Time Machine trip to February 1979

By Lyle Hansen

February 1, 1979

“BIG RED”, “BUCKY” or “FARMER” are some of the 13,500 names people in Wisconsin have requested from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

February 6, 1979

The Ghosts realized all their goals when they defeated the Kimberly Papermakers 60-56 Friday evening. The Ghosts are now .500 for the season. After leading by 19 points Kimberly came back to within 3 points with 2 1/2 minutes left in the game.  

February 8, 1979

The Kaukauna common council members ratified a two-year pact with the firemen, calling for a nine percent pay increase in 1979 and 7.5 hike the following year. The police lieutenants will receive a flat salary of $18,400 per year.

It was a very good day for the Kaukauna boxers last Saturday at Holy Cross gym. Six of the eight local boxers won their bouts sponsored by the Kaukauna Boxing Association. Bill Hibbard treated the crowd of 350 to the best match of the evening. Tom Horn won a decision in the 70-pound Junior Olympic bout. Nick Horn won the final match of the evening in the 135-pound Senior Olympic division. Mike Horn won his bout when his opponent became ill before the bout and dropped out.

Norman Boettcher, Kaukauna, celebrated his 77^th birthday anniversary by smashing a 232 game in the couples Bowling League at the Bowling Bar February 6.

February 13, 1979

Clair Vande Yacht again showed why she is considered one of the area’s best vaulters by placing first. Paced by a sweep in both floor exercise and vaulting, the KHS team posted a 81.20 to 73.86 non-conference dual meet victory last Thursday. Chris Hoffman finished second in vaulting.

February 15, 1979

New ownership at the Lee Store also means some changes in the store itself. Elaine Novak is the manager who with her husband James working on remodeling the store. The specialty store will have a grand opening this summer.   

Chief Warrant Officer Dale R. Nagan, Kaukauna, recently was assigned as a maintenance inspector with the 3^rd Support Command in Frankfurt, Germany. He is a 1969 graduate of Kaukauna High School.

February 20, 1979

Jim Viaene, Kaukauna’s heavyweight wrestler, is headed for state. He finished third at the Pulaski sectional qualifying himself for this week’s state tournament.

February 27, 1979

Ghost wrestler Jim Viaene picked up some very valuable experience last week, but he came home from Madison minus the prize he was really after. He was in search of a heavyweight championship at the state meet, but his hopes were dashed in the first match.

Sparked by Jodi Chandler’s winning performance on the uneven bars, the KHS gymnastics team capped their regular season with their highest finish ever in a conference meet.

Sophomore guard Ross Giordana of Kaukauna helped the University of Wisconsin Varsity Reserve to a perfect 17-0 record in the recently completed season. Giordana started all 17 games for the Badgers, finishing as the team’s third leading scorer.   

Ribbon cutting for the opening of the expanded Larry’s Piggle Wiggly store on Hwy 55 was officiated by Mayor Robert LaPlante with a big scissors as members of the Verhagen family look on. Left to right Tom Verhagen holding son Dan. Larry and Gladys Verhagen, Don Ronspies of P.W. Mrs. Tom (Judy) Verhagen, Maureen Verhagen, Orville Lehman, Joe Verhagen, the Mayor, Bill Verhagen, Vicki Verhagen, Glen Hessler of P.W. and Don Niemuth. Near the scissors are Tricia and Emily Verhagen. The five children belong to Tom and Judy.

The Kaukauna wrestling team – Members include front row: Larry Kitterman, Brian Schumann, Bruce Van Schyndel, Dennis Van Asten, Larry Van Wychen, Dan Geenen and Phil Kessler. Row 2: Coach Bob Bragg, Jim Viaene, Dan Schneider, John Petrie, Kevin Huss, Rich Rogers and Bruce Lamont.

Passing the badge – Police Chief Gerald Lopas presenting a lieutenants’ badge to newly promoted Lt. William Appleton, Jr., the departments juvenile officer. Also promoted are Richard Bentley, now a corporal (far left); Patrick Campbell, now a sergeant and Eugene Schaefer, far right promoted to night lieutenant.   

