A Look Back at The Times

10 YEARS AGO

AUGUST 2, 2012

An All-School Reunion was well attended last weekend as part of the Laker Lifestyle Fundraiser held Friday and Saturday, July 27 & 28. Attending the reunion were, front row, left to right: Hannah Effertz and Ashley Lahti. Row two: Mike Swenson, Chris (Hansen) Bauer, BJ Brenna, Jamie Torgerson, Kevin Molls, Jodi (Leisz) Peterson, JoDee (Almsted) Tarman, Kristen (King) Pabst, Mike Pabst, Sara (Bussewitz) Kahl, Peggy (Warland) Rhode. Row three: Jackie (Tempel) Henck, Laurie (Davis) Tarman, Sarah (Zemke) Heintz, John Hassel, Brett Moravitz, Jenny (Nitchey) Waite, Linda (Soldner) Benson, Sharon (Hoffman) Nordquist, Loretta (Cordes) Waldo, Yvonne (Dold) Fredrick, Jack Fredrick, Tadd Peterson. Row four: Diane (Leisz) Bussewitz, Lane Henck, Jennie (Leisz) Nitchey, Wendy (Cordes) Coleman, Tina (Mevissen) Becker, Jolene (Nitchey) Keppen, Mary (Schradle) Mau, Amy Nordquist, BreAnnaa Morton, Jim Gores, Nick Cordes, Jeff Ranallo, Karen (Cordes) Bursek, Cindy (Fredrick) King, Dale Pabst, Randy King. Back row: Trent Nyhus, Marlys (Anderson) Frederick, Joyce (Gille) Booth, Carole (Viitanen) Blowers, Darrin Moravitz, Amy (Bussewitz) Schneider, Beth (Soldner) Ludy, Ryan Ludy, Dave Frederick, Greg Becker, Matt Gores, Jon Bussewitz, Matt Torgerson, Brian Nordquist.

Construction on the Industrial Park Street and utility improvements project began last week on Cemetery Road from Hwy. 63 South to the intersection of Cemetery Road and Western Boulevard. The project will take six to seven weeks, weather permitting, forcing closure of the road for that time period. Albrightson Excavating, Inc. of Woodville, WI were the low bidder at $383,823.25. In addition to the improvement project, another portion of Cemetery Road, from the intersection of Cemetery Road and Western Boulevard, eastward approximately a half a mile will be surface ground and repaved at the same time by Monarch Paving at a cost of approximately $50,000. Detour signs have been posted indicating alternate routes for drivers needing to travel Cemetery Road in order to get to their destination.

A food drive for the Turtle Lake Area Food Pantry will be held during National Night Out on Tuesday evening, August 7th, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Those that donate cash or non-perishable food items will receive additional door prize tickets for every dollar or quantity of food donated.  Such generosity will be recognized and is most appreciated.  Some door prizes include a 32-inch flat screen TV, bicycles, Chamber Bucks of $10 – $50, and more.  Each donation increases your chances to win.

The Knights of Columbus recently held their Tootsie Roll Drive to benefit the handicapped residents of Barron and Polk Counties. The program was very successful due to the generosity of the many people of the Turtle Lake and Clayton communities and area. The Turtle Lake Council was able to donate $637.39 to Barron County Developmental Disabilities, Inc. and to Adult Endeavors Development Center in Polk County.

The first annual Laker Lifestyle Kickball Tournament was held this past weekend in conjunction with the Laker Lifestyle Open House and All-School Reunion. There were a total of seven teams in the tournament.  The teams were the Mostly 94’s, 96ers, Puke and Paddles, Screwballs, TL Faculty, Mostly 98, and Code Blue. Going into the Championship was the Code Blue and 96ers with Code Blue coming out on top and winning the first Laker Lifestyle Kickball Tournament. Members on the Code Blue team were, front row, Amy Schneider. Row two: Roxanne Peterson, Mary Mau, Amy Cardinal, Karen Cordes. Back row: Doug Kahl, Sara Kahl, Joel Schneider, Matt Gores, Greg Cardinal, Bob Popenhagen.

Members of the Turtle Lake community attended Cumberland Healthcare’s Rehabilitation Services ribbon cutting/Open House on Saturday, July 28th. Present for the ribbon cutting were, lef to right: Sherry Baker (Turtle Lake Schools Superintendent), Kent Kindschey (Turtle Lake Schools Principal), Scott Westlund (Turtle Lake School Board President), Katie Stephens (Athletic Trainer- Cumberland Healthcare), Mike Gutsch (CEO- Cumberland Healthcare), Matt Gores (board trustee- Cumberland Healthcare), BJ Brenna (Rehabilitation Director- Cumberland Healthcare), Mary Schradle-Mau (Turtle Lake Schools Athletic Director), Ruth Morton (Turtle Lake School Board Treasurer) and Alissa Coomer (Turtle Lake Chamber President).

Have you always wanted to dress as Rumplestiltskin, Snow White or Waldo of Where’s Waldo fame? Or maybe Captain Ahab or Cruella De Vil? You’ll have your chance at the Turnin’ Pages with Tillie 2K Character Walk on Saturday, August 11. The August 11 Character Walk is the final major event in St. Croix Casino Turtle Lake’s Turnin’ Pages with Tillie campaign benefiting the Friends of the Turtle Lake Library Committee. Participants of all ages are encouraged to dress as their favorite book character and walk to raise money for the new Turtle Lake Public Library.

 

20 YEARS AGO

AUGUST 1, 2002

The acoustic rock band, “Upstart Crow”, will be performing at the 5th Annual Rock the Rails, a street dance and pig roast that will benefit the Turtle Lake First Responders Saturday, August 10th at the Hotel Bar and Grill in Turtle Lake. This Twin Cities band features local musicians Mark Stary and Shawn Schradle. The afternoon/evening festivities kick off at 4:00 p.m. with a pig roast, kiddie carnival games and Pepsi moon walk.

