Waunakee's Early Files

100 years ago

July 17, 1924

At a special meeting of the village board, it was voted to purchase an Oberchaine chemical engine at a cost of $1,624.

The Waunakee baseball team was defeated by Sun Prairie here Sunday by a score of 3-1.

The camping grounds at Ashton, operated by Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Bruchman, are receiving much favorable comment from the press.

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Dolfen of Dane announce the birth of a son on Tuesday, July 16.

Vacant homes are a scarce item in Waunakee. Every house is occupied, and there are numerous inquiries about homes for rent.

A large number of autos passed through Waunakee shortly after 3 a.m. Three sharp explosions were heard. It was probably the work of the Ku Klux Klan.

85 Years Ago

July 13, 1939

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Watzke Jr. announce the birth of a son on Sunday, July 9.

Otto F. Hohlstein, 66, well-known Waunakee barber for 40 years, died suddenly at a Madison hospital.

The Waunakee baseball team trimmed Poynette Sunday by a score of 27-8. Bob Hilgers got five hits in six trips to the plate.

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Schwartz of Dane announce the birth of a daughter on July 6.

Stanley Spahn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Spahn, was injured while playing around a gasoline truck. When the truck driver started up, Stanley’s hands were caught in the rear of the truck. When he was finally released, he fell to the road, He was treated for multiple bruises.

75 Years Ago

July 14, 1949

Peter H. Clemens, 86, died at his home in the Village of Dane early Thursday morning after a short illness.

Mr and Mrs. Norbert Maier announce the birth of a daughter on July 6 at St, Mary’s Hospital.

Here is a list of cars, trucks, pedestrians, etc. crossing the railroad crossing on Main Street in a 24-hour period: 797 pedestrians, 2,491 automobiles, 10 buses, 171 bicycles, seven teams and 927 trucks.

70 Years Ago

July 15, 1954

B.R. Alford was re-elected clerk of the State Graded School Board at a meeting held Monday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Hellenbrand, Waunakee, are the proud parents of a son born at St. Mary’s Hospital on Thursday, July 8.

A large crowd attended the Reis family reunion at the Dr. C.M. Koch cottage at Fish Lake Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Endres are rejoicing over the arrival of a daughter born on Sunday, July 1, at St. Mary’s Hospital.

60 Years Ago

July 9, 1964

Miss Celia Sanchez will be living with the Leonard Kuehn family and attending Waunakee High School this year. She is the AFS student and comes from Zaragoza, Spain.

Ronald Statz, son of Carl F. Statz International Harvester implement dealer in Waunakee, and his wife left by plane for the New York World’s Fair.

Invitations to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Centennial Celebration to be held Sunday, Aug. 18, are in the mail and being delivered this week to area priests, nuns, special guests and registered parishioners.

Bruce and Kristi Nichols, son and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nichols, Waunakee, are among the 20 Folklore Village International Dancers selected to represent the United States at the International Biennial Festival in Leiden, Holland, this August.

Behind the steady 6-hit pitch of Bill O’Connell and the slugging of Dale Fleiner, St. John’s CYO rose to their sixth win without a loss Sunday in front of a large festival crowd.

40 Years Ago

July 5, 1984

The Waunakee Community Medical Clinic celebrating its fifth anniversary.

The Waunakee Village Board approved bids totaling $401,767 for the new library, including the senior center, which should be completed by winter.

Jacklyn Pomeranke of Dane will be traveling to Spain in July to spend four weeks living with a Spanish family.

Nancy A. Raemisch and Bret Ginn were married on Saturday, June 16.

30 Years Ago

June 23, 1994

Officials from the Village of Waunakee are working with the Town of Westport to iron out differences regarding Waunakee’s expansion p[las.

Officials from Dane County and Department of Natural Resources gathered Monday in the Town of Springfield to celebrate the acquisition of a 160-acre land tract which will become a county park.

After nine years of serving as interim pastor at Various churches, the Ev. Richard Williams is now the designated pastor at Dane Immanuel United Church of Christ.

Craig Laufenberg of Waunakee has set a new national record in the 35-meter backstroke in the Wheelchair Sports USA division.

20 Years Ago

June 24, 2004

The Village of Waunakee will use consultant Tom Nack as the owner’s representative in the construction of Waunakee’s senior center and community center. He will serve in the same role as he did for the Waunakee school district in the expansion and renovation of the high school.

A second phase of the Cannery Row apartments was unveiled at the grand opening of the senior apartment complex last week.

Mark Johnson, a medalist from the 1980 USA hockey team that defeated the Soviet Union, was a presenter at the Peace Lutheran Church’s Vacation Bible Camp.

10 Years Ago

June 26, 2014

On the front page of this week’s edition is a large photograph of the girls’ soccer team celebrating after winning the Division 2 WIAA State Championship game in Milwaukee. Waunakee defeated Rhinelander in the championship game for the win.

The Waunakee school board has approved a three-part facilities plan to manage the district’s growth. One part involved expanding Prairie Elementary. Other phases include building a new intermediate school while retaining the existing Heritage Elementary and intermediate school to accommodate more K-4 students.

Plan commissioners expressed excitement over a plan for the former Koltes Lumber property on Main Street near South Street. It calls for a multi-use space with a brew pub and restaurant.