Time Machine Trip to December 1954

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen 

December 1, 1954

 

The last of the passenger trains stopping at the Southside station of Kaukauna pulled out for Manitowoc recently and trains passed forever into history. Pictured to the left of the train crew are station superintendent E. H. Newhouse and superintendent J. F. Sainsbury.

 

 

As a Thanksgiving project at Nicolet the first graders drew this large picture to illustrate how the early pilgrims and Indians lived in early years. The four artists are, left to right, Mike Ziemann, Karlett Kuehn, Donna Wiedenhaupt and Richard DeWitt.

 

The names of three Kaukauna young men appear this season on the varsity basketball roster of the Stevens Point College. Ken Roloff, Dick Busse and Tom Noie.

 

Kaukauna hunters have been having a field day judging from the various reports the Times has received. To date the largest deer shot this season was 9 points weighing 265 pounds dropped by Melvin Gerrits Wisconsin Avenue.

 

December 8, 1954

 

The well lighted Christman tree now adoring the roof of the Kaukauna city garage was hauled from the residence of Miss Frances Jirikowic Sixth Street on Monday morning with the aid of the KE&W department truck.

  

More than 200 Kaukaunans and persons from the surrounding area gathered for the laying of the cornerstone of the Kaukauna Community Hospital Sunday afternoon.

 

Mark Nagan, bowling in the Men’s Major bowling league on November 29, swept into first place by tumbling a 679 series.  The previous leader this season was Joe Steger who registered a 658 on October 11. 

 

December 10, 1954

Four bear and, one deer were bagged by these hunters. Left to right are Roy Pleshek, Roger Pleshek, and their father Ed Pleshek. Don Lappen and Michael Effa.

Louis Faust, Jr., of Kaukauna, is the freshman representative on the student council at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota.

 

According to Ernest Danielson of the police department of the Village of Combined Locks the village recently purchased a new fire truck. The 750-gallon pumper with a 247-horsepower motor is housed at the village hall.

 

December 15, 1954

Father Joseph Esdepsky, pastor of St. Mary's church here for the past nine years died suddenly Monday morning at the rectory. He was 70 years old.

 

Calling Kaukauna telephone numbers will acquire a “new look” next Fall according to the local Wisconsin Telephone Company. Each number will be expanded to include the central office named Rockwell. The number 6-4599 will become Rockwell 6-4599. 

 

Eight Kau Hi students made straight A’s the second six weeks. The seniors are Margeret Mary Geigle, Lorriane Jochmann, Connie Van Lieshout and Eyla Mae Van Treeck. The sophomores are Richard Boyd, Mary Jo Krueger, Janet Oettinger and Ann Teske.

William J. Sullivan, director of the Kaukauna Vocational School for the last 27 years, will retire on December 31. Dominic Bordini, an instructor at the school for the past nine years, has been named acting director.

A post office, complete with cages, at the Outagamie County Normal School was constructed over the past few weeks. Shown are left to right John Rabideau. Lois Jones, Richard DeBroux, David Bolte, Mark Rabideau and Pat O’Brien.

A study early mode of transportation by members of the fourth grade Nicolet school was constructed by four students are Melvin Baker, Donovan Dain, Thomas Hiestand and Donald O’Dell.

 

December 24, 1954

The Second-grade students at Park school constructed a paper village. Grouped with the buildings are Richard Vernon, Jimmy Gruenstern, Jennifer Falk, Carol Behnke and Robert Wettstein. The boy in the foreground is Jimmy Nieling and behind him is Irene Brownell.

 

The Kaukauna Common Council adopted an ordinance allowing the hiring of three lady police officers to take charge of school crossing on heavily traveled streets. They also approved a $10 monthly raise for city officials and a 5-cent an hour pay increase to hourly employees.

 

Earl “Jug” Girard, Kaukauna, caught the winning touchdown pass from Bobby Layne to give his world champion Detroit Lions professional football team a 14-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. 

 

December 29, 1954

Charles L. Dostal was recently named general sales manager of the Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company by G. E. McCorison, vice president in charge of sales.

The Nativity of Christ was re-enacted in many churches of Kaukauna during the past week in a pageant presented by juvenile students of the Outagamie County Normal. The three Wise Men are Pat O’Brien, Mark Rabideau and Richard DeGroot, Mary is Joyce Schlegel and Joseph is Dave Schlegel. Portraying four of the shepherds are Patricia Preston, Carol Preston, Lois Jones and Nola Ihlenfeldt.

Christmas decorations on Second Street in downtown Kaukauna.