9-5-73
The program is set for the annual Merrill On the Move award banquet which will take place Sept. 22 at Don’s Supper Club, formerly the Union Hall, in Merrill. Mayor Ralph Voigt, chairman of the MOM committee, announced a St. Paul man who spent an entire year in the wilds of Saskatchewan near the Arctic Circle with his family will be the guest speaker. The exciting tale of wilderness living will be told by Ralph Plaisted in a slide illustrated program. He will be making a return visit to Merrill having addressed the MOM banquet after leading a snowmobile expedition of the North Pole in 1968. Tickets for the event are $3.50 which includes the meal and tip; they can be purchased at City Hall, Nelson’s Rexall Drug Store and Mel’s Big Dollar.
Numerous showers tried to wash out the Labor Day weekend but the sun shined brightly on Monday as marchers took to the “longest parade route in northern Wisconsin.” Winning entries in the parade included: Labor: Merrill Manufacturing Local 2362; Organizations: City of Tomahawk; Business: Quality Print; Marching Units: Merrill Glengarry Highlanders; Comic: Lincoln County Sports Club & White Birch Trailer Court; Horses: Valerie Storm, Frank Duginski and Sue Voemastek. The new combined marching unit from Milwaukee known as the Thing took first place in the afternoon competition at the fairgrounds.
The entertainment page has two changes to announce. The White Elephant Nite Club is now Merrill’s new night spot. It is filling the space formerly occupied by the Finn & Feather. This weekend the sounds of Faithe Quinter from Iowa City will provide the entertainment. Upcoming bands are Bobby Vee, Black Society, Purple People and the Jules Blattner & Warren Groovy All Star Band. And new owners have taken over Champs. Bud and Sue Mathwick invite you to stop and try the new specials featured on their menu. Friday fish fries are $1.10 all day, Wednesday’s special is roast beef and the trimmings for $1.75.
9-7-83
It was a dangerous weekend on the area roadways with 14 people being injured in traffic crashes. The first crash happened on State Rd 17 near Prairie Drive in the Town of Schley Friday night, and within an hour another crash was investigated at the entrance to Council Grounds. Fifteen minutes later, a crash on North Center Ave left four people injured. Saturday proved quiet, but on Sunday afternoon the cycle started again with a crash on County Rd X which resulted in injuries, and half an hour later a crash on County Rd CC outside of Tomahawk injured four. At least three of those injured are being treated at Wausau Hospital Center. A Tomahawk man also drowned over the weekend. James Tessmer, 22, was found floating in Bullhead Pond Sunday near his parent’s home. It believed he fell into the pond while walking home during the early morning hours on Saturday.
RaDell Bellin reigned as Labor Day Queen and Linda Zebik was crowned Miss Merrill during last weekend’s Labor Day events. Winners in the parade included: Comic: Wheel Inn and Jumping Jerry’s; classic cars: Fred Latzig’s 1922 Buick and Dave Karow’s 1938 FWD fire ladder truck; marching units: Park City Twirlers & Merrill Girl Scouts.
The Merrill Blue Jay football team won an overtime victory versus Wausau West last week and will put their 2-0 record on the line against defending state champions the Antigo Red Robins this Saturday afternoon at Jay Stadium. The game against West looked dismal at the start when the Warriors marched down the field for touchdown after 12 plays on their first possession. But solid defense including two interceptions by Merrill’s Tregg Byer and one from Joe Weix held West’s quarterback Mark Boettcher to 6-19 with no completions in the second half. Antigo comes to Merrill on a 16 game winning streak including their third state title.
9-8-93
The issue of the cost of parking downtown will once again be before the Merrill Common Council after the Health and Safety committee recommended for a second time to raise metered rates from a penny to five cents for 30 minutes. The rate increase will affect only 50 of the city’s 327 penny meters. The author of the article notes the increased cost of shopping downtown will put Merrill at a disadvantage over going to a mall where parking is free and questions if the cost of converting the meters ($600 for 50 meters) will pay for itself if the parking revenue drops off as people seek free parking at the mall. (The Wausau Center mall opened in August of 1983) Residents are encouraged to attend next week’s council meeting or to call your alderman and voice your concern if you are unable to attend.
Despite earning 15 first downs, the Merrill Blue Jay football team lost to Wisconsin Rapids Friday night by a score of 36-14. It was a tough loss for the Jays who went into halftime trailing by a point, 14-15. Coach Greg Schofield noted the penalties, interceptions and fumbles that plagued the team through the second half.