‘Years Ago’ is a compilation of newsy tidbits as published in the Crawford County Independent & Kickapoo Scout on this week ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or sixty years ago.
TEN YEARS AGO
NOVEMBER 12, 2009 – The Village of Gays Mills received approval of a $733,205 grant last week from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency for the acquisition and removal of 10 structures and the elevation of one structure repeatedly damaged by flooding. Residences approved for buyouts with this funding include 105 Main Street, 402 Main Street, 412 Main Street, 202 Highway 131, 206 Highway 131, 217 Gay Street, 312 Grove Street and 204 E. Park Street. The residence at 325 Orin Street was approved for an elevation...Botanical prints created by local artist Chela will be on exhibit in the Crawford County Administration Building in Prairie du Chien beginning later this month. This will be the first exhibit to be featured in the Artists’ Gallery, which is on the main floor.
TWENTY YEARS AGO
NOVEMBER 11, 1999 – Cowpoke Day was held recently in Ann Wallin’s kindergarten class at Seneca School. The children sang songs, recited a choral reading, danced and played the spoons. Pictured are: Troy Trautsch, Derek Wall, Drew Fisher, John Alanis, Jaymee Ostrander, Crystal Wright, Keenan Klotz, Ryan Hartley, Justine Duha, Rayna Dearborn, Amber Grimsled and Sami Mullikan… Roger Olson of Digger Don Excavating of Soldiers Grove removed the cement around the former Apple Blossom Bakery (previously Reber Service Station) in Gays Mills last week. The new owners say they will announce their plans for the property sometime in the next few weeks.
THIRTY YEARS AGO
NOVEMBER 9, 1989 – Over 250 people attended the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation banquet held at the Boscobel Bowling and Recreation Center. The banquets raise money for improvements to wildlife habitat. More than 40 guns were given away as prizes… Paul Bolstad, a freshman at North Crawford High School, won the first place trophy in the senior division of the State Environmental Awareness Speaking Contest held at Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids. Paul is the son of Chuck and Karen Bolstad of Gays Mills.
FORTY YEARS AGO
NOVEMBER 8, 1979 – Mr. and Mrs. Dale Blakley, owners of Blakley’s Our Own Hardware in Gays Mills are holding a grand opening this week. They are pictured in their store with their sons Darby and Daniel… The FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) students went rollerskating at Richland Center Roller Rink. Their organization went along with FHA and FFA. This year’s FBLA advisor is Betty Kroll. The officers are Laurie Jurgensen, president; Sara Christopherson, vice-president; Lana Kvigne, treasurer; Tammie Clark, secretary and Desiree Hines, reporter.
FIFTY YEARS AGO
NOVEMBER 13, 1969 – An open house honoring Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schoville of Soldiers Grove will be held Saturday afternoon, November 29, in observation of their Golden Wedding. Friends and relatives are invited to gather at the Church of Christ between 2 and 4 p.m… Never a dull moment to the task of laying sewer pipe in the village, undertaken by Frank Construction. Last week in their excavating at the corner near the village auditorium, they uncovered a few remnants of wooden piling which were the remains of the old mill race. Meanwhile, drivers found the stop sign quite unnecessary as they came to a halt before this monumental pile of dirt. When the project moved to the other end of Main Street they unearthed the remnants of the old railroad as they prepared to continue laying sewer pipe on ‘Rumpus Ridge.’
SIXTY YEARS AGO
NOVEMBER 12, 1959 – Frederick G. Strang, son of Mrs. and Mrs. Francis W. Strang, Gays Mills, graduated from recruit training November 13 at the Naval Training Center, San Diego, California. In 11-weeks of instruction, the ‘Raw Recruit’ is developed into a Navy Bluejacket, ready for duty with the fleet…
