1952

In the preliminary state oratorical contest, Dean Gilbert, Harriet Bachtell, Jacqueline Strand and Norman Russell advanced to pre-district competition. Strand and Russell went on to compete at the district level.

The family of Franz Grfuric arrived from Austria to their new home on the Fred Scheidel farm. They were sponsored by Mr. Scheidel under the displaced person's program.

Joseph Funke resigned his office of mayor. The town fathers appointed Terry Vikre, an employee of the Bee, to fill the vacancy.

The city council, by an unaminous vote, asked the state police communications division to remove their broadcasting facility from the town hall. This resolution was in response to complaints of interference with local television reception.

Over 1000 high school students, representing 21 schools, competed in a music contest at Ossian. The band competition was held in the school gymnasium. The glee clubs sang at the Lutheran Church where the local girls were awarded a superior rating.

Gus Rogness was elected chief of the fire department. H. A. Dessel became his assistant. Ralph Wiltgen was elected president and Bob Carey secretary of the firemen.

The fifteen graduates from O.H.S. this spring were: Byrdelle Amdahl, Anna Bachtell, Darlene Blumhagen> Janet Buddenberg, Dean Gilbert, Jeleen Kipp, Patricia Koch, John Meyer, Robert Rothmeyer, Norman Russell, Bill Schissel, Jo Ann Schultz, Conley Strand, Jacqueline Strand and Irene Torresdal.

Twenty two seniors received diplomas from De Sales high. These students were: Joan Bohr, Janice Brom, Gerald Bohr, Dorothy Bohr, Thomasine Dullard, Barbara Funke, Carl Hemesath, Celine Kapell, Gladys Lansing, Inez Lechtenberg, Mark Lechtenberg, Helen Moellers, Eunice Huinker, Aquila Timp, Richard Holder, Eleanore Lansing, Jeanette Ehler, Elaine Funke, Diann Schroeder, Margaret Schildmeyer, Arlene Wenthold and lone Rosenbaum.

Mrs.- M. E. Vyverberg, supervisor of the local ground observation corps, announced that twenty two civilian volunteers will go on 24 hour sky-watch duty. Their observation station is located at the sales barn.

A cake baking contest, sponsored by the ladies of the Legion Auxiliary, drew forty entries. An auction sale of these goodies netted $170 for playground equipment to be installed in the city park.

A softball league was organized in Ossian. The local entries will compete with teams form Decorah, Calmar, Festina, Castalia, St. Lucas and Postville. The diamond, located just west of Art's Roller Rink, has been equipped with lights for night play.

Water fights between neighboring fire departments became a very popular sport this summer.

A total of forty three plump turkey hens were awarded to lucky ticket holders this fall. The barrel was moved from door to door of the co-operating business houses”with a drawing at each stop.

Clem N. Blocker was appointed to the post of rural mail carrier. Roland Peyer had been the temporary carrier since P. J. Duman resigned to accept the postmastership.

BUSINESS CHANGES

Wayne Sender, Mgr.............................Frudden Lumber Co.

Victor Halverson..............................Farm Service

Witt & Funke................................. .Livestock Transport

Ray Hemesath..................................Reilly    Cafe

Walter Witt...................................Ossian    Sales    Commission

Frank Bohr....................................Bohr's    Market