Time Machine Trip to February 1968

February 2, 1968

Jean Wentzel was recently named the DAR winner at Kaukauna High School for 1968. This award is presented annually on Class Night by the chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, to the senior girl who best exemplifies leadership, dependability and service to the school.

A sales increase of over 15 per cent was announced by Badger Northland’s Roger Rohlf, VP of marketing at the company’s recent sales Conference. Badger Northland is a wholly owned subsidiary of Massey Ferguson, one of the nation’s largest manufactures of farm equipment.

The Kaukauna Improvement Committee appointed by Mayor Anderson has publicly commended the Kaukauna Jaycees for their work in improving the appearance of the government canal bank in the city. A letter from the city was sent to Richard J. Berkers, Jaycee president. The Jaycees plan to continue “Operation Riverbank” this spring when weather permits.

February 7, 1968

The Kaukauna wrestling team finished second in the Mid-Eastern Conference meet held at Menasha Saturday. Two Rivers was the winner with a total of 101 points with Kaukauna having 94 points. The Ghosts had three champions, two seconds, one third and one fourth. 

February 9, 1968

Army Sgt. Thomas Otte, Kaukauna, was killed in action in Vietnam Sunday, his parents here have been notified. Sgt. Otte entered the Army in September of 1966 after attending Wisconsin State University – Oshkosh. He served with the 52^nd Infantry Division. Tom was a 1963 graduate of Kaukauna High School.  

February 14, 1968

The Kaukauna High School Class of 1963 is establishing a memorial fund for Tom Otte, who lost his life while in the service of his country in Viet Nam.

Coach Ken Vander Velden found an untapped resource on his bench Friday evening as the Ghosts defeated Two Rivers by a 76-69 margin. The untapped sources appeared in the person of guard Dan Nettekoven who sparked the Ghosts wound up the game’s leading scorer with 25 points.

PFC Robert Patschke, Kaukauna, graduated highest in his class at Artillery School, Camp Pendleton, California. He is presently on a 20-day leave after returning to Camp Pendleton he will be leaving for Vietnam in March.

February 16, 1968

Kaukauna senior forward Dennis Spice has tightened his grip on the conference scoring lead the past two weekends. He has now registered a total of 203 points for a 20.3 per game clip.

Mayor Gil Anderson and Housing Authority Chairman Leland Scherer announced today that Kaukauna’s program for housing of low-income families in the city has been approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The highly attractive one-million-dollar project will be built on a three-acre site at 12^th and Hendricks Streets.

February 20, 1968

Dick Huss, Kaukauna High School heavyweight wrestler, placed in the State Tournament this weekend at Madison. Huss with a second-place finish in the sectional gained the state berth. Huss emerged from the tourney with a 27 win and one loss record. He is the first Kaukauna high school grappler to make the state tourney since the sport was started in 1964-65.

February 23, 1968

The fund drive for a new city ambulance in Kaukauna will get underway next week when a committee will mail contribution appeal letters to every city resident. The purchase of a new city ambulance was decided upon after it was apparent that the cost of repairs was impractical.

Grand Opening of our new showroom 1100 N. Lawe Street, Kaukauna

February 28, 1968

The Kaukauna Ghosts saw any tournament hopes they may have harbored go down the drain here Saturday as they bowed to the Kimberly Papermakers by a 62-52 final margin. Kaukauna’s Dennis Spice wound up with the individual scoring honors for the night with 25 points.

1^st Semester Straight “A” Honor roll

Seniors

Beth Bastian

Barbara Borree

David Egan

Mary Feldkamp

Christine Kindler

Barbara Peters

Jean Pieters

Kathryn Rastello

Janet Skromme

James Van Dyke

Vicki Weyers

Juniors

Daniel Fink

Susan Schmidt

Anthony Welhouse 

Sophomores

Judy Antepenko

Barry O’Connor

Freshman

Sharon Auden

Cora Griffith

Connie Kilsdonk

Patricia Niesen

Nancy Otte

Jolene Romenesko

Connie Schaumann

Kim Strauss

Lynn Vande Yacht

Time Machine Trip to February 1928

February 3, 1928

Edward Vanden Berg, alleged owner of a home brew plant situated at the Vanden Berg cement block works on Canal street, was bound over to stand trial in Milwaukee district court at Milwaukee. The raid was staged here on Monday January 23^rd, at which time over one hundred cases of home brew was smashed. The prohibition agents stated that the brew found at the place was 2.90 per cent by volume.

