7-16-73
A Monday Merrill Shopper and Foto News announces the bargains early for Crazy Days in Merrill. Special features this year include from the Westside Businessmen’s Association chicken BBQ dinner, the Polka Teen’s, and the Merrill City Band Concert. Members of the association include: Mel’s Big Dollar, Ken & Ken’s Bar, Fran’s Barber Shop, M&G Plumbing and Heating, R.O.W. Cash and Carry, Eddie’s Bake Shop, Eleanore’s Beauty Parlor, Merrill Carpet, Ben Franklin, Pritzl Printing, Waldburger Furnace Shop, Sy’s Discount Station, Estelle’s Ladies Ready to Wear, Westside Supermarket, Les’s Sport Shop, Larry’s Auto, Raynan Upholstery.
As of press time Saturday, Merrill City Police were awaiting the arrival of the State Crime Lab authorities who were called early Saturday morning to investigate the apparent murder of Katherine M. Schmidt who resided at an apartment at 105 E. 2nd St. At about 4 a.m. Saturday morning, the Merrill City Fire Department responded to a fire at the residence of Ms. Schmidt. Upon arrival they found her body and immediately called in police officials who felt homicide was the cause of death. Ms. Schmidt was last seen in her apartment where the fire broke out at around 3:30 p.m. when a neighbor borrowed a vacuum cleaner. Ms. Schmidt is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Schmidt of Route 5 Merrill. She was employed as a waitress at the Fin and Feather Restaurant. Police Officer Jack Kleinschmidt is pictured guarding the scene.
Lester Voigt was elected President of the Merrill School Board during its meeting last Wednesday. Darrel Hulke called the meeting to order before handing over the gavel to the newly elected president. Barbara Hanson was elected vice-president. In board news, high school principal Ellis Evans and assistant principal Frank Borg reported on their new study hall plans for the next school year. Students who have their parent’s permission can leave the campus during the first, fourth, and seventh study halls.
7-19-83
Christy Lane will return this year to perform at the Lincoln County 4-H Fair. This year Lane will put on over a one and a half hour country-western and gospel show on Thursday. Tickets for the event are $5 at the door. The Lincoln County Democratic Party is also bringing a musical act to town; Terri Gibbs will be performing two concerts in Merrill on Sept. 25. Gibbs is a popular singer whose best known songs include “Somebody’s Knockin,” “I Feel a Heartbreak Comin’ On,” “Somedays it Rains,” “All Night Long,” and “Waltz Across Texas.” Both concerts will be held at the Merrill Senior High School Fieldhouse. Tickets for the event are $7.50 and may be purchased at the Chamber, Les and Jim’s, Pine Ridge Restaurant, Alden’s Red and White Foods, WJMT Radio, South of the Border, Shroeder’s O.K. Hardware, Pearl’s Cut and Curl, and Special Lady.
A Walk thru History pays tribute to Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery this week. Pictured are the mausoleums of Thomas B. Scott, an early lumberman and Merrill’s first mayor, and August B. Stange, an early mill owner and at one time one of the most powerful men in Merrill. Many of the citizens who helped shaped the Town of Jenny are buried at Merrill Memorial Park. Merrill’s first cemetery was located at the end of East Main Street near the Wisconsin River. The cemetery was moved to its current location on the night of April 19, 1887. The remains were moved in the middle of the night to avoid publicity. It was feared that the public might become needlessly aroused over the possible reoccurrence of the smallpox epidemic. Many smallpox victims were buried in the first cemetery so the move was made under the cover of darkness.
Merrill School Board President Diane Mikkelson has taken to the offensive in the latest round with State Senator Lloyd Kincaid over the use of one-way mirrors in Merrill Senior and Junior High School locker rooms. Kincaid brought the use of the mirrors to the public and demanded a hearing be held to discuss their use. But in a letter to Mikkelson, Kincaid said he would not attend the hearing on July 27. Kincaid goes on to explain when he is present at school meetings his presence usually deflects into discussing school aid, and he does not wish the discussion to turn away from the use of the mirrors. Mikkelson responded in a letter to Kincaid, noting he has never even seen the mirrors in question and is the only one that has brought up the issue in protest, so it is imperative he attend the meeting to discuss his concerns. She also criticized the senator for making “our fine school district and its professional staff the target of unjust appraisal throughout the state and nation.”
7-21-93
Just before 08:00 the registration was set, tests were being performed, and refreshments were ready for the first annual M.A.S.H. Blood Drive which was held on the court house lawn. 190 donors responded to the call out for arms, and they were entertained during the process by several zany characters. Father Mulcahy was played by the Rev. Al Beversdorf, Klinger was John Roberts, Hot Lips by Ron Kautz, a second Father Mulcahy by Wayne Smith as the donors lay under real army tents erected by Red Arrow Armor, Co. A.
On the entertainment page, Ed & Sharon’s announces they are not just about chicken anymore. Ed is now offering charbroiled steaks as a part of their daily menu. Ribeye’s 6 oz, $5.95, 10 oz $6.95, T-bone 16 oz $8.95 – Sat & Sun only $7.95, chopped steak $5.25, New York Strip 12 oz $8.95 and ham steak for $5.95. (I am sure Billy will honor these prices if you stop in).