Days Gone By (April 12, 2012)

• Pat Hunter

Pat Hunter

Talk about it

In city politics, Eric Amundsen was newly-elected mayor, along with new or relatively new council members: Tom Caflisch, Tom Parent, Carol Robinson, Emily Ronning and Rick Vogel.

40 canoeists took part in the 19th annual Bryan Bjornson Memorial Canoe Trip in honor of the former River Falls resident who died on Easter Sunday in 1982. Bjornson’s brothers, Jim and Greg, have hosted the event ever since on the first Saturday in April.

A one-and-a-half story 2-bdrm. Home with new roof, windows, central air, carpet, one-car detached garage with large fenced-in yard at 309 N. St., was offered at $14,900.

The park at the end of Elm Street downtown was formally named Veterans Park in a dedication ceremony here. The American Legion donated the new monument and the American flag now flying over the park was bought and dedicated by Duane and Laureen Pederson in honor of their daughter, Lisa, who was recently commissioned in the U.S. Navy. The POW-MIA flag was dedicated by Vietnam Veterans of America.

Dick Rinehart of Dick’s IGA and his two managers — Doug Rinehart and Tim Engel, were proud of their remodeling project opening up and giving the supermarket on South Main Street a more spacious look.

Eric Wollan capped an outstanding career with the boys high school basketball team by being named to the Big Rivers Conference All-Conference First Team.

City crews were busy planting 70 trees (basswood, maple and ash) on east side boulevards.

Police caught a 17-year-old Hudson boy after a 50-mph chase down Main Street at 11 p.m. one night this week. The boy was accused of stealing a motorcycle belonging to a River Falls man; he said he was “trying it out and intended to buy,” and his father, while here to collect his son, assured police the boy would appear in court.

A heavy amount of chlorine was used to clean iron bacteria from the city’s water system and the city hydrants were to be flushed, with citizens warned there may be rust-colored water coming out of faucets for a short time.

About 20 tons of paper were donated to the Boy Scout paper drive here.

Walker Wyman was appointed president of Wisconsin State College-Whitewater.

A River Falls police car was converted to run on propane. Mileage was about the same as gasoline, according to manager John Hurda, but propane burns cleaner. The car is filled up regular at the Falls Propane Gas plant just north of town.

Robert Petricka was the first River Falls citizen named to the new Public Utility Commission for a term of five years. Four others were also named — Thor Thoreson (four years); R.A. Pennington (three years); Roy Wolf (two years); and Lyle Zastrow (one year).

Ja-Ro Services Inc., manufacturers of spray dryers for food and industrial products, headed by Jim Becker, was to employ 75 men at their new plant here.

Fire Chief Jim Aide warned the public that grass was just like gasoline right now after the department was called out three times on Tuesday this week.

Private First Class Helen A. Swenson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Swenson of rural River Falls, was promoted to corporal.

The raging Mississippi and St. Croix rivers are doing much damage this week, as both rivers set all-time flood marks. The high water at Prescott has already claimed one life, and thousands upon thousands of dollars in damage has been done.

Four River Falls physicians: Dr. C.A. Dawson, Chalmer Davee, C.E. McJilton and R.U. Cairns, have formed and incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin, the River Falls Clinic.

President Roosevelt has named Friday, April 17, as Victory Book Day through the nation. Americas everywhere are asked to contribute books to the campaign, to be used by our men in the service for recreation and study.

On the front page: “Warning to users of city water: Hose may be used to sprinkling purposes if held in the hand between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. between May 1 and October 1, and may be used in connection with lawn sprinklers or spray nozzles one hour each day within the hours and dates above mentioned, but no person shall allow hose to be used lying loose on the ground or attached to lawn sprinklers, hose reels, trees or any other supports expect as above stated. Violations impairs the fire protection of the city and overtaxes the pumps.”

Pat Hunter, archivist, can be reached at 715-425-1561 or email phunter@rivertowns.net.

Tags: river falls, history, columns