William Karlmund, 45 years of age of Manitowoc, fell fifteen feet to his death Thursday afternoon at the Kimberly Clark Paper mill at Kimberly. The dead man was employed by the Manitowoc Engineering Works on the job at the Kimberly mill. 

“Willie did you find any eggs in the nests?” asked Aunt Mary.

“No, aunty, the hens were all standing around doing nothing.”

February 7, 1928

Harry F. McAndrews, Kaukauna high school athletic director, has opened a law office in the First National Bank building here. Mr. McAndrews is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law school with the class of 1927.

Evidence that a dog poisoner is at work here has been announced by Chief of Police R. H. McCarty, following the discovery that several dogs have been poisoned here during the past week.

February 10, 1928

The Simpson-Parker company was recently awarded the contract for building the new bridge in Little Chute. The old bridge has been moved slightly west and will be used until the new one is completed.

The University of Wisconsin ranks eighth among university and colleges of the United States in the point of student enrollments. The student body of 8942 shows one of the largest gains in the country.

February 17, 1928

In the second meeting of the two teams this season, the Holy Cross school basketball team again defeated the Park school five, this time by a 12 to 5 count. For the Holy Cross five, Capt. Jack Van Lieshout, Noie and Koch divided the scoring equally among them.

Fred A. Towsley, 69 years of age, pioneer resident of this city and a banker well known throughout the state as cashier of the Bank of Kaukauna since its incorporation in 1883 and for two years prior to that time when operated as a private bank by the Reuter Bros. has died suddenly Monday evening during a meeting at the local bank.

 February 21, 1928

A young woman, well educated, married to a scoundrel, followed him and his fortunes and will soon be hanged with him in Canada. She was with him when he murdered a taxicab driver. An effort was made to save her from the gallows and the girl amazed her friends, saying she does not want to be saved. “If he hangs, I want to hang with him.”

Over seven thousand people attended the biggest and best Midwinter Fair ever held in this city. The exhibits and entertainment far surpassed that of any other previous years.

February 24, 1928

Prince Omwah, a Hindu seer, said to be one of the world’s greatest seers, will open a three days engagement at the Vaudette Theatre next Monday. The prince will answer any question that the audience may ask him. The prince will introduce card manipulation, Japanese, Chinese, Hindu magic entertainment.

February 28, 1928

John Bonfils, of the Denver Post, tells the world he wants “every family in the United States to own a home, an automobile and radio,” because “this would increase the happiness and prosperity of all our people.”

Following the raising of the question of the new voter registration law by Kaukauna Mayor W. C. Sullivan on behalf of the City of Kaukauna at the La Follette Progressive platform in Madison recently, the city was given credit for winning an important fight for the voters of the state of Wisconsin. The attorney general worked out an opinion which states that a voter may register at the election booths on election day.

Time Machine Trip to February 1908

February 7, 1908

The North-Western Railway Company which has been laying off men by the score during the past sixty days has been taking them back this week. Since the heavy snow storm, a week ago they have had work for all that want employment. With the mills all running with full crews and with the railroad men all at work there is a feeling in the air that prosperous times have again returned.

King Carlos of Portugal and the Crown Prince Lutz Phillippe were shot to death in Lisbon Saturday as they sat in the royal carriage, by a band of revolutionists.

Savannah, Mo., - William Young barely escaped being buried alive, regaining consciousness only an hour before the time for the funeral. A physician said the man was dead and the body was prepared for burial by an undertaker and placed in a casket. Mourners had assembled for the burial when Rev. McLaughlin went to the room where the corpse lay and detected a twitching of a muscle. He summed the physician, who found Young still alive. When the preacher announced the funeral would be delayed Young was sitting up in his coffin and was seen by those in the next room.

February 14, 1908

Kaukauna has the only sawmill in the U.S. that is operated by electricity. It belongs to the Kaukauna Lumber and Manufacturing Company and is attracting attention all over the country. The mill is in daily operation and saws from 10,000 to 20,000 ft. per day. It is the first instance on record where electricity has been successfully harnessed for the operation of a circular saw. Nearly a year was required to get the power working satisfactorily.

The “last of the Pottawatomie’s” is gone and probably never again will the members of the tribe see a characteristic tribal funeral. Kack-Kack was buried last week with all the honors due to his age and condition. This ceremony has not been employed for many years and it is likely never will be again.

The big passenger engine that pulled a train into Green Bay had an unusual experience Monday night. It had been uncoupled and left in the yard but in some way started up and backed out on to the track bound for DePere. When its absence was discovered word was sent to DePere of the run-away train. The night operator saw the engine coming and let it onto a sidetrack where it bumped into some box cars, little damage was done.

