found himself lying beside the roadway and was minus his change, amounting to about $5.00.”

Seeking ways to update the lighting system of the community, a group of local businessmen consisting of W. R. Bentley, Francis Barry, C. A. Hanan, G. L. Booth, C. R. Martin, Wm. Fincher, R. D. Ozburn, W. H. Dreher, Wm. Minch, J. A. Owens, J. F. Litel, R. R. Pease, J. S. Cusick, Milton Wishhoff and E. F. Kramer, visited the communities of Waunakee, Dane. and Middleton..

The community’s annual Memorial Day observance was organized by The Woman’s Relief Corps. The activities on Sunday May 28th included an ecumenical service at the Presbyterian Church which included a sermon, special music and patriotic readings.   Prior to the Service members of the G.A.R. and W.R.C. had met at the Masonic Hall and proceeded to the church in a body. On Tuesday afternoon, May 30th at 2 o’clock a program was held at Busker’s Theater (i.e. the opera house). An array of activities included: Remarks by the President of the Day, school principal, B. L. Boss; music by the Oregon Concert Band, A flag drill by the kindergarteners and First Graders, music by the High School Male Quartet, a reading and a whistling solo by Lillian Hanan, the Gettysburg Address read by Raymond Comstock, and an address “ The Battle Ground of Freedom” by Rev. M. R. Olson, and a bass solo by Morris Jackson. It ended with the audience singing “America” and with a benediction by Rev. M.’A. Condon. After the program they all marched to the cemetery. The line of march to the cemetery was Perry Tusler, Marshall of the Day, Oregon Concert Band, GA.R. flag boys and flower girls, members of the W.R.C., and the High School Band.

 

50 years ago (1966)

The theme of the OHS Junior Prom was “Tahitian Holiday”. Bob Leysen’s Orchestra provided the music.   Members of the court were David Heller (king); Barbara Black (queen), Steve Kellogg, Laurel Black, Dennis Johnson, Rita Kopke, Dan Weltzin, Betty Hoffland, Lavern Damson, Sue Peschel, Allen Utzijg, Eileen Feller, Mike Kehl, Lois Hansen, Howard Clapp, and Kay Tauchen.

Oregon District School Superintendent, , E. A. Kozlovsky, reported that the construction of the new $1,750,00 high school is on schedule. Stenjem Building Corp. of Madison is the general contractor.

Larson’s Paint and Wallpaper store held a grand opening for their new Mautz Paint Dept. The store, owned and operated by Ross Larson ,was located at 116 Janesville St. next to the present day Dad’s Barbershop. Grand Opening winners of one gallon of Mautz paint were Mrs. Lee Pledger, Emmett Fincher, Marlene Robinson and Mrs. Jay Winter.

The Bank of Oregon continues with their remodeling project at 101 North Main Street (the building formerly located there, build in 1899). The remodeling will include a new walk-up window in the front of the building and a drive-up facility in the back. The remodeling will also include a new customer servicing area inside.

OHS student, Polly Leiber, won a typing award in Class B (Advance Electric) at a competition sponsored by Madison Business College. The speaker at the award luncheon, Edward Zappen, spoke on the subject, “What are Good Secretaries Made of”.

The fourth grade teachers in the Oregon District were Marlene Kelsey, Marian Hams, Nancy Iverson, and Michelle Babbitz.

The OHS boy’s track team were champs of the Central Section of the Madison Suburban Conference. Team members included Doug Johnson, Mark Kellogg, Bob Mitchell, Mike O’Neil, Mike Kehl, Joe Palmer, Bob Maier, Virgil Lamb, John Mihbauer, Steve Loftus, Lavern Damson, Norman Sorenson, Steve O’Brien, George Williams, Rollie Glasgow, and Dan Anderson. Later at the Conference meet, George Williams ran the fastest mile run recorded in the State for the year,qualifying him for the State meet.

Ivan Christensen was named village clerk, succeeding Winston Hughart.

Gov. Warren Knowles helped kick-off the Oregon’s 125th Anniversary. Meeting with the governor and presenting him with an anniversary booster pin were Miss Oregon, Pat Anderson, Dr. M. J. Wischhoff, chairman of the anniversary event, Jim Cannon, Chamber of Commerce secretary, and Norm Champion, Chamber president.

