This Month in History
November
The following material was compiled by Gerald Neath for the Oregon Area Historical Society from material published in the Oregon Observer.

100 years ago (1915)

The minimum wage for a rural school teacher was $40 a month. If a teacher remained two years at the same school they got state aid in the amount of $2.00 a month, the third year $4.00, and after that $8.00 a month extra.

T. H. Grady’s grocery store advertised that they sold Mrs. Flaherty’s bread and rolls. The goods were described as “the real home made bakery goods.”

Paul Nelson purchased a new 8-horse wood sawing outfit and was prepared to saw your wood on short notice.

Village authorities requested that the state railroad commission take action to widen the roadway at the South Main Street viaduct. It was described as the most dangerous railroad crossing in the whole county.

Notice was given to bicycle riders that the village ordinance forbidding bicycle riding on sidewalks will be strictly enforced. The notice was issued by S. B. Therkelsen, Marshal.

The First National Bank of Oregon continued their fall harvest exhibits and awards: Those awarded prizes ($1.00 for first place and 50 cents for second place) were Wm. J. Byrne (first prize prize for best 3 ears for yellow dent corn); James Cusick, Jr., (second prize for 3 ears for yellow dent corn; Homer Stone (first prize for best 3 ears white dent corn); Wesley Custer (second prize for 3 ears of white dent corn); John Friday (first prize for best peck of oats); H. H. Reindahl (second prize for best peck of oats); F. A. Phillips (first prize for best peck of barley); Joseph Nangle (second prize for best peck of barley); Martin Nelson (first prize for best early potatoes); Miller Hanson (second prize for best early potatoes and first prize for best late potatoes); Homer Stone (second prize for late potatoes); Tom Grady, Jr.,( first on best of any other product; Pumpkin exhibit); and Maxwell Gefke, second prize on best of any other product, popcorn exhibit.

The Oregon Dancing Club issued invitations for a Thanksgiving dance to be held in the opera house on the 25th of November. Music was supplied by The Imperial Orchestra of Stoughton. Admission was 75 cents.

It was reported the road work, extending south of the Village on Main Street, was progressing and a permanent road bed was assured, however, the surface should be immediately oiled to retain a quality surface. The new roadway should reach nearly as far as A. L. Hanson’s.

Mrs. Martin Nelson reminded residents that they need not go to California to eat strawberries and cream. . .she has been picking masses of fresh berries for the past four weeks!

50 years ago (1965)

The Cub Scout Troop #350 held their annual Rocket Derby. Each scout had to build his own balsa wood rocket with the help of his father. First place winner was Phil Montford and first place runner up was David White. Carl Anderson was the second place winner and Tom Brown as the third place winner.

Ralph and William Maher purchased the Kivlin livestock hauling business. Kivlin will continue as a livestock dealer and will retain the Oregon Truck Line Freight Service.

The Oregon Bowl advertised a Sunday afternoon special for kids. Starting at 2:00 p.m. they and their parents could bowl for 35 cents a game.

The OHS boy basketball coaches prepare for the coming season. Tom Mueller was the new head basketball coach. Junior Varsity coach was Dave Dess, Freshman coach was Ron Nelson, and Junior High coach was Bill Noltemeyer. Seniors returning to the OHS varsity squad were Steve Alme, Steve Kellogg, Howard Clapp, Mike Kehl, Steve O’Brien, Rick Severson, and Don Holm.

The Annual Meeting of the Oregon Pure Milk Association was held and the following officers elected: Phil Peterson, president; Kenneth Hageman, vice-president; and Wendell Christiansen secretary-treasurer.

Arnold Chandler, Wisconsin Supervisor of Mathematics, addressed a meeting of the PTA about the “New Math” system being taught in the schools.

Steve O’Brien was named to the Madison Suburban League all-conference football team and was awarded the most valuable player award as quarterback-halfback of the Oregon Panther’s team. Mike Kehl, named 1965 captain of the Oregon squad, won the Kissing Award as a defensive player, making 73 unassisted tackles.

Building of the Methodist parsonage was nearing completion. Build by Walter Waefler; it was located on the east end of Orchard Drive. Rev. Phillip Burt and his family expect to move into it in late December or early January.