The Green Bay diocese announced the appointment of Rev. Monsignor P. J. Lochman to become the pastor of the Holy Cross congregation at Kaukauna on February 16.

Louis Hoffman, a farmer residing two miles south of New London has discovered buried treasure, estimated at $30,000 under a tree in his orchard. Hoffman is jealously guarding all details of his find in order to be able to locate the real owner of the money. A host of claimants have appeared with various claims. Where the money came from is a mystery. 

February 21, 1908

If you are a member of the Roman Catholic Church you cannot enter into an engagement to marry which will be binding in the eyes of the church unless the engagement is contracted in writing, witnessed by the bishop or pastor of the diocese and signed by at least two witnesses. The new rule with a number of others governing marriage in the church will take effect Easter Sunday, April 19.

February 28, 1908

The fuse of an interurban car of the Green Bay Traction company burned out Monday night between Green Bay and DePere and 150 society people returning from Green Bay after witnessing "The Red Mill" were forced to wait until 4 a.m. before the damage was repaired. A heavy sleet storm was in progress and a few dared to venture out in it. Many persons fell asleep while waiting. Several men braved the storm and walked to DePere, two miles, and secured carriages and returned and drove their wives and sweethearts home.

Charging that he has been injured in his reputation the Rev. Hall of Kaukauna has started a damage suit against the Appleton Evening Crescent for $10,000. The case being brought upon an article published in the newspaper in which it was charged that Hall had been removed from his pastorate because of the excessive use of liquor.

The vault clerk of the United States treasury called attention to the almost incredible growth of the business of the treasury. The United States is now the wealthiest nation in the world with a per capita per citizen wealth in 1907 of $1,310.11.

Time Machine Trip to February 1955

February 2, 1955

Master Sergeant John Kramer is visiting his parents on Sarah street. He has been in the Air Force for the past 12 years and will be leaving for France on February 18.

Pvt. Marvin R. Hietpas is home on a 14-day furlough after completing basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. He will be returning there for additional training.

The Kaukauna Common Council Tuesday night approved the reducing the width of the sidewalks on 2^nd street from 12 feet to 8 feet. This change will add 8 feet to the width of 2^nd street.

Before a packed house of wild Kaukauna partisans at the KHS gym the Ghosts defeated the Menasha Bluejays by a score of 71-68. The Friday night game was one of the hottest and closest scoring fracases the Kaus have encountered this season. Kaukauna had the usual five starters on the floor against Menasha, Jim Otte serving at pivot, Ray Vils and Joe Van Linn as forwards and Mike Walsh and Jim Rausch as guards. Dan Rausch, Cal Engerson, Ron Welch, Don Ristau and Bruce Kemp will fill in as needed.

Kenneth Schumann, Wisconsin Ave., Kaukauna, enlisted in the Air Force on January 17. He is stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonia, Texas.

The roster of wrestlers who will take part in the Lion sponsorship matches at the KHS gym were released. The “pride of Oconto County” Little Atlas at 190 pounds will tangle with Doug Henderson, a 185 pounder from Dallas, Texas. The second match will be between Carol Cook, of Toledo, Ohio and Lynn Livingston of Webster, New York, two rugged wrestlers.

February 9, 1955

A Kaukauna youth, Clifford Hook, Desnoyer street, was included among the eight men of Outagamie county inducted into the armed forces in February.

February 11, 1955

Green Bay Packer Coach Lisle Blackbourn announced the Packers will select players in the 1954 crop of college players that will fill positions weakened by retirement and by the draft of the armed forces. The Packer’s first pick was Tom Bettis offensive guard next pick was Jim Temp, of Wisconsin, who played offense and defense.

Webelo’s awards, highest honor in cub scouting, were awarded to Richard Swanningson and Pat Ryan who appear with their mothers and Mervin Hansen cub scout master of Pack 27 at St. Mary’s Scout-O-Rama and Blue and Gold dinner. 

Dale Siebers and Robert Greenwood shown with their parents received the Eagle Scout badges.

February 16, 1955

The Kaukauna Saving and Loan association re-elected all officers at its recent annual meeting. They are C. J. Hansen, president; W. C. Hess, vice president; Leo H. Schmalz, secretary, treasured and manager.

Pvt. Earl T. Jacoby, W. 5^th street, Kaukauna, left recently for Fort Sill, Okla., where he is stationed with the army. 

