Time Machine Trip to February 1960

Kaukauna Times - By Lyle Hansen

February 3, 1960

Badger Northland employees voted by 7-1 margin to settle contract negotiations for 1960. The employees had voted 4 to 1 to strike on February 24^th unless wage increases were granted.

Kaukauna beat Kimberly 59-56 and secured first place in the Mid- -Eastern conference basketball league.

February 5, 1960

Tom Wendland has become Kau-Hi’s first homebound student. A victim of polio he is not able to attend school in person. By means of a telephone “intercom”, Tom has a direct connection with several High School classrooms. He carries a full academic program and has maintained a straight ‘A’ average. 

February 10, 1960

Thilmany recorded record sales and production figures for 1959. The sales of 33 million are 5 million over the previous years.

February 12, 1960

Badger Northlands tenth anniversary in Kaukauna will be observed today with an open house. Guides will greet the guests and escort them through the plant.

Walter Schmidt, a teacher and counselor at Kaukauna High School for the past 19 years, Tuesday evening was named Principal of the High School, effective July 1, 1960, by action of the Kaukauna Board of Education. He will succeed Principal Julian Bichler, who will be superintendent, replacing the retiring T. H. Boebel.

February 19, 1960

First Aid procedures in event of a disaster are practiced by students and teachers at the OCTC.

The oversized uniform of Navy whites has become somewhat of a classic theatrical costume since the production of the Broadway musical and later the movie “South Pacific”. Joanne Vandehey used the costume and a recording of the number to pantomime her way to one of the first prizes in a recent Youth Center talent show at KHS.

February 24, 1960

J. Grant Whitman of Kaukauna died Sunday at the age of 95. He was born May 19, 1884 and his family moved here from Little Chute in 1868 when he was four. His recollections of times past were sharp and clear. As a young man he helped break out the stone for building Nicolet School from a quarry that is now the current site of the high school football field. The only bridge over the river was a floating draw bridge at the end of Wisconsin Avenue. He began working at Thilmany in the 1890’s. “There was a year of hardship when we had to wait two months for our pay, and I remember workers coming to their jobs with just one slice of bread and a boiled potato for lunch”. Grant recalled when his father accidentally struck his foot with an axe. “The infection resulted in the doctor removing his leg right on our kitchen table”. I carved a leg for him out of basswood, installed some straps and he got along pretty well with it.” 

Fire caused several thousands of dollars in damage to an apartment building on West Second Street. The three-apartment structure is owned by Vern Despins.

February 26, 1960

Record sales and earnings were reported by the Kaukauna Electric and Water department. Net income was up $31,000 and net sales up $29,000.

David Hash boy’s physical education instructor demonstrates the traditional starting position on Mickey Thompson during a recent class. 

Eagle scouting awards were given Sunday evening at St. Mary’s church to members of the Scout Troop 27.  Pictured Left to right are Mr. and Mrs. Donald Lappen and their son Dennis; Dr. and Mrs. Alphonse Bachhuber and their son David; Wallace Mooney, who made the presentations; Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Jaeger and their son Kenneth; and Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Hansen and their son Lyle.

Dave Yokeum was among the prize winners in the Kaukauna Youth Center talent show with his performance on the drums.

1960 Ford Sunliner