Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr
9-28-77
Dr. Robert McCardle of Mitchell, SD has been selected as the new superintendent of Merrill Area Public Schools. He will take the place of Roger Lowney who resigned earlier this year. McCardle was one of 62 applicants for the job; the BOE had narrowed the list to three and conducted interviews Monday night. The BOE then met in closed session for an hour and a half before offering the job to McCardle. Although McCardle hails from South Dakota, he is no stranger to the Valley having previously served as the athletic director at Rhinelander. The BOE hopes that McCardle will be on the job by Dec. 1. In other news at MAPS, the BOE has accepted the resignation of the assistant superintendent of instruction Augusto Munoz. The former American Problems instructor in the district has accepted the position of superintendent of schools at Schullsburg, WI.
It is Homecoming week in Merrill and the school is buzzing with excitement. One of three senior candidates will be announced as Homecoming queen at the assembly this Friday. The senior candidates are Manda Frederich, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Frederich, Netti Marzahl, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norm Marzahl, and Monica Westfall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jere Westfall. (I looked ahead, put your money on Manda) The sophomores are represented by Therese Malm, and Julie Hanson is the junior rep to the court. The Menomonie Indians will come to town on Saturday afternoon to take on the Jays.
In other sports news, the Merrill Silver M Club will hold their 33rd meeting in the club’s history this Saturday. Members who won their first letter in 1952 will become Silver M’ers; Golden M’ers are inducted 50 years after they win their first football letter. Three will join the ranks of the Golden M Club, Walter Peterman of Rhinelander, Charles Leskey of Richmond, IN, and Carl Klein of Hayward. Joining the Silver M ranks are Donald Ament, Stockton, CA, Richard Hanson, Beaver Dam, Fred Johnson, Tomahawk, Ernie Koprek, Antigo, Ralph Matthiae, Virginia Beach, Charles Martinson, Beaver Dam, Herb Schotz, Irma, Harry Warren, Sterling, AK, and from Merrill: Jim Bloechel, Bill Caylor, Jerry Koch, Jim Lemanske, Larry Plautz, Charles Reinhardt, Floyd Smit, and Ronald Vachavake. The Merrill Golf Club has presented its Presidents Cup to two members with Jim O’Day and Mel Peterson both being given the award at the annual banquet by club president Gerald Voigt.
9-30-87
The Silver M Club will hold their 44th annual meeting at the St. Francis School gymnasium this Saturday. The club has come a long way since the first meeting where 31 people attended, as 250 are expected Saturday. Gaining their Silver M’s this year are Jack Ader, Rick Bolder, Jeff Hanig, Jay Harding, Wayne Marrier, Harold Schulz and Dan Sullivan, all of Merrill; along with Bob Eaton of Winfield, IL, Jim Comeau of Fullerton, CA, and Evo Olivotti of Riverton, IL. Nine Silver M’ers will be known as Golden M’ers after Saturday; they are Robert Brassard, Wauwatosa, Norbert Duginske, Wausau, George Griffin, Tomahawk, Phil Hanson, Milwaukee, Douglas Hill, Bellflower, CA, Arthur Schaefer, Merrill, Harold Talbot, Milwaukee, Lloyd Turbin, Mesa, AZ, and Al Saeger of Merrill.
You may not have known her by face, but you certainly have tried one of her pizzas by now. Regina Mulford, also known as “Queenie” of Queenie and Ron’s Pizza, has died. The mother of Ron Mulford was born in Iron Mountain, MI, she passed away at the age of 78 at Golden Age Nursing Home in Tomahawk last Wednesday. Regina and her son Ron operated the pizza shop in mid-city Merrill. Queenie personally perfected the recipe for the pizza in 1954 and started operating a sandwich shop out of the current building in 1957.
The Merrill Blue Jays defeated the Rhinelander Hodags this past Friday. The visiting Jays saw impressive performances by Chad Meyer, Rob Wulf, and Tony Mann. A last minute comeback attempt by the Hodags was quashed thanks to a strong Blue Jay defense and a sack by Jim Jacoby. Meyer had 100 yards on 17 carries and Kevin Blake ran the opening kickoff back for 55 yards to start the contest.
10-1-97
Could a new jail and justice center be built downtown? That seems to be the way the county board is leaning after a 15-6 vote yesterday. New Foto News reporter D. W. Pfister re-caps the meeting in a page one article which estimates a $13 million price tag will accompany the new facility. The design of the building would include the entire jail and all county offices related to the court system. The soon to be empty Lincoln School building across the street from both facilities weighed heavily in the discussion. Dee Olson, speaking on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, noted her group’s strong support to keep all court and jail buildings downtown. Other supervisors spoke of the challenges which would face a downtown facility, most importantly parking with an estimated 190 spots needed for a new facility. The current safety building only has 60 parking spots. Merrill Supervisor Eugene Simon spoke against any attempt to do a land swap with Merrill Area Public Schools. MAPS has previously expressed a strong interest in the Jack Pines property the county owns for an expanded sports complex. A new committee will soon be formed to explore the justice center; members will come from the planning, property and law enforcement committees. Supervisors Laurence Blomberg, David Jackson, Sandy Scheu, Eugene Schmit Jr, Bert Strassman, and Robert Sumnicht voted against the proposal.
The Merrill Chamber of Commerce is having their annual Octoberfest Sale this weekend. Some of the bargains you will find include: Merrill Bookshop on Prospect Street has up to 25% off throughout the store, Rich’s Discount Center has savings in every aisle and offers a large selection of frozen food items, Al’s Furniture on West Main Street has twin mattresses as low as $69 a piece, the McRib is back at McDonalds where you can get a complete meal for just $2,99, Snyder Drug Store has 20% off all Packer items in the store, Short’s 5&10 has a complete line of hobby and craft items, Just Kids at 1014 E. Main has most clothes 25% off, The Guy’s Shop has all outerwear 20-50% off, Knispel and Latzig will give you $50 minimum trade on any mower, Lincoln Jewelry Company at 810 E. 1st has savings up to 50%, Bruce’s Coverall is moving out all Pittsburgh Paints at 25% off the marked price.
It is also national restaurant month, local eateries advertising are: Diamond Dave’s, Burger King, 3’s Company, Destination Bar and Grill, The Beacon, The Italian U-Boat, Hwy 51 Truck Stop, Hugo’s Pizza, Les & Jim’s, Mulligans, Pine Ridge Restaurant, Chips, Club Modern, Champ’s, Geon’s Coffee Shop, Eagle’s Club, Hardee’s, Club 64, Kozy Korner, Ku’s Wokery, X to C Inn, Salvo’s Pizzeria and Schmidt’s Ballroom.