NEWSLETTER: FEBRUARY 2007

 

Previous issues of the newsletter are posted on our website at http://my.core.com/~riponhistsoc.
Newsletter and Website Contact: Jean Woolley, riponhistsoc@yahoo.com

 

New TV and VCR

Arden Gatzke has generously donated a TV and VCR to the Society in memory of his wife of, Betty, who was an active member and volunteer at the Society for many years. Arden was the first to use the new equipment at our October program, when he showed video recordings he made of landmark Ripon buildings before, during, and after they were torn down or modified.

 

November Meeting Draws Race Fans

We tried a new meeting format at the November 16 meeting, deviating from our normal practice of starting programs at 7:00. November’s program began promptly at 5:00 and was followed by a soup supper catered by CJ’s. The last thing on the agenda was the annual meeting of the Society and election of officers for 2007. About forty people attended the program, which was about stock car racing and the Sky High Speedway on Highway 44. Jeff Bumby presented what he had learned from his research and Alan Bonson and Butch Dahlke told about their memories of the track. Evidence indicates that the first races took place in about May of 1952. Racing was very popular, and there were multiple tracks in addition to Ripon’s—Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Berlin, Oakfield, Plymouth, and many more—where drivers could race their 1930’s stock cars. Alan described the excitement, camaraderie, fun, and thrills he experienced driving BS1, the car he owned jointly with Vince Schwandt. Alan’s wife, Joyce, said it was great fun to follow the circuit as a spectator. Butch’s father loved maintaining the cars for about a half a dozen different racers and often took young Butch to watch the races. Elizabeth Marquart provided pictures, which are now in the Society’s archives. The racing craze lasted only a short time, but the people involved in it had the time of their lives. By the time the program ended, the whole audience could feel the energy generated by the memories of the folks who participated in this exciting sport from a simpler time.

 

Officers for 2007

The following 2006 officers were unanimously re-elected for the coming year: Todd Berens, president; Michele Benson; vice president; Bill Woolley, treasurer, and Shirley Williams, secretary. Other board members are Mary Brandt, George Miller, Nedra Martz, Ralph Quinney, Barbara Scott, Joyce Rudolph, Katie Wild, Lara Grant, and Jean Woolley.

 

Can you name this historic building?

Keep reading to learn the building’s identity.

 

Society Receives Bequest

In December the Society recieved a generous bequest from the estate of long-time member Helen Berndt. Helen was a member for many years and a donor of family artifacts.

Welcome New Members

We are happy to welcome these new members, who joined at the Christmas open house: Hanna LoBianco, Soren Hauge, Kat Griffith, and Savannah and Bjorn Hauge.

 

Society Remembers Member Bob Ashley

Our next-door neighbor and long-time member, Bob Ashley, passed away on November 22. Bob was Dean of the College, Professor of English, and coach of the tennis team. He was the author or co-author of several books dealing with such diverse topics as mystery stories, the American Civil War, the Bible as literature, and the History of Ripon College. He was an active tennis player through his 89^th year.

 

Access to Pedrick Letters Increases

Preservation of the Pedrick Papers has begun, thanks to Emily Stovel, Professor of Anthropology at Ripon College, and Amanda Flannery, Emily's student intern. Amanda currently is photographing Sam Pedrick's letters to his family. These digital photographs will be used to make copies for Professor Russ Blake's history class. A CD or DVD also will be given to the Society, thus making the letters accessible to the public while protecting the originals.

 

Century Farms Sought

If you know of a farm that has been in the same family for 100 or more years, please notify Todd Berens at 748-6279. The Wisconsin State Fair honors these farms. Todd and his wife, Betty, live on the century farm that has been in Betty’s family for over 100 years. Having received their certificate, Todd and Betty want to help others who deserve this recognition to be so honored.

 

Christmas Open House

Our Dickens of a Christmas open house on Sunday, December 3, attracted a good crowd. We made two changes from the previous December open house format, holding it on Sunday instead of Saturday and staying open until 4:00 instead of 3:00. Displays featured nativity scenes, one loaned by Lynne and David Joyce, and another donated by Michele Benson. A number of musicians contributed to the festivities, including Sayaka Schatzke and Adrian Icenogle, pictured above, who played the newly-reconditioned piano. Others were the Ceresco Prairie Band, Elizabeth Olson, Donna Marquart, and Laurie Wallace.

