Time Machine: Time Machine Trip to June 1956

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen KAHS

June 1, 1956

KAUKAUNA ELKS LADIES recently installed their officers, who will serve for the 1956-57 season. Pictured in the clubrooms, left to right, are Mrs. Richard McCarty, secretary, Mrs. Lothar Kemp, treasurer, Mrs. Walter Rennebohm, president, and Mrs. Earnest Trude, vice-president.

Estimated 670 Kaukauna youngsters in the first four grades in the public and parochial schools had been immunized against polio, according to figures released this week by the city nurse.

A mishap occurred Wednesday afternoon when 14-year-old Leo Faust was struck by a vehicle driven by a local resident while crossing Lawe Street. Fortunately, he escaped with minor abrasions.

The graduation exercises at Holy Cross school are scheduled to get underway on Tuesday at 7 PM according to announcement by Sister Raphael, principal. A total of 61 youngsters will graduate.

Ed Schuler, Little Chute, scored a hole-in-one at Fox Valley golf club Memorial Day on the 125-yard No. 3 hole. Playing in his four-some were Ed Poppe, Vince Hammar and Ray Schwanke. This is the second hole-in-one at Fox Valley this year.

Miss Gail Wendland, who overcame a crippling siege of polio during the school year and returned to continue as one of her class, was honored as she received the Lang trophy from Principal Julian Bichler.

June 6, 1956

Emil Giordana, 67, father of the seven famous Kaukauna High School football players, died at his home Sunday morning following a short illness. Giordana was born in Italy and came to United States in 1906. He settled in Kaukauna in 1914. He worked at Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company before his retirement. Survivors include his wife, seven sons and five daughters.

There appears to be no let-up in the 1956 building boom in Kaukauna according to assistant city engineer Luther Kemp as home builders continue to take out permits for residences. During the month of May eight more permits were issued with the new structures amounted to a total of $159,200. The largest part of the estimate cost for new homes came from one project, the $90,000 St. Mary's rectory, but all but one of the remaining seven jobs are estimated to exceed $10,000 Kemp said.

NEW OFFICERS OF POST 41 of the American Legion are pictured above shortly before the installation ceremonies. Left to right the men are Dave Specht, first vice commander, Carl Freier, adjutant, Al Martzahl, retiring commander, Donald Hoh, assistant adjutant, Chris Gerig, sergeant-at-arms, Jerry Huss, district vice commander, Bill Schmitz, chaplain, Art Kromer, Jr., commander-elect, Ralph Juneau, sergeant-at-arms, and Sherman Rogers, second vice commander.

The appointment of Ralph H. Wilpolt as Rallymaster for the 1956 Alumni Rally was announced this week in the Alumni News annual bulletin of the Kaukauna high school Alumni Association. He will preside over the day long reunion which is scheduled to get underway 3 PM on Saturday, June 16. The KHS class of 1930 is particular proud and happy over the appointment of one of their classmates as the Rallymaster for this year.

Mrs. Marianne Thompson, 97, widow of the late Harry E. Thompson who owned and operated a shoe store at 119 E. Second street for 44 years died at her home Wednesday. She presided at the laying of the cornerstone of the Kaukauna free public library in 1905 and was president of the Kaukauna woman's club. It was largely through her efforts that the library was established here.

TWO FINE OLD VETERANS of railroad service in Kaukauna were pulled from their roundhouse recently as a preliminary step to moving them down to Chicago for retirement and probably dismantling for scrap metal. The discontinuance of steam locomotives on the south side portion of the C&NW railroad is now complete and only diesel engines are currently in operation in switching maneuvers in Kaukauna. On Monday morning many Kaukauna residents were treated to an unusual sight as about ten locomotives and tenders were lined up across the Main Avenue intersection, all presumably enroute to the scrap heap.

