Researched by Michael J. Caylor, Jr.
9-29-71
A milestone has been reached at the Lincoln County Canning plant, as the millionth can of beans was canned in a single season. Emil J. Weix, manager at the Oconomowoc Canning Company, explained in the past 450,000 to 500,000 was a good year for the company; however, an abundance of beans and a dedicated work force sent the plant into overdrive this year, allowing them to can the millionth can this past week. The plant, which has been in operation locally for 18 years, employees 220 seasonal and 22 year-round employees. Canning began on June 28 this year and is expected to continue for two more weeks according to Weix; he explained the first crop came from Illinois, while the majority of the late harvest was from the Golden Sands area of Wisc. Now the plant is seeing a second crop out of Ill. Six to seven truckloads a day come into the plant, with two nine-hour shifts running seven days a week. Besides the trucks of beans, nine truckloads of cans come into the plant each day from the warehouse at Poynette.
A local family has received word from Vietnam that their son has received the Air Medal for Heroism. Capt. Robert Grisham, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Grisham, 702 N. State St., has now received four decorations during his service to our country. Capt. Grisham was in command of a group of helicopters that were credited with silencing two enemy anti-aircraft guns. The Greshams’ have two other sons in service. Capt. Clarence Grisham, now at Fort Bliss, served in Vietnam, where he won the Bronze Star, Silver Star, and two Purple Heart medals. Capt. Douglas Grisham is stationed in Korea with the Engineer Corps and is in the finance department.
Homecoming came to Merrill this past week. Off the field, the Homecoming Court was chosen, and Jill Wendt was selected as the 1971 Homecoming Queen. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wendt of Route 4. Chosen by their classmates as members of the court are Seniors Susan Sandas and Marcie Schnabel, Junior Kay Peterson, and Sophomore Robin Annis. Members of the football squad selected by their teammates to escort the Queen and her Court are Seniors Barry Jensen, Mark Zuelsdorf, and Bill Heideman (the kid has done it again); Junior Mark Lemmer; and Sophomore Phil English. The Senior class float won the top prize in the parade; it was one of 14 floats that participated.
On the gridiron, things did not go well for the local boy,s as Marshfield spoiled the big game with a 33-13 win. Injuries plagued the team for most of the game, with several players being forced out, some of whom may miss the rest of the season.
Merrill and Lincoln County were spared the tornados that left a large path of destruction from Clark County up into the Town of Maine yesterday. Deputies acted as weather spotters, and reports were fed continuously from the Sheriff’s Office to WXMT radio, which was live on the air throughout the event. One report was received of a tornado on the ground north of town, but no damage was found. Tornado sirens did sound throughout the city based on a report at 4:30.
9-30-81
Brian O’Leary, an astrophysicist, author, and astronaut under the Apollo program, spoke to Merrill students this week as part of the Great Speakers Forum. O’Leary spoke of his dislike for politicians and his resolve to work keep NASA moving into space. O’Leary was critical of Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire who recently gave NASA one of his infamous “Golden Fleece Awards” as well as former President Jimmy Carter and President Ronald Reagan. O’Leary predicted if NASA was allowed to continue to explore space at the previous pace, we could have space colonies by the year 2000 if the Columbia shuttle system continues to expand.
The Lincoln County Board on Tuesday voted 15-5 to restore the Prairie River Dam. An attempt to send the measure to the voters to decide in the spring election was defeated by a margin of 14-6. Complete removal of the dam had been recommended by the County’s Forestry Land and Park Committee previously. County Corp Counsel Mike Ravn said now the Board’s Finance Committee will have to figure out a way to pay for the restoration, a cost estimated to be in excess of $300,000.
10-2-91
Merrill teacher John Gravelle received a call last week from State Superintendent of Schools Herbert Grover telling him he is Wisconsin’s nominee as National Teacher of the Year. Gravelle, who considered it a late 40th birthday present, teaches math, English, and computers. Gravelle now has his own homework to do, as he has to write a 20-page paper for his national nomination. Eventually a panel in Washington DC will narrow the field down to four nominees and then interview them to establish a winner. The award is sponsored by Encyclopedia Britannica. Gravelle is a native of Escanaba, Mich., and a graduate of Northern Michigan University.
International Papers, parent company of local papermaker Ward Paper Mill, has announced the consolidation of some managerial jobs, which will cut 10 to 12 positions from the offices locally. The consolidation will occur over the next year and will only make the company stronger, said Strathmore Paper, parent company based out of western Massachusetts. Brian McDonald said it is very frustrating even eliminating one job; however, this will make the company strong and show its resolve to remain in business locally.