Time Machine: Time Machine Trip to February 1976

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

February 3, 1976

Carl R. Runte, 72, former proprietor of the Runte department store here and a member of one of Kaukauna’s oldest business families, died suddenly Saturday in Fullerton, California while he and his wife were visiting their daughter. A lifelong resident of Kaukauna being born here May 15th, 1903. After college he returned home to work for the family business. He took over the management in 1942 after the death of his father.

The winning Girl Scouts and the bicentennial float design contest joined with the contest judge and one of the sponsors for a look at the overall winning design. Deb Ziegelbauer, of troop 312 (seeded) drew the winning entry. With her is Fireman Scott Robach, contest judge Joyce Arnoldussen, and three first place entries Emily Hinkens Troop 248, Heidi Voet, Troop 389 and Beth Vanevenhoven, Troop 222. The contest was sponsored by the Firefighters Local 1592.

Mobile radio operators were told Saturday night that the hot setup for preventing the theft of radio equipment was to lock their car doors when leaving the vehicle add to engrave identifying numbers on their two-way radio units.

If you're pumping your own gas exclusively at a self-service station, the chances of your car breaking down are increasing with each tank full, according to the American Automobile association. Unless you are a do-it-yourself mechanic or someone who has the car checked frequently at a competent repair garage, many motorists may have future car problems.

February 5, 1976

The Holy Cross cheerleaders received the second-place trophy at the Reedsville Basketball tournament. Left to right Debbie Huss, Sue Verbeten, Kara Kamps, Cheryl Gilchrist, Diane Brown, Diane Weyers and Karen Weyers.

In an order received yesterday, the Federal Power Commission has suspended for three months a request by the Wisconsin Michigan power company to increase the rate for power it sells to the Kaukauna Electric and Water Utility. The temporary suspension will save the KE&W about $225,000, which it would have paid if the new rate had gone into effect as of February 1st as planned.

February 12, 1976

Four scouts from Troop 146 of the Immanuel Church of Christ earned the Eagle Award. Rev. Harvey Kandler far right is pictured congratulating the scouts. Craig Kandler, Greg Noonan, Dale St. Arnold and Mark Abel.

A pair of language offerings will be made available to students at Kaukauna high school in the coming year, the first is an offering of the Spanish department and the second involving the language of the computer. The Kaukauna school district’s Board of Education voted Tuesday afternoon to allow the high schools mathematics department to initiate a course in basic computer language and programming provided that no additional teachers are necessary and the subject to review at the beginning of the second semester of 1976-77 school year.

Kaukauna artist Mary Haen McKay received “Best of Show” award and an honorable mention for artwork being shown at the Arts Unlimited exhibition at the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay. The “Best of Show” award was given to her for an oil painting entitled “The Picnic”. The painting depicts a picnic held along the Fox River in approximately 1917.

February 17, 1976

Those who like their high school basketball fast-paced loved Friday nights encounter between the Kaukauna Ghosts and the Oshkosh North Spartans. The Ghost scored more points than any other FVA team last night but also gave up the most in an on inspiring 86-68 run and gun affair. Offensively Kaukauna exceeded its average by 9 points and boosted a few individual offensive averages especially those of Greg Jensen and Ross Gordana who combined for 51 points.

February 19, 1976

Combined Locks is one of the first cities to join in a nationwide bicentennial competition to become America's Votingest City by November 2, 1976. Bicentennial chairman Fred J. Pennings accepted the challenge on behalf of the community. Cities and villages from 28 states have entered the competition by February 1st.

No mother would be willing to do anything to harm her child, but an expectant mother may unknowingly be jeopardizing the health and even the life of her unborn child says the Wisconsin Lung Association if she is a smoker.

February 26, 1976

By defeating Manitowoc and Kimberly last Thursday the Kaukauna Ghostettes basketball team won the WIAA regional tournament at Kimberly. Bottom row Marianna O'Connor, Lisa Schwalenberg, Jean Meyerhofer, Sue Gerow, and Paula Giordana. Back row Debbie DeBroux, Lynn van Vonderen, Tina Klister, Debbie Meehl, Capt., Cindy Mischler, Helen Wall, Yvonne Evers and coach Janet Knapp.

The land to the rear of the Grignon home could be developed into a tri-level recreation area for winter and summer activities as well as open play and natural area, over a five-year, recreation officials were told Monday.

Cheryl Florek of Neenah found herself in some tough straits as a result of a February 14th theft in Kaukauna. At noon that day when she stopped to pick up a friend on West 7th St. It was just a quick stop, but it gave someone time to enter her car and steal a saddle bag purse. She is unemployed and has two children. Her bag contained $120 in cash and all her credentials which now need to be replaced. In the meantime, she is now about out of money and has asked anyone with information on the bag to contact her.

Tomorrow night's game against Oshkosh North will mark the final regular season game for Kaukauna high school seniors. Mark Van Grinsven, Tim Wirth, Brian Hacker and Dennis Kramer.