Time Machine Trip to December 1961

Kaukauna Times - December 1961

By Lyle Hansen

December 1, 1961

Five St. Norbert gridders from the area have earned letters this year.  From Kaukauna are senior Bill Campbell and junior Bill Simon. Three players from Little Chute are freshman Ed Hammen, sophomore David Kons and junior Keith Verstegen. 

December 8, 1961

Kaukauna’s common council Tuesday evening adopted the 1962 budget of $1,615,942. The increase will amount to a $41 per 1000 assessment on property owners.

December 8, 1961

The Wisconsin Cheese Foundation made a generous holiday gesture this week by sending a ton of cheese to the members of Wisconsin’s National Guard Division who are stationed at Fort Lewis Washington, over the holidays.

December 15, 1961

A check list for a food supply you would need in your fallout shelter in case of atomic attack has been listed by defense specialist at the University of Wisconsin. Fresh water is required but it is necessary to remember that it should be changed every 6 months and canned goods should also be updated partially.

December 22, 1961

Members of the Kaukauna common council Tuesday evening approved the creation of the office of municipal justice of the peace for the city of Kaukauna. In a following motion Oscar Jahns was selected to fill the office until the spring elections.

December 28, 1961

The 31 members of the Kimberly Explorer Scout drill team are scheduled to arrive today in Dallas, Texas, where they will participate in the 1962 Cotton Bowl festival parade.

A fire, football and fund drives were among the news making items in Kaukauna over this past year. A blaze starting in the basement of the Wisconsin Bar on Wisconsin Ave. resulted in three businesses suffering loses. Football always has been regarded as the top sports in Kaukauna. This year was no exception with the Kaukauna Ghosts and Green Bay Packers a couple of the most successful seasons in recent years. The Packers emerged from their 1960 campaign as western division champions and missed the world’s championship more by minutes than points. Again in 1961 the Packers copped the western division title and will meet the New York giants on Sunday December 30^th for the world’s championship. The Kaukauna Ghosts have enjoyed similar football fortunes during 1960 and 1961. The KAWS were unbeaten in both seasons the only team in the state to achieve this record. The year 1961 saw the successful completion to finance the second new wing to the Kaukauna Hospital. Headed by E. H. Jennings former chairman of the board and president of Thilmany Paper Company the fund went over the top in January 1961 with construction starting in November of 1960. 

Freshman class officers for the 1961-62 school term at Kaukauna high school. Left to right are Lynn Schuh, secretary, Michael Andrews, vice president and Loretta Thompson, president.

Leading the Junior class during the 1961-62 term at Kaukauna high school are, left to right, Patty Jonen, secretary, Robert Ludke, vice president and Janet Reuter, president.

Senior class officers at Kaukauna high school this year include, left to right, Anne Van Offeren, secretary, Carl Vanden Heuvel, vice president and Judy LaBorde, president.