Time Machine Trip to January 1964

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

January 3, 1964

 

Mel Raught passed away at the age of 90 last Monday. He was the last of the Kaukauna pioneers who could recall when the south side was still called Ledyard. The railway depot, three boarding houses, a small mill, and a brick building where the head gates of the south side power canal are located, represented all the improvements. Raught recalled picking hickory and butter nuts where Second and Third Street business places are now located. Mel Raught was a historian. Much of the early history of Kaukauna would have been lost had Mel not recorded it. His story, "Kaukauna, As I Remember and Lived It," was published by the Kaukauna Times in a book entitled "History of the Streets of Kaukauna," written by Dr. H. B. Tanner, one of Kaukauna's earliest mayors. Mel began working at the Times as a youngster, his older brother, Charles, being owner and publisher. Eventually, Mel became a part owner in the firm Raught Brothers when it was established up until he left from his position as foreman in 1917. 

 

Little George Joseph VanDreel made his appearance at 2:20 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1, to become Kaukauna's Baby New Year. George is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John C. VanDreel of Combined Locks

 

A most spectacular accident occurred when an auto crashed through the bridge guard rail on the Lawe Street bridge and plummeted onto the ice in the Fox River canal. Two youths Kenneth Micholic of Kaukauna and Martin Wydeven of Kimberly sustained only minor injuries in the accident last week.

January 8, 1964

The Kaukauna Ghosts Friday evening acquired their first Mid-Eastern conference victory of the 63-64 campaign as they edged to an 87-83 decision over New London on the Bulldogs home-court. Kaukauna now has a record of 1-4.

January 10. 1964

Kaukauna’s common Council accepted the low bid of $65,944.40 from Joseph Van Daalwyk Construction Company for the installation of storm sewers on 10th St. Van Daalwyk was lowest among five bidders for the job.

January 15, 1964

All the 1963 officers of the Kaukauna Athletic Club are reelected to office. Renamed as president of the unit for 1964 was Robert Kerscher, while Daniel Schommer was reelected VP, Roger Belling as secretary and Jack Hilgenberg as Treas. 

 

January 17, 1964

 

Gerald Hopfensperger

It will be somewhat like an old home night Saturday evening at KHS as former varsity basketball coach Gerald Hopfensperger put in an appearance at the new high school gymnasium accompanied by his new charges, the Preble Hornets. Hopfensberger, in his six seasons of coaching the galloping Ghosts cagers, is probably one of the most colorful mentors in the school’s history and perhaps one of most successful since the 1940-41 campaign when the KAWS won the championship of the Northeast Wisconsin conference. He provided the Kaukauna partisans with a couple of breathtaking campaigns and a couple of unique seasons. In his first season at KHS, he brought up a team composed primarily of sophomores and two seasons later piloted the squad into the runner-up spot in the conference. That 1959-60 team wound up the season in the regional WIAA tournament, where they were nosed out by Oshkosh in the wanting seconds of a contest.

 

January 22, 1964

Gerald Van Asten, 34, Route 3, Kaukauna, is the area's Outstanding Young Farmer; it was announced at a dinner Thursday evening at the Legion clubrooms. Van Asten will be in competition with about 25 other winners from throughout the state at Appleton in February.

January 24, 1964

The cast for “The diary of Anne Frank” which is to be presented February 23 has been announced by director Thomas Schaffer. The Kaukauna high school commons will be the scene for the performance. Anne Frank will be portrayed by Mary May, Peter Van Daan by James Smits, and Mr. Frank by David Lust. Playing the role of Miep is Linda Romanesko: and the role of Mrs. Van Daan is Ricky Vander Velden and Mr. Van Daan is to be played by Patrick Green.

January 29, 1964

Approximately 175 people were on hand Saturday night as the Kaukauna athletic club conducted its all sports banquet at the Elks club rooms. Highlighting the program was an appearance by former major league baseball star James, “Rip” Collins of the St. Louis Cardinals and Green Bay Packer publicity director Tom Miller.

A Kaukauna native, Richard Rademacher, 26, began work as head librarian of the Kaukauna free public library, succeeding Mrs. Myron Black, who was filling in, as acting librarian following the resignation of Mrs. Lloyd DuClaire.

January 31, 1964

Four basketball princesses will be introduced during half time of the Kaukauna-Neenah game tonight. The school's Color Day observance was held today to pay tribute to the orange and black. Left to right representing the juniors, Jill Kobin; sophomores, Carolyn Brem; senior class is Judy Weigman; and the freshmen Joan Van Wychen.

Sharon Chamness was chosen as this year’s Winner of the D.A.R. award by a vote of the senior class and teachers. Sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the citation is given annually to the best girl citizen of the senior class.

An agreement has been signed by network TV to exhibit a closed-circuit telecast of the coming Sonny Liston vs. Cassius Clay heavyweight championship bout. The telecast will take place at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Green Bay at 9 PM February 25.

Three top drum majorettes in the Kaukauna Recreation department’s twirling classes this year are: Miss Laurie Gerta, Miss Cindy Selig, and Miss Christine Koch.

The March of Dimes fund campaign for 1964 was spearheaded by this group of young volunteers last Saturday afternoon. Crouching in the front are Mike and Steve Zimmerman. Standing are Billy Hunt, Chris Velte, Danny Gottfried, Tim McClure, Tom Haas, and Keith Coleman.

 

One of the more advanced dancing groups in the recreation department classes is Mary Sue Hermsen, Margie Kindler, Nancy Hietpas, Ellen Sanders, Barbara Farrell, and Lynn Romenesko.  

Six young newcomers to the Kaukauna recreation department dance program are pictured rehearsing some steps. They are Jaye Swedberg, Cathy Kevan, Mary Jo Schmidt, Patty Deininger, Julie Peterson, and Debbie Mahn.