Members of the Holy Cross 7^th Championship Grade basketball team – Front row: Jeff Promer, Kevin Calmes, Craig Gavaert, Fred Jacques and Steve Goetzman. Row 2: Brett Wallace, Alan Rosin, Kevin Roberts and Dan Spietz. Row 3: Coach Mike Reardon, Ron Biese, Matt Vanden Heuvel, Kirk Rademaker and Steve Leick.

Kaukauna varsity basketball team – Craig Kandler, Mgr., Kevin Coenen, Pat Brogan, Jim Plutschack, Lee Hennes, Mike Terry, Tom Romenesko, Mark Simon, Greg Pawiak Berry Martzahl, Greg Eiting and Brian Roebke, Mgr.  

Members of the KHS Girls’ basketball team – Kneeling: Kris Patschke, Sue Grissman, Donna Simon, Lori Cummings and Chris Conis. Row 3: Brenda Lemke, Gail Balck, Carol Ebben, Terry Malkowski, Linda DeBruin, Cindy Kandler and Karen Vandersteen, Mgr.

1979 Pontiac-Trans-Am

Time Machine Trip to February 1929

February 1, 1929

The Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company’s shops, part of which will be permanently discontinued and dismantled after March 1^st. The railway shops have ranked second only to the paper mills as the chief industry of our city.

A report says that Cornelius Verbaeten, proprietor of the hotel at Wrightstown, was sentenced to thirty days in the Brown county workhouse and fined $100 when he plead guilty to a second offense against the liquor law. 

February 5, 1929

Famous stories of the frozen north of the Yukon palled before the story of a brave young local nurse who last Thursday battled a raging blizzard on foot for forty miles to reach the bedside of a patient who needed her services. Miss Fern Lambie, who has been staying in Shorewood received a call from Seymour that she was needed  quickly to take care of her 19-year-old niece. All trains were snowed in and highways were blocked by drifts. This did not stop her from hiking off on her 40-mile trip. The lone hiker stopped at various farm houses, for a brief rest, on her trip of mercy. She arrived at her destination Seymour Saturday afternoon having covered the distance in 50 hours and 45 minutes.

Neenah’s red clad warriors, favorites to win the state basketball championship same to the Kaukauna High gym Friday evening. They defeated the home team before a record size crowd 24 to 7.

February 8, 1929

President Coolidge, in his last address to the business organization of the government, called attention to the rapidly mounting cost of government. From $3,900 million in 1921 to $7,900 million in 1927 is a serious matter and a heavy drain on the economy of the country. This is a red flag warning us of the disaster of a depression ahead.

February 12, 1929

William Van Dyke, proprietor of the Vaudette Theatre, states that beginning February 17, "talkie" motion pictures will be shown for the first time here with permanent talking picture equipment, a "Moviephone."

February 15, 1929

Charles Clune, town of Buchanan, was fined $500 after he had pled guilty Tuesday to a charge of violating the state prohibition law. He was arrested after a raid was conducted on a small building which contained a 75 gallon still on his property.

February 22, 192

Olin G. Dryer, principal of the Kaukauna High School and captain in the reserve army, has been notified by the commanding general of the sixth corps area he has been accepted on the county committee of the Citizens Military Training Camp enrollment organization.

February 26, 1929

Forest Junction – A truck mounted rotary snow plow is being given a trial on Calumet county highways this week. The plow leaves a path sufficiently wide to enable vehicles to pass. 

Louis Faust of this city was renamed president of the Wisconsin Well Drillers’ association at the annual meeting held in Milwaukee.

The slaying of seven gangsters in Chicago at one time has aroused great interest over the country. “What bitterer satire could there be on the enforcement of law in Chicago to have gangsters disguising themselves as policemen”. This, they thought was only a police raid. They had nothing to fear from that.  

Time Machine Trip to February 1949

By Lyle Hansen

February 2, 1949

Everyone was shouting “Hi Harry” and “Good luck Harry” and trying to get the President's attention as he rode by at the head of the inauguration parade according to Meyer Miller, Kaukauna’s only representative at the inauguration ceremonies.

  

Thilmany lower mill is back in operation this morning after a ten-hour shutdown caused by mass of ice falling thru the roof of the electrical control and steam turbine room yesterday noon, damaging the main electrical central panel.

