| October |
The Village Board approves a $3,000.00 dollar tax levy of which $2,800.00 will be for village purposes and $200.00 for the library. The $1,300.00 increase for village purposes over last year’s levy was necessary if the work of macadamizing Main Street was to be resumed and completed next spring. It was noted that the cement sidewalks and crossings built during the current year had been a heavy drain on the village treasury. The Observer admonished taxpayers, “that the additional money raised this year is to go toward building permanent streets, and if so, no tax-payer who is progressive and believes in improvements, will ‘kick’ at the raise when tax-paying time comes.”
50 years ago (1960)
Oregon’s Village President, “Steve” Madsen, rolls the first ball down the new lanes at the Oregon Bowl. The new eight lane bowling alley, just recently completed, will be managed by Larry Mandt.
Lyman Anderson, Lyle Nelson, Allen Riese of Oregon and Nick Elmer of Brooklyn left for a ten day fishing trip in Canada.
A regular passbook savings account at the Bank of Oregon was paying 3% interest.
Earl Lawson, owner of Lawson Drug Store was awarded a citation from the U. S. Small Business Administration, signed by President Eisenhower, acknowledging his efforts in promoting registration and voting.
The OHS football team won their Homecoming Game against Milton Union, 46-0. Second-string quarterback, Dale Manion, who had taken over at the last two games for the injured Kent Cohee, was praised for his performance. Oregon controlled the ground game on the outside by the running of Morris Haukereid and Bud Ricker and on the inside by Dick Gouker. The king and queen of Homecoming were Bob Jorgensen and Frances Caruso. A week later Oregon’s title hopes were dimmed when they lost to Sun Prairie (9-7) in a hard fought game.
The Masonic Lodge held a ground braking ceremony for their new building to be located at the corner of Park and Spring Streets. Ray Lawry, Master of the Lodge gave a short address after which Perry Outhouse, a member of the building committee spoke briefly about the construction and size of the building. Robert Noyce, son of Richard and Nina Noyce, turned over the first shovelful of dirt.
OHS principal, Elmer Durerst, announced that Sue Jallings and Philip Shenefelt were named semi-finalists in the l960-61 National Merit Scholarship Competition.
25 years ago (1985)
The Oregon Shopping Plaza celebrated its 7th. Anniversary. The businesses located there were Audrey’s Hallmark Shop, Mark’s Barber & Styling, The Body Shoppe (women’s apparel); Ben Franklin, Chub’s Restaurant & Lounge, Best Drugs, Leo’s Salon, Sheryn’s Best Way Cleaners, Pete’s Auto Parts, and Bill’s Food Center.WISCO Industries expanded their plant at 736 Janesville Street, adding an additional 12,000 sq. ft. for large presses and another 12,000 sq. ft. for research and development, offices, cold storage, and new shipping and receiving dock.
The OHS football team won their Homecoming Game beating the unbeaten Monona Grove 17-6. The king and queen of Homecoming were Dan Kissling and Denise Clinton. The team went on from there to beat the Middleton 44-0, Fort Atkinson 7-0 (through mud, rain, and slop) and finally won over Stoughton 34-7 to give them a berth in the playoffs.
Oregon’s two new police officers, Barry Reynolds and Mark Skare began their duties.
The Oregon Police Dept. makes the public aware of the school crossing laws and of the duties of school crossing guards. The Village crossing guards were Merle Richardson, Millie Schewe, Maggie Schnabel, Patsy Farrell, Jeff Scalise, and part-time, Robin Anderson.
The Silver Threads Among the Gold celebrated their 13th. Anniversary. The officers were Florice Paulsen, president, J. L. Topham, vice-president, Letha Warner, treas., and Ellen Robinson, secretary. Evelyn Leslie served as their tour director, and Eileen Butts and James O’Neal served on the Program Committee. The organization had 159 paid memberships.
The Finance Committee recommended to the Village Board a budget of $1,765.223 for 1986. Village President, Roger Wetzel, praised the village’s treasurer, Jeanette Forman, for putting together a frugal budget with no frills. Nell Mally made a case for the Senior Center’s request for a computer, stating that it was needed to help keep the complex records and reports that are required of the Center.
Brooklyn Elementary School had a balloon launching day. Students attached name tags on their balloons in hopes that their messages would eventually reach someone. Elmer Childress, weather reporter for Channel 15, visited the event to explain to the students how weather affects balloons.
The OHS Girls Volleyball Team defeated Sauk Prairie to win the Badger Conference title.
The OHS Marching Band ended their season with two big wins. They placed first in Class AAA in the First Annual Wisconsin School Music Association Marching Band Contest in Wausau. Oregon High School administrator, Philip Helgesen and Oregon band director, Steven Spiwak were cited as being instrumental in making this first annual event a reality. The band went on to the Merrill Invitational Band Competition where they won first place in overall field performance as well as taking awards in other categories.
Dean and Dennis Erfurth visited the Oregon Elementary School where they talked to the third graders about midget car racing. They showed them the cars they race and the safety and support equipment they use. They also showed a video tape of the Pepsi Nationals in which Dean had placed second.
10 years ago (2000)
Briana Schnelle, after winning the Badger Conference individual cross country title at Token Creek, went on to advance from the sectional competition held in Oregon to the state meet. At the WIIAA Division 1 state cross country meet in Wisconsin Rapids, Briana finished 23rd. with a time of 15:15, setting an OHS record. Those in Oregon’s cross country team that received All-Conference honors were Briana Schnelle, Kyle Knutson, and Nate Pinger (first team) and Jenny Drake, Steve Klehfoth, and Maggie Seed (second team).OHS FFA students placed first in the Agronomy and Crops Contest held at the World Dairy Expo. Members of the team were Aaron Shotliff, Jesse Kapusta, Alex Hady, Abby Hady, and Lee Haag. Alex Hady was the winner of the $1,000 scholarship, placing first among the contest’s senior participants. The team was coached by agricultural instructor and FFA advisor, Steve Zibell.
The village swaps property with the Oregon Area Fire/EMS District. The village trades approximately 24 feet of the Hitching Post parking lot for the property rights of the old EMS building at the corner of Park and Oak Streets, making it possible for the Fire/EMS District to go forward with their proposed station expansion.
Randy Sellnow, Oregon Area Fire/EMS Distirct Chief, encourages residents to participate in the Neighbor to Neighbor Safe Home Visit Program where trained volunteers do free home safety checks for household hazards and advise owners how to correct them.
The Village Planning Commission voted in favor of rezoning the NE corner of Park and Janesville Street to allow Sienna Crest to build an Alzheimer’s facility.
The Chamber of Commerce’s of Oregon and Fitchburg formed a special ad hoc committee in an attempt to bring the two municipalities back together concerning a proposed business park.
With a 35-7 win over Verona, the OHS football team made it to the playoffs for the first time since 1990, but lost to Fort Atkinson (13-7) in the first round of the playoffs. Oregon’s sole TD in the Fort Atkinson game was scored on a 37 yd. run by Brandon Anderson. Coach Bob Prahl commended, “We thought we would get them, but we were one step slow.”
The OHS boy’s soccer team won their sixth straight championship title under head coach Greg Ninneman by defeating their Badger Conference foe Deforest (3-0). However, they were to lose to Middleton (6-2) in the sectional semifinals.