Time Machine Trip to July 1960

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

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

The big wheel is spinning, with Cindee Bongean Bronstad taking over the controls and sitting in the driver’s seat. The years are clicking back and in no time we are back to Kaukauna’s south side.  We are out front of the Kaukauna Times on Main Street.

It is now July of 1960 and “You are There.”  

• Bob Derus scored his first a hole in one.

• “Heart of Valley” is the new name in retail promotion for the Fox Valley.

• Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts is the Democratic candidate for president.  Vice Pres. Richard M. Nixon is the Republican candidate.

• Seven young people injured in two car collision.

For the music Lovers these are the hits this month.

I’m Sorry – Brenda Lee

https://youtu.be/r-TkjEdB1kE

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 Hansen

July 1, 1960

A total of 1084 Kaukauna area youngsters are currently enrolled in formally swimming, diving and lifesaving classes at memorial pool, according to Michael McGoey, pool supervisor. The program is presented six days a week by eight young people from the city.

Pat Coffey, 11, Lawe Street was described in good condition at the Kaukauna Community Hospital following an accident. He was riding his bike and was struck by a car driven by Janet Brem. He sustained an injured right leg according the hospital. Police said he had driven his bike out of a driveway into the path of the auto driven by Brem.

Thilmany Pulp & Paper Company will be shut down three days during the fourth of July weekend, according to L. C. Smith, the firm’s industrial relations director.

July 6, 1960

Bob Derus scored the first hole in one of his career Sunday on No. 6 at Fox Valley Golf Club. He hit the ball about one foot from the hole then it took one hop and rolled in.

Under the co-sponsoring of the Kaukauna Recreation Department and the Milwaukee Braves knothole program, 161 Kaukauna girls, ages 9 through 15 will attend the Brewers–St. Louis Cardinal game in Milwaukee July 21.

The third annual VFW parade, scheduled Sunday afternoon at Kaukauna in connection with the organization's annual picnic will be the largest in the history of the affair, according to Clarence Sullivan, Electric City Post 3319 commander. According to the latest count there will be at least 130 units, including marching groups and floats in the procession, which will be started near the intersection of Crooks Avenue and 10th St. shortly after noon on Sunday.  

Dwight Bastion, 18, a debate and forensic star at Kaukauna high school, recently competed in the National Forensics league nation-wide tournament at San Diego, Calif. The trip climaxed an outstanding high school speaking career for the 18-year-old Bastion, who had won acclaim in 10 to 12 tournaments each year. 

Seven Kaukauna young people sustained minor injuries Monday in a rear end collision between cars driven by Miss Dorothy Kastell, 23, W. 8th St. and Robert Lace, 18, Route 4, Kaukauna. The accident occurred near the south approach of the Lawe Street bridge about 6:30 PM Monday. All seven of the young people were taken to the Kaukauna Community hospital where three were treated for abrasions, examined for possible other injuries and released. The group included Miss Kastell, Lace, Keith Roberts, 17, Judy Jacobson, 17, Pearl Meulemans, 16, Marilyn Hilgenberg, 16, and Beverly Coffey, 16. According to the police report, Miss Kastell’s car was stopped on the bridge and Lace collided with her car from behind. 

July 8, 1960

Plans by the American Legion to establish a new club house at the end of 7^th Street was voted down by the city council after a group of residents from the area objected to the idea.

“Heart of the Valley” a new concept in retail trade promotion will unite Little Chute, Kimberly, Combined Locks and Kaukauna to attract business to their communities. A new banner has been designed showing the closely knit communities enclosed in a heart.

Boy Scout Troop 31, Holy Cross Parish, will make an outing to Gardner Dam July 10–23. Over half of the 40 boys signed up will stay for two weeks.

James R. Gustman was elected president of Kaukauna Rotary club last week exceeding Stephen Baisch.

An overall increase in construction during the first half of 1960 in Kaukauna is evidence from figures released this week by assistant city engineer and building inspector Luther Kemp. 32 permits for new homes were issued this year as compared to 31 for the same period for 1959. The total cost of new homes this year was set at $448,200 as compared to $374,900 in 1959.

