News: Thorp Courier (8 Feb 2006)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

----Sources: The Thorp Courier, (Thorp, WI) February 8, 2006, page 2

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

OLD ITEMS Taken from The Thorp Courier files of 1906, 1931, 1956, 1981, 1996

100 Years Ago (1906)

The Northwest Part of the Town of Withee—Alex Wochnik, the Stevens Point contractor, met with Father Pudlo and the trustees of St. Hedwig’s congregation on the 2nd day of Feb. and made arrangements to begin the work at the new church as soon as possible next spring and have same completed about July 1st next.

Leon, Jed and Bert Stowe of Endeavor, WI, who formerly resided here, are traveling through northern Wisconsin holding religious meetings in lumber camps and villages. They held meetings at the M. E. Church on Sunday morning and evening last.

Shamrock and Rose now cast for the public library benefit Friday and Saturday next, is the strongest play yet billed for this village and will be well worth the price of admission.

75 Years Ago (1931)

The Cheese factory at Polley was destroyed by fire on Monday night last.

Last Wednesday morning sad news was spread announcing the death of the Rev. John Balcer, pastor of the Catholic Congregation at Lublin, WI. The deceased pastor was sick and ailing for the last few years and last spring underwent treatment at St. Joseph’s, in Chippewa Falls.

Roger Creek and Town Line—Wm. Blazel has installed an electric lighting plant in his store and cheese factory.

Fremont Wonn, former proprietor of the Pine Grove Cheese Factory and grocers in Edson, has purchased and taken possession of the Hiller Factory and Store at Lone Oak between Sterling and Withee.

The Otter Creek Cheese Factory owned and operated by Alfred Laabs, resumed making cheese every day on Monday. This factory has a number of new patrons.

50 Years Ago (1956)

The Thorp Male Chorus joined other choruses in the annual Midwest District sing of the A. M. C. A. in the auditorium theatre at St. Paul, MN on February 5th. It was a two-hour program given before an audience of approximately 2000 persons.

Advertisement: Brand new 1956 2 door Business Sedan with spare tire, front bumpers, rear bumpers. Complete, less accessories, $1,590. Delivered in Thorp, your choice of color, no strings attached. Thorp Sales & Service

25 Years Ago (1981)

A fire of undetermined cause resulted in major damage to the M & M Bar in Lublin early last Tuesday morning. The fire gutted the bar area, the kitchen and part of the dance hall. The living quarters in the building received smoke and heat damage, but are livable.

The Thorp Fire Department responded to four fire calls in five days, but no major damage was reported in any of the fires.

10 Years Ago (1996) As if the snow wasn’t problem enough, Thorp’s main developed a leak somewhere in its system and has been troubling people with some inconvenience since Saturday, January 27, when it was announced.

The DeBauche family of Thorp enjoys dog-sledding all winter long. This season has been especially good for racing. Richie, age 8, has been racing in the junior class this year and has taken a first and third place finish. Sara, age 10, will take over the junior class team for the remainder of the season. Roland has been racing for a lot longer, but has had one of his best seasons ever running in the 10-dog class. Roland has finished 12th, 10th, 6th twice and 5th in tough competition this year.

Well the sun was shining and the boys saw their shadows. Both Jimmy the Groundhog and Punxsutawney Phil saw their shadows on February 2 to predict an extra helping of yet another six weeks of lovely winter.