 

25 years ago (1991)

The theme of the Junior Prom was “Memories in the Moonlight”. Their song was “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers. Members of the court were Matt Seeliger (king), Emily Hofmeister (queen), Paul Benedict, Dennis Schaefer, Josh Rosen, Nathan Kinderman, Chris Duerk, Sean Chapman, Joel Dettwiler, Randy Conklin, Mellisa Below, Julie Garvoille, Janelle Batha, Rachel Brumeister, Tina Geise, and Regina Killian.

OHS seniors, Jessica Kruger and Mike Statz, were selected to participate in the Wisconsin Basketball Association All-Star Games; the girl’s game held in June at U. W. Oshkosh and the boy’s at the U. W. Field House in Madison.

The former Oregon Lumber Co. became the new home of new Oregon Area Historical Museum thanks to the generously of Florice Paulson, who after purchasing the building, gifted it to the Society in honor of her parents, Arthur and Mona Paulson and her grandparents the C .A Hanan’s and the Peter Paulson’s. Lyman Anderson was the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremonies held at the facility on May 18th.

Mrs. Eileen (Robert) Olson was honored for her 25 years of service as a clerk at the Oregon Post Office.

The Waterfall Restaurant and Motel was sold to Korab and Merriam Nimani by the current owner, Donna Alme. It had originally been built in 1958 by by F.E. Matsen and John Struck.

The Panther Girl’s Track Team finished the Badger Conference Dual Meet and season with eight victories and no defeats. This was the second straight season the girls had gone undefeated and now over a three year span had an impressive record of 23 wins and only one defeat.   Members of the team were Nicole Northrup, Tera Reese, Teri Clark, Kim Bland, Michelle Northrup, Elaine Sauer, Emily Barth, Ashley Diamon, Jessica Werth, Caryn Williams, Emily Hofmeister, Amy Gilbertson and Janelle Batha.

Jim Clark was honored upon his retirement as principal of the Oregon Elementary School; having served in that position for the past 22 years.

One hundred and fifty-six graduate from Oregon High School.   Bethany Cox was the valedictorian, and Chris Connery, the salutatorian.

 

10 years ago (2006)

Senior citizens faced a deadline of May 15th for enrolling in a Medicare Plan D prescription drug program.

The OHS Junior Prom theme was “Classic Hollywood” Members of the court were Jordan Tway, (King), Kelsey Zimmerman (Queen), Adam White Tamra Swinehart,, Carly Saunders,, Justin Springer, Jackie Enzenroth, Nick Rote, Kayleigh Krenz, Marty Brent, Lizzy White, Carly Solberg, Logan Matthews, Dan Prahl, Shawna Novotny, Nick Zamborini, Maggie Loram, and Jerry Schmidt.

OHS DECA winners headed to Dallas Texas to compete in the International Finals. Those making the trip were Mike Moran, Carli Doers, Annalises Eberte, Annie Oemichen, Callie Schmitz, Lydia Smith and Tyler Flanagan.

For the past five years Justin Zander has offered OHS students the opportunity to learn the building trade by constructing an entire house. This year’s project was a home at 470 Alpine Parkway. There were twelve students in the program this year.

The Oregon School District honored those retiring at the end of this academic year.

Honored were Jeanne Barger, Linda Barrows, Susan Byrns, Judy Chilson, Don Cornwell, Mary Duerk, Mary Gooze, Pat Joyce, Mark Jung, Betty Meier, Teri Mills, and Jody Spiwak.

The School District’s Board of Education approved the sale of the Red Brick School to developer Gary Gorman for $29,000.

The Village Board approved the plans for an Oregon Community Sports Arena with construction expected to start in mid June. The cost was estimated at $4 million.

The Oregon School District and Oregon Education Association reached a two year contract agreement, ending one of longest periods of negotiation. Bruce Nelson, president of the Association , expressed satisfaction with the agreement reached. Eighty-five percent of the votes were for accepting the settlement.

The Rudy Burkhalter Memorial Accordion Jamboree was held at the OHS Performing Arts Center. The various entertainers employed a variety different styles of playing and performed on various types of instruments. Of the old-time music played, Bruce Bollerud entertained everyone with “There Are No Norwegians in Dickyville”.

Dr. Robert Scott, principal of OHS for the past eight years, announced that he would be leaving at the end of this academic year to accept an administrative position in the New Berlin, WI. School District.