Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr.
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The Merrill Historical Society is celebrating today after officially receiving their charter from the Wisconsin State Historical Society. Shelton Stormiest, history coordinator of the state group, visited Merrill last night and is pictured on the front page presenting the charter to M.N. Taylor, president of the local society. During his remarks at the ceremony Mully Taylor told the group of 50 who were present that they were “front-line historians” and their obligation is now twofold: to history itself and to do history well by communicating it with others. He further told the one year old group that preserving history is a way to build pride in the community and impact future vitality in the area. Merrill now becomes the 157th chartered historical society in the state; Wisconsin now boasts one of the highest numbers of chartered groups in the nation. Officers for the year 1979 are M.N. Taylor, president; George Page, vice-president; Alice Krueger, secretary; and Colin Daul, treasurer.
A jury in Lincoln County has awarded a Merrill business owner $7,500 in damages after they found his landlord slandered him. The plaintiff’s attorney Jack Ament said the case is rare, but he felt the jury was fair in their judgement in favor of his client. Ament said cases like this are very hard to prove, but evidence presented at the trial included that the landlord spoke in front of the Merrill City Council in October of 1977 and made several derogatory remarks about the business owner and his restaurant business. A countersuit calling for the eviction of the plaintiff is still pending in the circuit court.
In the business spotlight this week the paper focuses on Elmer Kuehmichel, owner of one of the last shoe repair business in this city. Kuehmichel explains that a shoe repair store was essential for a family short on cash as when a seam split or a heal wore down most could not afford to just go out and buy a new pair of shoes or boots. At one time more than eight such stores operated in the city, and most handcrafted boots for larger sized feet. Keuhmichels dedication to the art of repair and boot making does not end when he closes his shop for the day as he returns to his home where he has similar equipment in the basement and piles of leather for repairs. Kuehmichel opened his shop in 1946 with his father-in-law; at the time lumberjacks were their biggest customers as they bought handmade rugged boots made for the woods. But as the lumberjacks disappeared national manufacturers such as Sorrell started appearing and money was tight for a few years. Kuehmichel often worked eight hours a day at the store and then went to work a night shift in a local factory to help make ends meet. Elmer had 12 siblings and knew how to make ends meet after growing up during the depression. Eventually the family business came around, and at one time they operated two stores. The father of four is now 57 and has been making and repairing footwear for 32 years now, never once taking a vacation, saying he really never wanted one. When asked what his hobby was, Kuehmichel looked around his store and said simply, “this.”
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The city of Merrill has agreed to revisit its code of ordinances when it comes to who or what can occupy a home. This is in response to complaints filed by Harold Dahlke who operated a shoe repair business in Merrill. (Lots of sole in this week’s column.) Dahlke lost the building which housed his business to fire in June of last year so he set up shop across the street in the garage of his home. The city then became involved and informed Dahlke his business is in an area zoned residential and gave him until Feb. 18 to lock his doors or face daily fines. This decision was affirmed by the Merrill Common Council in January by a 6-2 vote after they denied Dahlke’s attempt to rezone his property. In response Dahlke did his own investigation and found 12 other small businesses operating out of homes in Merrill all in areas zoned as residential. Dahlke said he didn’t file the complaints to seek retribution against similar businesses, he just wants the city to recognize this is a city wide issue. Mayor Ken Sparr agrees noting that if someone is conducting piano lessons from their home and sells an instruction book they are in violation of the current ordinance. Sparr’s main concern is maintaining the nature of the neighborhood, but he agrees some leeway should be allowed as now the matter has become emotional with Dahlke’s complaints being filed. Sparr said he would hope the city could come up with something such as an annual licensure to allow the home based businesses. The city plan commission will take up the measure this week.
Does being an athlete in school effect your studies? According to a study conducted by Merrill teacher Ira Rebella it can actually help. Rebella just conducted a study of the grade point averages of all students in the 1987-1988 school year. During that time frame the average MHS Senior had a GPA of 2.38, a junior 2.36 and sophomores averaged 2.40. Rebella then looked at those involved in sports and found the average one sport athlete had a GPA of 2.90 while a two sport athlete saw a GPA of 3.02 and for those who took up three sports their average shot up to 3.27. The study was in response to parent concerns that athletics may be effecting student studies.
In briefs: Robert W. Savaske has been named Chairman of the Board of M&I Citizens American Bank in Merrill. Savaske joined the bank in 1973 as installment loan officer and has held various positions at the bank since; he remains as bank president. Savaske reports assets for 1988 that exceeds $63 million. John Riesinger has died at the age of 51. Riesinger retired a few months ago from the Merrill Fire Department after serving 28 years. Riesinger served in the military and saw service in Japan before returning home and becoming a fireman; he is survived by his wife Elaine, his mother Ruby, two step-daughters and one step son. George and Dorothy Wanless have an advertisement this week announcing their retirement. Wanless TV and Appliance is located at 900 E. First St. in Merrill and it will now be the site of an inventory sell off. The Wanless family has operated the store for the past 28 years.
Thee community is celebrating yet another successful Winterfest. According the Council Ground State Park the largest event was the candle light walk that took place on their grounds. It was hoped around 500 people would join in the walk but over 1,500 actually showed up. Partners Pub from Stevens Point was the champions in the broomball tournament, the Janisch Trucking was the leading team in the ice bowling at Lincoln Lanes, Half Fast Bar from Athens won the volleyball tournament, and the quest for cash was won by Warren Gruetzmacher who found the hidden medallion on the eighth day. Hundreds of children also participated at the many events held at Lions Park.
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At a rare evening meeting the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors has approved three options for a non-binding referendum which will appear on the April ballot giving voters a voice on where the next jail building should be built. The three options put to voters range in price from $15 to $22 million, but board members cautioned an exact figure cannot be given out until a site is officially selected and the details are finalized. The three sites selected by the board include the present jail site, the site known as the hockey rink site on East Sixth Street at Memorial Drive next to Pine Crest, and the now empty lot which sits across from the jail and was the home to Lincoln School. Drawbacks to the choices were listed by supervisors who expressed their desired locations, it was noted the Pine Crest choice would hamper the future expansion of that facility by removing a large amount of the property, the Lincoln School site would likely need a parking ramp to handle all the additional parking that would be required for the jail, court and all other county offices that are housed downtown, and the present jail would prohibit any other growth of the sheriff’s office. Mayor Michael Caylor vowed to work with the county to provide additional parking in the area of the court house noting it was the focal point of downtown and would make all the buildings easy to find for visitors. The county is under a deadline to do something as a second branch of the circuit court will be open in August of next year requiring a full court room and jury facilities for the new judge, whomever it may be. The primary election for that spot is Feb. 16 with Jim Godlewski, Glenn Hartley and Don Dunphy all vying for that new seat.