3-7-73
Packer great Jim Carter will be the guest speaker at the Knights of Columbus recognition dinner March 15 at St. Robert’s School. Carter, a three year veteran of pro-football, is the defensive signal caller for the Green Bay Packers and one of the main reasons that Green Bay was in the playoffs last year. He took over the full back spot after Packer favorite Ray Nitschke began to fade. Laverne “Chuck” Summers will be the master of ceremonies for the banquet which is open to the public. Tickets are $5 a piece and can be purchased in advance from Fran’s Barber Shop, Trantow and Russell Insurance, Nelson’s Rexall, Hinz’s Cork “N” Dyne and Les & Jim’s Cocktail Lounge.
A petition with 714 signatures has been filed with City Clerk Robert Klug by local attorney John Thiel requesting a referendum for the proposed new Jefferson School. The Fiscal Control Board which is composed of City Aldermen and Town Chairmen approved the $550,000 construction project after much debate. City Attorney William Wulf stated there is no requirement the Fiscal Control Board must re-consider its action. School Superintendent Roger Lowney advised anyone who has doubts about the need to replace the Jefferson School should stop by and tour it at any time. The school district is seeking legal advice on the legality of the petition.
The Merrill Blue Jay boys’ basketball team is two wins away from returning to Madison as they advanced to the WIAA sectional tournament. The Jays had to knock off Wausau East (63-57) and Marshfield (52-40) to get to the tournament at Marshfield this Friday where they will take on conference rival Shawano. The 1964 Jay’s team was the last to reach Madison and Coach Don Kerr thinks defense will be the key as his team will have to contain 6’10” Dennis Blunk who has been an offensive terror for Shawano having scored 46, 41, 35, and 25 points in his last four games. The Jays have yet another offensive stand out for Shawano to deal with as 6’3 junior forward Bruce Muchinske has become an offense powerhouse as of late. Kerr noted opposing teams tend to double up Dave VanDerGeest allowing Muchinske to come through with big games this past week. Rick Semling also turned in what Kerr called his best performance in a month scoring 15 points in the contest against East. As to rumors this may be the last run of Coach Kerr’s career – no one will confirm at press time that Kerr has submitted his resignation effective at the end of the season.
3-9-83
Get out your fiddle as Charlie Daniels is coming to Merrill! It was confirmed Monday that Daniels has agreed to perform July 9 at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. The concert is being arranged by the Merrill Jaycees with the support of the Merrill Centennial Committee. Tickets for the event will range between $8 and $10.
Drew’s Supermarket in Merrill is celebrating its remodeling and invites the public to view “Merrill’s largest and most complete supermarket”. Features of the new store include a spice island, expanded check out area, Penn sewing center, new dairy department, 60 foot beverage aisle, and new electronic doors at both exits! Specials this week include free coffee and doughnuts while you shop, and Tombstone Pizza samples. As a part of the celebration a drawing will be held each Saturday for the next six weeks for prizes including men’s golf clubs and bag, a Toro Lawn Mower, and a Panasonic Television. The store is located at the corner of E. Main Street and Memorial Drive.
The Merrill Blue Jay girls are headed to state after two convincing wins in sectional play last week. The girls took on Stevens Point Thursday and walked away with a 59-32, the contest with Eau Claire Memorial ended with a 55-40 Jay victory. The first game in Madison will be against Oshkosh West at noon on Thursday. Oshkosh brings a mediocre 15-7 record into the state tournament while three other teams have similar records to the Jay’s 22-0. Oak Creek is also 22-0, Madison West 21-1, De Pere 20-2, and Homestead 18-4.
3-3-93
On April 6th Merrill voters will decide if they want a new elementary school for $6.1 and a remodeled high school for $8.1 million. The result will be $75 in extra taxes for the owner of a $50,000 home. Greg Kautza, the director of administrative services for MAPS, notes municipal bond rates are the lowest in 20 years and putting off the project for another five years means the cost for the projects will probably rise substantially.
Over 100 people from across the state gathered recently to pay tribute to retiring Lincoln County Forestry Administrator Ole Hanson. Hanson retired in January after 35 years on the job. Hanson noted how much the job duties have expanded since he began, with forestry users expanding to cross country skiers, snowmobiles, horses, mountain bikes, hunters, fisherman, and the hikers of the Ice Age Trail. Pictured presenting Hanson with plaques and a Thompson Arms Muzzleloader are Bill Wengeler, Mayward Krueger, Dave Jackson, Gene Schmit, and Colette Matthews the executive secretary of the Wisconsin Forestry Association.