Donald Sheehy, Kaukauna, who enlisted in the Army January 13, is now stationed at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky. 

St. Mary’s wins, 40-23 with Joe Hinkens scoring 22 points as St. Mary’s chalked up its third out-of-town win over St. Peter’s of Oshkosh Sunday afternoon.  

February 4, 1949

Cub Scout awards were made at a recent meeting of Cub Pack 27 at St. Mary's church hall. Those receiving Wolf badges were James Reichel, Victor Haen, Robert Woods, and Peter Berens, while Wolf Gold Arrow awards were presented to John Renn, Leslie Schulz, Robert Woods and Peter Berens. Lion awards were presented to Ronald Woods and Bernard Siebers.

February 9, 1949

Over $200,000 was collected in real estate taxes according to a statement released by Ruth Wolf City Treasurer.

February 11, 1949

Kaukauna’s Jim “Red” Hopfensperger was stopped by Joey Brunnette of Michigan in the second round of their semi-final bout for the 118-pound state Golden Glove title in Milwaukee Wednesday night. The two fighters were nip and tuck for the first few minutes each getting blows to the other. The Kaukauna boxer took a trip to the mat in the 1st  round and then again in the 2nd before the referee stopped the bout.

February 16, 1949

A packed house of 800 highly pleased fans saw the nationally-known, football talented Green Bay Packers display their basketball abilities in the form of a convincing 48-26 victory at the expense of the Kaukauna All-Stars Saturday night in the high school gym. The game was sponsored by the Kaukauna Lions Club for the benefit of the high school band uniform fund.

Green Bay Packers cage squad Back row, Ted Fritsch, Earl “Jug” Girard, Tony Canadeo; Front row, Nolan Luhn, Andy Uram, Ken Keuper and Tim O’Brien.

The Kaukauna all stars left to right top row, Bob Biese, Bill Alger, Matt Otte, Don Kuehl and Paul Koch. Bottom row William Ranquette, Carl Giordana, Jerome Parman, Fred Nack and Bill Van Dyke.

“OZZIE” the safety clown cop appeared at the Kaukauna schools last week and gave talks to students on safety, good citizenship and good behavior.

February 25, 1949

Pfc. Harold W. Humphrey, Kaukauna, has been placed on the attached service for ninety days with this 79th Engineer Maintenance company for duty in Kyoto, Japan.

Kaukauna passengers on the Appleton and inner-city Motor Coach buses will pay a minimum fee of 10 cents per ride and 25 cents for three rides beginning March 15 according to the bus company's recent requested rate increase.

For the third time in the last nine years, a Kaukauna player has walked off with the top honors in the Northeastern Wisconsin conference individual scoring race. Latest to turn the trick is Cliff Hinkens, 1948-49 winner with a total of 122 points in 10 games. Big Bill Alger won the crown back in 1941 scoring 140 total points. The season in 1945 Jim Lehman turned the trick by registering 117 markers. 

 Cliff Hinkens

1949 Ford station wagon

Time Machine Trip to February 1939

By Lyle Hansen

February 1, 1939

The Little Chute Legion girls won a 5 to 3 decision over the Kaukauna Merchants girls team Sunday. Grace Walsh served the only basket for the merchants and Dorothy Timmers counted a free throw. Graham and Brys dropped in field goals for Little Chute and Schumacher added a free throw.

The first step in the enforcement of the new bicycle ordinance, which was passed by the common council, is taking place this week, according to James E. McFadden, chief of police.  Inspection of every bicycle in the city will be made at the police station on Saturdays during the month of February 9 am to 4 pm. Every person who owns a bicycle is required to have their bicycle inspected by the police department. If the bicycle passes a license can be obtained from the city clerk at a cost of twenty-five cents.

The Holy Cross basketball team defeated Park school 25-10 Saturday morning at the high school gym.  B. Van Dyke scored 13 points for Holy Cross while Walsh scored four points for Park school.

A fire of undetermined origin caused approximately $700 damage to the Jacob Miller tavern on East Second street Tuesday morning.