 

Time to Remember Spring

In February we often wonder if spring will ever come and we can look forward to seeing our gardens in bloom again under the care of Katie Wild and the team of gardeners. Barbara Scott has scrapbooks showing our gardens as they have changed over the years, and she has shared these pictures of the beautiful lilacs that bloomed behind the old Pickard House addition before it was torn down to make way for the new Pickard House addition that now houses our meeting room and archives. Earl Scott transplanted a piece of the lilac bush so it wouldn’t be lost. So now we can continue to enjoy it as it blooms behind the Pedrick-Lawson House.

 

Back of Pickard House May 31 1994	Back of Pedrick-Lawson House May 19, 2006

Ripon College Education Class

On November 29, Professor Shaunda Jennings of the Education Department at Ripon College, brought a group of students to the Society. The purpose of their visit was to identify ways a local historical society can benefit teachers as they become acquainted with the communities in which they teach and plan learning experiences for their students. George Miller, Mary Brandt, and Jean Woolley described ways in which our Society works with Ripon schools.

 

Annual Financial Report: 2006

Income:

CD Interest	$811.57
Membership Dues	$1,045.00
Roundy We Care	$766.12
Donations	$11,900.98
Bequests	$54,369.80
Endowment Income	$13,793.11
Realized Capital Gains	$16,592.14
Collections Endowment	$1,002.51
Miscelleaneous	$341.96
Total Income	$100,623.19

Expenses

Telephone	$1,878.52
Office Supplies	$221.35
Postage	$520.80
Tax Preparation	$356.00
Financial Services	$3,924.45
Miscellaneous	$151.06
Major Building Repairs	$8,355.22
Buildings Maintenance	$2,366.45
Grounds	$1,022.88
Cleaning Services	$391.00
Insurance	$285.00
Sewer and Water	$300.85
Power and Light	$6,269.08
Printing	$394.90
Computer Services	$419.40
Programs	$50.00
Donations, Fees, Dues	$80.00
Collections Supplies	$441.70
Capital Equipment	$5,933.45
Total Expenses	$33,362.11

 

Spring Programs Set

The program committee has announced the program lineup for March, April, and May. In order to accommodate the schedules of the speakers, the March program will deviate from our usual time in that it will be on the fourth, rather than the third, Thursday evening. Also, it will be from 5:00-6:00 rather than at 7:00.

 

March Program: History of the Ripon Historic Preservation Commission (Thursday, March 22, 5:00-6:00 PM, with refreshments and social time at 4:30)

Evelyn Kain and Jeff Bumby, both current members of the Ripon Historic Preservation Commission, will present a video and discussion on the commission’s ten-year history and on-going preservation efforts in the city.

 

April Program: History of Ripon Printers (Thursday, April 19, 7:00 PM)

Andy Lyke, President of Ripon Printers, and Audrey Lyke, a founder and current board member, will present a history of the company known around Ripon as “The Printers” from its beginnings as an offshoot of the local newspaper and small printing operation with 13 employees to its position as an international corporation with about 330 employees.

 

May Program: The Rebirth of the Birthplace of the Republican Party (Thursday, May 17, 7:00 PM)

In May we will be one of a number of grand re-opening activities associated with a long-term project of planning, raising capital, restoring, and updating the Little White Schoolhouse. The schoolhouse, which was rapidly deteriorating, will now be better able to accommodate both Ripon’s tourism industry and its educational programming. Panelists Paula Price of the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce, Little White Schoolhouse Committee members Joan Karsten and Bill Woolley, and Peter Kasuboski of Ripon Area Builders, will describe the efforts that brought us to this point of celebration.

 

Mystery Building Identity

The mystery building shown earlier in the newsletter housed a Ripon industry until the early 1970’s. It’s the Ripon Knitting Works, called “The Knitters” for short. It was located where Ripon Drug is now. The picture is from the online penny postcard collection of Joy Fisher.

 

Docents Needed

A docent is a person who understands and explains a museum to the public. The only qualifications are interest, enthusiasm, and a little time. Our Ripon Historical Society is in need of at least twelve more people to add to our docent corps for open houses and museum tours. These events usually occur on weekends. A training session will be offered in the spring for both new and experienced docents. The purpose of this session will be to familiarize docents with our buildings, artifacts, and archives. Experienced docents will benefit from this update. It also offers an opportunity for student members to become involved. We understand that an individual docent can’t necessarily be at every event, but If you are willing to help please call Joyce Rudolph at the Society, 748-5354 weekday mornings, or at home, 748-6834.

 

Goodbye to Alan Hargrave

Alan Hargrave, long-time volunteer, board member, and donor of artifacts and historical letters, passed away on October 7. For several summers Alan worked diligently to keep our gardens beautiful.