Time Machine: Time Machine trip to April 1966

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

April 1, 1966

The merger of the Giddings and Lewis Machine Tool Company and the Gisholt Co., Madison, was announced Thursday. Giddings and Lewis is based in Fond du Lac, but has a foundry and drilling machines plant in Kaukauna that employs 440 men.

Kaukauna high school head coach, Harry Wilson, has high hopes to taking his squad outside next week to begin preparation for the 1966 mid-ease conference season. The team will have a nucleus of seven lettermen for the upcoming campaign with hurling ace, Dave O'Brien, heading the list. O'Brien threw two no-hitters last season. Also returning are pitcher Joe Schouten, a Junior with a good fastball: Mike Grogan, a catcher: Dennis Bloy, and outfielder and Kurt Luedtke, a sophomore second baseman.

The mercury vapor street lighting program initiated by the Kaukauna Electric and Water Co., in 1962 will be completed this week. The utility has installed 737 lamps in the city of Kaukauna, Little Chute, Combined Locks and the Town of Vandenbroek. Mercury vapor lights are rated to last four years as the incandescent lights average six months according to Norbert D. Rhinerson, Utility manager.

April 6, 1966

Kaukauna voters re-elected Joseph F. Bayorgeon to the mayor office. He defeated Clarence Sullivan in every ward for his victory. Donald Green unseated incumbent Emmet W. Rohan in the race for city attorney. Clarence O’Connor won the post of municipal justice.

April 8, 1966

The Kaukauna high school cheerleading tryouts were held Wednesday, March 30. The two squads were chosen from a list of 29 finalists. The varsity cheerleaders for the 1966-67 sports season are Cindy Noie, Pamela Pitz, Susan Anderson, Lynn Leddy, Cheryl Kobs, and Vicki Weyers. The Junior varsity cheerleaders are Jane Chamness, Joyce Gerrits, Nancie Vaubel, Patty Leddy, Christina Kandler and Barbara Pebbles.

April 13, 1966

A new program instituted by the Kaukauna Kiwanis club, called “We Care”, will strive to honor servicemen from Kaukauna who have served, or will be serving in Vietnam. Dr. David Grunwaldt, president of the club, said the Kiwanians plan to honor as many of these men, publicly, as possible, at the Kiwanis meetings.

April 15, 1966

Seaman apprentice Donald J. Mitchell, USCG has completed eight weeks of intensive recruit training which gave him the skills he will need as a coast guardsman.

April 22, 1966

Kaukauna high school won first place in only six events but still managed to edge Appleton Xavier 62-57 in a dual meet at the Kaukauna high school track. The dramatic finish to the meet came on the last event of the day. Greg Eslein and Gary Riemer took second and third place in the high jump to give Kaukauna enough points for the victory. Bob Promer of Kaukauna gained a double win. Promer put his first shot 49 feet 8 1/2 inches for first victory. Later the Ghosts star through the disk 131'2" for his other victory.

April 27, 1966

The world champion Green Bay Packers have signed veteran linebacker Lee Roy Caffey; it was announced yesterday. Caffey is 6-3, 250 pounds and is six a four-year veteran who came to the Packers in 1964 from the Eagles.

Thomas Look, formally of Little Chute, has been added to the staff of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Kaukauna. The appointment was announced by John Van De Loo, executive vice president of the bank.

Michael Brautigan, Kaukauna sailor who received nationwide fame last fall for heroism in Vietnam, has returned home after receiving a medical discharge from service. The 18-year-old Navy man received multiple fractures and lacerations when enemy fire struck the small boat in which he was making a landing. Brautigan was given the bronze star for heroism in action in October previous to his being wounded. He was released from the Philadelphia Naval hospital, where he had been convalescing since December. Brautigan also received the U.S. Navy commendation medal for bravery during a 14-hour fire on board the USS Piermont on which he was stationed.

Miss Judy LaRock, age 24, died early Sunday morning after a short illness. She was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Francis Van Abel. She survived by her parents and two brothers, Lee and David LaRock.

Bob Promer set a new track record in the shot put as Kaukauna high school defeated Clintonville and Kimberly in a triangular meet at Kaukauna track Friday. Promer threw the 12-pound shot 2 feet further than he ever had before in competition or practice. His throw is the best for the new track but is still a foot and a half short of the school record which is held by Pat Flanagan in 1946.

April 29, 1966

Susan Biese, a senior, has won first place in the annual Elks Constitution contest. She competed in the state finals in Madison last Saturday. Prizes in the state competition are scholarships. Instructor Mary Wilson said he would like to see more students enter this competition. He feels the contestants learn great deal about the Constitution while preparing for the test

Coach Vince Lombardi today announced the signing of veteran guard Fred “Fuzzy” Thurston for the 1966 season it will be his 10th year in the league. Thurston came to the Packers from Baltimore in 1959 and was named All-Pro in 1962.

Gary Riemer led the players in the Saturday matches of the Junior boys’ recreation league, at the bowling bar, with a high game of 201 and a high series of 376.

Back row: Coach Bruce Warner, W. Neissen, P. Van Deurzen, R. Promer, D. Minkebige, W. Chamness, D. Lust, J. Skibba, J. Niessen, Coach Ronald Margelofski. Row 2: J. Niessen, J. Kromer, M. Baisch, P. Bordini, R. Kuehn, H. Gosdeck. Front row: P. Kiffe, R. Stegeman, G. Therriault, W. Peters, D. Kiffe, J. Kahler.

The Kaukauna high school cindermen remain unbeaten as they swept to a decisive 74-43 victory over New London at the Kaukauna track Wednesday. The Ghost landslide was led by Paul Keefe, who took the 100-yard dash in 11.1 seconds and the 220 in 24.7 seconds.