Time Machine Trip to March 1968

March 1, 1968

Dennis Spice, senior forward for the Kaukauna high school varsity team, was named to the 1967-68 all conference Mid-Eastern first team yesterday. Spice was one of two unanimous selections to receive first place honors. Two other Ghosts received honors Dick Carstens was named to the second team all-conference and senior Ron Vock was an honorable mention selection.

Don Andrews was the leading scorer on the Kaukauna junior varsity cage team under coach Harold Kobin this season. Don scored 191 points in 18 games. Most improved player award went to Grant Grebe while Steve Dreier received the best defensive player honors.

March 6, 1968

Record kilowatt hour sales highlighted the report of 1967 of the Kaukauna Electric Utility, according to figures released by Norbert Rhinerson, utility manager. The utility had record sales of $992,766.29. This is an increase of 87.5 percent over the past ten years. The utility also reported that in 1967 they paid out $86,189.47 in property taxes and donated $50,000 to the city in 1967.

March 8, 1968

The Kaukauna common council this week authorized the interconnecting power hook-up between Kaukauna, Menasha and the Wisconsin Michigan Power Company. Under the plan, Menasha would sell surplus power to Kaukauna to postpone major investments in new equipment.

Al Borchardt and Tom Giordana were elected co-captain of the 1967-68 championship freshmen basketball team and Borchardt was named most valuable player and best team player. Giordana shared honors with the highest field goal and free throw accuracy percentages. Leon Franzke was named the top defensive player for the year and leading in scoring and rebounding for the team.

March 13, 1968

The Rev. Msgr. Aloysius J. Wycislo, auxiliary bishop of Chicago, was named recently by Pope Paul VI as eighth bishop of the 100-year-old Catholic Diocese of Green Bay. The 59-year-old Chicagoan will succeed the late Bishop Stanislaus V. Bona to the post.

Charles E. Heindel, of Kaukauna, writes from Vietnam where he is serving with a river assault group in the Mekong Delta. Charles twin brother Richard is currently recuperating at Great Lakes Naval Base from a wound received in combat. His older brother Peter has been in the Navy for the past eight years. Charles says the assault boat is fifty feet long, lightly armored and travels at terrific speeds.

March 15, 1968

Lance Cpl. James Allen Corey, 20, Kimberly died in the U. S. Naval hospital in Guam on March 2 after being injured in Vietnam on February 8. Corey graduated from Kimberly high school in 1966. He entered the U. S. Marine corp. on December 27, 1966 and left for Vietnam September 6, 1967.

The Kaukauna high school Varsity Wrestling team. Front row left to right, Mike Pomeroy, Dan Rogers, Don Bloy, Paul Peters, Gary Gartman and Dan Siebers. Second row, Steve Van Schyndel, Terry Van Wychen, Nick Kuhn, captain Dick Huss, Sam Beach, Dan Femal and coach Don Jensen.  

Don Jensen, Kaukauna High School wrestling coach, turned in his resignation Wednesday morning. Jensen will continue teaching Physical Education and will also remain coach of the cross-country squad. He coached wrestling at Kaukauna for four years with a 34-19-3 record.

Coach David Hash will be the recipient of a Certificate of Merit from the Wisconsin Coaches Association on March 16 at their annual meeting in Madison. Coach Hash will receive the award for guiding the Kaukauna Volleyball Team to the State Championship this year.

Sturgeon spearers in 1968 registered 21 sturgeon during the 28-day spearing season on Lake Winnebago. The 1968 season is the poorest season on record with the previous low in 1959 when 221 sturgeon were speared.

Sp4 Arthur J. Haen was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge of distinction for the fighting soldier. Sp4 Haen is serving in the army near Pleiku, Vietnam with the 4^th Infantry Division’s 1^st Calvary as a rifleman.

Army Pvt. David L. Berghuis, Kaukauna, is currently assigned to the Army Training Center, Armored at Fort Knox, Kn., to receive his basic training. After his initial training he will receive advanced individual on-the-job training to qualify him in a specialized military skill.

First Lt. Gerald R. Haen, Kaukauna, who was injured in a training exercise in Vietnam, is a patient in a Denver military hospital where he will receive skin grafts on burns to his hands.

March 20, 1968

Forty-two candidates are competing for places on this year’s edition of the Kaukauna High School baseball team under the direction of head coach Dave Hash. Hash and his assistant coach Harry Wilson will choose a team with an array of talent. Five seniors are out for the team. They are Mike Grogan, Tom Heiting, Ken Kappel, Kurt Luedtke and Bruce Specht.

