News: Curtiss – Community Club

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bowen, Laabs, Hennlich, Bootzin, Wasson, Geary, Ecker, Peissig, Roytek, Tonn, Johnson, Hoeper, Kraut, Lipprandt, Gordee, Frane, Tellock, Hawks, Michlig, Klocke, Phillips, Erickson, Revord, Augustine, Wantlin, Rohland, Carlson, Smith, Uhlig, Fahrenbach, Peterson

----Source: Olson Family Scrapbook

In 1954, a group of business people from the village of Curtiss decided they needed to promote their establishments. They formed the Curtiss Businessmen's Club. Les Bowen was the first president. Many non-business people were included as the membership grew. In December 1954, the group decided to reorganize and the name was changed to the Curtiss Community Club. Arthur Laabs was elected president and Ina Hennlich secretary-treasurer.

Some of the business places represented at that time were: Bootzin Feed Mill, Wasson's hardware, Bowen Trucking, Geary's Store, Ecker's Filling Station, Peissig's Bar, Roytek's Tavern, Owen-Curtiss State Bank, Laabs Cheese Co., Tonn's Tavern, Jake's Bar, Lyle Johnson's Mobil Gas Service, Lional's Service Station, Curtiss Post Office and Hoeper & Kraut Funeral home of Owen.

In the beginning, an evening meeting was held with lunch served afterwards. It was suggested that a dinner- meeting might be more enjoyable and increase the attendance. In January of 1958, Lucy Johnson and Anita Johnson served the first Community Club supper. It consisted of spare ribs and sauerkraut and all the trimmings. Everyone enjoyed the idea, so it was decided the club would meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Supper would be served with a meeting to follow. This practice continues today.
The Club has been served by many officers throughout the years. Past presidents were: Arthur Laabs, Clarence Geary, Donald Kraut, Lester Bowen, Lionel Schiszik, Tony Hennlich, Walter Lipprandt, Mildred Geary, Earl Gordee, Howard Frane, Roger Tellock and Rodney Hawks. The present president is Betty Michlig.

Credit is also given to the members who served as secretary-treasurer, keeping such fine records for the club. They are Ina Hennlich, Lucy Johnson, Lyle Johnson, Mildred Geary, Irene Klocke, Alene Phillips, Marion Lipprandt, Anita Johnson, Ruth Erickson, Anita Revord, Amanda Augustine and Lovey Ann Wantlin. At the present time Helen Rohland is secretary and Mary Carlson is treasurer.
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The club sponsored many events for the community, such as Halloween parties, Santa Claus Day and Easter Egg Hunts. In April of 1955, a poster contest was held in conjunction with the Egg Hunt. The children winning prizes were 1st Place - Sue Geary, grade 3; 2nd Place 'g -Barbara Smith, grade 6; and 3rd Place - Elaine Uhlig, grade 5.

Farm Community Days were held in the old village hall for interested citizens. Card parties, chili suppers and dances were held to raise money for worthy causes, such as Boy Scouts, swimming trips for the children, donations for cancer drives and other needy organizations. The ball park was cleaned and improved and a baseball club was organized and played in competition for many years.

In the mid 1950's, a park project was begun. Stones were picked, lawns and trees planted. The Wm. Fahrenbach and Henry Peterson families donated money for trees to be planted in memory of sons they lost in W.W.II. On Memorial Day of 1958, the new park was dedicated. A program is held there every year on Memorial Day.

In September of 1955, when the new street, sidewalks and curbing were completed, the club sponsored a celebration.

In July of 1957, they held another celebration commemorating the 75 years that Curtiss had been a village. A booklet about Curtiss history was published. Thousands of people attended the parades and events to make the occasion a great success.

In 1981, the club voted to construct a tennis court. The black top slab is completed, and the project is to be finished in time for the Centennial celebration. Donations from area business people, private citizens and the Community Club, Fire Department and Lions Club made this multi-usable area possible.

The Curtiss Community Club is proud of its accomplishments of the past 28 years. They hope to continue to work together in harmony and meet the challenge of the many more years to come.
 

Submitted by: Anita Johnson