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.