Seaman Apprentice Thomas P. Collins, USN, 19, Kaukauna, has graduated from the Navy Basic Training Center at Great Lakes, Ill.

Pvt. Robert C. Arnold, Kaukauna, has been assigned to the 16^th Artillery in Germany. He received his basic training at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and attended artillery school at Ft. Sill, Ok.

Sergeant Carlton F. Schmitt, Kaukauna, is on temporary duty at Anderson AFB, Guam. Sgt. Schmitt, a Strategic Air Command material specialist, supports B-52 Stratofortress aircrews who fly daily bombing missions against Viet Cong targets in Vietnam.

Shoulder safety belts now available on 1968 automobiles should be bought and used by all motorists, according to safety officials for the Wisconsin Division of American Automobile Association.

Sp4 Joseph M. Wildenberg, Little Chute, was visited by Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr at the U.S. Army Hospital, Camp Zama, Japan. Starr was on a USO Tour of U.S. Forces Hospital with other professional football players. Sp4 Wildenberg is assigned as a reconnaissance specialist with the 1^st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam.

March 22, 1968

Spring is in the air and the golfers of KHS are seeking to improve on their .500 season last year. Coach Gene Ploetz welcomes back four returning lettermen and a crop of underclassmen hopefuls this week. Returning from last year’s squad are John Kuchelmeister, Mike Derus, Steve Wildenberg and John Rausch.

Airman Timothy J. Gerharz, Kaukauna, has completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Tex. He is currently attending school as a security policeman.

March 27, 1968

Approximately 100 Kaukauna Legion Auxiliary and Post No. 41 members and guests celebrated the 50^th Anniversary of the American Legion with a Birthday Party at the Hub bar Saturday. Cmdr. Norman Meinert introduced the Pres. of Legion Auxiliary Mrs. N. Meinert who conducted the program. 

Kaukauna’s oldest and first, service station came down last week for a new one that will be erected on the same site. Located on the northwest corner of Main Avenue and Third St. The new site will be operated by Oscar Jahns and Randy Franzke along with a car wash.  (Picture from 1910)

Time Machine Trip to March 1928

March 2, 1928

Kaukauna boxer Phil Zwick may show his wares against the best of the little boxers that England, France, South Africa and Australia can produce as stated by Phil’s manager as he has been offered two fights in each of these countries.

Mr. Theodore Steinmetz, well known bandmaster, is preparing to organize a big boys’ band in this city, working in conjunction with the American Legion.

When the average citizen of Kaukauna begins to think about the future he realizes that his own economic success depends to a great measure upon the prosperity of his neighbors and the growth of his town. Be a loyal booster of Kaukauna businesses is all that is required.  

March 6, 1928

Last week a local resident called Chief McCarty about a dog under the porch at their house. The Chief went to the scene and found not one dog but a whole family. The mother and seven puppies. As the chief was late for a meeting at the court house he stopped off at the municipal building and told “Bub” Wagnitz and Nic Mertes about the family. The two gents immediately hopped into a car and went to the family’s abode. The mother dog seemed to know the boys were there to help her and allowed them to load the puppies into their car and then she jumped in. A bottle of milk here and there the self-appointed rescuers began their duties. The chief, for the time being, said he had placed her on the mothers’ pension fund until the owner can be found. 

The Kaukauna High School team, that has not won a game yet this season, has a chance to enter the district basketball meet at Menasha An announcement was made yesterday following the decision of the tourney officials to allow Kaukauna and Kiel to enter the tournament. 

March 16, 1928

The body of Moy Len, well known Chinese laundryman of this city thirty odd years ago, was taken from its resting place in the Kelso Cemetery Thursday upon the direction of his cousin from Milwaukee and was started on its journey to China, Len’s homeland. According to old Chinese belief that a soul of Chinaman cannot rest in peace until it is buried on home soil. Moy Len was a nationalized United States citizen when he died of illness here at the age of thirty-eight on January 29, 1897.

The Kaukauna High School cage squad won its first game of the Menasha tournament by handing the Menasha High cagers a 15-12 set-back in a thrilling game. “Mush” Esler, diminutive Kaw captain was the scintillating star of the evening and played the best game of the tournament.

March 20, 1928

Mr. Leonard G. Graef, president of the Union Lumber company of this city, died from injuries which resulted from an auto crash on USH 41 Friday morning.

Miss Margaret E. Grignon, 75, of the well-known Grignon family died this past Tuesday morning following a short illness. The deceased woman, the daughter of Charles A. Grignon, was born in the old Grignon house on the “Flats” which was built by her father in 1839 and lived there throughout her lifetime. 

