From Our Early Files Feb. 23, 2022
25 YEARS AGO
February 27, 1997
The most serious residential fire in the area in several years caused extensive damage to a Whitehall woman’s home on Friday. The Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department was called to the Arline Johnson residence on Dewey Street about 10 a.m. that day. Johnson was not home at the time, but a neighbor reported flames coming from the two-story, wood-frame structure.
If members of the two committees considering a new metallic mineral mining ordinance for Trempealeau County acted based only on what they heard last week Tuesday, they might start all over from scratch. That’s because the overwhelming majority of persons testifying at a public hearing held concerning the draft ordinance don’t want any metallic mining in the county at all. And the proposed county rules, although stringent, would allow such mining if conditions were met.
Members of the Whitehall city council discussed how to keep a proposed new swimming pool within its target price last week. The full council, acting as the special pool committee Thursday, met for a second time this month with a representative from D.F. Burbach Municipal Engineers. The company representative informed the council members that some initial cost figures were higher than anticipated. The city and Burbach have been aiming to keep the total coast of the project, including engineering, under $800,000.
Lynn Sonnentag was recently named the recipient of the Wisconsin High School Track Coaches Association District Three Coach of the Year award.
Last weekend, Arcadia lost two of its prominent leaders as Harold Blaschko and Darell Schultz passed away. Blaschko was a charter member of the Arcadia Industrial Development Corporation and worked with his sons in the printing business. Blaschko Enterprises, the company he built, is made up of three divisions Supreme Graphics, Supreme School Supply and the Arcadia News-Leader. Schultz worked many years as a farmer and was manager of the A-G Co-Op Broiler Plant for 21 years.
Patients at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in Arcadia may be seeing a new face on campus. Paul Winey is at the facility for a three-month clinical rotation in family medicine. He is a physician assistant (PA) student from the first class of the La Crosse PA program.
Lunda Construction of Black River Falls has selected St. Patrick’s Day to start work on demolition of the old south Beaver Creek bridge, carrying Hwy. 53 through the city and to replace it with a new span.
Beaver Builders is vacating not only its buildings beneath the old south Beaver Creek bridge, it’s moving its operation to a new site along Hwy. 53 and McHugh Road. The state has purchased the Beaver Builders Supply property for about $341,000. The state Department of Transportation said that about 5.5 acres of land and several buildings are involved.
A large majority of Trempealeau residents want a facility providing health services and wellness programs, and a village committee to deal with it. Those are two key results of a village survey last year.
50 YEARS AGO
March 2, 1972
In a special referendum election held Monday at Pigeon Falls, voters approved construction of a $180,000 municipal waterworks system by a 72-12 margin.
Fire Sunday night destroyed a hog house on the Ralph Thompson farm in the town of Preston, killing between 50 and 60 feeder pigs.
The law firm of Tarrant, Mattka and Robertson has added two associates to its staff. Fred Berns affiliated with the Whitehall office as of Feb. 14, and Hollis Thompson is at the Blair office.
Six area farmers and one community resident were honored at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce annual awards night and banquet held Saturday at the Arcadia Country Club. Those honored with Outstanding Community Farmer awards were Mr. and Mrs. Marcel Feltes, 1971 recipients; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lund and Mr. and Mrs. Einar Lund as Lund Brothers; Mr. and Mrs. Loren Wolfe, Leo Schank and Paul Pehler. Lloyd Fernholz received the outstanding citizen award.
This week marks the 60th anniversary of Martin J. Maloney in the meat business in Arcadia. As M.J. Maloney Meat Market, the business grew slowly, but steadily over the years. Sausage making was always one of Mr. Maloney’s specialties. Following the end of World War II and the return of his two sons, Harold and Lyman, from the service, the business expanded its smoked meats line, began to market its now famous Maloney’s Baloney and added a route service.
Arcadia’s Jim Haines won the state wrestling championship at 105 pounds. The senior finished the season with a 32-0 record and his career with an 84-4 mark. Haines is the school’s first state champion. He defeated Don Lemke of Chippewa Falls 9-2 in the semifinal, Lemke had a 27-0 record on the season. He went on to top Fred Townsend of Janesville Craig 10-2 in the championship match. Classmate Larry Ruff also competed in the state tournament.
Sixty-four teams comprised of adults and students from Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau Senior High School will participate in the Adult-Student Bonspiel at the Galesville and Centerville curling rinks the week of March 2-5.
The Reverend Charles Miller, a missionary in Rhodesia with the United Methodist Church for 19 years, will speak at the Trempealeau Federated Church at 7 p.m. on March 5.
A special meeting on drugs and alcohol will be held in the G-E-T High School on March 6 at 8 p.m.
75 YEARS AGO
February 27, 1947
Mrs. E.A. Sletteland, who has been appointed a member of the state centennial music committee, attended a meeting of that body in Madison Friday. Plans were discussed for promoting participation of music groups from rural as well as city areas, and Mrs. Sletteland anticipates that Trempealeau County will do something outstanding in this observance.
