Time Machine Trip to January 1955

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

January 5, 1955

Little Thomas Norbert Pieters, son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Pieters, Kaukauna, was announced as the winner of the Kaukauna Merchants-Kaukauna Times First Baby of the Year Contest. Thomas a bruiser weighed in at eight pounds at St. Elizabeth hospital on January 2.

 

Leo Coffey has been named chairman of the 1955 March of Dimes polio drive in Kaukauna. He has recently sent out for volunteers to assist in soliciting funds for the campaign. He announced this week that the Kaukauna service stations have agreed to contribute a penny from each gallon of gas sold all day Friday January 21.

 

January 7, 1955

Automatic refrigeration takes care of the fresh and frozen food needs of practically all the people of the city. One of Kaukauna’s ice-dealers Fred Reichel, Sr., started in the ice business back in 1910 and continued in the family until 1954, when John, the last of the Reichel icemen disposed of the business to Joe Giordana.

 

Kaukauna’s 1955 accident rate got off to a discouraging start this year as three automobiles suffered over $200 worth of damage and a fourth was destroyed in three accidents which occurred when 1955 was less than five hours old.

 

Carl Trettin blasted a 235 game and 577 series and was the top man in the Businessmen’s bowling league at the S&B on January 4.

 

A $1500 check from the Appleton Coated Paper Company was received by E. H. Jennings, chairman of the Kaukauna Community Hospital drive committee. The amount of the contribution was determined by the number of employees living in the area to be served by the hospital.

A new peak in the number of telephones serving Kaukauna and the continuing growth in the volume of telephone calls made during the past year. Approximately 2855 telephones were in service here as the year closed.

 

January 12, 1955

 

Little Billy wanted a sled for Christmas. Instead of asking Santa as most kiddies do, he asked the Baby Jesus to see that he got the sled, promising to give Him the first ride. Come Christmas morn, the pastor entered the church and noticed that the figure of the Infant was missing from the crib. Billy had kept his promise, and the little Babe of Bethlehem was being pulled along the street on Billy’s new sled.

 

Near hysteria reigned Friday night as the Kaukauna Galloping ghosts rolled to a 77-68 win over a strong and determined Two Rivers team at the school gym here. 

 

Richard Lehrer this week announced that the dumping grounds will be located one mile south of the present location.

 

The opening session of the 1955 Kaukauna Grade School cage season got under way Saturday at the KHS gym with Holy cross trampling Park by a 30-18 count and Trinity Lutheran nudging St. Mary’s by a 23-20 count.

  

January 19, 1955

A miniature red bob sleigh modeled after the horse drawn bobs of years ago, is the delight of Norbert Fink, Jr. son of Norbert Fink who spent time making this one. 

 

Lt. Tom Gerend, Kaukauna, landed in Germany where he will serve with the Air Force medical corps.

 

George “Stormy” Kromer

Fred Reichel of Kaukauna, who arranged the Stormy Kromer night here last fall, is doing some spade work to get Stormy, Kaukauna baseball great, elected to the Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame, “It’s a big job to get someone elected,” Fred said. “While there are many great ball players from the state few people know what Stormy has done for the game”.

 

January 21, 1955

The purchase of the Farm Equipment Company property located on the corner of East Second Street and Crooks Avenue by Henry Carstens & Sons Elevator was announced by Richard Carstens, local manager.

Telephone users in Kaukauna and Little Chute exchanges are now able to dial an important new number, 4-0123, starting today. The number is for a recorded, “time-of-day” announcement sponsored by the Wisconsin Telephone Company as a public service.  A person will hear a brief message say, Courtesy of your telephone company, the time is…” followed by the correct time.  

2^nd Lt. Thomas J. McDaniel, Kaukauna, recently completed the basic infantry officer course at Ft. Benning, Ga.

 

Donald Kroll and John Wunrow recently completed basic training with the Sixth Armored Division at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Airman Navel Cadet James R. Henry, Kaukauna, recently soloed for the first time at Corry Field Navel Auxiliary Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. 

 

Pvt. Leroy and Pvt. Ronald Romenesko completed basic training together at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., and after spending a furlough with their family the brothers will go separate ways, Leroy returning to Missouri and Ronald to Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey.

 

Pvt. David A. Ristau, Sarah street Kaukauna, recently completed basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., with the 6^th Armor division.

 

Tech. Sergeant James Wagnitz is spending a 30-day furlough with his family. He will be returning to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. 

 

Pfc. Elmer Arnoldussen, 2^nd street Kaukauna, received his training Camp Gordon, Ga., for his military police training and will be assigned to overseas duty.

Rev. Peter A. Salm, St. Mary’s new pastor was welcomed at a reception Sunday Jan. 23. He came to Kaukauna to succeed the Rev. Joseph Esdepsky who died December 13, 1954.

The $1,000 mark was reached in the Kaukauna Community Hospital breakfast fund raising campaign recently when the teachers of the city were invited to a breakfast at Myron Black home. Mrs. Kathleen Davis of Park school served as hostesses and greeted guests. Left to right Clifford Hodgins, Miss Mary Carol Mauel, Miss Sydney Torrasen and Wayne Hull. 

The Elk sponsored basketball banquet Wednesday evening had a group of cage coaches got together. Left to right are Bob Reynolds, Wrightstown, Fred Barribeau, Kaukauna, Forrest Sprowl guest speaker, Jack Vanden Boogart, Freedom, Robert Grogan, member of the Elks, and Gil Frank, Kimberly. 

 

The 1955 Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts: Front row; Ron Welch, Dan Gillis, Jim Otte, Bruce Kemp and Joe Van Linn. In the Back row; Coach Fred Barribeau, Don Ristau, Mike Walsh, Jim Rausch, Cal Engerson and manager Robert Theis. 

 

1955 DeSoto Fireflite