This week the Hall of Fame presents another prominent member of the senior class, Arlene Schomisch. Arlene is interested in stamp collecting, pen pals and photography. She is in band, Quill and Scroll and Camera Club this year. She has currently been office girl for principal Olin G. Dryer.

Kimberly A. A. cage team will meet the Superior All Stars at Kimberly club house Sunday afternoon at 3 pm. With Joe Gossens, veteran Kimberly guard, having one of his best seasons, fans will see one of the best sharpshooters in the state.

February 3, 1939

Phil Zwick, the Kaukauna featherweight, who has been visiting in and around the city has left for Toronto, Canada where he has signed to fight the Canadian featherweight champion on February 13.

The Rialto theatre is observing its second anniversary. Top center Mr. Reuben Rosenblatt, manager; in the second-row Walter Holt, projectionist and Francis Biselx, assistant manager; In the front-row Werner Altman, usher, Dolores King, cashier and Jean La Borde, usher.  

February 8, 1939

Kaukauna scored a 28 to 24 victory over St. Mary High School of Menasha here Friday evening. The game was fast and rough with a total of 30 fouls being called. The Kaws held the Zephyrs to a lone bucket in the last period while Paul Koch and Bill Alger came through with valuable points and the Kaw team played great defensive ball.

February 10, 1939

The cost of poor relief in Kaukauna during January amounted to $2,468.11 according to the monthly report submitted by the relief director. There were 110 cases on relief in December with 21 new ones and 10 were closed.

A profit of $55.83 was realized from the President Roosevelt birthday ball held at the Nitingale ballroom according to Ray De Bruin, secretary and treasurer of the committee.

February 15, 1939

This week the Hall of Fame presents another prominent member of the senior class, Robert Deering. Having gone to school at De Pere in his freshman year, he has been in the band here last three years. He is one of our rural students who plays basketball during noon hour. His hobbies are playing the tenor saxophone, Hawaiian guitar and Spanish guitar. Besides music he likes science and has taken both chemistry and physics. 

Over the past few years a new winter sport has attracted the attention of high school students. Boxing is not as popular as basketball but has the support of students. The year’s squad has only four veterans, but Coach Kemp has all the boys tuned up for a pretty good show. This year’s veteran squad includes Sherman Powers, Robert Niesen, G. Steffens, and Gordon Hennes.

The employment situation in Kaukauna has been greatly aided through the formation of the Kaukauna Machine Corporation, a new company which took over all the assets of the former Moloch Foundry and Machine company on January 1. Ralph J. Kraut, Fond du Lac, is president. The company has doubled the full-time employees of the former Moloch, there being 72 full-time employees on the payroll at this time. 

February 17, 1939

A Toronto, Canada telegram reports of the Zwick-Castilloux bout, which took place Monday at Maple Leaf Gardens. For six rounds, they boxed and fought evenly and then the younger man took the lead with youth and stamina on his side he moved ahead until there were no doubts as to the winner. Castilloux by winning moved nearer to the world featherweight title.

E. L. Lambeau, Green Bay Packers coach, is going to take about two months off from football as he plans to leave on a European trip early in March. Some of Curly's friends can’t help but wonder if he isn't on the trail of a couple of big husky lineman “over there.”

The number of filling stations in Kaukauna during the last 10 years is increased from 4 to 16 according to a recent city report.

February 24, 1939

Abe Golden, Thursday, announced that he will be a candidate for reelection to the position of justice of the peace in April. Golden is seeking his fourth consecutive term as justice.

Time Machine Trip to February 1969

By Lyle Hansen

February 5, 1969

The Kaukauna Jaycees have established the opening of the Wisconsin Jaycee-Cystic Fibrosis Research Fund with the presentation of a check. 

February 7, 1969

Floyd Hammen slammed a 257 game in way to a 661-top series in the Fox Valley league at the Little Chute Recreation Lanes last week. 

Raymond A. Plzak, Kaukauna, was a mid-year graduate of the University of Wisconsin Madison on January 25. Ray received his military commission into the Armed Forces during the ceremony.

February 12, 1969

Charles Heindel, Radioman third Class in the Navy Reserve has been awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for the performance of his duties in Viet Nam.