The Pix Theatre and the Happy Hour Club of Whitehall will sponsor a pie-eating contest on Saturday, March 8, announces Colonel Larson, theatre manager.
Anton Thompson left Friday en route for Guam, where he will engage in electrical work for the government. Hilman Lee, Henry and Omer Nelson and Clifford Pederson also have been thinking of going to Guam, but have not made up their minds.
The one-and-a-half story house that Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Lovelien purchased from Fred Kelner, farmer at Shady Grove near Hixton, arrived in Whitehall Monday and has been placed on the foundation which was built for it on Ervin Street, directly in front of the August Nyberg residence.
The Pigeon ski tournament was held Sunday afternoon in spite of the near-zero weather and snow flurries that made it far from comfortable for both skiers and spectators. An enthusiastic crowd turned out, however, for the first post-war tournament to be held on the rebuilt ski slide on the Eid hill. The winners were Tilman Johnson of Galesville in the senior class, Conrad Johnstad of Pigeon Falls in Class A, Jerry Hanson of Menomonie in Class B, and Wallen Melby of Pigeon Falls in Class C.
George Humphrey, 86-year-old resident of York, has resigned as director of the York Cooperative Creamery after serving on the board for 50 years, since the creamery was founded.
Arcadia city councilmen Friday of last week took action to purchase another diesel engine for the electric utility. They viewed the model, which they later decided to purchase. It is a 1,400 horse power diesel engine which is expected to help generate 980 kw. It is expected to provide efficient energy for the city.
100 YEARS AGO
March 2, 1922
The Whitehall Improvement Association gave its annual smoker Tuesday night, when the farmers of the area were entertained at the Village Hall at the popular game of whist. Twenty-five tables were played until 11:30, when a luncheon was served. It was one of those delightful functions that cements good feelings between the businessman and farmer.
The Parent-Teacher Club met Wednesday in the Village Hall. The high school orchestra played several selections, which were enjoyed by everyone. Dr. MacCornack gave a talk on “Hygiene and Sanitation in the Public Schools,” and pictures on the subject were shown.
Our friends, in handing in items for publication, will please use paper somewhat larger than a postage stamp. Small pieces of paper are apt to become misplaced, and then criticism comes if the notice does not appear.
The Mason and Olson hardware store has been sold to a Mr. Garrigan of Fall Creek, who took possession March 1.
Pleasantville — Miss Paulson, teacher of Pike’s school, and Margaret and Esther Van Sickle were Pleasantville shoppers Saturday.
Pigeon Falls — On Jan. 24, a meeting was held at the Sunshine school for the purpose of organizing a community club, at which time an organization was perfected and officers elected. The first regular meeting was held Feb. 14, and a constitution adopted at that time. The organization is known as the Sunshine Community Club, and its aim is to promote the interests of the community, socially, intellectually and morally.
Untold damage, especially to telephone and telegraph wires and poles and trees throughout the area was done by a rain and sleet storm. It was estimated that it would take several months to completely repair damage done to telephone facilities. In many woods, it was reported that it was impossible to w3alk because of broken and fallen branches.
Lightning during the sleet storm of Washington’s birthday struck a large barn on the G.C. Nelson farm in American Valley, ripping off part of the roof and shattering about two dozen window panes.
125 YEARS AGO
February 25, 1897
About six inches of the “beautiful” fell Sunday night.
F.E. Beach is partially under the weather this week with an attack of la grippe.
Thomas Thompson has been appointed to succeed J.C. Taylor as supervisor from the village of Independence.
The Odd Fellows have initiated two new members into their lodge of late. The victims were Leslie Stratton and Fred Sather..
The Arcadia Telephone Co. have completed the private line into the courthouse. This makes it very convenient for the county officers, and fills a long-felt need.
There is considerable talk of organizing a Royal Neighbor lodge. This is a branch of the Modern Woodmen lodge, and it would meet with approval on the part of the ladies if such an organization was started.
The Japano Mfg. Co., of this place, is doing quite a rushing business these days. President G.M. Scott is a hustler, and under his management, success is certain. Compound celery tea is one of their leading preparations, and it is a seller, too.
W.J. Webb is furnishing a large bill of lumber to the Young People’s Society of Pigeon Falls, to be used in the construction of a large hall in which to hold their meetings. This will be one of the largest structures of its kind in this section of the country. The society has a very large membership, and is in much need of such a building. Fifteen teams were down after lumber yesterday, and the building will be commenced as soon as the weather will permit.
The band boys have made complete arrangements for a mask ball to be given at Opera Hall on March 5. Fred Lemme of Winona will be here with a full line of costumes, and Birdsell’s Orchestra will provide the music. This will be the last mast ball of the season, so everybody come and have a good time. Ladies in costume free.
