OCONTO COUNTY
Farm animals died in 1943 storm | Looking Back: News from decades past
– July 2, 2008 –
Karen Riegert of Suring was named 2008 Oconto County Fairest of the Fair at the banquet and judging final competition for the program Sunday evening at the Holiday Inn at Kelly Lake. Riegert, the daughter of Alan and Dawn Riegert, will work to promote the local County Fair for the next year, serve as official hostess at the 2008 Fair in August, and represent the Oconto County Fair in the competition for 2009 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fair at the Wisconsin Association of Fairs convention.
While fishing on Waubee Lake, east of Lakewood recently, Bill and Carmen Ehlers of Townsend, were entertained by Mother Bear and her cute little cubs along the shoreline. Bears in Northern Oconto County are seen frequently by residents there.
A part-time resident, William Halerson of the Milwaukee area, renewed his subscription to the Reporter in our office last week and said he was headed for the Townsend area "my favorite vacation retreat." Now at age 89, he said this would have been his high school graduation class's 70th reunion, but he had a good reason for not attending. "I'm the only one left," he lamented.
Suring native Leonard Zingler observed his 100th birthday on June 13, 2008, while family members and friends visited him in Buffalo, New York. His father William owned a furniture store and began the undertaking business in Suring, beginning in the late 1890s and early 1900s.
– June 30, 1993 –
An elderly Algoma couple suffered severe burns shortly before noon Monday when an explosion and fire rocked their camper unit at Holtwood Park Campgrounds along the Oconto river in Oconto. Taken to Oconto Memorial Hospital by the Oconto Fire Dept. Rescue Squad were Clare (Red) Volk, 77, and his wife, Geraldine.
Sheree and Marc Nelson, Little Suamico, announced the future opening of Rachel's Supper Club, 818 Main St., Oconto. Rachel's will be open seven days a week. The Nelsons purchased the building, formerly the Chez Doulet supper club.
Bouche Well & Pump of Oconto, is the newest business in the Oconto area. Owned by Rick Bouche of 718 Farnsworth Ave., it will specialize in the installation of complete water systems plus service on all makes and models.
Oconto High School graduate Mel Lightner, son of Cory and Joyce Lightner, Oconto, has been named the Superintendent of Schools for the Colby School District in Colby, Wisconsin. Colby has more than 1,200 students.
Hardee's Restaurant of Oconto last week donated 365 feet of Oconto River shoreline property to the city of Oconto. The property runs adjacent to the Hardee's parking lot. Oconto city officials intend to convert it to an attractive park-like setting and also hope to provide fill on the shoreline where erosion is causing serious problems.
Earlier this year, Jan Blumreich resigned as a teacher and athletic director to opt for early retirement. Terry Dooley was named her successor as athletic director. Then Duane LeBreck submitted his resignation as boys varsity basketball coach. Bruce Parkovich of Marinette was named to succeed LeBreck. Though Dooley will be the A.D., he is stepping down as boys baseball coach after more than two decades. Mike Ruechel, who is also the Oconto High drivers education teacher, will succeed Dooley. Ron Hoffman, Oconto girls softball coach, is quitting as coach but continue on the faculty. Hoffman will be succeeded as coach by Nancee Mayer, who also will teach physical education. Tracy Thome, a teacher at Washington Middle School, will be the new girls JV softball coach. And Steve Sowle has been named to coach Washington Middle School football and as assistant wrestling coach, succeeding head football coach Bill Reis.
Obituaries: Leonard P. Schmolinski, Florence Elliott, David Giese, Loretta Kavanagh, Violet Laduron, Joseph Konop, Francis C. Wilmot, Benjamin Herbert Houle, Sr., and Emily K. Bernard.
High winds lashed the city in a rain storm that downed five trees and kept crews busy for several days cleaning branches from the streets.
Sheriff John Fisher issued a warning that gun restrictions for minors would be strictly enforced.
Statewide vehicle inspection program began with a voluntary check in the court house parking lot.
The Oconto high school class of 1918 held its 50th reunion and the class of 1933 gathered for its 35th reunion.
The Children's Theater presented their first performance, "Peter, Peter."
A first stocking of trout was made in the waters of Green Bay by the conservation division.
Robert Telford, Oconto, and Ron Thompson, Oconto Falls, entered machines at the first summer snowmobile festival at Three Lakes.
Wilbur Pettigrew was named commander at an election in the Clyde B. Jones post of the American Legion.
Querin Hostak, Oconto Falls, was reported lost at sea with the sinking of the coast guard cutter Escanaba.
A severe electrical storm late Friday resulted in damages to property and animals in the Gillett area. Farmer William Ammerman lost a valuable horse; Elmer Young, five cows and Carl Makholm, a heifer, all killed by lightning.
Vernon Couillard won a first in a speech contest held at Marinette.
Dr. and Mrs. Lester H. Beals, medical missionaries at Wei, India, and four children are guests of the A.B. Burdick family.
Lt. James Robinson Urquhart of the 44th Infantry and Miss Nathalle Emma Wilkinson, former Oconto teacher, were united in marriage in the First Presbyterian church, Seattle, Washington.
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter McGovern on Monday. The mother was formerly Miss Ella Jackson.
Art Pettigrew left Wednesday evening for Vancouver, Washington, having enlisted in the Spruce division.
Wisconsin stands in the foremost rank in its exhibit at the World's Fair, Chicago, and its state building is more frequently visited than any other.
Dr. O'Keefe attended a medical meeting Saturday at Milwaukee.
Antone Koket and William Burkhardt of Company M, received scores of 159 and 152 respectively at the rifle range on Sunday.
Joseph Marek opened his new grocery store on Superior Street.
The new Beyer House, under the management of Ferdinand Steenback, recently hired a first class chef, George Costello.