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Echos of the Past for October 30
1939: Corn Picking Derby held
Old Fennimore Main Street
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO (1919)—Geo. McGraw, assisted by C. Wayne, completed a nifty little addition to the Times in the shape of a 12x18 storeroom, melting room, and coal compartment. George is an expert carpenter whom we can cheerfully recommend. —Joseph H. Edge has resigned his position as manager of Fennimore Equity and L. A. Ruchti has been appointed manager for the balance of 1919.
    NINETY YEARS AGO (1929)—In spite of the unfavorable weather, the mission at St. Mary’s church is being largely attended at every service. It is being conducted by two Jesuit Fathers of Loyola University, Chicago, Rev. Wm. D. Tierney and Rev. Chas. A. McDonnell, whose sermons and instructions are practical and elevating.
    EIGHTY YEARS AGO (1939)—Lawrence Hauk, Waterloo township, outhusked a field of 18 huskers in the annual Grant county corn picking derby staged on the Fred Vorwald farm, Beetown, Wednesday. In winning first place, the county title, Hauk picked 2,214 pounds of corn, but after the gleanings had been deducted, he had 2,163 pounds, which is equivalent to about 30 bushels of corn. Between 2,000 and 2,500 persons attended the husking contest. —Nearly 100 specimens of corn were brought in to the Center Lumber Company’s office before closing of the contest to determine the longest ear of dent corn. First place was won by Willard James whose entry of yellow dent corn measured slightly over 13 inches. John Vesperman’s entry was a close second and Emil Brandt won third place. These ears were really good corn too and not freak ears in any meaning of the word.
    SEVENTY YEARS AGO (1949)—Fennimore youngsters, large and small, had a swell time Monday evening as Halloween guests of the American Legion which sponsored a party for their entertainment.
    SIXTY YEARS AGO (1959)—The new Violet-Ray Scotch Wash is now open for business in the former McKichan Hardware store building on upper Lincoln Avenue. This is a coin-operated self-service laundry, open 24 hours a day. —Between 250 and 300 people attended an open house at the recently completed Stitzer School.
     FIFTY YEARS AGO (1969)—Stanley D. Fry has been commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force upon graduation from Officers Training School at Lackland AFB, Texas. —A large multi-colored sign reading “Welcome to Wisconsin... cheese country” on the north wall of the Memorial Building auditorium formed the central theme for the annual convention of the Southwest Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association held last week. Following a business meeting, a banquet was attended by 250 delegates and their ladies.
    FORTY YEARS AGO (1979)—Fennimore football’s own Howard Cosell was honored during halftime ceremonies Friday night as he marked the end of a distinguished announcing career for the Fennimore High School football program. Dick Brainerd wrapped up his duties after 27 years on the sidelines, on the back of a truck, and in the announcing booth. —Three Fennimore artists were awarded blue ribbons at the annual Grant County Art Show. Out of more than 85 entrants in the painting class, three of five blue ribbons were awarded to: Vonnie Lindow, Birds; Ruth Anderson, Log Cabin; and Karen Petrick, Untouched Serenity. All three are students in Ms. Clark’s oil painting class at Southwest Tech. —With a 24 point finish, Fennimore High School boys’ cross country team earned a shot at their third consecutive state title Nov. 3 in Madison.
     THIRTY YEARS AGO (1989)—Fennimore area residents were treated to the sounds of the 60-voice U. S. Air Force Academy Chorale. Fennimore native Bob Stroebel is a member of the chorale. —The Fennimore girls’ cross country team placed sixth and the boys’ team placed fifth at the state meet on Oct. 28 in Wisconsin Rapids.
    TWENTY YEARS AGO (1999)—When Doug Daechsel and his wife, Doris, lived in New Guinea, more than 20 years ago, serving as missionaries, Doug found the shell of a giant clam on a nearby beach. He brought the clam shell with him to Fennimore and this summer completed a fountain in his back yard with the shell as its centerpiece. The giant clam shell is more than three feet across and weighs about 200 pounds. —For the sixth straight time and the 17th time since 1980, the Fennimore girls’ cross country team has qualified for the WIAA state meet. The girls team will be joined by Rick Nelson, who qualified as an individual for the state meet.

    TEN YEARS AGO (2009)—Tom Nelson held a book signing event for his latest book, “Still My Story... And I’m Sticking To It!” at the Fennimore Memorial Building. —The Fennimore Area Writers Association met for the first time on Sept. 25 at Southwest Tech.