February 23, 1955

Keith Head

The Wisconsin and northern Michigan Golden Gloves championship were held at the Milwaukee Arena. Keith Head of Kaukauna took on John Ruskis of Escanaba, Michigan in the 160 to 175 class. Ruskis who is quite a bit taller than Head and had a reach advantage gave the Kaukaunan some difficulty in the opening rounds connecting with a right to the nose of Head in the second round that made the blood flow. Head’s hammering blows in the second had the Escanaba boy holding on as the bell sounded. Head’s TNT loaded fists had Ruskis backing up the rest of the fight. Giving the Kaukauna boy the win.

Pvt. Theodore L. Tilly, route 3, Kaukauna, is home on leave and will leave for Aberdeen, Md., where he is now stationed with an ordnance company.  

February 25, 1955

The Green Ghosts of Kaukauna’s Holy Cross School last Saturday became the uncontested champions of the City Grade School basketball league as they round up the season undefeated in none starts. The lads trained under the coaching of Dave Flanagan and Robert Main. St. Mary’s from the south side were the second-place winners, Trinity Lutheran came in third with a 3-6 record and Park took the cellar spot with but two wins.  

The Holy Cross grade school Basketball team – Front row left to right are Gary Vanevenhoven, Gary Senso, Dan Lamers, Cyril Vander Horst and Ed Leiding, the regular starters for the cagers. In the back row are Fred Steger, Don Frank, Howard Mullen, Mike Coffey, Jim Martzahl, Bill Welch, Jerry Coffey, Paul Martzahl, Jim Steger and Coach Dave Flanagan. 

 1955 Buick Super

Time Machine Trip to February 1918

February 1, 1918

“Talk will not win the war. We must do all we can to support the government, it is not time to be a Republican or Democrat.”  Declared Rev. F.X. Van Nistelroy in an excellent talk before the Kaukauna Knights of Columbus Tuesday evening. “Every American must do his best if the war is to be won. The German Bismarck is to blame for the war as he deliberately waged war on Denmark and France to obtain land. The German people are not to blame for the war as they are a peace-loving people.”

The portion of the city, formerly called “Over the Marsh,” is lining up with the rest of the community in the matter of modernism with the Electric Department having made its first connections in the that section.

Fred S. Kriger, teacher at the Kaukauna High school, has passed the necessary examination and has been enlisted in the aviation section of the Army.

Germans and Austrians can’t get Naturalization papers during the war. Eleven applications have been approved by Judge Werner in circuit court.

Nels P. V. Sorenson – Denmark

Cornelius Socters – Netherlands

John Vander Wielen – Netherlands

Martin Wyngaard – Netherlands

Emil Giordana – Italy

Marinus Van Padus – Netherlands

Frank Emil Ailio – Russia

Johannus Venwymeier – Netherlands

Albert E. Herman – Canada

Peter J. VandenBrand – Netherlands

Ferdinand Ziesman - Russia

February 8, 1918

Anger over the sinking of the ship on which their pals were going to France and grim determination to avenge them made the Kaukauna soldiers not cheer at stops as they traveled east by train to join the war.

The Fox River will be made the most dependable power-producing waterway in the United States. The power produced each year will amount to a savings of 29,000 tons of coal, costing $100,000 if the plan worked out by Major Tompkins of the United States Engineer’s office is approved by congress. 

The Kaukauna council approved an increase in salary to utilities Supt. W. B. Montgomery’s salary from $125 to $150 per month. The Mayor - $500 per year

City Clerk - $1,500 per year

City Treasurer - $500 per year

Assessor - $500 per year

City Attorney - $450 per year

City physician - $180 per year

Fire Chief - $150 per year

Chief of Police - $1320 per year

Patrolmen - $1020 per year

Thus far about twenty-five German alien enemies have registered at the two Kaukauna post offices and it is expected that about twice this number will have registered by Saturday.

February 15, 1918

The Gantter-Bedat-Knauf-Tesch company of Kaukauna shipped a carload of clover seed to Chicago last week which was valued at $10,000. This is the first car of seed ever ship out of Kaukauna but not the last as this firm is bent on taking advantage of the present high price of clover.

The plan to increase the water power production of the Fox River and make it dependable in all seasons of the year was heartily approved of by the Fox River Valley Water Power Users association at Appleton Thursday.

Frank and John Hermsen, brothers from Little Chute, left Wednesday for Vancouver, Washington, having enlisted in the engineer corps. They received a sweater and comfort kit each from the Kaukauna and Little Chute Red Cross for all of these  boys we are  grateful.