25 years ago (1990)

This past month, a team of Oregon School students, Brent Warner (6th grade), Matt Pickett (7th grade), and Sarah Halverson (8th grade) won first prize in the Encyclopedia Britannica Battle of the Brains. The prize was an heirloom set of encyclopedias valued at $1,800. They were coached by Tom LeSar, Junior High Science Teacher and Carol Wilson, Middle School Psychologist.

OHS students presented a production of the musical, “The King and I”. The cast and orchestra of over sixty included students from the Oregon and Brooklyn Elementary Schools and the Oregon Middle School. Leading the cast was Chris Brown (the King); Jennifer McBee, (Anna Leonowena); Jodi McBee (Lady Thiang; Dia Wilde (Tuptim); and Matt Briscoe (Lun Tha).

The Town and Country hold their annual style show. Models for this year’s show included Mary Shaw, Ina Stoehr, Jean Bailey, Bernice Dietz, Donna Anderson, Lola Lordly, Lucy Kneifl and Gina O’Brien.

The Oregon Heavyweight Football Team, win the championship of the Dane County Youth Football League. Members of the team were Willie Meyer, Brian Lyght, Jared Lampe, Trin Mellon, Drew Denson, Cory Kratz, Aaron Hutchins, Jim Grindle, David Berman, Cory Moore, Tom Alt. Jacob Morgan, Ben Davis, Bob Davis, Russ Tieman, Chad Clayton, Andy Lister, Bob Kolb, Brian Connery, Shawn Keyser, and Jeff Hankins.. The coaches were Jack Jensen, Dale Christiansen Tony Packard and Mark Herrmann.

Merle Richardson was honored by the Oregon Rotary Club with a “Service above Self” award in recognition for his many years of service to the Oregon community and schools as a crossing guard.

The Panther football team win the Badger Conference Title. Named to the All-Conference Badger Team were Scott Carlson (offensive tackle); Jesse Schroeder (offensive and defensive back); Mike Statz (quarterback); and Miles Weaver (defensive tackle).

Anchor Savings and Loan held a three day Grand Opening on the occasion of moving into their new facility. Attending the ribbon cutting ceremony were Bill Kortte, village president; Alice Seeliger, Chamber of Commerce president; Douglass J. Timmerman, CEO and President of Anchor Savings; Dawn Grinnell, Oregon Branch Manager; Don Lehman of Vogel Construction and Ed Hill, Jr. vice-president of Anchor Property Management.

10 years ago (2005)

Oregon resident, Trinity Mellon, and his band “Trinity James and Big Bad” opened for Bon Jovi at the Kohl Center. They earned the right to open for him by winning a battle of the bands competition held at the Club Majestic on Nov. 14.

Maggie Fenske, an orchestra teacher at Rome Corners Intermediate School, had a California company publish three songs she composed. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she is a cellist with the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

The Bank of Oregon (n/k/a United Bank & Trust, Oregon Br.) held a ground breaking ceremony for their new facility to be located on North Main Street. Those attending and participating in the event were Dave Ebert, Andy Young, Mark Bannon, Mike Parnon, Sheri Karns, Angle Streckenbach, Susie Schomann, George Scot, Dave Fahey, Jeff Bergey, Steve Eager, Chris Eager, Carol Eugster, Joe Eugster and Jeff Collins.

A memorial service was held on November 20th at the Oregon High School Performing Arts Center honoring the late Lyman Anderson for his over 40 years of public service. Over 350 attended the event. Among the speakers were former Gov. Tommy Thompson and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.

Linda Barrows, superintendent of the Oregon School District, announced her retirement, effective June 20, 2006.

Local bowlers, Dave Butts, Kerry Henriksen, Dave Richmond, Mike Schweitzer, and Gary Yager were awarded $500 each after finishing second at the 103rd Annual Wisconsin State Bowling Tournament.

Brett Davis, state representative for the 80th. Assembly District, provided the address at the Veterans Day ceremony held around the Memorial Monument in downtown Oregon.

Last month, Joann Ace participated in the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show in Oklahoma City. Of the various competitions participated in; she won the Championship Award in the Youth Challenge Class for those 18 years of age and younger.

OHS students presented a performance of “The Wizard of Oz.” Sarah Ross played the role of Dorothy.


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