Winnowings

10 Years Ago

April 1, 2014

The April Fool’s edition front page contained the fictional stories of building a retractable roof and natural grass at Ashley Field and the National Meteorologist Association’s (NMA) recent award to Jimmy the Groundhog for accuracy.

Three troops of Girl Scouts, Troops 2328, 2874 and 2953, donated 290 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to the Sun Prairie Emergency Food Pantry.

Poynette resident Nicole Moll has started Box of Balloons, a non-profit organization that brings together dozens of volunteers to fill boxes with birthday celebration material for area children. The organization has partnered with the Sun Prairie and Marshall school districts to find families in need who have a child but are unable to provide a birthday celebration.

Dane County ranks among the healthiest counties in the state, according to a recent report from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation of New Jersey. A total of 29 variables are factored into the rankings, including smoking, high school graduation rates, employment, physical activity, and access to healthy foods.

25 Years Ago

April 1, 1999

The April Fool’s edition featured the fictional stories of installing artificial turf at Ashley Field, sponsored by Bisbee Carpets and a sinkhole by the Sun Prairie Public Library.

Sun Prairie Civic Theatre will present its much-anticipated spring musical production, West Side Story, April 9-10 and 15-17 at the Sun Prairie High School auditorium.

A feature profiles Bill and Dorothy Phillips, Friends of the Library volunteers, who co-chaired the library’s annual book sales in 1991 and 1992 and continue to work them. The Phillipses assist with mailings and sell raffle tickets at Sentry Foods. They can be found at all Friends’ activities. Dorothy also managed to find time to serve as Friends’ treasurer in 1996 and 1997.

DEATHS: Myron Powers “Mike” Dean, 70, March 25. Viola F. Hermann, 86, March 27. Marie E. Meixner, 89, March 30.

50 Years Ago

April 4, 1974

Robert Schaben and Dr. John Stieglitz won Tuesday’s City Council races.

The ice arena proposal was defeated.

In the school board race, former member Duane Barrington was returned to the board and Thomas Motl was also elected.

Seven applicants have applied for the position of Chamber of Commerce Manager.

Ken Bowman, center for the Green Bay Packers, was guest speaker for the Green and Gold Banquet.

Planner John Knapp estimated that the development of O’Keeffe Park (later changed to Sheehan Park) will require about $2 million.

Project Fresh Start will hold an open house April 11. This is a house remodeling project completed by 16 young men, ages 15 to 19, who have had difficulty adjusting to the normal scheme of things.

A brief feature tells of the first local junior prom. George Rueth supplied the information concerning the 1904 prom. He revealed, “We didn’t make ends meet, so we had a box social later to make up the difference.” The prom was held on the third floor of the Conrad building (the southwest corner of Main and King Streets).

Mrs. Bonita Bogle was named president of the Twentieth Century Club.

WEDDING: Janet Jaquish and Craig Reinen, March 23.

DEATHS: Mrs. Harmey Lien, 70, March 26. Victor F. Schroud, 62, March 30. Herman J. Igard, 74, March 22. G. Allan Batz, 45, March 29. Harry J. Farman, March 20.

75 Years Ago,

March 31, 1949

Miss Jennie Seltzner, a local piano instructor, will be listed in the 1949 edition of Who’s Who in Music. It is a mark of recognition and distinction in the music world.

The Senior Class will present its play, One Mad Night, on April 8.

The Twentieth Century Club is looking forward to its 50th anniversary in 1951. The club was organized on Jan. 25, 1901, in the home of Mrs. T.C. (Ella) Hayden. At present there are 79 active members and 13 honorary members. A small case of books provided by the club and housed in the city hall was the start of Sun Prairie Public Library, which today has more than 4,000 volumes. The current president of the club is Mrs. E.J. Nelson.

Mrs. R.C. Birkinbine will tell of her 30-day tour of Europe in a meeting at the Methodist Church, open to the public. It is the Rural-Urban meeting of the 20th Century Club.

At the P.T.A. meeting, a capacity crowd heard Dr. J.A. Grab speak of the danger signs of cancer and the importance of reporting them early to your family doctor.

At the Surburban League forensic contest, three Sun Prairie students won “A” ratings. They were Bette Wetmore, humorous declamation; Dolores Virchow, original oration; and Betty Spahn, non-original oration.

Tech. Sgt. William E. Burtis of Madison will tell of the Bataan Death March and his three-and-a-half-year imprisonment by the Japanese as part of the program observing Army Day, April 6, at the local American Legion Post.

Sgt. Carl Buttke has arrived safely overseas and is now stationed near Heidelberg, Germany.

100 Years Ago

April 3, 1924

Sun Prairie will have a new library building. The bond issue was carried at Tuesday’s election by a majority of 77, the total vote being 248 for and 171 against the bond issue. Without question, it was the biggest vote ever polled in Sun Prairie. Four hundred twenty-three voters went to the polls, 165 of whom were women. This is a new mark for the ladies.

Dr. E.C. Cobb has this week moved his dental office and equipment from rooms in the Tester Restaurant building to the second floor of the Schey Grocery.

At the parochial school, Louis Schuster received a bronze Underwood Typewriting Award for his rate of 49 words per minute.

The Ford Motor Company advertises its Touring Model with starter and demountable rims for $295 F.O.B. Detroit. You may buy it on the Ford Weekly Purchase Plan.

DEATHS: Mrs. Frank Pfaff, 62, March 28. Daniel W. McCarthy, 64.

125 Years Ago

March 30, 1899

We are rejoicing in the fine sleighing. But alas, ‘tis March!

Fourteen veterans of the Civil War and a few from the Spanish-American War answered the roll call at the campfire held by the Women’s Relief Corps at the Modern Women’s Relief Corps at the Modern Woodmen of America meeting hall on Saturday evening. The old soldiers with their families made an attendance of about 100 people.

Andrew and Thomas Skannes of North Bristol have been visiting Norway, and have returned, bringing with them newly married brides from that country.

BIRTH: A girl to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cook, March 9.

DEATH: Michael Straus, March 19.