March 23, 1928

What is probably the first Ford car to run on railway tracks came into Kaukauna Friday afternoon. This Ford was built to haul coal and drew quite a bit of attention here.  

March 27, 1928

Navigation on the Fox River from Menasha to Green Bay will be open Monday morning according to information received by Ben G. Prugh, head of the Fox River Navigation company.

March 30, 1928

Hugh O’Connell, former Kaukauna resident, now a widely known actor, was a visitor in Kaukauna this past week. Mr. O’Connell left Wednesday for Los Angeles where he is attending rehearsals.  

Time Machine Trip to March 1988

March 1, 1988

James A. Gertz, City of Kaukauna Health, Recreation and Welfare Director, for 26 years died Thursday. He was 65 years old.  Gertz also served as an alderman from 1952 to 1957 and served as Recreation and Welfare Director from 1958 to 1976.

The Kaukauna High School varsity basketball team won the FVA championship for 1987-88. Kneeling, left to right front row are Judy Lenz, Jill Diedrich, Michelle School, Cindy Gertz, Lea Geyso, Penny Van Zeeland and Sara Wolf. Standing back row are Paula Hurst, Nancy Gritt, Barb Huss, Vicki Drewa, Sara Biese, Becky Anderson, Heidi Van De Hey, Trainer Paula Van Epern and Head Coach Ken Vander Velden.

For the fourth time in the Kaukauna High School’s history, the varsity girls’ basketball team will be competing in a WIAA sectional tournament. The Ghosts qualified for the Class A Sectional by winning the championship of the Regional on Saturday. A 23-point performance by Sara Biese helped the Ghosts earn the finale as they posted a 60-44 victory over Ashwaubenon.  Kaukauna will take a 17-5 season into the year’s sectional.

March 3, 1988

The City of Kaukauna will purchase three properties on West Second Street for future projects. The Mayor Ron Van De Hey said that the purchases would be justified as there will be growth if sites are available.  

March 8, 1988

Bill Huss pumped home 22 points for the Kaukauna High School on Friday, but it was not enough to carry the Ghosts in a WIAA Class A regional tournament opener in Ashwaubenon. The Ashwaubenon Jaguars defeated the Ghosts 59-44 in the first round.

The happy times are over for the Kaukauna 1987-88 edition of the varsity girls’ basketball team. KHS was ousted from the WIAA tournament competition in a 52-35 setback by Bay Port in Class A sectional in De Pere. Coach Ken Vander Velden’s team concluded the season with a 17-6 record.

March 10, 1988

The Board of Education members passed a 5.99 per cent pay raise for the administrators and increases for support staff people in Kaukauna school systems.

Mike Weaver is the recipient of the 1987 Person of the Year Award presented last month by the Kaukauna Athletic Club. Weaver has been active in the Kiwanis serving as president, division Lt. Governor and state Kiwanis chairman for Special Olympics. He is a board member Special Olympics, member of Ducks Unlimited, board member of 1000 Islands Environmental Center, board member of United Church Camps, Inc. and past committee chairman for Cub Scout Pack #104 at St. Al’s.

March 15, 1988

Four players and a coach from Kaukauna high school were honored in the all-conference voting for the varsity girls’ and boys’ basketball squads. Sara Biese was selected to the first team by the Fox Valley Association coaches. Barb Huss was placed on the second unit of the FVA’s honor squad. Honorable mention went to Paula Hurst and Scott Eiting. Coach Ken Vander Velden of the girls’ basketball team was chosen the Coach of the Year.

Kaukauna Electrical and Water Utility plans to have its energy conservation program underway as of April 1 according to Utility Manager Ernest Mullen. The new program provides rebates to persons purchasing energy efficient appliances.

March 17, 1988

Historical Society people have been preparing the Grignon Mansion for the summer events planned there. Curator JoEllen Wollangk is working to complete work in the basement of the home along with handling school tours this summer.

March 24, 1988

State Representative Gary Schmidt (R-Kaukauna) has been nominated for one of 32 available spots in a national fellowship program by Assembly Republican Leader Betty Jo Nelson of Shorewood.

March 29, 1988

Ken Vander Velden, head coach of the Kaukauna girls’ basketball team, has resigned. Vander Velden made the announcement Monday evening at the team’s award program saying he was resigning after coaching for the past five seasons.   