The Turtle Lake Community Float received 1st place in the Chetek Parade on the 4th of July. The float was voted Most Beautiful. The Turtle Lake Community Float Committee received a check in the amount of $100.00. The present court members are Queen Rachel Belisle, Princesses Brianne Wurtinger and Amy DeJardin, Little Miss Turtle Lake Taylor Arnold, Princesses Krystal Kohnen and Sierra Kittelson.

The Annual Almena Fun Days, sponsored by the Almena Commercial Club and the Almena Lions Club, will be held Friday and Saturday, August 2 & 3 at the Almena Shadyside Park. Fun Days will get started Friday evening with a 6:00 p.m. water fight featuring the Almena-Arland-Clintonn Fire Department. Also at 6:00 p.m. will be the always popular Tractor Pull. Saturday begins with the Wisconsin State Sanctioned Pedal Pull at Shadyside Park. The Kiddie Carnival starts at 11:30 a.m. and the Truck Pull gets going at 12-noon.

 

30 YEARS AGO

JULY 30, 1992

Approximately fifty residents of the Turtle Lake School District approved the proposed 1992-93 budget of $3,272,552 that includes a local tax levy of $2,909,490 at the District’s annual meeting Monday evening. The local levy represents a 3.56% increase over the 1991-92 levy.

Area residents and motorists traveling through Turtle Lake last weekend saw the speed limit on Hwys. 8 & 63 through the Village had been lowered from 40 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour. The new posted speed went into effect on Friday, July 24th.

The Clayton Legion baseball team, composed of players from Clayton, Turtle Lake and Prairie Farm, placed first in the Regional Legion Tournament held this past weekend in Ladysmith. The defeated last year’s Regional Champion, Sheldon, by a score of 10-6. The winning pitcher was Tim Gillette. In Saturday’s semi-final games Clayton defeated River Falls 20-0 and Sheldon 4-3. Members of the team are Chris Berghammer, Kyle Scribnere, Kurt Molls, Corey Berghammer, Brian Thill, Tim Gillette Coach Barry Ketz, Jeremy Grosskreutz, Ron Lahners, Brian Roemhild, Chris Aune, Ryan Knutson and Jamie Torgerson.

 

40 YEARS AGO

JULY 29, 1982

Northwest Homes announced the addition of Paul Lange to its board of directors. Paul is a former resident of Turtle Lake and has lived in the Chetek area since 1970. He has worked in the newspaper industry since early childhood and is now a partner of the Chetek Alert. His interest in self-help housing will be an asset to the community.

Donald Dippery represented Turtle Lake High School at the 65th Annual Conference for Wisconsin Instructors in Vocational Agriculture/Agribusiness that was held July 12 – 16, 1982 in Madison. Approximately 400 attendees were welcomed to the University of Wisconsin by Dr. Leo Walsh, Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

The scientific, technical, environmental and related aspects of energy are being explored by Jack Bartels, Turtle Lake, who is attending the summer workshop on “Energy Awareness: A Comprehensive Approach” July 12 – 27 at the University of Wisconsin – Superior.

Staples Lake Tavern will sponsor a Co-Ed Softball Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, August 21 and 22 at George and Joyce’s Ball Field, rural Comstock. Tournament play will begin at 9:00 a.m. Participating teams must include five girls and five guys. There will be refreshments both days including a pig roasr (both days), hot dogs, beer, pop and more.

 

50 YEARS AGO

July 27, 1972

A meeting of the Turtle Lake Village Board, interested businessmen and representatives from the state highway department was held Tuesday evening, July 25, 1972 at the Village Hall to discuss various proposed changes of the route of Highways 8 & 63 through the village. The state highway department representatives stated that plans are now being formulated to make Highway 8 a limited access expressway travelling east and west across the northern portion of the state.

The Turtle Lake High School graduating class of 1952 held their 20-year reunion Saturday, July 5 at the 5 O’Clock Club at Cumberland. Seventeen members of the 38-member class gathered for the social hour at 7:30 with dinner following. Those attending were Mr. and Mrs. Jack Beecraft of Amery, Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Wohlk of Almena, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jansen, Mr. and Mrs. Don Lahti and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Glaubitz all of Minneapolis, Mr. and Mrs. Dell Watson (Janice Miller) of Omaha, Neb., Mr. and Mr.s Joseph Peichel of St. Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Johnson of Prairie Du Sac, Wis., Mr. and Mrs. Dahle Jensen (Mabel Bergstron) of Frederic, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Branish (Fern Tessling) of Rice Lake, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fredrick of Clear Lake, and Mr. and Mrs. Louie Heller (Betty Peterson), Mr. and Mrs. Dean Mewes, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Molls and Mr. Myron Elfers, all of Turtle Lake.

Members of the Turtle Lake FFA were active in the Barron County Fair at Rice Lake this past weekend. Among those participating were Steve Hanson, Kevin Splett, Randy Roubal and Jim Kuntz. Jim Kuntz received a blue ribbon for his Grade Holstein Aged Cow, with the same cow he placed first in a Senior Showmanship Contest. In the Junior Showmanship, Kevin Splett placed second with his Senior Calf. The calf was one which Kevin received through the Holsteim Breeders Club of Barron County. Kevin also was selected to take his calf to the State Fair in August.

Carol Moravitz, and her horse Gyp, won three ribbons at the Reeve-Ridgeland Fun Night July 22. She won a first place ribbon in the pop race, her second place ribbon was won in the balloon race and her third place ribbon was won in the sack race. She also entered the Jumping Figure Eight Keyhole Race and Speed and Action.