Seventeen business places have installed new fronts or made major outward appearance changes in the last year according to Dave Hartjes executive secretary of the Kaukauna Chamber of Commerce. Reviewing the sound and steady business growth, Kaukauna is a greater than ever shopping center.  

   

July 13, 1960

“Rookie of the Year” Boyd Dowler has signed his contract for the 1960 season according to Vince Lombardi Head Coach and General Manager of the Green Bay Packers.

Kaukauna’s Leigh Wachel helped the Southern Division win the annual Fox River Valley Junior Legion all-star game Sunday at Oshkosh. Wachel took the mound with one out and a run across in the eight innings. He proceeded to fan four of next seven batters to secure the win 6-4.

Army Pvt. Donald C. Johnson of Kaukauna has recently completed an electrician course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. The 20-year-old soldier entered the Army last February.

Aviation Officer Candidate Jack V. Roome of Kaukauna is undergoing a 16-week pre-flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla.

Army Specialist Four John J. Ashauer of Kaukauna is participating in a field training exercise with the 4^th Armored Division in Grafenwehr, Germany. Specialist Ashauer, a mechanic in the division entered the Army in 1958 and is a 1954 graduate of Kaukauna High School.  

Thousands of people turned out Sunday afternoon to view what was the largest parade in the three-year history of the annual VFW program.  A total of 12 awards were presented to various floats and marching units by the Kaukauna VFW.

July 15, 1960

This week the metal siding and roof of the new shelter to be constructed in LaFollette Park this summer was delivered.  The $7,500 structure is expected to be completed by the end of this month according to James Gertz, recreation director.

Three of Green Bay’s four outstanding line backing corps have returned their signed contracts to the Packer office. All-pro Bill Forester and Tom Bettis and Ray Nitschke.

Two 1960 graduates of Kaukauna High School have enlisted in the U.S. Navy. They are Ronald Busse and Myron Zachowski. The boys enlisted under the Navy’s Buddy system and will go through recruit training together at Great Lakes, Ill.

John F. Kennedy Massachusetts Senator, who visited Kaukauna this past March, was nominated at the Democratic National Convention to be their candidate in the Presidential election this fall.

July 20, 1960

Army Pfc. David J. Linskens of Kaukauna recently participated with the 4^th Armored Division in a six-week exercise in Grafenwehr, Germany. Linskens, a rifleman entered the Army in 1958 after graduating from Kaukauna High School. 

Marshall Bayorgeon was elected to his 11th term as president of the Board of Education at a board meeting July 12. The board also approved the recommendation of Superintendent of Schools Julian Bichler to extend the school day 17 minutes.

Tom Frank struck out 19 batters and won his own game with a three run triple as Kaukauna's Legionnaires rang up their third straight victory, tipping Neenah in the first round of the regional tournament Thursday at Appleton, 6-4.

July 22, 1960

The common Council voted Tuesday night to grant the American Legion a liquor license on seventh Street, after an hour-long debate by citizens and their attorneys on whether the action would violate zoning ordinance. Ald. George Simon and Ald. Ed Oliva opposed the license. They stated the property was designated residential by the County in 1950.  

July 27, 1960

Capt. Edward L. Jirikowic of Kaukauna recently arrived in Korea and has been assigned as a staff officer in the 7^th Logistics Command Headquarters. 

July 29, 1960

Visitors to the Kaukauna Public Library over the summers have noticed a new change in the air. The library has installed a $4276 liquid gas air conditioner. The temperature in the library will hold at 77 degrees.

A 50-gun salute Sunday afternoon will signal the start of the weeklong Golden Jubilee celebration at Kimberly which will be observed with parades, fireworks pageant, old-fashioned games, contests and activities along with a visit from Wisconsin Gov. Gaylord Nelson Saturday evening.

Vice Pres. Richard M. Nixon Wednesday night was nominated by the Republican Party on the first ballot as a presidential candidate in the forthcoming election in November.