The annual Kaukauna Rec. Ice Carnival was held Sunday on the Tenth St. rink. The winners were:

Lee Hennes – Midget boys

Connie McPheil – junior girls

Mark Van Abel – junior boys

Jean DeWitt – intermediate girls

Ray Harwey – intermediate boys

Jim Verbeten – senior boys

Cathy Lopas - senior girls

Sue Gerow – junior girls

Mark Van Abel – Junior boys

Marvin Wiedenhaupt – teen boys

Barb Borree – intermediate girls

Dave Grissman – Intermediate boys 

February 14, 1969

Mary Kay Klister was named the D.A.R. winner at Kaukauna High School for 1969. The award is presented annually by the Daughters of the American Revolution and goes to the senior girls who best exemplifies leadership, citizenship, dependability and service to the school.

Dedication Plaque for the Golden Venture Apartments is presented, left to right Kaukauna Mayor Gilbert Anderson, Vincent Lombardi, former Packer head coach, Lee Scherer, chairman of the  Kaukauna housing authority and David Carley of the Public Facilities builders.

February 19, 1969

The Kaukauna Electric & Water Department will request approval for a rate increase according to Norbert Rhinerson utility manager. Since 1912 this is the first-rate increase requested by the utility.

Brigadier General Joseph L. Lingle, formally of Kaukauna, will receive a trophy during the Air Force association’s annual convention in March. General Lingle is the commander of the 440^th tactical air lift wing at Gen, Mitchell field in Milwaukee. The 440^th has been named the association’s outstanding reserve unit four times in the past six years. 

February 21, 1969

New room rates were set for Kaukauna Community Hospital. Effective March 1, the new rate for a double room is $26 while a private room rate is set at $32.50 per day.

February 26, 1969

The Kaukauna Hylanders women’s basketball team was crowned champions of the AAU Tournament in West Allis, Wisconsin the past weekend with a 39-30 triumph over Milwaukee Aces in the final game.  Members of the Kaukauna team include Kris Ostrowski, Pat Moede, Sharon Ploor, Karen Dix, Jane Jahn, Sharon Jermstad, Jeanne Forest and Judy Weigman.

Boy Scout Troop 27, St. Mary’s, are working on citizenship projects. John Kilgas, John Czckalski, John Nytes, Amado Garcia, Darrell Wittmann and Dale Busse.  

A letter written to the Washington Post praising the various attributes of former Packer coach now present Redskin coach Vince Lombardi by a Kaukauna housewife brought her considerable mail from east of the Potomac over the past week. The Kaukauna woman wrote “I am a perfectly respectable wife and mother of five children. But on Sunday afternoons I am a foot-stomping, furniture-kicking, muttering hellion who grew up on Packer lore. I say words under my breath my husband doesn’t even know I know. Well I’m glad he’s in Washington. Now Mr. Lombardi’s message needs to reach millions of Americans not just the handful in Wisconsin.

Sgt. Dale Sachs is on duty at Da Nang AB, Vietnam. Sgt. Sachs, a medical records specialist, is in a unit of the Pacific Air Forces. He is a 1964 Kaukauna High School graduate.

February 28, 1969 

Dennis Meulemans, a rural Kaukauna student has been named to a position on the administration of the 50^th Wisconsin Little International Livestock and Horse Show held Feb. 28 at the University of Wisconsin stock pavilion. 

Marine Pvt. Ronald Schmitt, Kaukauna, has graduated recruit training at the Marine Corps training center. He will now under go individual combat training before being assigned to a unit.

Cadet Stanley Plzak, Kaukauna, a senior in the U.S. Army ROTC program at the University of Wisconsin, has been promoted to the rank of cadet Colonel and assigned the position of Battalion Commander in the cadet battalion. Cadet Plzak in a 1965 graduate of Kaukauna High school.

Three Kaukauna residents were among the 31 practical nursing students who received diplomas. 

   Joan Van Wychen             Barbara Schmidt              

    Mary Courtney

Five men from the Kaukauna Post office have been honored with a safe driving awards for logging a total of 75,000 accident free miles while on duty. Donald Wenzel, 14 years, Edward Kaphingst, 8 years; John Tulloch, 16 years; George Vanden Hogen, 5 years and Robert Wittman, 6 years.