Time Machine Trip to July 1956

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

It’s that time again to fire up the old “Time Machine Chair” and make a trip back in time.

Today Donna Schevers is sitting in the driver’s seat. The big wheel is spinning and the years are clicking back. In no time we are back to Kaukauna’s south side.  We are out front of the Kaukauna Times on Main Avenue.

We are now in July of 1956.    

·         Auto accident claims life of Kaukauna girl.

·         Freckle contest winners are announced

·         Kaukauna youth found guilty of murder

For the music lovers, the top song on the Hit Parade this month is:

Sixteen Tons – Tennessee Ernie Ford

https://youtu.be/EkRYuMqw-B0

Carl Hansen, the publisher, has left the newspapers for us by the front door of the Kaukauna Times. Let’s see what’s in the news this month. 

Your old news man – Lyle

Lyle’s laughs: A man landed a new job at an Adult Diaper Company. He was then notified that there were no restrooms in the building and employees were expected to wear their product.

July 3, 1956

Kaukauna youngsters get a special break this afternoon as the prices for all the rides on the midway of the American Legion picnic at the LaFollette Park are reduced as a special inducement for young people to visit the show.

Kaukauna High School band director Elwood Bleick, this week announced a special alumni night concert Thursday evening in front of the Kaukauna High School building on Oak Street. Bleick and Adrian McGrath, who is assisting with the summer music lessons have sent out special invitations to former members of the band to attend the concert.

Army Pvt. Marvin B. Biese, 22, recently graduated from the Non-commissioned Officer Academy in Korea. Biese entered the Army in January 1955 and arrived in the far east last February. 

July 6, 1956

Kaukauna area boys and girls have returned home from attending Badger Boys State at Ripon college and Badger Girls State which was held at University of Wisconsin campus in Madison. Tom Lindemuth was elected alderman in the elections held at the session. Miss Mary Joe Krueger, Kaukauna, Joyce Van Boxtel, Little Chute and Janet Brooks, Greenleaf attended Badger Girls’ state at Madison. Ms. Krieger was elected Sheriff; Miss Van Boxtel was named Senator.

Don Lemke former Kaukauna Times staff reporter has had the good fortune in the past to spend some time in Mexico. “I thought that seeing Mexico, with a huge diverse population, I would see a country with satisfied healthy people. I was wrong. Instead I saw a crippled man across the street on his hands and knees because he was too poor to buy a wheelchair. I saw a teenage boy carrying enormous box on his back as he struggled down the street. I saw hundreds of people over 60 years of age begging on the street. I saw people living in mud huts and little children with bodies so scrawny that their bones would stick out.” 

The Girl Scout Day Camp Winnecomac, located on County Trunk Highway Q, south east of Kaukauna, will open Monday for the first session of the summer season. Kaukauna Brownies and Girl Scouts of the city will be the first group at camp. 

July 11, 1956

The Kaukauna Klubbers Sunday afternoon broke their “at home jinx” with a vengeance as they defeated the invading Appleton Brewers 10–0 in a match that captured a seven one fourth inning and back to back triples by Kaw leftfielder Robert Petruska and shortstop Tom Hilgenberg. Rick Van Linn went the distance on hill for the Klubbers allowing but four hits in the game.

Jurors were chosen Monday in the first-degree murder trial of Michael McCormick, 17, accused of slaying Theresa Vander Horst on March 9, was started Tuesday morning in the Municipal Court, Appleton before judge Oscar J. Schmiege. McCormick has entered a plea of innocent by reason of insanity at the time of the alleged killing.

Funeral services for Claire Schuh, 15, Route 2 Kaukauna, who died from injuries sustained in an auto accident near Greenleaf Sunday night will be held at Holy Cross church Thursday at 9 AM.  Another Kaukauna girl, Diane Reinke, 15, is still in critical condition at St. Vincent's Hospital Green Bay as a result of the accident.

Claire Schuh

Green Bay Packer fans will get a taste of what's new, when rookie quarterbacks and All-Star players report to coach Lisle Blackbourn on Monday, July 16 for practice. Coach Blackbourn wants his quarterbacks to be well versed in the Packer system when other members of the squad report to the Stevens Point training site July 21. Quarterbacks reporting will be Lynn Beightol of Maryland, Bart Starr of Alabama and Rod Hermes of Beloit.

  

July 18, 1956

The Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company has concluded negotiations with representatives of the two unions at their location. The new labor agreement is for one year and applies to about 1200 hourly paid employees. A general 6% wage increase with a minimum of $.11 per hour for male employees. The wage increase will make the new base rate for women a $1.49 per hour and the base rate for male employees will be a $1.71 per hour. 

The Packers have signed their 22nd draft choice- halfback John Popson and free agent guard Bob Margotto, it was announced today by coach Lisle Blackbourn. Popson, a 6 foot, 195-pounder was all-southern halfback in his sophomore and junior years and considered the greatest player in the history of Furman University. Margotto, a graduate of Wisconsin state college at River Falls was all-conference two years and honorable mention little all-American. He is 6 foot, 220-pound guard. Jim Ringo, veteran Packer center, has also signed for his fourth season.

