Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr.
6-4-75
Tomorrow marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another as the Merrill Senior High School class of 1975 graduates. The East Gym will be the setting for the program which begins at 8 p.m. Senior Class President Alan Norris will give the class address before Vice-president Betty Henson introduces the class who will be presented by Principal Jack White. Graduating seniors will receive their diplomas from Lester Voigt, President of the Merrill Area Board of Education. Roger Lowney, Superintendent of Schools, will announce the scholarship winners. The High School band under the direction of Fredric G. Mumma will play the processional and recessional. “The Way We Were” will be sung by the Capella Choir under the direction of Dennis Reppe accompanied by Jenny King. Invocations will be given by Susan English, Senior Class secretary, and Robert Henson, class treasurer.
In city news, the city council has rejected one offer and has put city land up for sale to the highest bidder. The property is at the corner of First and Blaine streets in the city and the buyer will be required to build a building that is at least 15,000 square feet. An initial offer of $28,000 to purchase the property was rejected as the council opted for an open bidding process. The council also heard an update on the possible purchase of the Church Mutual building on East First Street and debt reduction. The City Pool will open this Saturday. Hours are 1-4:45 p.m. and 6-8:45 p.m. Admittance is 10 cents for children and 25 cents for adults. The Ott’s Park swimming area will open on June 17. The City Band will begin their summer season next Wednesday at Normal Park, and the band will be sporting their new uniforms. Jay Tlusty, publicity director of the band, stated new members have joined, and the band now has over 40 members.
The Merrill High School baseball team is headed to WIAA Sectional play in Eau Claire on Thursday after a resounding defeat of Greenwood 11-1 on Monday in Loyal. Merrill’s Bill Boyd was credited with the win after he pitched his second no-hit ball game in the last two games for the Jays. Greenwood scored its only run in the third inning on two errors and two walks. The Blue Jays blasted away at the Greenwood team knocking out 12 hits. Steve Walsh led the team with three hits and two RBIs. Jim Dotter, Mike Imhoff and Dave Burrow each were credited with two hits apiece. Merrill takes on Black River Falls at 1 p.m. Thursday.
6-5-85
The Sure-Wood Campground is back open for business after Lincoln County Judge J. Michael Nolan lifted an injunction barring the campground from opening until it complied with numerous zoning regulations. Most of the issues dealt with setback and septic system issues. At a meeting last Thursday the zoning board members personally toured the campground and noted the tremendous amount of work that had been done in the past week to bring the grounds into compliance. Although they were allowed to open, the campground owners have until July 15 to complete work on the site to gain full compliance or they will face another shut down.
A long time Merrill physician has died. Dr. Lester J. Bayer died last Thursday at the age of 80, according to an obituary on page four. Dr. Bayer began practicing medicine in Merrill with his father in 1932. He was joined by Dr. Yusof Ahmad in 1976, at which time he was able to semi-retire. He served on the school board for 18 years starting in the 1940s and was a member of the board at M&I Citizen’s American Bank. A member of the medical staff at Holy Cross Hospital, Bayer served as chief of staff in 1944, ’45, ’55 and ’56. He and his wife Gertrude were honored as the first couple to win a Merrill on the Move Outstanding Citizen award in 1976.
State Senator Lloyd Kincaid (D-Crandon) is unloading on the Wisconsin DNR after their announcement that they wish to negotiate with the Chippewa tribes of northern Wisconsin for their spearfishing rights. On May 9, George Meyer, DNR enforcement division administrator and chief negotiator for the department, announced the DNR is now supporting a buy-out of the spearfishing rights. Kincaid stated, “prior to the season the DNR’s propaganda machine said the agreement regulating the spear fishers was the best thing since sliced bread. Now a few days later, after no study of the season, they come out and say it was a failure and prefer a buy-out”. Kincaid went on to say any talks between the state and the tribes should be done by a professional mediator, not the DNR. The DNR cited the depletion of the fish population and the threat of confrontations at fishing sites for seeking the buy-out.
5-31-95
Richard Schmidt has a notice in the paper that he has to resign his position on the school board. Schmidt has been informed by the Attorney General’s Office that he cannot serve both as a teacher and a member of the BOE. Schmidt thanks his supporters for electing him to the board.
Lorraine Schmidt of Merrill has been inducted into the state Eagles Hall of Fame. Schmidt is the first member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Merrill to receive such an honor. Lorraine began working with the local Eagles Club when she was in high school as she helped her father, who was state membership chairman at the time, by typing up letters. In 1952 when the local Auxiliary #584 was organized both Lorraine and her two sisters became charter members. Since then she has worked hard bringing other Auxiliaries to the state.
The ladies at the Lionesses club have something to celebrate as well as they mark 40 years. A banquet was recently held at which the past presidents of the group gathered for a photo which is on page four. They included: Sue Klune, Donna Block, Lorraine Muschinske, JoAnn Opsahl, Eileen Coonen, Fran Huss, Ruth Radlinger, Joyce Sumnicht, Ann Pasholk, Marcy Hull, Emily Edmund, Marion Rogstad, and Kathryn Kuemichel. Fran Huss was further honored as being a charter member of the group.