Days Gone By (June 14, 2012)

• 2002 Father-Son Firefighters

Of the 40-man River Falls Fire Department in 2002, ten of the members were father and son duos. Above, from left with sons kneeling in front and fathers in back are: Evan and Mark Larsen, Tom and Don Foley, Adam and Gene McKahan, Mike and Bob Moody and Chris and Bill Cernohous. Journal file photo

Talk about it

2002 valedictorians for the very first graduating class at the new River Falls High School were Allison Brady, Megan Singel and Mackenzie Vlack.

River Falls athletes were riding high with the boys’ golf team bringing home the state title three months after the girls’ gymnastics team won their state honors, both sports for the first time.

By selling personalized engraved bricks the Historical Preservation Commission was providing landscaping and repairs to the Junction Mill Smokestack project. The project was expected to cost $57,000 and it was hoped the city could chip in towards that.

BB guns and super soaker squirt guns in the hands of teenagers caused a bit of ruckus over the weekend — no citations but there were talks with parents and teens.

In business news — Craig Nelson joined First National Bank as a mortgage loan officer and for the first time in history First National was looking into opening a branch office in Prescott.

Confirmation class at First Congregational Church included Rachel Sitz, Jenny Edwards, Jamie Prochnow, Eva Koosmann, Larissa Lueck, Lisa Butenhoff, Erik Petersen, Stephanie Black, and B.J. Pearson.

Judie Caflisch received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence “for her professionalism and sense of responsibility and commitment to the university” in her position as coordinator of Extension Credit Outreach programs.

In business news, Production Credit Association moved its River Falls from its location on South Main Street to its new offices located on Hwy. 35, two miles north of River Falls, next to Arrow Building Center.

River Falls Legionnaire Glen Duven was set to leave with Kurt Stimeling, Dan Wunrow and Joe Zenk to Badger Boys State. It was Glen’s 25th year accompanying students.

The school board trimmed next year’s budget by taking out $40,000 for a central office building.

Mary Koshenina, 16, was crowned Miss Roberts.

Jane and Pat Petricka were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.

Richard Hovde, 10, was saved from being mauled by a 600-lb. pig through the quick action of his brothers David, 12, and Dewayne, 5. The boys are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Hovde.

Bob Daft and John Reis, both high school seniors, left for Badger Boys State at Ripon.

Dr. Rudolph A. Karges, professor emeritus of River Falls State College, was named distinguished alumnus for Wisconsin State college-Whitewater.

Erickson’s food store celebrated its 42nd anniversary with an appearance by Axel, the TV clown.

At the grocery stores: Fairway Food store in River Falls had bacon on sale for 29 cents a pound; Red Owl store was selling oranges at 55 cents for two dozen; and Malmer and Bouvin Red & White had ground beef for 49 cents/lb.; coffee 79 cents/lb.; and lemons 49 cents/dozen.

The Business and Professional Womens Club of River Falls awarded their first scholarship to freshman Carol Rundhammer of Star Prairie, attending the college here.

Among the many early summer weddings celebrated were those of Delores Wussler and Eugene Langer; Mary Wood and Dale Johnson; Kathy Person and Robert Smith; Ruth Foster and V.W. Davis Jr.; and Marilyn Johnson and John Karras.

The Rodeo Twins of Kinnickinnic, Marion Schorn and Nettie Nelson, were to sing at the St. Croix County Farmers Union picnic on June 18.

Postmaster Solon McCollow reminded readers that federal car tax stamps must be affixed to cars, trucks or tractors by July 1 which travel on the highways. Cost was $5 and was nontransferable.

A.T. Straus of St. Paul, Minn., and C.F. Mercord of Prescott had purchased the River Falls Tire and Battery Company from Jesse Halling.

Frank Rosenberg, Robert Carisch and Robert Knowles of Troop 1 of River Falls received the Eagle Scout rank at ceremonies held at Glen Park.

Tags: river falls, lifestyle, columns, history