Days Gone By (Nov. 15, 2012)

• Pat Hunter, Archivist

Pat Hunter, Archivist

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In 2002 the former middle school building, now called “River Falls Academy” on Maple and Fremont Streets, was housing 13 renters, three school, and a handful of rooms used as storage by the school district. Joan Malloy’s HeartStrings Studio, was one of the first tenants to move into the building in August of 2001.

“Families making a difference” by adopting children featured Matt and Shari Frisbie and their daughters, and Dave and Laura Schatz and son in a Journal news story.

Donations from friends and local business people have helped ease the anguish of Toni Cadwallader, co-owner of BoJon’s Flowers on Main Street after her home in Minnesota went up in flames.

Long-time resident and barber Norrie Larson was named “Mason of the Year” by the local lodge.

Winners of Meyer Middle School’s annual pumpkin contest included Moria Clinton with her Ernest Hemingway pumpkin; Ann Woodard, Garfield; Sandi Holter, Big Bird; and Lisa Richards, Garth.

Former state wrestling champions Pauly Cudd, Mike Jenkins, Doug Branigan, Jimmy Cassera and Paul Wehking were not surprised that their former coach Dave Amdahl was inducted into Wisconsin’s Wrestling Hall of Fame.

The Chamber of Commerce sponsored a Thanksgiving giveaway promotion that included a car full of merchandise called the “Stuffed Turkey.”

High school actors Kurt Stimeling (Tom Jones), Jill Anfinson, Tom Steffen, Robin Relander and Buffie Trollan were all cast members of the play, “Tom Jones.”

The family of the late Arnold Johnson of River Falls, long-time utility employee and office holder with the American Legion, presented an American flag to the Legion post here.

Grocery specials included T-bone steak at $2.79/lb., turkeys 65 cents/lb.; 7-Up pop $1.09 for 8 16-oz. bottles; and brown sugar 89 cents/2 lb. bag.

The Second Story Shops at 101 E. Elm St., were hosting a holiday preview with an autograph party with Beth Scott and Mike Norman, authors of “Haunted Wisconsin” appearing at the Paperback Trader store, art sale and show by Dianne Ginsberg in her Second Story Studio; and sale on entire stock at Fern’s Bath Boutique and the Second Hand Rose Shop.

Among the many participating in the St. Joseph Home and Hospital Auxiliary flea market, St. Bridget’s School. Cheerleaders Beverly Vorwald, Tammy Grosz, Tami Johnson and Carol Sylla sold homemade goodies. With over 40 tables and 300 buyers the event was deemed a success.

Dave Hegre, associated with Kulstad Clothing, was elected chairman of Chamber of Commerce Retail Division last week.

According to the River Falls building inspector, there were 694 rental units in town counting apartments, duplexes and sleeping rooms.

Joseph Paul Melton was the first baby born in the new maternity wing at St. Joseph’s Hospital here. Sister Amofilia, administrator, presented the family with gifts from the hospital and merchants. As soon as drapes and furniture are installed, an open house will be scheduled.

Due to numerous requests, a Hunters’ Mass is scheduled at St. Bridget Church this Sunday. Hunters were invited to attend the 5 a.m. service dressed in their hunting clothes.

River Falls trucker Arnie Bohatta was saved by his foot when his rig, traveling through freezing rain and snow near Portage, jumped a cement railing, straddled it for 200 feet, knocked out 50 feet of the railing and wound up with the cab hanging over the bridge’s edge. Bohatta, who fell out the truck’s broken windshield, caught his foot on the cab and was saved from plunging to the icy Wisconsin river 100 feet below.

Deer hunters could find a complete line of warm clothing at Bjerstedt & Benson, located in the Hotel Gladstone Building. Available were red caps from $1.65 to $1.95; red gloves, 35 cents; red sweat shirts, $1.98; and underwear, jackets, pants and shirts. Extra insurance was offered by the Grimm Insurance Agency for as little as $1.10 for death and dismembership coverage for a limited term.

Sgt. Orven G. Amacker of 721 S. Main St., was awarded the Bronze Star medal for heroic action while stationed in Korea last year.

Kenneth and Ardith Freese, both in the second year of high school, and younger brother Eldon, who attends second grade at Teachers College training school, all children of Mr. and Mrs. George Freese, were getting to and from school in a horse-drawn buggy. Living three miles south on the Prescott Road, they explained that their six-year-old gray mare “Gyp” could get them to school in about half an hour, but the return trip went faster because she knew she was going home. During the day, “Gyp” was stabled at the K.S. White barn about a block and a half from the school. Plans were to use a cutter when the roads become covered in snow.

Tags: river falls, lifestyle, history, columns