‘Years Ago’ is a compilation of newsy tidbits as published in the Crawford County Independent & Kickapoo Scout on this week ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or sixty years ago.

TEN YEARS AGO

JANUARY 13, 2011 – The Soldiers Grove Village Board decided to proceed with a library expansion by pursuing the acquisition of the adjoining pharmacy. The Solar Town Pharmacy currently owned by Vernon Memorial Healthcare, is planning on moving to a nearby remodeled building near the medical clinic… Phinehas Robert Dudgeon is the Vernon Memorial Healthcare 2011 New Year’s Baby. Phinehas is the son of Lara and Josh Dudgeon of Gays Mills. Area grandparents are Siguard and Marsha Chestelson and Richard and Carol Dudgeon.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

JANUARY 11, 2001 – Eighty-four walkers, 12 volunteers, and the great generosity of the local citizenry combined to make the 2000 North Crawford County Crop Walk a big success for those in need. The walk was held at the Sugar Creek Bible Camp and the total collected for this year $2,089.62… A home on Grove Street in Gays Mills owned by Karen and Dave Cornell and rented by her son, Jeremy Marabelli, was destroyed by fire early Friday morning… Rusty Tainter, Gays Mills, won $31,200 on the first taping of the Wisconsin Lottery Money Game in the new year. 

THIRTY YEARS AGO

JANUARY 10, 1991 – Charles Hulsether of Mt. Sterling recently retired from his job as Bethel Home chaplain and director for Bethel Home Services Foundation. He joined the Bethel Home staff in 1985… Roger Turnmire’s 1978 Cadillac El Dorado was damaged beyond repair in a fire Sunday afternoon in Soldiers Grove. The Turnmires had been in the Legion Hall and were sitting in the car letting it warm up when the engine burst into flames. They were not injured. 

FORTY YEARS AGO

JANUARY 15, 1981 – The new storage building and showroom is nearing completion at Frank’s Home Improvement Center in Readstown. The 14,760 square foot structure is located on the site of the old Readstown High School and is expected to be ready for use in the spring… Marion McDonald will be the new postmaster at Readstown. She will replace Beverly Farrell who retired in August. Lillian Larson, clerk, has been serving as officer in charge since Farrell retired. Mrs. Larson has served as clerk for 11 years and is also retiring in January. Mrs. McDonald has been a clerk in the Gays Mills Post Office for the past 15 years. During that time, she also served as officer in charge in Seneca, Ferryville, Soldiers Grove and DeSoto, as clerk in Mt. Sterling and Readstown, and as a mail handler in La Crosse. She and her husband Ted operate a television and appliance business in Gays Mills and have two sons.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

JANUARY 14, 1971 – Miss Anne Ellefson, 17, a senior at Seneca High School, was chosen Miss 1971 Snowflake Ski Queen and will reign at the Westby Ski Tournament on February 7. Miss Jackie Lenser of Westby High School was first runner-up… 38 Crawford County 4-H members and guests attended 4-H camp at Wyalusing State Park for three days. 4-H members from Vernon, La Crosse and Richland counties also attended. Ken Johnson, Crawford County 4-H agent, accompanied the local group.

SIXTY YEARS AGO

JANUARY 12, 1961 – Linda Bell, Gays Mills, placed third in the beginning group in a typing competition sponsored by the Madison Business College. Sharon Walton, Boscobel High School, was among the two firsts… Cletus Fleming, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Fleming, Gays Mills, will graduate January 27from Wisconsin State College, La Crosse. Fleming will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education.