Saturday, August 27, 2016

Time Machine Trip to August 1956

August 1, 1956


A five-run eighth inning rally Sunday pulled one out of the fire as the league leading locals down Reedsville 6-2 at the Dodge Street ballpark. The big eighth inning began with a Gene Wittman double off the right-field fence. Tom Nytes followed with a single which scored Wittman.  Nytes stole second and came in on a single by Dick Jaeger after the second out was made VanderVelden singled and Harry Wilson went to first after being hit with a pitched ball. A wild pitch brought in Jaeger and advanced the two runners. The final two runs in the match were scored as Elmer Kobs doubled off the fence and both VanderVelden and Wilson scored. 

Today marks the beginning of the summer season although the entire month of August and part of September remains as the traditional vacation. Various groups are making preparation for autumn. The gradual change in the sports picture from baseball and softball to football, basketball and bowling are coming more and more evident every day. 

Reasonably warm days and a special Fun Day at the, swimming pool last week helped boost the seasons attendance by 5633 according to a report issued this week by assistance recreation director Ms. Mary Jane Appleton.  To date the summer weather has been anything but “summery” most of the season jackets, slacks and shoes were the order of the day. 

August 3, 1956
Vince Roloff, Pres. of the Badger Northland company of Kaukauna along with 20 other men from Wisconsin in 10 from Minnesota will leave the United States September 9 for a visit to Russia and other European countries to inspect industrial installations in those countries. 

A week from today the Kaukauna Girl Scout Camp Winnecomac will complete its third season of operation at its location southeast of Kaukauna, this year having entertained an estimate 525 Brownie and Intermediate scouts. The camp went into operation for the first time during the summer of 1954.

August 8, 1956
The Kaukauna Community Hospital executive board unanimously recommended to the hospital board that the hospital be completed according to the original plans. This would mean the building of the second story over the one story section. The final decision on the proposal will be made at the August 17 board meeting.  At the present time the hospital is a 40 bed institution and an addition would make it 52 bed hospital. 

The Kaukauna Klubbers Sunday continued their winning season in the Fox River Valley league as they romped to a 5-2 score over Freedom at the Dodge Street Park. Lefty Joe Van Linn made his final appearance of the season in the match before entering military service. Van Linn, who has started every game this season and almost every game of the last three seasons, outdid himself at the plate tapping out four hits including a triple in five trips to the plate. 

August 15, 1956
Peter J. Bergmans, former president of the Kaukauna Lumber and Manufacturing company, died early Tuesday at his home at the age of 75. He began working at the lumber company when it was situated at the water power site beside the Thilmany upper mill when he was a boy of 15. He was in the employment of the Janssen's brothers and their father John operators of the saw mill, yard and woodworking plant. He would recall the great satisfaction of participating in the planning of churches, schools, public buildings and hundreds of homes in Kaukauna in his 49 years in the lumber business.



August 17, 1956

Bows were drawn and arrows flew this week as Kaukauna archers lined up to take part in the recreation department sponsored archery tournament. First place in the senior tournament was taken by Tom Lindemuth with a score of 441 on 87 hits. Taking honors in the Junior division was David Schommer with his score of 291 on 59 hits. Ten boys received award badges, they were: Cliff Nushardt, Lee Jacob, Bill VanderPas, Jim Lettau, Jim Nushardt, Tom Siebers, Leroy Van Dera, Lee Haas and Eugene DeGroot. 

By the summer of 1957, that portion of Highway 96 which runs from Lawe Street to the city limits will have been radically changed. Several properties will have to be moved to make room for the new road. The Depot grocery, Mugs and Bob's Tavern and the Feller Warehouse will have to be removed completely and parts of the Benotch Fuel buildings must be removed or relocated.

One of the Fox River Valley's favorite baseball players Louie “Butch” Thein of Kimberly was honored at a special Appreciation Night game at the Kimberly ballpark August 18. The veteran, who cavorted on the diamond for many seasons, was a member of the Little Chute club in 1916 when the Dutchman took the pennant. Such diamond stars as Marty and Boots Lamers, Rube Verstegen, manager Lewis Manhebach, “Stub” Peters and many more were all members of the clubs during “Butch’s” days.

The Kaukauna Junior American Legion baseball squad Left to right back row: Karl Frank, Ken Sanders, John Smith, Glenn Weyenberg, Jack Coenen, Russ Arts, Jim Martzahl, Bud Baumgartner and Harry Wilson, team coach, Front row Ron Vandenberg, Cal Welch, Jerome DeBruin, Bob DeBruin, Ed Schaefer, Andy Whittaker, Duane Pahl, Ed Wettstein and Gary Vanevenhoven. (Times Photo)

First place in the cadet girls’ Archery tournament sponsored by the recreation department was taken this year by Lindy Kemp. Lindy collected a total of 163 points of 41 target hits. In the senior class Judy Jacobson claimed first place honors with her score of 189 on 46 target hits.

August 22, 1956
Eight county young man, including two from Kaukauna and one from Little Chute, reported for induction in the Armed Forces on Thursday, August 16. Kaukaunans where David J. Berens, Desnoyer Street and Wayne J. Newhouse Route 2 and the Little Chute youth was Roger J. Dercks, McKinley Street.  The local draft board reminds all area youths they must register for the draft within five days of their 18th birthday.

August 29, 1956
Tragedy struck in Kaukauna at about 10:40 Saturday morning as two workmen were killed when the side of a sanitary sewer trench collapsed on Oakridge Avenue. The men were in the process of installing shoring to hold up the sides of the trench. Joseph Mathis, Jr., 36, and Francis Otte, 33, both of Kaukauna were employees of the Van Daalwyk excavating in grading company.

Eugene DeGroot, 13, Kaukauna, competed in the State Fair championship twirling contest at West Allis, August 22. He received first place and was presented with the Governor’s trophy and named “Wisconsin's Junior Boy Champion for 1956”.
Results of the archery tournament held last week by the Kaukauna recreation Department are as follows: first Place winner boys’ senior division was Mike Lintner, Neenah, who score was 492 with 96 hits. Second place winner was Dick Schuh, Kaukauna, with 96 hits had total score of 477. Other winners were Cliff Nushart, Kaukauna, 3rd place, Joe Lamers, Kaukauna, 4th place, Bob Casper, Green Bay, 5th place, Jim Jansen, Kaukauna, 6th place Eugene DeGroot Kaukauna 7th place and Roger Leick, Kaukauna, 8th place winner.

One of the winners of the prize awards in the second annual popsicle Western Round-up contest was a Kaukauna girl. She is Lynn Chizek, Meade Street. Young Lynn competed with thousands of contestants from all over the United States and Canada and won a pair of Western boots in the seventh week contest.

August 31, 1956
The spiraling trend in Wisconsin's traffic fatalities this year has shown a leveling off during July, according to the motor vehicle Department safety division. With 91 traffic facilities represent an increase of 6% over July of last year while the June toll of 113 was an increase of 74% over June 1955.



The Junior Softball Champions in the Recreation Dept. League this year are the White Sox’s. Right in front row are Tom Otte, Mark Rabideau, Jerry Kobussen, Lee Jacques and Fred Steger. Second row are Gary McGoey, John Lambie, Dick Skibba, Leigh Wachel and Roger Leick. 

No comments:

Post a Comment