Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr
12-23-70
Looking for some last minute gift ideas? Here are some suggestions from ads this week: Les’s Sports Shop on Merrill’s west side has waterproof nylon snowmobile boots, and just $10.95 gets you a pair. Stevie’s Shoes at 924 E Main St has half boots, which are boot covers to keep your feet dry in the winter, for just $6. Down the block at 912 E Main St Merrill, House of Music has lots of records including Dean Martin, Arlo Guthrie, Neil Young, Otis Redding, Kenny Rodgers and James Taylor priced at $3.97. Fowler Drug Store has Russell Stover candy boxes, and one pound gift boxes are $1.95. (I always got the one with the cherry in the middle) Back on the west side Miller Home Furnishings has Lane Sweetheart Chests, walnut and oak are available for $59.88. Carl’s Liquor Store has beer by the case, and Wisconsin Club is $2.29, Rhinelander is $2.49, Huber is $2.59, Bavarian Club is $2.59 and Hi-Brau is $2.69. Not to be outdone, Ruth Radlinger at Park City Liquor is offering champagne for $1.80 a bottle, or if you have company coming over you can get a whole case of Cold Duck for $21. For the kids, Ruth has Ting soda, $1.29 for a case of 24. At Gruett’s Appliance Center you can get an automatic corn popper for $9.97, a party skillet $19.97, and an 8.5 gallon humidifier for $79.95. No time to make dinner? Kentucky Fried Chicken has dropped the price of a meal box from $1.40 to .99 today only.
Tragedy struck a Merrill family this past Saturday when a Merrill girl was struck and killed as she walked north of the city. Gail Zastrow, age 15 of East Street, was struck as she walked along Highway 51 at about 8:30 PM. The driver of the vehicle left the scene, and his vehicle was found early Sunday morning after he called the sheriff’s office and reported he struck something. Leslie I Bennett appeared in front of Judge Schnabel and has pled innocent to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident. Two companions of Zastrow were not injured when the crash occurred. She is the daughter of William and Mrs. Florence Zastrow; a funeral mass was held for her today from Krueger Funeral Home and St. Francis Church.
Harry Wildes has announced that he has brought on John B. Esser to manage his operations at Merrill. Esser, a graduate of Milton College, was formerly employed at Plastics Engineering in Sheboygan. Esser (who just happens to be married to Wilde’s daughter Judy) will manage the oil company and service station at 1325 W Main St along with the seasonal restaurant known as Harry’s Drive Inn at 119 S. Foster Street.
12-23-80
The Merrill Fire Department is saying goodbye to another longtime firefighter as Lyle Klemp calls it a career. Klemp served 32 years on the local force having joined in 1948, just a few years after being discharged from his service in World War II. Fire Chief Ray Priebe, who is also retiring at end of the year, noted Klemp’s status as a true engineer, from knowing where each hydrant was in town to knowing how to get the maximum flow from each one and always providing the right pressure and volume to each hose line connected to his pumper. Klemp, who served in the Navy, and his wife have already left for Florida for a much-needed vacation.
Services were held this morning for a well-known Merrill businessman who died from injuries sustained in an auto accident eight days prior. Michael D. Hill died Sunday at Wausau Hospital after he was injured on December 13 swerving to avoid a Christmas tree, which had likely fallen from a vehicle and landed in the road on County Rd K south of Merrill. Witnesses told how Hill crested a hill and swerved to avoid the tree causing his vehicle to leave the road and roll several times. Hill was a graduate of Merrill High School and the University of Eau Claire. He was active in wrestling in junior and senior high school and served a referee in WIAA wrestling. He was secretary of the Merrill Jaycee Club and was treasurer of the Optimist Club. Hill operated Mike Hill’s State Wide Realty on East Main St.
In the good news section of this week’s paper it is reported that all skating rinks and the tow rope at Wilson Hill are now open. Rink attendants this winter are: Al Schotz, 6th ward, George Trantow and Matt Janowiak, Lion’s Park; Ruth Kleinschmidt, Normal Park; Mike Pierotti and Lee Wardell, east end. Milton Kleinschmidt will run the ski tow rope. On the bad news for the weekend, a count at the Lincoln County Jail shows six men will be hanging their stocking there for Christmas, but cook-matron Glorian Klempke tells she will make ham for Christmas dinner.
12-24-90
A bit of good news if you are traveling to grandmother’s house, gas stations are reporting gas prices are down to an average of $1.26 a gallon, which is down from $1.40 just a month ago. Lack of demand and a mild winter are being blamed for the low prices.
The Merrill Chamber handed out their awards for decorating this holiday season. The Candlewick Inn, 700 W Main St received the top award for interior decorating while Bruce’s Cover All took the award for the best exterior. Honorable mention went to the Fairway Supper Club for their interior decorations. The exterior home decorating award was eliminated this year due to the lack of participants. (We could bring that back with all the wonderful homes decorated this year.)