Clark County News

August 18, 1966

Work at Listeman Arboretum approaches point where facility can be enjoyed

A place to rest.

A place to contemplate – the course of the world, the course of a community, the course of a life.

A place to reflect on the past – and plan for the future.

A place to find peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of everyday liv-ing.

A place to commune with nature in all its glory.

A place to study.

All these – and more – mark the Listeman Arboretum, which is approaching the point where it can be fully enjoyed by the public.

A trip through the Listeman Arboretum reveals that the one and one-half miles of trails there have been about 60 percent completed; two of three bridges required to span streams and gullies on this 32-acre wooded area along the Black River have been completed.

Slow progress

Work in the Listeman Arboretum has been proceeding slowly throughout the spring and summer; but this is because of the kind of work that is required. Hundreds of yards of shale are being spread over the four-foot trails to make easy-walking for those who wish to enjoy this nature spot. Efforts have been made to rush the work with the use of heavy road building machinery; but the space was not sufficient for them to operate, and the soft woodlot ground offered an obstacle.

As a result, most of the shale surface to the trails has had to be carried and spread by hand.

While the trails now are far enough along to provide for visitors wish-ing to inspect and enjoy the Arboretum, a great many other jobs have been partially completed – all point-ed to producing a pleasant whole. A few rough-hewn log benches have been strategically placed along the trails. More will be added. They are built in such a manner as to blend in with the sylvan aspect of the Arboretum.

Two bridges have been completed. These, too, are rustic types, constructed to blend in with the wooded area, and to complement it. A third, near the Black River and crossing a small creek which runs through the Arboretum, remains to be installed. It is on the lower end of one trail.

Formal plantings

A typographical map has been made of the so-called “University area,” in preparation for development of this area in formal plantings. This area, comprising 10 acres (making the Arboretum 42 acres in all) is located at the south end of the Arboretum.

Much remains to be done, however, before the Listeman Arboretum can be completed. In addition to the trails and bench, bridge and the development of the formal plantings in the University section, there are:

Adequate roadway access to the Arboretum entrance; signs directing tourists and others to the Arboretum; a parking lot for those who come by car to enjoy the serenity of the Arboretum; trail markers to guide visitors through; and a number of other refinements which will go together to make a complete arboretum.

The hope of the Listeman Arboretum Board of Advisors and those connected with the development was that the work would proceed rapidly enough to permit holding a grand opening during the current summer. However, the nature and size of the task have precluded any thought of an open house yet this year. However, the Board of Advisors will con-sider at its next gathering the possibility of opening the Arboretum informally, so that it may be enjoyed while work is in progress.

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Mamas in challenge game with juniors

The senior members of the United School District No. 3, women’s softball team will defend their title (and honor) when they challenge the junior members next Wednesday evening in the final game of the season.

Members of the “Old Ladies” team have proven to their daughters they can still play ball although the next morning they are not as limber as the younger set.

The teams are sponsored by the school district Booster Club and are managed by the club president George Matalas. The games have been played at Merrillan, and the ladies are from the Merrillan, Alma Center and Humbird areas.

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Granton FFA is active at fair

Members of the Granton Future Farmers are taking an active part this week in the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee.

Mike Knutson is a member of the Future Farmer band, which consists of 50 boys from throughout the state. These boys play five concerts daily on different parts of the fairgrounds during FFA Days, August 16 to 18.

Jim Kernz and Gary Wegner are demonstrating in the youth exposition building. Their demonstration entitled, “Milk, Queen of all Foods,” is the one that placed second in the state this spring in the Wisconsin Dairymen’s state contest in Mauston.

Throughout the fair Jim Kernz will work in the milk house and take sediment tests, weigh milk, and keep records. Jim also will act in his official capacity as publicity director for the Wisconsin Junior Dairyman.

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Neillsville man in national matches

Charles Meyer of Neillsville, a member of the Wisconsin National Guard rifle team, is competing in the national high-power rifle championships during the national matches now in progress at Camp Perry, O. The meet will continue through August 26.

Meyer is competing against 2,600 other men recognized as the nation’s top high-power rifle shooters. They will compete for honors and awards on ranges varying from 200 to 1,000 yards.

