Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr
12-27-78
The Lincoln County Animal Shelter is ready to open its doors to the stray animals of the county. Jan. 2 is slated as the opening date for the new facility on North Memorial Drive. Currently the building has five areas and an outside run will be constructed in the spring. Dale Ecklund will serve as the animal control officer, Carol Reinhardt is the shelter manager, and Sue Nitke is the assistant manager. Once animals start taking up space they will be seeking volunteers to help with cleaning and general maintenance.
The Tank family on Merrill’s west side has a bit more to be cheerful about this holiday season as they have recovered from a devastating fire. On Dec. 23, 1976 a fire broke out at Larry’s Auto Sales, 903 Grand Ave., which partially destroyed the business. Larry began his work in the automotive field when he was just 17 and took on the project of painting a car, a Model A Ford that he painted yellow and black. His neighbor was so impressed he bought the car from Larry thus becoming his very first customer. Larry went on to study mechanics at the University of Superior before joining the Army. After his service he worked in Beloit, Harvard, Wausau and Monroe before coming to Merrill in 1960 where he took work in a garage in the Sixth Ward. By 1968 he and his wife Sandy opened Larry’s Auto on Grand Avenue. Soon business demands brought a used car lot to the property, and now Larry works 60 hours per week when he can. With the Tank house being right next door Larry has found his hours can be flexible with people knocking on his door to conduct business after hours and on weekends.
What are you going to do this New Year’s Eve? With the holiday falling on a Monday many of us will have a short work week to recover from the cheer. Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes will have open bowling all day long with the music of Hammer starting at 9 p.m. Club Modern has a Sunday buffet running until 2 p.m. on New Year’s Eve day, and then they will be serving roast duck and prime rib after 5 p.m. Dave’s Club 107 will have Phil English playing the music of the 1960s, and Hinz’s Castle Room will be serving a full menu starting at 5 p.m. Ali Baba’s will do the top 40 countdown all night on New Year’s Eve and will have door prizes throughout the evening; on Wednesday Motley Crew will be performing (the other band is spelled Crue). Lierman’s Corning Ballroom will feature Bobby Darin and the Drifter’s until 3 a.m. on New Year’s day for a cost of $10 per couple which includes a hot lunch. The Gleason Bar is now known as Elly’s Place as Elaine Gleason has sold the tavern (the Dug Out now) to John and Elenor Koller, and they will be having a party this New Year’s to coincide with their grand opening. Heading to Tomahawk for the evening? Beilke’s Supper Club will have a buffet with prime rib and shrimp starting at 5 p.m.; the Tomahawk House in downtown Tomahawk will have a prime rib dinner for just $15 per couple that includes a salad and wine bar. The Blackheath Supper Club has a coupon for a buy one get one free drink, but don’t expect to spend it on New Year’s as they are closed. Spending a quiet night at home? Red Owl has Pabst or Old Style for $5.99 a case, Drew’s has porterhouse steaks for $1.99 a pound, and Park City Liquor is offering Old Thompson whiskey for just $4.59 a quart.
12-28-88
Another local family is grieving this evening after a fatal traffic accident in the Town of Hamburg. Last evening a vehicle being driven by Raymond Rehwinkel was struck by an out of control pickup truck being driven by a man from Eleva, WI. Rehwinkel was trapped in the vehicle after the crash but was removed by firemen from both Merrill and Hamburg using their “jaws of life” tools. Rehwinkel was pronounced dead on arrival at Good Samaritan Health Center. According to his obituary, Rehwinkel was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church of the Town of Berlin having served as past president and choir director for 41 years.
Here is something we didn’t “see” coming, Dr. Larry Wolf has been elected secretary of the Wisconsin Optometric Association. The group represents 450 optometrists in the state whose goal is to improve the eye health of all citizens in Wisconsin. Dr. Wolf has his practice at 1007 E. 1st St. in Merrill; he resides in the Town of Pine River with his wife Donna and four children, Lori, Christine, Michelle and John.
The Entertainment section is filled with ideas for New Year’s Eve: South of the Border Restaurant is serving surf and turf for just $10.95, prime rib is $9.95, and of course, the chimichanga is on special for just $4.95. Les and Jim’s Lincoln Lanes has the music of Silverdo with champagne by the bottle for just $6; Sturdevant’s Cork and Dyne will feature Deuce Coupe both Friday and Saturday along with an early breakfast/brunch starting at 12:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Kathy and Cal’s Club 64 has the music of the Melodiers along with a full buffet on New Year’s Day while Three’s Company has a free glass of wine or champagne with your dinner and New York strip steak dinner for only $6.95 or shrimp and prime rib for $9.95. Ashby’s Supper Club in Gleason is featuring a prime rib buffet for just $9.95 per person. Want to stay home and enjoy a treat? Kid’s Korner Pizza will serve you up two deluxe pizzas to go for just $11.80.
12-30-98
He claims the honor surprised him, but if you ask anyone in Merrill who has enjoyed one of his cookies or doughnuts it is no shock that Eddie Miller has been named Baker of the Month by the Wisconsin Bakers Association. Eddie is the owner of the namesake Eddie’s Bake Shop on Merrill’s west side. He began baking when he was just a small child in his mother’s kitchen but really started honing his trade while stationed in Korea after taking classes at Fort Knox and in Texas. While in Korea Eddie did not cook, instead his sole job was one of the camp’s bakers. After the war Eddie ended up in Appleton baking at the Service Bakery before coming to Merrill where he took a job at the Model Bakery. In February of 1954 he purchased his first bakery in Loyal, WI and opened a “cold spots” distribution service selling baked goods in Spencer and Colby. In 1959 he began baking in his own shop in Merrill and has never quit. Over the years he purchased and sold off interest in bakeries in Loyal and Medford and also runs Eddie’s Coffee Shop in Merrill which also sells soups and sandwiches. Besides the staples Miller is also known for his crafting of birthday and wedding cakes and ethnic favorites such as stollen loaded with candy, cherries and nuts, pfeffernusse and kringle. Eddie works with his wife Betty and his daughter Ellen who is the decorator. His stores are at 400 W. Main St. (now A–Cut-Above) and Eddie’s Bake & Coffee Shop on South Main Street in Medford. (Still selling his goods at Dave’s County Market!)
Miller Home Furnishings on Merrill’s west side has four floors of furniture and more as well as a new owner. Wally Smith has taken full ownership of the business on North Prospect Street. Smith has worked at the store for the past 20 years and has now bought out the interest of Bob Grefe, five years after Grefe purchased the store from Bob Fechtner. Smith says he does not intend to change anything except to add more inventory to give shoppers more choices.
Specials this week for New Year’s include: Diamond Dave’s who has shrimp, prime rib, and of course, Mexican fare on special. Ed & Sharon’s will be serving prime rib both New Year’s Eve and Day until 9 p.m., while the Arena has a champagne special at midnight along with drink specials throughout the night. Gail’s Place is offering a wine and prime rib buffet for just $10.95 per person; the Italian U-Boat has a $10 large pizza to go special; Les & Jim’s will have a family bowling special on New Year’s and a balloon drop in the bar at midnight. Laurie Lee’s will have the music of Michael Murphy and the Hellbound Blue Band; Jeff’s Bar and Grill in Gleason has a party New Year’s Eve and a full fish fry menu starting at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Shooters Bar at 1404 W. Main St. will have karaoke starting at 8 p.m., and the Little Dipper has the Sound Master DJ and Deja-Vu tavern will have the music of Six Pound Sledge.