Time Machine Trip to June 1957

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 John Vandenberg, 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 the corner of Third Street and Main.

We are now in June of 1957.    

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

Love Letters in the Sand – Pat Boone

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.

Gary Grissman, my cousin and friend, has stepped off the Time Machine and is now part of history. His smile and family are his legacy. 

God’s Speed Gary, we’ll miss you. 

Your old news man – Lyle

June 5, 1957

Tomorrow and Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., residents of Kaukauna and the entire Fox River Valley area will be given the opportunity to tour one of the city's major industries, as Badger Northland Incorporated holds its first open house, according to Vincent Rohlf, the firm's president.

Senior Jack Coenen and sophomore Gary Vanevenhoven set new individual Kaukauna High school batting marks the last season with averages well over 500 as the Ghosts swept through to six wins in nine starts.

Ed Wettstein was named by his teammates late last week as the honorary baseball captain for the 1958 Kaukauna High School diamond team. Ed the “stopper’ has been a regular with the Ghosts for the past few seasons. 

June 7, 1957

Total of 545 Kaukauna youngsters have been registered for swimming lessons at the Memorial swimming pool this summer, according to Miss Mary Jane Appleton, assistant recreation director.

June 12, 1957

The discontinuance of three Chicago and Northwestern trains serving Kaukauna will probably take effect next Sunday evening according to information received from the Appleton depot.  

Kaukauna’s Boy Scout troop 27 was singled out as the most outstanding troop in the East District by Camp Chiefs at the climax of the three-day Camporee held during the weekend at the Kaukauna recreation area.

Kaukauna’s Order of Sidewalk Superintendents were out in mass Sunday afternoon to “supervise” the destruction of one of the city’s most venerable structures, the C&NW coal tower located in the south side railroad yards.  The tall building was toppled early Sunday afternoon.

June 14, 1957

Fullback Fred Cone became the sixth Packer veteran to sign a contract for the 1957 season according to Coach Lisle Blackbourn. Other veterans who have signed contracts are Quarterbacks Tobin Rote and Bart Starr, Ends Billy Howton and Dick Deschaine and Player-Coach Bobby Dillon. 

Pvt. Robert R. Smith, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Smith, 203 W. Third St., Kaukauna, Wis., completed six weeks of advanced individual training June 8 under the packet platoon system at the Army’s Armor Training Center, Fort Knox, Ky.

Construction of the new addition to the Kaukauna Vocational School is now about five weeks behind schedule according to word received from school director, Dominic Bordini. Bad weather and the current strike of carpenters are the main reasons for the delay.

The installation service for the Rev. R. J. Muehl, new pastor of the Bethany Lutheran Church will be held Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at special afternoon services.  Pastor Harold Brauer, vice president of the North Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, will officiate, with pastors of neighboring congregations participating. Pastor Muehl succeeds the Rev. Paul Schedler as pastor of the Bethany Church.

The 1957 Kaukauna American Legion Picnic got under way this morning at LaFollette Park and will continue through until Sunday evening, according to an announcement by the co-chairman of this year’s event, Al Marzahl and Fred Mason.

June 21, 1957

Pvt. David H. Kobussen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elwood J. Kobussen, Route 3, Kaukauna, Wis., recently graduated from the supply handling course at the Army’s Quartermaster School, Fort Lee, VA.

Pvt. E2 James E Matchett, son of Mr. & Mrs. Ed Matchett, 101 W. Third Street, Kaukauna, having now completed his basic training and also eight weeks of combat engineering school at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri has been assigned to duty in Alaska, as permanent party in an engineering unit.

The city’s ten playground sponsored a checker tournament this past Monday in another of the continuing efforts to provide Kaukauna youngsters with as many varied activities as possible.

Nicolet’s Senior division winner was Bill Jirikowic; Junior, Joan Sachs; Intermediate, Lynn Patterson and Kris Defferding won the midget prize.

Hennes Park, the Senior award went to David Keough, the Junior to Dan Biselx, the intermediate to Linda Otte and Mary Otte picked up the Midget prize.

Strassburg contestants were headed by the Senior winner Judy Meulemans with the Junior award to Ed Patschke.  The two other division winners were Intermediate, Bob Patschke and the Midget Diane Verhagen.

White City’s slate of winners had Tom Otte in the Senior division and Bob Bootz in the Junior group with Jane Bambery winning in the intermediate section and Mike Jacobson midget.

June 26, 1957

The funeral service for H. F. McAndrews 54, 902 Grignon Street, who served Kaukauna as City Attorney for the past 21 years, was held Tuesday morning at a High Mass from the Holy Cross Catholic Church. He died of a heart attack early Sunday morning at the Kaukauna Community Hospital.

The Parade down Wisconsin Avenue for Huck Finn Day.

Kaukauna’s 1957 Huck and Becky, Lenny Hawley, being selected as Huck Finn, left and Pat Minkebige, being chosen as Becky Thatcher, right are pictured with their new bicycles, which they won at the annual Huckleberry Finn Day observation. Mr. and Mrs. D. J. MacDonald were the judges for this year’s contest. 

June 28, 1957

Kaukauna Fire Chief, William Haupt, and Police Chief, Harold Engerson, this week issued a reminder to Kaukauna residents that it is unlawful to follow fire engines enroute to an emergency call and that motorists may not park within a block of the scene of a fire unless they have an official reason for being present.

The daily vacation church school of Kaukauna Methodist church completed its annual summer session on June 14. The children are pictured with their teachers.

Two Brothers added two sons to their respective families on the same day recently at the Kaukauna Community Hospital. Pictured at left are Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wallace and son Rickie and at right are Mr. and Mrs. Roland Wallace and son Randy.

The Commanders gavel was relinquished by Arthur Kromer, Jr., third from left to Dave Specht, fourth from the right. The group left to right includes Karl Freier, William Schmutz, Kromer, Lloyd Berkens, district commander and installing officer. Specht, James Ring, Chris Roerig and Ralph Juneau.