A Look Back at The Times
10 YEARS AGO
MARCH 8, 2012
With the Turtle Lake School District Referendum vote less than a month away, concerns and questions are being raised regarding the state, and possibly the fate, of the Turtle Lake Schools. With the current state funding formula, high property valued, like the Turtle Lake District, are facing grave consequences should a non-recurring debt referendum not be passed. According to school Administrator Sheryy Baker it is projected the school would use up its current fund balance in three years on the current path.
Rosella (Groehler) Johnson, Turtle Lake, and Elaine (Peer) Papenfuss, Barron, had a surprise reunion at the Almena VFW Vets Club last week. Although they live within 10-15 miles of each other the two ladies had not seen each other since their graduation 72 years ago (1940) from Turtle Lake High. “Papa” William Gates was principal of Turtle Lake Schools at that time. Both ladies are doing just fine, still driving and still active in church and other community events.
More than 150,000 troops are serving overseas away from their families. Cell Phones for Soldiers and Laker Aire Insurance Agency are calling on all Americans to support these brave men and women by donating your unused cell phones. Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to collect over 1-million cell phones this year to help keep troops connected with their families.
The Laker guys opened tournament action with a home game against the Prairie Farm Panthers. The Lakers, who defeated the Panthers twice throughout the year, had to battle back from a basket down in the last half minute to win by one, 54-53. Tanner Arnold led the Lakers with 17. Nick Herzan added 10 while Casey Catlin and John Lahti had 8 each.
The Laker gals closed out their regular season on a high note, defeating the clear Lake Warriors last Thursday night on the road, bringing their conference back to .500, 9-9, and 13-9 overall. Ashley Lahti led all scorers in the 39-38 win with 14. Toria Westlund had 11 and Hope Kuhl added 8.
Four Turtle Lake elementary students will be heading to Knights of Columbus state competitions. Three of the boys will be participating in the Free Throw Contest while one will be participating in the Math Contest. Caleb Peterson captured first place in the 7th grade Diocesan Level Math Contest. Eric Bauer earned a second place in the freethrow contest and will be heading to State. Caden Torgerson and Lucas Torgerson also qualified for the state Free Throw Contest. Caden finished first in the 11-year old boys bracket while Lucas finished second in the 10-year old boys bracket.
20 YEARS AGO
MARCH 7, 2002
The Mission to Mexico team from Parkview United Methodist Church would like to thank Turtle Lake and the surrounding communities for the support they received during the week of January 19 – 26 for three needy Mexican families. Some of the Turtle Lake residents were on hand to help with the actual building or treat the tea to evening meals. The team paid for the trip and materials by hosting various fundraisers that were supported by the community.
On Wednesday, February 20, Turtle Lake Schools named its 2002 All-School Spelling Champion. Kayla Evenson, a seveth grader, won the oral spelling bee held in the school auditorium. Competing against her were eight other finalists. Second place was awarded to Lauren Hanson, also a seventh grader. Third place was awarded to Cassie LaBlanc, another seventh grader. Kayla advanced to the Regional Bee, sponsored by CESA 11, which was held on Wednesday, February 27. She competed against 24 other students and finished sixth.
Curves for Women, here in Turtle Lake, will be joining in the Curves International, Inc. “Food For Friends” food drive, to benefit local food banks. During the month of March members who bring a bag of non-perishable food items could win a limited edition “Food For Friends” T-shirt.
When Wisconsin high school basketball fans turn on their television sets to watch the summaries of the state WIAA boys and girls championships, they will see commercials touting hometown banking. The Bank of Turtle Lake is helping sponsor the event through its participation with Community Bankers of Wisconsin.
After a 57-44 over Cornell in the opening game of the WIAA boys basketball tournament the Laker season came to an end on the heels of a 66-54 loss to the #1-seeded Clayton Bears. Sean Stalpes led all scorers with 24 for the Lakers against Cornell. Eric Nordquist added 13. Eric Nordquist and Justin Hoffman led the Lakers with 15 each against the Bears. Sean Stalpes added 11.
30 YEARS AGO
MARCH 5, 1992
Patricia Damon, President of Citizens State Bank in Clayton, presented a plaque to Abner Gilbertson in recognition of his thirty-five years of service as a member on the Board of Directors of the bank. Mr. Gilbertson recently retired from his position.
With a 12-2 record in the West Lakeland Conference, the Turtle Lake Lakers have won the 1991-92 West Lakeland Conference Championship. Members of the team include Coach Todd Johnson, Jamie Torgerson, Brian Thill, Kurt Molls, Jason Fredericks, Danny Raffesberger, Todd Richter, Eric Collins, Tim Gillette, Justin Hoff, Jesse Nitchey, BJ Brenna, and managers Jesse Hamble, Eric Richter and Matt Kalisz.
The Laker wrestlers entered the 49th Annual State Wrestling Tournament with three qualifiers and came away with two state place winners. Ryan Shortess, a junior, completed a fine season with a 4th place finish at 140 lbs. Vince Graf capped off an outstanding career at Turtle Lake with a 5th place finish at 171 lbs. Sophomore Kurt Olsvig, 135 lbs., wrestled well at the state meet but did not place.
After handily winning the first two games on the tournament trail, the Turtle Lake Laker girls basketball team was defeated 49-45 by Clear Lake at Amery on Saturday evening to bring their 1991-92 season to an end. Jacki Danca and Jackie Young paced the Lakers with 15 and 10 points respectively.
40 YEARS AGO
MARCH 4, 1982
The Turtle Lake Village Board, at it’s regular February meeting, designated the sum of $3000 to be donated to the Village Library from the Hartzell Foundation Fund monies received previously. The money will be used to purchase a typewriter and typing stand, a card file cabinet, a magazine rack, a portable 3-shelf display unit, a safety step stool and a variety of new books for readers of all ages.
Margie Stary and Karalynn Littlefield, of Turtle Lake, were among the 6400 cross-country skiers racing in the American Birkebeiner at Telemark this past weekend. The participated in the opening ceremony where thousands of skiers from thirteen countries and forty-two states marched behind their home flag into the huge Telemark Colisseum.
Turtle Lake scored eight points and held Prairie Farm to four as the Lakers defeated the Panthers 68-64 in overtime Friday night, Feb. 26 at Prairie Farm. Mike Schradle took scoring honors for the Lakers with 26 points followed by Steve Elfers with 20.
In a sub-regional game played at Clear Lake on Thursday, February 25th, the Turtle Lake Lakerettes defeated Clear Lake by a score of 53-31. Sheri Hansen took game scoring honors with 23 points. Diane Bussewitz also hit double figures, connecting for 13 points.
50 YEARS AGO
MARCH 2, 1972
A special meeting of the Turtle Lake school district board and members of the negotiations committee of the Turtle Lake Education Association was held at the high school office, Monday evening, February 28. Due to the illness of one of the school board members the meeting was postponed for one week as no official action could be taken as this was a special negotiation meeting which requires that all school board members must be present.
A snowmobile rodeo will be held at Corktown on Sunday, March 5th starting at 1:30 p.m. Events are pole weaving, shovel race, barrel race, junior barrel (12 & under), rescue race, team relay (3 persons), powder puff, senior citizens (40 & over), egg and spoon race. Entry fees are $2.00 per person per event except Junior Barrel, $1.00. No advance registration – registration is day of the race.
The Cub Scout Pack 59 of Turtle Lake held their annual Blue and Gold Banquet at the High School cafeteria Thursday evening, February 24. A large group of Cubs, and their parents, attended.