March 31, 1988

The death of a six-year-old Kaukauna girl came from asphyxiation caused by a two-inch clear plastic ball being lodged in her throat, a Madison pathologist said in a coroner’s inquest which ended Wednesday as the inquest jury recommended second degree felony murder charges against a Kaukauna man. It was also determined the girl had been assaulted.  

CASA Regional spelling bee winner Mita Chatterjee with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. A. N. Chatterjee of Kaukauna. Mita, and 8^th Grade student at Electa Quinney School, will be participating in the State Spelling Bee at Madison on April 9.

Time Machine Trip to March 1908

March 6, 1908

Trappers in the northern part of the state report that wolves in their starved condition are killing many deer.  The cold weather after the recent thaw has formed a heavy crust on the snow and wolves can run upon it with the same rapidity that they could on bare ground. The deer are less fortunate, and their sharp hoofs go through the crust and snow impeding their progress. Woodsman say that more deer are killed by wolves than hunters.

Julius Kuehn and Dr. W. C. Sullivan closed a deal this week for six more small farms on the Oneida Indian reservation. They are offering some excellent farms for sale at a very low figure on the very edge of the reservation. These titles are all cleared properly and legally. The deeds are passed thru the office of the secretary of the interior at Washington.

Miss Julia Gray in the leading role of the beautiful play “East Lynne” will be presented at the Kaukauna opera house, Monday March 9. Prices 35c and 50c, children 25c.

A horrible case of cruelty was tried in the court house in La Crosse when August Mundstock, a prosperous farmer, was accused of punishing his foster son Arthur, 15 years old, by jabbing him with the points of a pitchfork. The boy’s body from neck to knees was found covered with wounds and scars. Mundstock admitted that he had punished the boy in this way for the past ten years. He was fined $75 and costs.

United States pure food of officers are now touring the Fox River Valley, inspecting the different brands of alleged maple syrup which are sold, it is claimed, as the real article. At least a dozen arrests have been made in the last two weeks. One of the government chemists in a recent Milwaukee interview stated that the blend syrup never saw a drop of the genuine maple sweet.

Chicago’s chief of police, George M. Shippy, was stabbed in the right side and his son Harry, 19 years old, was probably fatally shot by a desperate assassin in front of the police department. The assassin was killed by the chief who fired a bullet into his head. The assassin is a known leader of the anarchist.  

 “Here my dear is the $50 I won playing cards over at Brown’s last night,” said the husband. “You may have it to buy that dress you wanted.”  Reluctantly his wife took the money. “I simply shudder at the thought of using money gained in such a way. Promise me that after you win enough for the hat to go with the dress you will never again touch those awful cards.”

March 13, 1908

Russell Page, a Civil War veteran and decorated hero by congress for his valiant service, was found dead in his bed in Cleveland. While Page was dying his aged wife was vainly searching for work in an effort to buy food. Page had never regained his health after serving in the war and was too proud to ask for aid.

North Collinwood, Ohio - At least 200 school children were killed, and scores injured in the fire which burned down the Lakeview Public School. The fire broke out so suddenly that the children were trapped in their rooms. There were over 400 children and teachers in the school when the fire broke out.

Julius Kuehn, who had spent much of his time among the Oneida Indians this winter, says there is a great deal of sickness among them and that is principally due to the lack of exercise. In eight out of ten homes he found the man of the house lying in bed or setting in a chair complaining of the grip. As they are lazy and get little fresh air Mr. Kuehn is of the opinion that their living in houses is all a mistake and that they would be much healthier in teepees.  

March 20, 1908

The indications are that the clover crop will be badly damaged this spring by the constant freezing and thawing of the past weeks. Very little grain was brought to town this week on account of the conditions of the roads.

Gus Ristau of Kaukauna recently invented a wonderful machine. By placing the device on a person’s head, the machine feels the bumps on the head and prints on a slip of paper which will show the person’s occupation in life he is best adapted. The machine itself is in a cabinet about 18 inches square and four feet high with wires and a head cover extending from the top.

March 27, 1908

Crow blanks, to the number of 2,500, were issued this week and henceforth everyone killing a crow is entitled to fifteen cents providing they present the head to the chairman of the town who fills out the blank.

Where is the original copy of the constitution of Wisconsin passed in 1848? This question has puzzled state officials for years. At the office of the Secretary of the State there is only a copy of the document with no signatures. It is believed the original copy was sent to the printer to make copies and never returned.

Time Machine Trip to March 1955

March 2, 1955

A donation of $1,200 for the nurses’ station room in the Kaukauna Community hospital in memory of Miss Jemima Bell, first industrial nurse at Thilmany’s has been made to the Kaukauna hospital by the Thilmany company. 

