Time Machine Trip to July 1949

Kaukauna Times - By Lyle Hansen

July 1, 1949

Funeral services for Carol Jean Tolley, age 11, will be held today in Madison. Carol died in an accident Tuesday evening in which the bicycle she was riding collided with a station wagon at the intersection of Draper and Idlewild streets in Kaukauna. She was visiting her grandmother Mrs. Van Kaarhoven of Klein street.

Kaukauna’s famed one-two batting punch of little Garry Ragen and big Bill Alger topped the first half individual batting averages in the Fox River Valley league. The two Athletic players were the only batters in the loop to bat over the .500 mark.

Phil Haas, the Kaukauna Athletic Club’s leading pitcher will be on the hill Sunday when the AC’s battle the Menasha Merchants for the first half title in the Fox Valley.

Richard ‘Darky’ Ristau will be behind the plate for the Kaukauna Athletic Club for Sunday’s game.

July 6, 1949

Private Richard Grissman, Kaukauna, has been assigned to Company A 38^th Infantry Regiment, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

Elwood Kobussen operator of the Kaukauna Transit Bus company has been granted authority to operate on a permanent basis.

Walter P. Hagman, principal of the Outagamie County Rural Normal school has announced that all 1949 graduates of the school have secured teaching jobs for the fall term. Salaries for graduates of the two-year course will range from $225 to $250 a month.

Harry McAndrews was installed as president of the Kaukauna Rotary club for the next year.

Funeral services for Donald Van Epern, 20, Kaukauna, who drowned at the Crystal Lake beach stone quarry west of Appleton Sunday afternoon will be held at Holy Cross Catholic church.

July 8, 1949

Carp fishing was made easy for some of the Kaukauna’s youngsters Wednesday morning when the water in the canal was drained in order that the usual inspection could be made at the power plants.

July 13, 1949

According to Clyde Steele, commander of the Post No. 42 American Legion, approximately $782 was had by the post from the Legion three-day picnic held over fourth of July weekend at La Follette park.

Sgt. Robert Pankratz, Kaukauna, a member of the staff of the army air force recruiting station, has reenlisted for three years with the army ordnance division.

Eagle Scout James Van De Loo, Troop 27 Kaukauna, was inducted into the Wa-Zi-Ya-Ta Lodge of the Order of the Arrow at Gardner Dam Boy Scout camp last weekend. He is the first Boy Scout from Kaukauna to be inducted into the Order of the Arrow.  

July 15, 1949

A safety program to prevent accidents is now being carried out on a full scale by the Kaukauna Police department. Reflector buttons have been placed beneath the stop signs at the more dangerous intersections within the city. Chief of Police Harold Engerson pointed out that there has been a great increase in traffic throughout the city.

July 20, 1949

Tom Trettin, 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Trettin, won the right to represent this district in the national Soap Box Derby finals at Akron, Ohio, on August 14, when he was crowned champion at the Green Bay district derby on Sunday afternoon.

Two players from Kaukauna VFW county team were chosen to the southern division All-Star team. Players chosen for the team were Manager Art Nagel at first base and Fred Ponschok in centerfield. Both players were leading the Vets at the plate. 

Last Saturday was the fifth birthday of Gary Kieffer, West ninth street Kaukauna. Gary had a surprise party, not for Gary but for Gary’s mother. Gary had approached his mother some days earlier on the subject of having a birthday party, but his mother was in no mood for parties and put him off with “We’ll see”. She later dismissed further thought of a birthday party for Gary. While out in the garden one day she was greeted by one of Gary’s friends “Hello Mrs. Kieffer, I’m already to come to your house to the party.” “Party, party, what party?” She hurried home and found the party in full swing with Gary surrounded by friends each bearing a birthday gift. It was only a matter of minutes for a batch of cupcakes to be in the oven with more than enough to go around. A trip to the corner store for ice cream completed the preparations.

July 22, 1949

Chief of Police Harold Engerson yesterday reminded drivers that hand signals are now compulsory and must be given before turning, slowing or stopping.

July 27, 1949

Three Kaukauna girls, who competed in twirling contests at the annual Wisconsin Spectacle of Music Saturday in South Milwaukee were awarded three of the first ten places in the senior division. Miss Sharon Goldin was awarded second place, Miss Barbara Oudenhoven placed eighth and Miss Dolores Vander Loop tied for tenth place in the national contest.

        

Lyle D. McGinnis    Dennis Mereness    Harold Wirth 

All three youths, 1949 graduates of Kaukauna high school, are seamen recruits and undergoing recruit training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Ill.

July 29, 1949

Motor vehicles driven on Wisconsin highways must not operate at speeds above 65 mph in daytime and 55 mph at night under the speed limit act passed by the state legislature.

The veteran Kaukauna featherweight is not through yet. Phil Zwick tossed away all thoughts of retirement – despite his 45 odd years of age – by taking a 10-round split decision over Pat O’Leary at the South Side Athletic Club professional boxing card Tuesday night at Goodland Field, Appleton.