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Annual exam for postal jobs

Civil service examinations were announced this week by Postmaster Mike Krultz, Jr., of Neillsville to build up an eligible list for the Neillsville post office for substitute postal clerks and letter carriers.

Applications will be available starting next Monday, August 22, to qualified men and women living in the Neillsville post office area, or who are otherwise patrons of the post office. A written examination will be conducted in Marshfield. Information concerning the positions may be secured at the Neillsville post office from Mr. Krultz or one of the postal employees there, who also will have application forms available.

Minimum age is 18, except for high school graduates. There is no maximum age limit.

Persons who pass the examination will be selected for positions as permanent, temporary and part-time vacancies occur, Mr. Krultz said.

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Café to re-open here on Friday

The Becker Bar and Café, the doors of which have been closed for sever-al weeks, will be reopened Friday, it was announced by the new owner, Thomas W. Sullivan.

Sullivan, a retired air force noncommissioned officer with 22 years of service, has had a crew cleaning and renovating the building during the last week in preparation for opening.

Sullivan is a native of Indianapolis, Ind. He has purchased both realty and equipment, with attached tavern license.

According to records in the office of Register of Deeds Vern Hansen, the consideration was $30,000, with $7,000 paid down and the balance payable at the rate of $250 per month, including principal and interest at the rate of 5 ½ percent.

Henry J. Becker and his wife, Mary, former owners, have agreed not to re-enter the same line of business within 15 miles of Neillsville for five years; and Sullivan has agreed to keep the license attached to its present location. The Beckers, who recently moved to Wisconsin Rapids, are planning a Canadian hunting trip in late September.

The transaction was handled by Anderson of Wisconsin, local real estate office.

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Gloriously painted, both inside and out

A crew from Winona painted a church in Dorchester during the day last Thursday, and in the evening and into the next morning did a job of interior decorating at the bar of the Black Hotel. This latter job was done so thoroughly that in the case of George Kukowski, one of the crew, the decorations got the better of him. His friends endeavored to help him over the hump, but he would have none of them. The result was that Chief of Police Lester Staab was called in. Staab was unable to neutralize the interior decorations, and loaded Kukowski into a car for a trip to Neillsville.

The next morning Kukowski appeared before the judge and pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. It came out that the painters were celebrating some-body’s birthday, but that seemed not to soften the situation. So Kukowski paid $103 and went back to his paint.

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Kaczor’s attend reunion of Co. B

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kaczor of Washburn left Friday for Chicago, where they were overnight guests of their daughter, Bonnie. Saturday, they drove to Montpelier, O., where they visited old army buddies of Mr. Kaczor. Saturday evening, they were overnight guests of friends in Bryan, O. On Sunday they attended a reunion of Company B, 32^nd division, Avon Lake near Cleveland, O. On their return trip home, they again visited their daughters in Chicago, and in Milwaukee were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Don Mullaley and family.

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Bartz family holds gathering Sunday A gathering of the Bartz family was held Sunday at the Jim West cottage near Friendship. Those attending besides Mr. and Mrs. West and Bridget, were Mr. and Mrs. Lester Goke and family of Darlington; Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Klix of Milwaukee; Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Has and family of Neenah; Mr. and Mrs. Alan Voigt and family of Shortville; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hughes of Ventura, Cal., who left Wednesday on their return trip home; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Voigt of Loyal; and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Bartz and family of Granton. One sister was unable to attend.

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Granton schools to open August 29

Granton public schools will open Monday, August 29, Clayton A. Gardner, district administrator, announced this week. Hot lunch will be served that day, and buses will leave the school at 2 p.m., Mr. Gardner said. The following days will be full days of school. Bus routes will be generally the same as last year. There will be a few changes.

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Burglary

The Merrillan Hardware Store was entered some time Monday night or early Tuesday morning of last week. The break in was discovered about 5 a.m. Tuesday by DeVan Staples, proprietor, when he entered the back door of the store. He said entrance was gained by breaking the glass in the front door. Among the missing items are several radios, a 30-06 rifle, clocks and power tools. Several other business places in the surrounding area also been entered in recent weeks.

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