4-11-73
After three referendums and countless meetings and votes, the Merrill Fiscal Control Board passed a resolution to once again authorize the funding of the new Jefferson school on Jackson Street in Merrill. The money will be borrowed equally from M&I and Lincoln County Bank with a 4.5 interest rate on the ten year notes. The vote was 18-1 with Elroy Schmidt from the Town of Corning casting the only dissenting vote. At the City Council meeting, the alderman voted to go ahead with the new wading pool at Stange’s Park. The Merrill Lion’s Club and Church Mutual Insurance have each donated $2,500 for the project which carries an estimated price tag of $14,340.
Merrill High School sports are heating up for the spring but the weather isn’t. Coach Willis Bogenhagen has two returning letterman on his squad of 17 for the golf team. Last year the team finished third in the state tournament and Bogenhagen is hoping his five seniors will lead in a return to Madison. Returning seniors include: Tom Rajek, Rick Semling, Jeff Zentner, Basil Woller and George Johanson. The first match for the team will hopefully be held next Wednesday. Baseball coach Ron Sterr is not as optimistic on their season opener and doubts highly the game against Shawano will be held Friday. A more realistic game is a home opener against Rhinelander next Tuesday at the fairgrounds. Last year Sterr’s team finished with a valley record of 8-2 and an overall record of 10-5. Pitchers for the squad are pictured on page four, they include: Keith Zuelsdorff, Joe Proft, Steve Dahm, Tom English, Tom Detert and Todd King.
Plenty of dining specials are found on the entertainment page; Hinz’s Cork and Dyne has a shrimp dinner for two for $5.95, Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes invites you to join them during Jolly Time where on Monday through Friday from 4-6 Martinis, Manhattans, and Old Fashioneds are only .50 cents, Dick’s Riverside Club is offering 1/2 a fried chicken for $1.75, a T-bone steak for $2.50 or a home cooked turkey dinner with all of the trimmings for $2.50. For your music needs Club 107 has Sno Blind, and Gary’s Bar will feature Powerhouse, formerly known as American Tea.
4-13-83
Eight Lincoln Hill’s youths apparently missed the message and will now face criminal charges after they wandered away during a field trip. The group was out in the Harrison Hill’s area on a hike as part of their substance abuse education class when they burglarized the Harrison Hill’s Ski Lodge and two abandoned dwellings over three days. The eight face charges including burglary, theft, criminal trespassing, and liquor law violations after they mainly stole booze during their outing.
Reinke Realty is offering a spacious cabin on Tug Lake in their ad this week. The cabin is located on the north shore of the lake and features a brick fire place, oversized rec-room, two baths and 75′ of lake frontage for only $44,900.
In business news, Country Gold a new retail jewelry store has opened on State Rd 17 adjacent to Bill’s House of Guns. Pictured in the new store are president Donna Winkelman, vice president Dale Klug, Gen Endres, Tim Winkelman, Connie Beyer, Mary Klug, and Tess Conley. Block’s Auto has moved from its Wausau location to 308 Grand Ave. Jeff and Elroy Block are co-owners of the business; their mechanic is Arthur Jaeger and salesman is Ed Lambrecht. Ed Moyer has retired from the Merrill Post Office. Moyer began his service in July of 1948 as a sub-letter carrier and was promoted through the ranks before retiring as clerk. Moyer is a Merrill High School graduate who served in the US Army during WWII stationed in the Philippines.
4-7-93
Voters have said no to a $14.2 million project to remodel the existing high school and construct a new elementary school. The measure was defeated 3,974 to 2,234.
In anticipation of the state mandated recycling law in 1995, Merrill Mayor Patsy Woller took to the streets on Friday by riding around on the recycling truck during its morning route. Crews pointed out the most common reason for rejecting items placed curb side such as dirty cans and bottles and items such as detergent bottles mixed in with plastic milk cartons. The city is taking advantage of recent grants for recycling; a new trailer for the route has been purchased and soon each address will get two curbside recycling bins to use to handle their recyclables.
After spending over ten years managing Park Place, Jenny Towers, and 19 low income family apartments, John English is hanging up his keys. English officially retired from his position as executive director of the Merrill Housing Authority last Wednesday. During his tenure English was instrumental in getting over $1 million dollars in federal aid for updating housing projects. While English will not miss being on call and answering to a pager, he will miss the job which he described as never having a dull moment. Along with his wife Marge he plans to continue living in Merrill and continuing their devotion to Merrill High School sports.