Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr
11-28-79
Fire swept through a home at the Little Florida trailer park this morning. Pictures of the smoky blaze cover the front page. Merrill Firemen were alerted to the fire by a telephone repairman from GTE who was working nearby. Rural firefighters responded to the scene with two pumpers and four men and drew water from the nearby Prairie River to help fight the fire. Volunteer John Geiss suffered an injury from broken glass which occurred when he broke a window to allow smoke to escape. The fire is believed to have started from a wood heater installed in the middle of the home.
Harry M. Lauder has been appointed to the police department. Lauder lived in Merrill with his parents prior to them moving to Sturgeon Bay a number of years ago. The 26 year old has been serving as a police officer in Dorchester since May and is a graduate of the 240 basic recruit school. Lauder is also a veteran of service in the United States Coast Guard. (He moved on to Brown County by 1982 where he retired as captain of patrol – his son now serves that agency as well)
The Blue Jay basketball teams each opened up their season with wins this past week. Head Coach Wendy Kohrt of the girls’ team was very pleased with her team’s performance in the East Gym against the visiting Red Robins as they cruised to a 58-39 victory, the first time in the history of the team that the girls opened the season with a win. Therese Malm and Jody Bonnell led the Jays in offense. On the boys’ side, the game was much closer in Antigo, with the boys ending with a 65-62 final score. Rick Bonnell controlled both the offense and defense well as Mitch Wickman supplied the scoring punch with 28 points, one of the best games of his career. Wickman also kept the 6’7 Dave Schlundt in check on defense.
11-29-89
The Valparaiso University Guild, Merrill chapter, will present their annual Christ Pageant and Tea this Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church. This year the event has more meaning as the Howard Peck family will welcome the fourth generation to the production. Minnie Schield, age 94 and a resident of Pine Crest, worked with the program making elaborate costumes over 30 years ago and her granddaughter Christine Peck and her husband Howard have been involved in the program since the 1950’s. Their children, Sarah, Brad and Tasha, all filled roles since the 1970’s, and now young Christopher Peck will be one of the “Little Angels” this weekend. With three of the four generations being active in the performance, it brings a new meaning of Christmas to them as they tell the story through the Christ Child. A bazaar will be part of the event, the public is invited. (Christopher became an angel himself much too soon)
A Christmas open house is planned this weekend at the Scott Mansion. A new book written about the building by Dolores Chilsen Mielke will be featured, and she will personally autograph purchased books. The mansion will be decorated for Christmas, and area musicians will take turns performing throughout the days.
Good Samaritan Health Center has named new officers for the Foundation Board. Rick Reindl will chair the group with Mary Jo Sazama as vice-chair along with board members Dr. Erling O. Ravn, Ruth Mitchell, Chris Malm and David Finnanger.
12-1-99
Former District Attorney Paul Goetz has a lengthy letter to the editor calling for the shakeup of the Lincoln County Board. In his letter Goetz calls the group too large and too focused on the prestige that the position gives them. He notes the boards’ use of outside consultants as proof that the group does not do their homework instead relying on polling done behind the scenes by board members to see how votes will go. Goetz reminds readers every seat on the board is up for grabs and prospective candidates can begin circulating papers tomorrow.
In an ad covering the center of the paper, Carl’s Foodlane announces they are closing their doors. Shoppers will find all products at 10% off, and all sales are final. The store will move their hours from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily.
Need some holiday cash? The following are looking for help on the employment page: Northwoods Evergreens has numerous production positions available, the Foto News needs carriers in Tomahawk, Weinbrenner needs production workers, McDonalds is hiring all shifts, Club Modern needs a cook, bartender and waitresses, Alumitech Windows needs workers at their plant on Douglas St, Menards is looking for manager trainees, Eastbay is paying $8 per hour for call center jobs, both of the Drews’ stores have positions in every department, Center City Amoco needs clerks starting at $6, and the Buffalo Spirit Village needs a housekeeper.