A Look Back
10 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 20, 2011
The Village of Turtle Lake’s new well, located at the Hartzell Memorial Softball Field, has been shut down while the public works department investigates a rise in the arsenic level in the water from that well. Public Works Director Cory Davis explained to the village board tests for arsenic have shown levels have risen beyond the state standards and the reason why is unknown. Possible causes for the higher arsenic levels are a change in the well hydraulics, possibly allowing contaminated water to enter the well. A second possibility that needs to be looked at is whether or not it is a regional occurrence.
The Turtle Lake Garden Club held their annual pumpkin decorating contest at the Wisconsin Colorfest in Turtle Lake on Saturday, October 1. A lot of imagination was evident with the 22 creatively decorated pumpkins in three different age groups. Winners included Leila Smith (PK, kindergarten and 1st grade group), Amie West (grades 2 – 4) and Avery Pippenger (grade 5 and over).
The Laker football team suffered four interceptions and two lost fumbles in a 27-6 regular season loss to the Shell Lake Lakers last Thursday night a home. The Lakers will now enter the playoffs against the undefeated Clayton Bears Saturday, October 22 at Clayton.
Whenever the Lakers and Bears meet in sporting competitions it is always a spirited evening, both in the stands and on the floor. Such was the case last Tuesday evening when the 9-2 Lakers traveled to the 8-3 Bears for the regular season finale volleyball match. After falling behind 2-0 in the match the Lakers responded with a run of their own, eventually winning 3-2.
20 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 18, 2001
Margie Stary was voted as Lioness of the Year. She is the chairperson of the Turtle Lake Community Scholarship Fund and the Relay for Life captain. She has also served on many committees throughout the year. She is a charter member with 17 years of perfect attendance.
On October 18 the Turtle Lake Student Council will be setting up a collection point for the victims of the September 11 New York City and Washington DC tragedies. On that Thursday night, at the home football game, a red ribbon will be stretched across the east side of the football field under the scoreboard. Cash donations can be placed or pinned on the ribbon.
The Lakers made it 8-0 last Friday night, and captured the conference title, as they whipped up on the Clear Lake Warriors, 50-24, in a Lakeland Conference football showdown. The Lakers totally dominated the stat sheets as they ended up with 631 total yards of offense, while holding the Warriors to 260. Sean Stalpes led the rushing attack with 240 yards on 24 carries and a pair of touchdowns. Bob Popenhagen cashing in 164 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Eric Nordquist, filling in at quarterback, ran for 65 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries. Nordquist was also 3 of 9 passing for 93 yards and a touchdown.
The Laker gals finished out their regular season play with a 3-1 win over the Prairie Farm Panthers last Tuesday night at home. Jamie Danca led the Laker hitters with 24 of 29 and five kills. Jamie Hoffman was 14 of 18 and three kills. Krista Slack led the Laker servers with 18 of 20 and six aces. Rachel Belisle was 15 of 19 with and ace. Hoffman was also 13 of 18 with 4 aces.
30 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 17, 1991
The boys and girls at Preschool Playhouse invite area residents to an Open House at the childcare center on Thursday evening, October 17. The evening will begin with a potluck supper at 6:00 p.m. The supper will continue to be served throughout the hour. This is an opportunity for everyone to meet and talk with other parents and to see what is offered to children and their parents.
West CAP has a new office at 308 Maple Street in Turtle Lake, according to Joan Lauver and Patti Huettl, management staff at the agency. The new location will consolidate services for Barron and Polk counties in a central office, staffed by the agency’s Full Circle Project and Community Services Program.
The Turtle Lake Lakers suffered their second defeat of the 1991 season at the hands of their arch rivals to the south, the Clayton Bears, at Clayton last Friday night. The Bears out-passed, out-rushed, and out-played the Lakers on their way to the 52-12 non-conference victory.
40 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 22, 1981
Carly M. Carlson of the Barron-Washburn Board of Realtors was honored during the state convention of the Wisconsin Realtors Association held recently in Milwaukee. Carlson, owner of Carlson Evergreen Agency, with offices in Turtle Lake and Barron, was named Realtor of the Year for the Board in recognition of his outstanding service to board and community activities.
Mike Dietrich, Turtle Lake, is a member of the UW-BC Charger golf team that took second place in the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference Tournament and fifth place in a triple conference tournament in Madison on Sunday and Monday, October 11 – 12. Other members included. Barry Clark (Rice Lake), Randy Church (Barron), Rick Church (Barron, and Steve VanNatta (Barron).
Gerald Cornwall of Cornwall Stary Hardware, Inc., Turtle Lake, is the recipient of Our Own Hardware’s “Century Club” award. The presentation was made by Our Own Hardware at their Spring & Summer Buying Market, held in Minneapolis. The prestigious award is given in recognition of dominance in the painting and decorating segment of the hardware industry.
Turtle Lake goes into their final match of the regular season in a three-way tie for first place in the West Lakeland Conference. Tied with the Lakerettes with a conference record of 5-1 are Minong, the only team to beat Turtle Lake this season, and Prairie Farm. This sets the stage for an exciting match Thursday night, October 22, at the local gym with the Prairie Farm Panthers.
Mark Ritsche and Todd Henck paced a crunching Turtle Lake running attack Friday night as the Lakers stopped the Flambeau Falcons 21-0 at the Ladysmith fairgrounds. Ritsche rolled up 119 yards on 17 carries and Henck added 52 yards on 8 carries to lead a 217 yard Laker running attack.
50 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 21, 1971
Stanley Heintz, Turtle Lake, is one of 14 students recently elected to the senate of the student government organization at the University of Wisconsin – Superior. Heintz is one of two students elected to represent the College of Business on the senate. A junior, he is majoring in accounting.
It was Governor’s and Ladies Night at the Turtle Lake Lions Club banquet held in the high school cafeteria on Tuesday evening, October 19. Attending as guests were the Lions District Governor of 27-E, Len Amberg and his wife of Menomonie, Miss Karen Merth and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Merth, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Messicci and the wives of local Lions Club members. All were treated to a very fine meal prepared by the school cooking staff.
A majority of Turtle Lake business places will observe Veteran’s Day on Monday, October 25 this year. James Pharmacy will remain open all day and the following have indicated they will be closed for the day – Bank of Turtle Lake; Turtle Lake Post Office; Cornwall & Stary; Becker’s Gamble Store; Lampert Yards; Flottum’s Red & White Store; Becker’s Super Valu; Turtle Lake Motor; Jarchow and Andersen; Andy’s Liquor and Delicatessen; Leisz Sale and Service; Becker’s Insurance Agency; Turtle Lake Telephone Co.; J & H Auto Parts; Mayer Skogomo Store; and Halco Press.
On October 15 the Lakers faced the biggest defeat in three years as Flambeau destroyed the Laker Homecoming by a jolting score of 20-7. Down 12-0 the Lakers came back after the kickoff on a 58-yard pass from Lynn Fredrick to Warren Shortess for the only Laker touchdown. Tom Matye laid the ball between the uprights for the point after to cut it to 12-7.