February 22, 1918

A fire broke out at the Lindauer garage on the south side at 8 o’clock this morning. About $10,000 worth of automobiles and motor trucks were saved from destruction. Edward Lucht, employed at the garage noticed the fire near the coal fire. The fire department had the flames under control in a short time.

Time Machine Trip to February 1988

February 2, 1988

The Fox River Management Commission members yesterday voted to operate at least a portion of the Fox River’s navigation system this summer and then concluded that they will have to look for federal and state money to continue its operation.

The Kaukauna High School varsity girls’ basketball team Thursday cleared another hurdle in route to the Ghosts’ dream of capturing the 1987-88 Fox Valley Association championship. They steamrolled past Appleton East, 57-25 making for number nine win without a loss. 

Officials of the Corps of Engineers’ Detroit district have indicated that no construction of a sea lamprey barriers is planned for the Rapide Croche Dam until there are further talks with the State of Wisconsin and federal money becomes available. 

Ralph Bastian, owner and operator of Bastian’s Variety Store in Kaukauna for over 40 years, passed away Friday morning. He was born in Brillion 78 years ago and was a Kaukauna resident most of his life.  

It’s sort of like Christmas here at the TIMES the past few days. The reason being we have a new computer system in place. The news people now have new touch type machines with green colored screens while the ad people have the machines with a little multi colored fruit on the side.

February 4, 1988

Charles Lamine, the principal planner for the City of Oshkosh has been selected as Kaukauna’s new city planner. The appointment was announced by Mayor Ron Van De Hey. 

February 9, 1988

The varsity wrestling team from Kaukauna High School got a little revenge of sorts when the Ghosts defeated Kimberly to polish off an undefeated regular season Thursday evening, winning an outright Fox Valley Association championship in the process. The Ghosts. Coached by Don Kilgas, concluded the 1987-88 FVA competition with a perfect 7-0 record. Last year they tied with Kimberly then lost to Kimberly in a final match.

The Kaukauna Area School District is one of three school districts in Wisconsin recognized for its outstanding alcohol and other drug abuse program by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. 

February 11, 1988

Sara Biese made sure there was no way the Kaukauna Ghosts were going to let a sole conference title slip away. The Ghosts varsity girls’ basketball squad earned their first ever Fox Valley Association league crown and the first championship in basketball since a 1941 clipping Neenah 54-33 in Kaukauna. Sara connected for 26 points in the game. The 6-foot one junior finished as the game’s top scorer. The Ken Vander Velden coached Kaukauna team will now start WIAA Class A tournament action.   

February 23, 1988

Robin Leick, Kaukauna, has been selected as a finalist in the 17th annual Wisconsin National Teenager pageant being hosted by Carrol College in Waukesha in June. Miss Leick, age 15, is a freshman student at Kaukauna High School.

February 25, 1988

Josh Miller will become the first sophomore from Kaukauna High School to complete in the WIAA state wrestling tournament when he participates in the 45^th annual event. He will carry a 21-8 season record into the opening round in the 167-pound division of Class A.

Among the 78 young men making up the U.S. Navy’s USS Wisconsin Special Recruit Company are Robert E. Kobussen and William J. Rabideau of Kaukauna. Both are 1987 graduates of Kaukauna High School. They will represent their state throughout the next 4-6 years, while assigned to duty aboard the USS Wisconsin.

  

1987-1988 Boys’ Varsity Wrestling Team - Front row, left to right, Eric DeLeeuw, Keith Quella, Chad Karl, Tony Verhasselt. Second row, Paul Stumpf, Brad Van Schyndel, Kevin Kloehn, Jay Fiers, Mike Maes and Matt Lemke. Back row, Chris Lemke, Brian Sanderfoot, Josh Miller, Mark Weyenberg, Eric Koller, Jim Lamers and Head Coach Don Kilgas.

Top finishers in the state forensics meet at the end of January were Chris Haen, Sara Hanaway, Subha Chatterjee, Shannon Brogan and Lance Lochner. The five took third in the State Debate Tournament at UW Stevens Point, defeating eight other teams in the process. 

Ten Cub Scouts from St. Aloysius Pack 104 received the Parvuli Dei religious award on February 7. Left to right are Steve Verhagen, Cory Wittman, Ray Halbach, Matt Beno and Brian Vanevenhoven: back row, Jason Schmidt, David Pahl, Justin Tennessen, Richard Joyce and Corey Van Kauwenberg.