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May 21: Years Ago…
Years Ago

‘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

MAY 20, 2010 – Gays Mills will receive $4.4 million from U.S. Housing and Urban Development through the community Development Block Grant Program. The grant will help fund long-term disaster recovery resulting from the 2008 floods. The village is currently making progress in relocating a portion of the community. New rental housing will be ready in June and some streets and sewer and water infrastructure is in place in the new business park. The funding received includes: $720,000 for streets, utilities, storm- water management; $1,500,000 for Business Assistance to relocate flood-damaged businesses. Funds can be used for new structures, equipment and demolition of flood-damaged structures; $1,000,000 for relocation of owner occupied households; $70,000 for Acquisition and Relocation (FEMA buyouts); $80,000 for Village Housing Rehab. These funds are in addition to $3,910,150 in assistance previously received by the village.  

TWENTY YEARS AGO

May 18, 2000 – Dr. Richard Dudgeon of the Apple Valley Veterinary Clinic is hoping to find homes for six black lab cross puppies that are eight weeks old and were brought to the clinic for euthanasia. The puppies are free and the clinic will throw in the first puppy shot and deworming at no charge to any family who adopts one of the pups… The North Crawford Singers, an 18-voice select ensemble, will present their third annual pops concert Tuesday in the performance center. As in the past two years, the performance will be in “cabaret” style with candlelit tables and refreshments served between sets. The Singers, who practice before school, sing a wide range of music including 16thcentury madrigal, vocal jazz, 50’s rock and roll, and show tunes. This year’s show features music of George Gershwin, 30’s swing, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Simon and Garfunkel, and others. The concert is free and open to the public.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

MAY 24, 1990 – When Haney Elementary teacher, John Lynch visited his father at Sannes Skogdalen, he often noticed a young man who was at the home helping and talking to residents. It turns out that Josh Larson, 12, of Soldiers Grove, had been stopping by to visit and help at the home for some time. Lynch decided to nominate Josh for the Jefferson Award, an award given as recognition for public service, and sponsored by Weakly Reader Magazine and the American Institute of Public Service. Josh was chosen as the winner of the community service award and was selected to represent the state of Wisconsin in Washington, D.C. on June 19 and 20.

FORTY YEARS AGO

MAY 22, 1980 – Miss Victoria L. George, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary George of Soldiers Grove, has been accepted as a finalist in the 1980 Wisconsin National Teenager Pageant to be held June 6, 7, and 8, 1980 at Carroll College in Waukesha. Victoria is being sponsored by Turk’s IGA, Brian Campbell, Bowl-A-Way Lanes and Peterson Motors… Ted Schoville, wary after a recent serious reaction to bee venom, donned his beekeepers’ attire last Thursday in an attempt to capture a swarm found gathering on the window at Burkum’s Feed Mill in Soldiers Grove. He was able to attract most of them in the sunshine between the old county shop and the former Ofstum Creamery.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

MAY 20, 1970 – A two-mile stretch of Highway 171 east of Highway 61 at Rolling Ground is being relocated to eliminate dangerous hills and curves. The present road makes a sharp turn to the right toward the J. H. Moran barn. The new road will continue almost straight on through a 40-foot cut to be made in Moran’s pasture, and will skirt to the south of St. Philip’s church, which is below the hill… Mary Schick and Lois Dull spend much of their spare time being nursemaids to the two survivors of triplet lambs born on the Jerrett farm. The lambs, Mortimor and Melvin, share a bottle and nipple and constant refills are the order of the day. There are may helping hands with neighbors and friends standing in line to await a “turn” at feeding the pets.

SIXTY YEARS AGO

MAY 19, 1960 – The Wisconsin Public Service Commission denied an abandonment petition of the Railway Express Agency. The freight handling organization was instructed to continue twice-weekly services at Soldiers Grove and La Farge. In the same order the agency was authorized to discontinue services at Gays Mills.