Time Machine Trip to January 1950

Kaukauna Times - By Lyle Hansen

January 4, 1950

John Kramer who is stationed at Davis Monthan Air Force Base at Tulsa, Arizona, left Kaukauna last Wednesday after spending Christmas holidays with his parents on Sarah St.

The firm which manufacturers the cheese food carrying Kaukauna’s name to the far corners of the country has changed its name from the South Kaukauna Dairy Company to Kaukauna Dairy Company, E. A. Gilling, general manager, disclosed Monday. The name change took effect January 1, 1950.

January 6, 1950

Packers gridders turn in their football togs for lighter basketball gear tonight when they invade the St. John High School gym in Little Chute for a game with the Little Chute Recreation basketball team. Pictured top, ‘Jug’ Girard, and Andy Uram. Bottom, Ted Fritsch and Ken Keuper.

Mary Giordana and Willis Ranquette clicked on a series of 1133 to win the first annual couples’ handicap bowling tournament held at the S & B alleys. Eighty-three couples were entered in the competition.

Dr. J. H. Doyle, served the citizens of Little Chute over a half-century, died early yesterday morning after a two-year illness. Dr. Doyle was 79 years of age at the time of his death. Village president John H. Vandeyacht has declared Monday an official day of mourning.

Mary Giordana and Willis Ranquette clicked on a series of 1133 to win the first annual couples’ handicap bowling tournament held at the S & B alleys. Eighty-three couples were entered in the competition.

The biography of Miss Dolores Vander Loop, Kaukauna’s twirling ace will appear in the 1950 Library edition of the book “Who’s Who in Baton Twirling.” De De first started twirling in 1942.

January 11, 1950

The first 1950 baby born to parents living in Kaukauna was a nine-pound, five-ounce son to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Montanye. The boy was born at 4:20 Saturday morning at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton. He will be christened Keith Richard Montanye.

January 13, 1950

An early morning fire yesterday again threatened with destruction the brick Central Block building, the corner of Main Avenue and Second Street, which was once before damaged by fire in March 1937, to the extent of $50,000. Yesterday's blaze, which started in and completely gutted out the Avenue Bar, operated by John Blaha, at the north end of the building on Main Avenue adjacent to the alleyway, also spread to the adjoining Pechman Studio of F.J. Pechman, 114 Main Avenue, The latter was also badly damaged by flames, smoke and water. The estimated damage to the building, tenant’s property and that of the smoke filled adjoining Verfurth Shoe Store, the W.C. Ditter and Son Plumbing establishment and the offices on the first and second floors, amounted to $25,000.

January 18, 1950

Marcus Nigl was named “Man of the Year” in Kaukauna. More than 50 members of the local Jaycee organization and prominent citizens crowed into the Ritz Club Monday. Mayor Doty Bayorgeon recalled that “Nigl was the one man who was always around when there was work to be done but was usually absent when there was credit to be taken for doing it.”

January 25, 1950

The Galloping Ghosts rolled up their highest point total of the season Friday night as they steamed to a 55-45 victory over Clintonville. The victory of Coach Asher Shorey’s battling Ghosts served as a warning to the rest of the league they will be plenty tough during the remainder of the year.

January 20, 1950

Kenneth L. Roloff, Kaukauna aviation cadet, is at Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Oklahoma, where he is receiving his flying training in the B-25 bomber. Kenneth graduated Kaukauna High School in June of 1943 and joined the military the same month.

January 27, 1950

Through the first 13 games this season Duane Gast leads the Kaukauna team in scoring having now counted 119 points. Pat Lehman is the only other Kaukauna player who has surpassed the 100 totals with 103 points.

William “Bill” Van Able, Hollandtown, died at the age of 69 last Tuesday evening after an illness of two months. He was Justice of Peace in Hollandtown for the past 15 years and operated a farm and tavern there for 50 years.

1949 – 1950   Kaukauna Ghost Basketball Team