DAYS GONE BY

Days Gone By: Saved by a note

Mary Jo Probst-Nelson, daughter of Harvey and Bernie Probst, part of River Falls High School Class of 1970, wife of Dwight Nelson, mom of Jonathan Earl and Sarah Nelson, and now known as “Saver of the Arch,” shared her story of rescuing the old shell arch that used to be situated on the south end of Ingram Center’s lawn, facing Maple Street.

By Pat Hunter, archivist , September 27, 2012

Days Gone By

10 YEARS AGO, JULY 25, 2002 Former River Falls man, John Baker, had a leading role in helping Russia dispose of weapons-grade plutonium. Kent Forsland, founder of Designer Doors in River Falls, reported they were doing great business supplying upscale garage doors to serve a nationwide trend in residential architecture.

By Pat Hunter, archivist , July 26, 2012

Days Gone By

Nadine Johnson submitted this photo of Randall School kids circa 1956-57. From left, Linda (Selleck) Huppert, Nadine Johnson, Vernon Pechacek, Ruth (Pechacek) Capatske, and Rita (Yanish) Eldred. Their teacher was Elizabeth Dopkins. Randall School was located on Hwy. 65 south and is now known as the town of River Falls Town Hall.

By Pat Hunter, Archivist , September 16, 2011

Days Gone By

Bob Brenna submitted this photo of the 1975 River Falls American Legion softball team. Front row: from left, Lenny Brenna, Lorin Sather, Steve Brenna, Dave Brenna, Lance Gore and Tim Linehan; back row: Gary Lovell, Russ Brown, Jerry Hughes, John Staigher, Randy Cudd, Greg Hanvelt and Bob Brenna.

By Pat Hunter, Archivist , August 04, 2011

Days Gone By (June 23)

10 YEARS AGO, JUNE 21, 2001 Sixteen-year-old Adam Koski was awarded an Eagle Scout ranking by planning a book drive for the elderly as his community project. He was motivated after hearing senior residents of the residential units on Main Street had a hard time crossing the business street to get to the library.

June 23, 2011

Days Gone By (March 10)

10 YEARS AGO, MARCH 8, 2001 Local Y takes over The Booth: As of March 1, Pauly Cudd, longtime owner and operator of The Corner Youth Center, located at the corner of Main and Maple Streets, turned over the reins to the River Falls Area YMCA.

By Pat Hunter, archivist , March 11, 2011

Days Gone By (Feb. 3)

This was written by Jim Foster, former owner of Foster Furniture on Main Street (where Home Appliance now stands), and 52-year member of the River Falls Lions Club. A few of those years he and wife, Mercedes, spent abroad while he served as president of the International Lions Association.

By Pat Hunter, Archivist , February 03, 2011

Days Gone By (Jan. 20)

20 YEARS AGO, JAN. 17, 1991 Local captain of the National Guard Russ Miller did not expect his unit to be called to serve during the Middle East crisis now occurring. However, Marine Corporal Jim Senn was serving in the Persian Gulf area, Navy Lieutenant Paul Haskins was serving aboard the USS Ranger on its way to Saudi Arabia, and Dr. Glenn Hoberg reported for active duty with the U.S. Army Reserve at Ft. Sam Houston in Texas.

By Pat Hunter, archivist , January 20, 2011

Days Gone By (Jan. 13)

10 YEARS AGO, JAN. 11, 2001 Though very young when she got sick with myasthenia gravis, and only a high school senior when she died on Dec. 23, 2000, her friends said Abby Timmerman, daughter of Deb Timmerman and Rich Timmerman, packed a lifetime into her 18 years. Many of her friends and family shared their memories of her courage in a front-page story in the Journal this week.

By Pat Hunter, Archivist , January 13, 2011

Days Gone By: (Jan. 6)

10 YEARS AGO, JAN. 4, 2001 First baby born at River Falls Area Hospital was 7-pound, 7-ounce, 21 1/2-inch long Malaya Merriwether, born 9:14 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1, to Darrell and Theresa Merriwether of River Falls. She joins four brothers, and proud papa said, “It’s just great having a daughter.”

By Pat Hunter, Archivist , January 07, 2011

Days Gone By (Nov. 24)

10 YEARS AGO, NOV. 23, 2000 Local author and River Falls Journal columnist since 1998, Dave Wood was to read from and sign his latest book, “The Anderson Chronicles,” as well as five other books he has written at the Bookpress on Main Street and Downtown Books in Hudson.

By Pat Hunter, Archivist , November 25, 2010

Days Gone By: Bob Moody: Ahead of his time

In the Sept. 14, 1978, print edition of the River Falls Journal, Bob Moody was pictured holding an old solar powered radio, which still worked perfectly even though it was 17 years old.

By Pat , September 03, 2010

Days Gone By (July 1)

10 YEARS AGO, JUNE 29, 2000 ”Media glare shines on returning middle school group” read the headlines this week. “They left Meyer Middle School 12 days ago as normal middle school kids. They came home heroes.” When 21 sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students walked off the plane Monday night following a trip to Christchurch, New Zealand, they were immediately met by cameras, microphones and TV reporters following the story of the children’s involvement in a rescue in New Zealand’s Akaroa Harbor. On the third day of the trip, the students helped pull three fishermen, who had capsized their boat, out of frigid, choppy waters, onto the 40-foot catamaran they were on. District administrator and trip chaperone Ed Schramm said the students deserved all the attention. “The students were so fantastic,” he said. “They were so cooperative and helpful. Jake Howe helped pull the fishermen in, and Gus Widenhoeft and Ben Moe helped (school counselor) Carol Robinson massage the man in the worst shape. Without being asked the other kids took off their jackets and sweatshirts to cover the fishermen.”

By Pat Hunter, Archivist , July 01, 2010

Days Gone By (May 6)

By Pat Hunter, archivist , May 07, 2010

Days Gone By

Pierce County may be watching the run for Pierce County judge, but in March 1960, there was another important election taking place when “young and energetic” Sen. John F. Kennedy made a strong plea for the Democratic presidential nomination with appearances in Hudson, New Richmond, River Falls and Ellsworth. Overflow crowds packed church dining halls, restaurants and auditoriums. While in River Falls he stopped at O’Brien’s Café where he visited with customers and little Johnny Stapleton (center).

By Pat Hunter, archivist , April 01, 2010