Days Gone By

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Perfect timing helped a local man shake hands with John Glenn as he cleaned out his desk in the U.S. Senate building prior to training for a return to space.

Lee Ellis, town of Troy, went to Washington, D.C., for some sightseeing and to get Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada to autograph his book about Searchlight, a notable Old West mining town. Glenn’s office happened to be close to Reid’s and Ellis figured he’d stop in. He managed to meet Glenn, get his photo taken with him, and wished him good luck on the space mission.

St. Bridget’s the Rev. Jerry Harris and members were celebrating the final payment of their $738,500 loan taken out in 1985 for a new building with seating up to 925, with a free dinner and entertainment in the school gymnasium.

Six of the nearly 50 high school students involved in staging “Pippin,” included Samara Ray, Levi Fleming, Stefanie Bruce, Lisa Larson, Erin Kenney, John Carroll, Kristi Lenzen and Joseph Halaas. UW-River Falls student Krissie Odegard was choreographing the play.

Winners of the American pumpkin contest at the middle school were Angie Hovde’s “Mickey Mouse,” Gina Cudd’s “Albert Einstein,” and Cathy Doetkott’s “Ernie.”

George and Anna Grotenhuis celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

Andy Caflisch’s winning kick won the sectional championship for the high school in an overtime contest with Medford.

Gerald Sellers of St. Paul purchased the River Falls Bakery from Hank Jensen.

Seven-year-old Mark Weberg was fast becoming a celebrity for his modeling in national magazines.

Tom Jenkins, Mark Helmer, Mark Locke, Dan Hennessey, Davie Wilson and Tom Field were named all-conference football players.

Kris Ann Tousley, Dan Hill and Cathy DeJong won awards for articles in the high school newspaper, Dimension.

The River Falls Planning Commission granted building permits for a new Laundromat, a new tire center building, and four new homes.

Members of the Boys Octet this year included Terry Teppen, Bob Moody, Fred Benson, Dale TeHennepe, Tom Halada, George Roquette, Ray Lenzen and Lance Gore; Mixed Octet were Margie Antiel, Sylvia Roeske, Randy Morrow, Linda Pace, Bob Moody, Janet Sitz and Pat Early.

50 YEARS AGO, OCT. 30, 1958

Eddie Dougherty and Willard Halvorson were entertaining at Johnnie’s Bar with their organ and electric guitar.

Some of the former college Homecoming queens to attend this year’s celebration were Harriet Christianson, Genevieve Linehan, Lorraine Losness, June Alton, Joyce King, Betty Plourde, and Natalie Kusilek.

Some of the plans for celebrating Halloween included a window display contest, parade under the lights at Ramer field, a dance at the Moose Hall, and treats for the kids.

Thieves broke into the hen house on the Lawrence Cernohous farm and stole 150 chickens.

Mayor and Mrs. Walter Sutherland again took over the Gladstone Hotel when Mr. and Mrs. Ray Toothman left to manage the Wabasha Hotel in St. Paul.

Merton Timmerman was awarded the FFA American Farmer degree.

The Mammoth Fish contest sponsored by A.W. Lund Hardware came to a close with O.J. Gaustad and his 5-lb. 3-oz. black bass taking first in that category; Ray Carpenter caught a 6-lb. 8-oz., trout; Elton Nelson snagged a 14-lb. 5-oz. northern and Eugene Baird took consolation prize for his 8-lb. walleye.

The Scott Greenhouse on East Elm Street was purchased by Peter Pearson of Minneapolis.

Archie (Penney) Morrow, former River Falls Normal star, coached his East High School football team to the Madison city championship.

Submitted photos are always welcome for this column. Black and white or color photographs will be scanned and returned in original condition. Call Pat Hunter, 425-1561, for more information or e-mail your photos to phunter@rivertowns.net.

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