March 4, 1955

The Green Bay Packers have signed their 16^th draft choice, Quarterback Charlie “Choo Choo” Brackins, it was announced by Coach Lisle Blackbourn. Picked to the Negro All-American for three consecutive years. Brackins is rated as “One of the all-time Negro college players”.

The Thilmany Pulp & Paper company of Kaukauna a recipient of more than 50 safety awards since 1940 has announced that its Bag Mill shared first place in its division in the 1954 National Safety Contest. The certificate is in recognition of the Mill’s having operated 518,420-man hours without a disabling injury, from October 1952 thru December 1954. The record continues thus far this year.   

March 9, 1955

Herbert F. Weckwerth, at a meeting Monday noon, was elected president of the Kaukauna Advancement Association to succeed J. R. Gustman and Wayne M. Carr was chosen to succeed David Hartjes as vice president for the 1955 by the board of directors of the organization.

Six Kaukauna youths were among the list of eight young men from the county who were ordered to report for induction in the armed services on March 7. They are: Norbert A. Van Hoof, Donald H. Frank, Ronald J. Reichel, Roger J. George, Wilford J. Mischler and James D. Johnson.

The first twelve babies born at the Kaukauna Community hospital will be honored with gifts, it was announced by the first baby committee, made up of James Bambery, Carl Runte and Al Kronforst. 

March 11, 1955

Lou Glaser, 44, former professional at the Fond Du Lac County club, has been named pro-manager of the Fox Valley golf club it was announced by Martin Jansen club president.

March 16, 1955

Area sportsmen will probably be interested to know that the Sturgeon population was reduced by a total of 2,218 during the past spearing season.  

March 18, 1955

The Rev. Bernard H. Pennings, founder-president of St. Norbert’s College and the first Norbertine Abbot in North America died at the age of 93 years of age.

Superintendent T. H. Boebel, this week announced that the Board of Education has set a new pay maximum for teachers in the public-school system. The new system allows a lady teacher with a bachelor’s degree to obtain a maximum salary of $4,550 after reaching her 15^th year of service. 

March 23, 1955

Crowds of visitors stood in a line a block long outside the new Kaukauna Community Hospital on Sunday to attend the open house and voice their pleasure over the new building. An estimated six thousand visited the hospital, and thousands more failed to get in. Starting at 9 a.m. they came and continued to file through the building until after 7:00 in the evening, although closing time had been set at 5:00. The hospital went into operation at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dr. Alois M. Bachhuber, chief of staff, announced yesterday evening.

Six students of Kaukauna high school maintained straight A’s for the fourth six weeks period.

Seniors -  Judith Bayorgeon and Lorraine Jochmann.

Sophomores – Jean Bauer, Richard Boyd, Janet Oettinger and Ann Teske.

March 30, 1955

Three of Kaukauna’s four police women went on duty at intersections in the city as crossing guards. Though the uniforms are not as yet complete according to Chief of Police Harold Engerson they will soon. 

Pvt. Richard R. Van Schyndel, Kaukauna, is currently stationed at Fort Bliss, Tex. With an anti-aircraft artillery unit in the army. 

Cpl. Robert A. Maas recently reported to Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., after spending a 14-day leave with his wife and two children here. He is currently studying engineering.

Pvt. Leo Diedrich has completed in basic training at Fort Leonard Wood. Mo., and is currently in advanced training. 

Pvt. Pat. E. Cox of Kaukauna has finished basic training and is stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. With the 91^st Heavy Tank Bn., 6^th Armored Division.

A/B Marvin Wirth, Kaukauna, was recently transferred to Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss. He is with the 3380 Tech. Tng. Grp. 

  

Pvt. James P. Diedrich, Kaukauna, after completing army basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., is currently stationed at Ft. Benning Ga. 

Airman 3^rd Class Neil Schmitz is attending administration school at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base at Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Pfc. Daniel Schommer of Kaukauna is stationed at Ansbach, Germany, where he is teaching at a signal school.

Pvt. Mark J. Schommer of Kaukauna is a member of the 406^th Medical General Laboratory at Camo Tokyo, Japan.

Pvt. Charles R. Barr of Kaukauna and his wife the former Joan Weigman left for Fort Lee, Va., where Barr will be attending supply school.

Pvt. Gerald T. Weigman has completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He will not report to Fort Sam Houston, Texas and join a Medical Corps unit

Pvt. Roy D. Ring of Kaukauna has completed basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. He will now report to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland where he will attend an ordinance school. 

 1955 Cadillac Eldorado