Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr
11-22-78
Funeral services will be held on Friday for a Merrill man who died after a hunting accident Sunday in Langlade County. He was one of two area hunters who were killed on opening weekend of the state’s nine day gun deer season. James J. Polebitski, 25, of 2210 E. Main St., was hunting with family when a stray or ricocheting bullet struck him as he sat on a deer stand. Polebitski came to Merrill with his family in 1955; he was part owner of East Side Floral with his parents Chester and Lucille Polebitski. Visitation begins tomorrow at the Wistein Funeral Home. Officials in Lincoln County credit a DNR plane for finding a hunter who was lost overnight in the Town of Harrison. The Racine man spent the night in the woods after becoming separated from his hunting party. A large contingent of volunteers assisted in the search for the man who was reported missing Sunday afternoon; the search was headquartered out of the Harrison Grocery Store and led by Sheriff Ronald Krueger.
What will $312 buy you? Potentially old city hall. Bids for the historic structure which was completed in 1889 were sought this fall. The building was abandoned by the city after they moved into the former Church Mutual three blocks east of the original building. The bids for the property did not reach as high as city officials were hoping with Wedul, an administrator in the Merrill schools, submitting the winning bid. The other bids for the building were $100, $2 and .50 cents. Some aldermen expressed their hesitation for selling the building at such a low price, but City Engineer Charles Pierotti told the council demolishing the structure would cost the city $25,000 or more. Alderman Arthur Pauck and Roger English voted against the sale with Pauck questioning why the city would seek land on Main Street and pay twice the amount when this lot for parking was already owned. Pauck was referring to the home of Rev. and Mrs. H.L. Buesing at 704 E. Main St. Alderman voted to purchase the home for $46,500 in order to use that land for a parking lot for the new senior citizen complex. The council voted 6-2 not to purchase four city lots at a cost of $20,000 in order to expand Gebert Park. The Gebert family pledged to donate four other lots if the city purchased the first four. Alderman Ellsworth Plautz led the opposition noting the city already has 131 acres of public lands for park and recreation use and he felt the city had enough land. The Council also directed City Attorney Michael E. Ravn to revoke the franchise agreement with Warner Cable Company for providing service to the city. Mayor Patrick Nugent indicated that two other cable companies have great interest in serving Merrill, and he would like to see the service be more competitive. In other action, the council failed to override Mayor Nugent’s veto of the continued employment of a dispatcher at the fire department. The position was added with money from a federal grant to provide the administrative staff to the department, but that money will run out at the end of the year which will now lead to the layoff of that employee. The council approved the final plat map of the Park Lane Manor subdivision. The planned housing development is on land owned by Martin Reinke and will add homes in the area between Divot and Lark streets. The city also entered into an agreement with WJMT radio who will now broadcast all council meetings “live” from city hall.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and here is how the prices are shaping up this year: Over at Drew’s turkeys are .69 a pound, ground chuck is $1.29, boneless hams are $1.99 per pound, a 20 pound bag of potatoes is just $1, celery is .39 a stalk, and 7-Up 8-packs are $1.09 with bottle deposit. At the IGA store hen turkeys are .76 per pound, slab bacon is $1.29, a gallon of milk is $1.33, a dozen eggs are .69 and a pound of margarine is only .39 per pound. Red Owl is offering turkeys at .89 per pound, a jar of Miracle Whip for .49, a two pound bag of brown sugar is a nickel, Old Style beer is $2.99 a 12 pack, a three pound bag of apples is .99 and chuck roasts are $1.28 per pound. If going out is more your style Club Modern has a buffet for $4.50, Pine Ridge Restaurant has a turkey dinner for $3.25, and the Tomahawk House in downtown Tomahawk is offering a dinner for a family of six of just $30.
11-22-88
A Merrill man is one of several hunters who died in north central Wisconsin during opening weekend of the gun deer season. Benjamin Rajek, 69, of Pope Road in Merrill was found by family members after he was reported missing late Saturday night. Searchers found the body off Alder Road in the Town of Pine River, and according to the DNR a large buck which had been shot was found near Rajek’s body.
The turkey dinner at the Ben Herdt house probably has a few extra fixings this year as Ben is one of the first big local winners in the new Wisconsin State Lottery. Herdt purchased a scratch off ticket at Pine Ridge Mobil station last Thursday. When he scratched off the ticket he found he had won $5,000. Herdt is planning a trip to California in January to see his new grandchild.
The Tom Olson family is giving thanks to the Merrill community as they close the Fowler Drug Store on East Main Street. Tom Fowler credits his customers for his success over the last 12 years he has been at Fowler’s. An open house with coffee and cookies is next Monday at the store, 914 E. Main St.
The Fairway Supper Club is under new ownership, and they are offering a Thanksgiving Day buffet from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For $7.95 you can chose between a variety of entrees including prime rib, ham, turkey, and BBQ ribs. Kathy and Cal’s will also have a buffet, the cost is $6.95 and it runs until 7 p.m. Sturdevant’s Cork and Dyne has a buffet for $5.95, and they will feature the music of Silverado this weekend. 3’s Company is closed for Thanksgiving, but they are bringing back happy hour with all rail drinks half price until 6 p.m. daily. And Schmidt’s Ballroom is really looking into the future, they are having a New Year’s Celebration for $35 per couple which include all you can eat and drink with entertainment from Ray Konkol and his band.
It is the annual Merry Christmas Merrill Money Contest, sponsored by the Chamber. You can register between now and next Saturday when the drawing will occur in the Merrill Federal Savings and Loan parking lot. Participating businesses include: Brose’s Flower Center, Bruce’s Cover All, Campbell’s, Club Modern, Courtside Furniture, Dave’s Red Owl, Drew’s Supermarkets, Eastside Floral, Gruett’s Appliance, GTE, Guy’s Shop, Hargrave’s Appliance, Helmstadter Jewlers, Howland Ace Hardware, Hull’s Ben Franklin, KC Casuals, VIP Office Supply, Millers Home Furnishing, NAPA Auto Parts, Nelson’s Drug, New Creations, Spurgeons, Thelma’s, and the Trantow Building Center.
11-24-98
Despite the calendar, not too many people connected with the county board are giving thanks this week. From the front page of the paper to the letters section the board is taking the heat from citizens, as well as fellow and retired board members over their plans for a new justice center. The Foto News shares with permission a story from the Lakeland Times over what is considered a white elephant of a justice center that was built at Eagle River. The concern is the county is housing outside prisoners, but they are only able to charge $55 per day and housing costs are averaging $70 per day. With the state considering turning to private prisons for their overcrowding Vilas is concerned they will soon have a very large hotel with no clients.