June 13, 1956

Bringing the final remnants of the bird down in the 1956 Hollandtown Schut and thereby qualifying as “King of the Schut” was a Green Bay reformatory guard and resident of Hollandtown, Gene Wall, 25. Other award winners during the annual event were Ivo Haen who shot off the tail, Gene Stumpf who blasted off the wing, Paul Ashauer who got the head and Bernard Driessen who shot the other wing off. A total of 89 men took active parts in the annual Schut this year and well over 1000 spectators were on hand in the 90° heat to witness the event which had its founding in the first few hundred years of Christianity.

The opening of Kaukauna's Memorial swimming pool Monday afternoon was heralded by a record turnout of children and young people, according to assistant recreation director, Miss Mary Jane Appleton. A total of 2092 people jammed into the pool during the hot and humid afternoon.

Announcement was made today by Principal Julian Bichler that 166 students at Kaukauna high school have just completed a classroom course in driver’s education.

June 15, 1956

Carl J. Hansen

This year's addition of the Alumni News is dedicated to a man who came to Kaukauna about the time the new high school building was opened and has been devoted to the welfare of the school and the community since his first day here. He is Carl J. Hansen, editor and publisher of the Kaukauna Times printing company. Each year the editor comes to Carl and says “What do I have to do?” This is when he comes through with reassurance that everything will be all right. “We'll get it out somehow.” Since coming here in 1925 Carl has built up highly regarded establishment that employs 20 full-time men. The shop is well-equipped and the newspaper has increased in circulation more than four times. But more than for the fine shop he owns, Carl is remembered for his never-ending interest in the community. His spirit is always one of “Let's go ahead. You can't stand still” and this spirit has been a great contribution to all of Kaukauna.

June 20, 1956

A JOINT FLY-UP CEREMONY among Brownie Troops 59, 29 and 162 was held recently in St. Mary's church hall. The Fly-ups are Brownie Scouts who have completed the requirements for entering into intermediate girl scouting. Among those taking part in the ceremony were left to right, Nora Danner, Cheryl Jansen, Pamela Specht, Joan Delcore, Sharon Noie, Jean Mullen, Beverly Vanden Bosch, Sandra Wittman, Patricia Kloehn, Jean Ann Schmitz, Kristy Ludke, Dorothy Damro, Susan Brooks, Karen Patterson, Barbara Kersten and Julie Martens.

For the first time in its history the Alumni Association of Kaukauna high school awarded two coveted plaques at its Rally Day program held Saturday evening at Van Abels in Hollandtown. The presentation made each year to a person who has done a great service to educate in Kaukauna. Recipients of this year's awards for Charles Jennerjohn and Nick Milbach, Sr., members of the janitorial staff of Kaukauna high school for many years. Both men expressed their appreciation for the honor bestowed upon them.

June 22, 1956

The Kaukauna VFW girls’ softball team continue its winning ways Sunday afternoon as they blanked Nichols by the lopsided score 14–0 behind the two-hit pitching of Elaine Vanderloop. The hitting for Kaukauna started in the second frame as Pat Summers singled and Judy Borree reached base on an error. A double by Dot Kastell plated the two.

June 27, 1956

Over 400 youngsters and adults were on hand Saturday to see Leone King named as this year’s Becky Thatcher and Tom Lettau was chosen as Huck Finn in the seventh annual Huck Finn Day celebration.

June 29, 1956

By Times contributor Mrs. Ed Wolf

But a word to the wives – If you have a good husband, Treat him kindly. Forget your imaginary weariness, all you have done all day was wash and iron clothes wash dishes, make beds, scrub floors, bathe and dress children, referee fights and kiss away the pain of injuries. You’re still fresh as a daisy when evening comes and have a good dinner waiting for hubby. See that his favorable chair is ready for TV viewing and lots of thirst quenchers in the refrigerator. Good husbands don’t grow on trees and you’ll sure to get a smile in return and real satisfaction that you have added several years to his life.

SEVEN OF THE TEN LIFEGUARDS employed this summer at the swimming pool are pictured above as the first organizational meeting of the recreation program took place last week. Left to right are Jim Walsh, Jerry Hawley, Jack Coenen, Jack Luedtke, Celine Ryan, Barbara Little and Alicia Hennes.