Saturday, January 5, 2019

Time Machine Trip to January 1959


By Lyle Hansen

January 7, 1959
Two teenage girls from Kaukauna and two youths from Black Creek nearly escaped drowning over the Christmas holidays when the auto on which they were driving cracked through the ice on the Fox River near Menasha on Monday, December 29 and settled to the bottom of the river. Involved in the near traffic mishap were Sharon Pomeroy and Joan O’Brien, both 17, of Kaukauna. The young people told investigating officers that they had driven onto frozen Lake Winnebago at Waverly Beach and became confused as they were attempting to return going the wrong direction.


The Rev. Roger Wentz, new pastor of United Church of Christ of Kaukauna conducted his first service at his new parish on Sunday, January 4 at 10:00 am. The new pastor replaces the Rev. John Scheib who accepted a position as president of the North Wisconsin Synod of the United Church of Christ after over 25 years of service to the Kaukauna parish. 


“Construction on an addition to the Roloff Manufacturing Corporation will increase capacity of the foundry by about 40%” Walter H. Roloff, Pres., said Thursday. 

January 9, 1959
Another cold shooting session by the Kaukauna Galloping Ghost Tuesday night cost them a heartbreaking 61-60 loss at the hands of Green Bay East Red Devils in what should have been a fairly easy victory.  The Kaws shot a miserable 24% from the court while Green Bay chocked up a respectable 44% margin. Before the final buzzer, two of Kaukauna's tallest boys, LeRoy Weyenberg and Myron Zachowski collected their fifth fouls and were expelled from the game, which no doubt had some effect on the outcome of the game. 

Kaukauna Airman James L. Kuchelmeister was the top marksman with his carbine rifle at the Air Force firing range. He scored 118 and was rewarded with a three-day pass in keeping with the policy of awards of high score of the week in firing competition. 

January 14, 1959
Another good year for banking at the Bank of Kaukauna was reported by cashier Leo Merlo at the annual meeting held Monday evening during which all officers and directors will return to office. L. A. Gerend will continue as president of the board and A. M. Schmalz as vice president.

Carl Ploetz bowled a 242 singleton and Wilmer Runte with a 606 series topped the bowlers on the business men's league on January 6 at S&B bowling alley.


Posters and slogans in the halls, announcements over the public address system, and daily homeroom programs are serving as reminders to Kau Hi students that this is “Good Grooming Week" at KHS. Featuring slogans for the week are “Proper dress is common sense” and “Dress right - you can’t afford not to.”  A movie “Let's dress right” will be shown to all students in the auditorium during homeroom period today.

As a part of his tour throughout the country, Tony Bettenhausen famed race driver, spoke to Kaukauna High School students last Wednesday afternoon as part of the highway safety program. Mr. Bettenhausen finished fourth at the Indianapolis Speedway in 1958.

January 16, 1959
Mayor Joseph Bayorgeon presented a detailed picture of the Kaukauna budget to the Rotary club Wednesday noon. He pointed out that we have a good budget and presented a chart entitled “Where do your tax dollars go?”

January 21, 1959
Representatives of a citizens committee of Kaukauna and city officials met to formulate plans for the presentation of Kaukauna’s position relative to the proposed new University of Wisconsin Extension to representatives of the University at a special meeting Friday evening. According to the committee Kaukauna offered ten acres of land with water, electrical and sewer facilities. With these items given free it would leave funds normally spent for these things available for procuring equipment for the extension center.

January 23, 1959
Despite the general business decline experienced by the country in the early months of 1958 the Kaukauna Saving and Loan association experienced one of its best years according to Leo H. Schmalz, secretary and manager in a report to the stockholders at the annual meeting Wednesday night.

Truck drivers from Thilmany Pulp and Paper Co. received awards for accident free driving. Marvin Busse and Gerald Smits, both having 21 years; Raymond Britten, 19 years; Robert Weigand, 16 years; Albert Kersten, Jr., 15 years; Hugo Wenzel, 14 years; Phelam Femal, 11 years; John Grissman, 9 years; William Schmitz, jr., 7 years; Dale Kilgas, 6 years; LeRoy Reimer, 5 years; George Huss, 2 years and Leo Wilz, 1 year.

January 28, 1959
In a loosely played game Kaukauna had little trouble beating New London 53-35. The game could best be explained as a parade to the foul line. New London was called for 20 fouls and Kaukauna getting called for 17 fouls. High scorer for the Ghosts was LeRoy Weyenberg with 16 points and Jim Steger followed with 8 points.

Leigh Wachel rolled a 231 singleton and a 396 two game series to lead the bowlers of the Recreation teen age league at Verbeten’s lanes. 

January 30, 1959
Acquiring the land for the expansion of the Badger Northland Plant was an excellent example of team work by the city government, industry and business in Kaukauna. When the railroad was reluctant to sell the land the mayor and Thilmany management worked with the Chicago and Northwestern in managing the sale.


The teenage safe driver for the month of December and recipient of the safe driving traveling trophy was Tom Verhagen receiving congratulations from members of the Kaukauna Rotary club, sponsors of the trophy. Left to right are, Rotary president, Dr. George Behnke, Clarence Theis,Tom Verhagen, Leo Schmalz and Mark Nagan.  



 








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