Time Machine: Time Machine Trip to September 1953

Kaukauna Times – September 1953

By Lyle Hansen

September 2, 1953

Work of providing television facilities for northeastern Wisconsin is well underway. The system of towers and stations will provide live TV programs for our area and will be ready in time for the '53 World Series.

Temperatures hit 100 degrees in the shade yesterday in Kaukauna for the hottest day of the year.

September 4, 1953

Kaukauna Navy flyer James A. Vander Wettering, third baseman for the Amphibious Force Gators, receives an individual trophy from Rear Admiral Rufus Rose, USN Commander of Amphibious training Command, for his performance during the Atlantic Fleet Baseball Tournament which was concluded on August 22nd at the US Naval base, North Fork, Virgina.

Continuing his red-hot batting pace Carl Giordana, the first round hitting leader, topped all performers in the city's softball league this season. The second baseman from Joe's Beer Depot blasted out a phenomenal .630 mark on 34 hits in 54 trips to the plate.

September 9, 1953

This collision which occurred Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Eighth and Sullivan streets resulted in one car virtually demolished and a passenger in the overturned car, Carl Weigman, sustained broken ribs. The overturned car was driven by Ervin Verhagen and the smashed hood car was driven by Mrs. Ester Summers.

One of Kaukauna’s oldest landmarks will soon be a memory as the passing of the Hotel Kaukauna will cease from the city’s landscape. The hotel at the corner of Wisconsin avenue and Lawe street was erected by Capt. David J. Brothers in 1894. A fire in November of 1951 spelled doom to the structure.

September 11, 1953

The Rev. Joseph J. Esdepsky was honored Sunday at a celebration commemorating the fortieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Father Esdepsky was born in Menasha in 1884 and attended St. Mary’s Parochial School there. He served in several locations throughout the state coming to Kaukauna's St. Mary's in 1945 to succeed Father Roder, who was called to his eternal life.

The Green Bay Packers will be out to snap a two-game losing streak when they meet the powerful Pittsburgh Steelers at the 4th annual Shriners benefit football game at Marquette Stadium in Milwaukee on Saturday night.

September 23, 1953

Bob Derus, left, champion of the Fox Valley golf club for the past six years and a group of finalists in the Labor Day wind-up club tournament. Shown with Bob are Johnny Andrejeski, Bernard Bongers, Ray Schwanke, and Art Lamers.

Kaukauna will be honored over WBAY-TV, Green Bay, Thursday for the outstanding pedestrian record during 1952, according to AAA of Wisconsin. Mayor Bayorgeon will represent the city at the program.

The laying of the cornerstone of the new Sunday school building at Immanuel Evangelical and Reformed church took place last Sunday. Rev. John Scheib, pastor is accompanied by members of the parish.