   

The Cub Scouts of Pack 20, sponsored by post 3319 of the VFW, will be guest on Saturday, August 25 at a preseason football match between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants football team at Green Bay.

A total of 309 babies, which were born at Kaukauna community hospital, registered for the Alumni Day held July 12. Prizes were given for the curliest hair and the baldest head also the first set of twins received prizes. 

July 20, 1956

Mayor Joseph Bayorgeon Tuesday night recommended to the common Council that steps be taken to curb the high accident and death rate on the highways by providing drivers instruction courses in the city. The program could be instituted at the high school at a minimal cost of the city, according Bayorgeon.

The first half batting averages for the Fox River Valley baseball league have Ron Debilious of the Menasha Macs grabbing top honors with a .611 average. Vernon Romenesko, Freedom, has a .555 average while Bill Harvath, Little Chute has a .500 average. Bill Ebert, Reidsville, is .481, Roger “Butter” Vander Wyst at .478 and Floyd Hammen at .424 both of Little Chute.  Kaukauna's Jim Nirschl is hitting .400.

Michael McCormick, 17, who Wednesday night was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury composed of six men and six women in the death of Teresa Vander Horst, is scheduled to receive sentencing this morning. The jury deliberated for a little more than five hours before bringing the verdict.

July 25, 1956

The Kaukauna Klubbers Sunday continued their winning ways and lead in the Fox River Valley baseball league when they beat the Harrison crew 8-2. Highlights of the game for Kaukauna was a three run homer in the fourth frame by Jim Nirschl and a two run tripper by Joe Van Linn in the bottom of the eighth. 

Ken Roloff, former Kaukauna High School and Central State Teachers College-Stevens Point star athlete, is scheduled to leave Sunday noon for Winooski, Vermont, where he will be trying out for a spot on the New York Giants football team of the NFL.

The Milwaukee Bravettes proved to be no match for the Kaukauna VFW softball team Sunday as the Kaw girls took a 19-5 lead by the end of the fifth. In the first inning Darlene Kramer, Dot Kastell and Elaine VanderLoop all reached bases on errors. A booming triple by Janice Giordana scored the threesome, then Janice scored on another triple by Sharon Pahl. The Kaukauna girls continued to score every inning.

Kaukauna Junior Legion baseball team last Saturday afternoon had little difficulty defeating Green Bay as they swept to in 18-4 decision at the Dodge St., Park. A ten run third inning was the turning point in the match after the visitors held a 3-1 lead.  The big third inning for the Kaws started as Jerome DeBruin reached base on an error, Cal Walsh singled as did Jack Coenen and Fred Bernard doubled. Ken Sanders singled, Karl Frank walked and Duane Pahl singled, Russ Arts walked as did Jerome DeBruin, Cal Walsh again singled and Jack Coonen tripled. Coonen came in on an outfield error on a blow by Bernard. At the end of the frame the Kaws had 11 to 3 advantage over the visitors.

The city of Kaukauna received recognition Friday with the presentation of the American Automobile Association award for excellence of pedestrian protection program. Kaukauna was honored for achievement of no pedestrian deaths during 1955. Mayor Bayorgeon stated “the residents of the city - both pedestrians and drivers - deserve considerable credit for making this award possible “.

Freckle-face youngsters had their day recently at nine of the city parks as prizes were awarded to the youngsters with the most, the prettiest, the fewest, the largest and the cutest. Reichel's Park winners were Carol Koester, Jack Schermitzler, Marilyn Resch and Christine Reichel. At Strasburg Park the winners were Mark DeBruin, Bruce Vanevenhoven, Jean Delfosse and Christie DeBruin. Hennes Park winners were Jeanne Carstens, Kitty Collins, Suzanne Schmidt, Danny Biselx and David Keough. At Riverside Park Royal Nelson, Joe Kerry, Don Derus, “Butch” Anderson and Tom Jansen. LaFollette Park winners were Mary Mullen, Lynn Cherkasky, Lois Hansen and Nancy Rennebohm.  White City winners were Larry Pruess, Margaret Coleman, Barbara Wolf, Paul Lamers and Sue Bauer. The winners at Nicolet Park were Betty Fisher, Carol Carnot, Paula Koch, Patty Landreman, Philip Boyd, Joann Sachs.  Marsh winners included Donna Krueger, Lois Ebben, Duane DeGroot and Shirley Blair. The Park playground winners included Diane Steffens, Laura Leatherbury, Bill Derricks and Mary Busse.

July 27, 1956

When August 1^st rolls around next week Sylvester (Ves) Berens will be taking note of an anniversary of some distinction in Kaukauna business. It will be 50 years since he went to work selling clothing, in the same location where he now operates his store, 115 E. 2nd St. At that time the store was owned by W. S. Mulford and Ves as a youth took up the hustling tradition. He became Mulford's star salesman and later manager of the store when Mulford moved out of state in 1933. 

  

 Ves Berens