Sunday, September 8, 2024
Serving Algoma, Casco, Kewaunee, Luxemburg and all of Kewaunee County

Memories from the Star-News archives: Dec. 19

Posted

1 Year Ago: 2014

Algoma’s Christmas Tree Point serves to remind Kewaunee County of the impact it had on the Christmas tree trade in Milwaukee, Chicago and other points along southern Lake Michigan. Forty-four percent of the captains and their crews were Ahnapee/Algoma men. Including all of the Kewaunee County men boosts the percentage. That last trip in the fall, often during the storms of November, meant the difference between providing for one’s family and repairs to the ships. In an era once called the golden age of sailing, shipping was not always as lucrative as it would seem, and low incomes meant rickety ships. Such was Herman Schuenemann’s Rouse Simons. Going down in 1912, the ship and its “Captain Santa” became famous in books, songs and musical theater. The wreck was felt to be near Rowley’s Point, however it was 49 years after the Nov. 23, 1912 sinking that diver Kent Bellrichard found it while searching for another sunken ship. Two Rivers Maritime Museum has artifacts, and Algoma honors the memories of those such as Sibilsky, Henry, McDonald, Armstrong, Nelson and more, and the 52 Christmas Tree ships felt to pass the city taking Tannenbaums to the immigrants who depended on the ships. More on the Christmas Tree ships can be found in any public library.


Marvin Bourgeois retired from teaching in 1994. He is now retiring as director of the Luxemburg-Casco Community Band, a position he has held for 34 years. That concludes 60 years of teaching and conducting for “Mr. Music Man”.

Brittany Lischka, the daughter of Marty and Susie Lischka of Kewaunee and a Kewaunee High School graduate, was recently honored for high academic achievement by the International English Honor Society at Minnesota State-Mankato.

Anna Dier stepped out of her comfort zone and made her first 3-pointer of the season, with two minutes remaining, to put the Algoma girls basketball team ahead of Green Bay Preble for a 51-42 win on Dec. 11.

10 Years Ago: 2005


The Kewaunee Fire Department responded to two calls during the week regarding carbon monoxide. Using air monitoring equipment, they found no carbon monoxide present at either residence.

All senior residents of Algoma were invited to attend a Christmas party in the school cafeteria sponsored by the Algoma High School Student Council.

The Shanty Days Committee of the Algoma Chamber of Commerce for the 2006 event is seeking nominations for honorees.

25 Years Ago: 1990


Charles Schmitt of Casco presented a $5,000 check, the proceeds from his annual Century Club promotions, to benefit the American Cancer Society.

The Grand Opening of the 15,500-square-foot Piggly Wiggly Supermarket on Wisconsin 42 on Algoma’s south side is scheduled for Dec. 17.

From Santa’s Mailbag – Dear Santa, I love you all the days and I want Baby Alive for Christmas. Rudolph has a very shiny nose. Love, Abby Novak.

40 Years Ago: 1975


Mr. and Mrs. Goldie Nellis, Forestville, observed their golden anniversary on Sunday. They renewed their vows at Holy Name of Mary church in Maplewood.

Jim Barlow, an eighth-grader at Algoma Public School, won first place in the Kewaunee County Environmental Awareness speaking contest held recently. His topic was dealing with a dispute over fishing rights between sport and commercial fishermen.

Tryouts were held for the Kewaunee Young People’s holiday operetta, “A Christmas Fantasy.” Ninety-three children, kindergarten through seventh grade auditioned for the play. Forty-two received parts.

50 Years Ago: 1965


Twins, a son and daughter, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Stahl, Rte. 3, Luxemburg, on Sunday at St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay.

With military build-up and action in South Vietnam going on, Robert Douglass works there to build a system of education. Before that he was in Panama and earlier taught industrial arts in the Algoma High School.

Pvt. Donald Charles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Charles of Forestville, has completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He is now assigned to Fort Knox, Ky.

60 Years Ago: 1955


Forty-six Kewaunee Future Farmers of America will leave for Chicago Friday morning to attend the International Livestock Show.

Mrs. Ruth Blazkovec announces the engagement of her daughter, Emmy, to Cutis Detjen, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Detjen. No definite wedding plans have been disclosed.

Thanksgiving Day was chosen by Miss Barbara Cherveny, Kewaunee, and Melvin Theis, Rio Creek, as their wedding day. The ceremony was performed in Norman by Rev. Nellis.

75 Years Ago: 1940


At a meeting of the Luxemburg Village Board last week, the tax rate was fixed at $23 per thousand dollars assessed valuation, an increase of more than $1 over the previous year.

Emil J. Parma, Kewaunee, was advised this week that he has been named as a member of the Kewaunee County Selective Service Board.

Construction has been completed on the Stoller Feed Store, adding additional floors plus a basement.

90 Years Ago: 1925


Indian John, well known as a medicine man in this area, died at Luxemburg last Friday.

Arthur Fiala bagged a 25-pound bobcat near Crandon. He expects to have the pelt made into a rug.

Stanley Kusch, a Kewaunee boy, has made good on the Beloit football squad. He was selected a a member of the All-Star Midwest Conference team this week.

100 Years Ago: 1915


With 20 cases on the calendar, the December term of Circuit Court opened on Monday. Members of the Bar paused to pay tribute to the late Judge M.T. Parker.

One of the most valuable loads of cheese was delivered by the Rostok cheese maker John G. Dittmer. At 17 cents a pound, it brought in $730.

Henry Ford and his Peace Party left our shores to undertake the task of subduing the belligerent European war lords. They expect to get the boys out of the trenches by Christmas.

110 Years Ago: 1905


Pat McGowan left Kewaunee for Milwaukee on Monday. He will take an examination there which he expects will qualify him as an attorney.

Nic Miller, Luxemburg, has traded Dan Patch, the famous trotter, for a fine driver belonging to Hubert Jacquart. The new horse will be used with Nic’s mail route.

Loads of Christmas trees are arriving daily. Total shipments will reach several thousand trees, many for shipment to southern markets.

120 Years ago: 1895


James Riedy Jr. of Casco and Miss Emma Popp of West Kewaunee were married on Wednesday.

Coasting is the leading sport in the area these days. The hills have been crowded every evening.

Kewaunee is putting on metropolitan airs. It will soon have a Chinese laundry. The proprietor’s name is Charley Who.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press Gazette: Memories from the Star-News archives: Dec. 19