Issue 14 - Fall 2024
1955-1956 Elcho Hornet Basketball Team
Letter from the President
By Bear Wheeler
As I look at pictures of the Modern Woodmen of America Lodge/Grange Hall from five years ago, I am astounded at how far we have come. I am happy for all the help from our members and the support of the general public that we have enjoyed. This will continue to get stronger. In the last six months, our museum has really taken on a vibrant, purposeful feel as the outside has been mostly buttoned up and the inside is making strides. As of this writing, the plaster restoration is half done, but the place is coming alive again. Our ancestors and the people who have gone before us would be proud. I am so grateful for good people who do so much to help this society flourish. A special thank you to Debi Mejak, Greg Mejak, Bryan Spransy, and Otto Tiegs III. Their tireless efforts make this possible. Since our last newsletter, our museum has been accepted on the Federal List of Historic Places. It has already been accepted by the State of Wisconsin list through the State Historic Office of Preservation, Wisconsin Historical Society.
As a closing note, we want our museum to tell the story of the people who helped build up Elcho and the surrounding area that we all enjoy today. I’m making a call to anyone in the community that has family histories that touch this area, please share them with us. We are looking for a paragraph of memories, stories, pictures, interviews, anything that helps keep the memory of these people alive. This is a communal effort. Every little bit helps. We are truly excited for what comes next. Till next time.
Grange Hall 2024
“Suzie” Rabideau 1941-2024
by Bear Wheeler
Suzie Rabideau
Cecilia Marie Rabideau, affectionately known as "Suzie," was born on January 11, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri. She peacefully passed away on September 17, 2024, in North Kansas City, Missouri, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and service that touched the lives of many. Suzie had left behind her husband Bob, of 66 years, and their four daughters and their families.
Years ago when I first met Suzie, she was very adamant that she wanted to be called “Suzie”, so this is what we all did. Over time she had collected much history of the Post Lake area and supplied us with it. Suzie was such a big help right from the first “organized” meeting that we had before the Society was formed. It was Suzie, Connie Hubatch, and Marie Schuh that did the constitution and by-laws for the future historical society in 2017.
For the next several years Suzie was faithful to come to all the board meetings that she was here for. She was one of our founding Directors for the organization and what a great job she did. Suzie would always keep me in line and focused while running the meetings, everybody sure misses her now. Her wonderful husband Bob, of 66 years, would drive her to the town hall and come back when the meetings were done. We all appreciate the time and sacrifice that Bob had done to share her with us.
1955-56 Elcho Hornets Basketball
“The Little Team That Could”
By Otto Tiegs III
The 1955-56 Elcho High School boys’ basketball season had every reason to believe they could have a successful season. The football team had just finished a winning season, losing only to Minocqua in the final game of the 1955 season with a 6 and 1 record, earning the top spot on the Northern Lakes Conference standings. Four players earned spots on the NLC, Jim Carew, Vernon Johnson, Erhardt Van Duser, and Jack Berenz. Dick Davis, and Matt Bubon made the second all conference team. All but Davis were playing on the basketball team.
1954-55 NLC champion was Woodruff, and they looked as though they could win it all again. Three Lakes was also picked to be the conference winner based off of the team’s scoring ability. Although the sports writers at the time knew Elcho was a good team, they did not know how good they really were.
1955-56 NLC District Championship Trophy
The opening game of the Hornets' basketball season was against Wabeno on Friday, November 18, 1955, and it was a wild one. The lead changed every quarter during the game. The difference in the game was the Hornets' 17 points fourth quarter allowing the team to win the game with a comfortable 65-53 score. Matt Bubon finished the game with 25 points, thirteen of which were free throws.
The next team Elcho faced was Laona on Tuesday, November 22. The Kellys had defeated White Lake the week before by staging a comeback in the second half of the contest, ending with a 53-43 win. Dean Kilsdonk and Matt Bubon lead the Hornets' scoring effort and the game ended with 48-36 win. The Hornets led at the end of every quarter.
The Northern Lakes Conference took a short recess for Thanksgiving and did not have any games scheduled until December 2, when all ten teams were scheduled to play. Although Elcho was tied for first, the sports writers still leaned towards Woodruff and Three Lakes to win the title.
Friday, December 2, found the Hornets with a home game against Eagle River. The Eagles were tied for last in the conference. Elcho wasted little time taking the lead in the game, and sat the starters down during the second half, allowing the reserves to get some playing time. Dean Kilsdonk never played the second half of the contest. In the end, Eagle River found itself on the losing side of the score, 61-43.
The key Northern Lakes Conference game played on December 2, was the match up between Three Lakes and Woodruff. Three Lakes won the game by the slimmest margin possible, 69-68. The Muskies missed 17 free throws during the contest, basically giving the game to the Eagles. Three Lakes, Crandon, and Elcho were now tied for the conference lead.
Elcho traveled to Minocqua and was thought to be featured in the Northern Lakes Conference game on December 9, 1955. Although Minocqua only had one win on the season, its losses were against Woodruff and Three Lakes. Minocqua was thought to be improving after the prior week's win against White Lake. Although Elcho was favored to win, The Rhinelander Daily News stated "If Elcho cannot put the stops to (Pete) Henderson's shooting, an upset may result." Pete Henderson was the number two scoring leader in the NLC at the time. As it turned out, the game was a close one Elcho dominated the first half, but Minocqua fought back in the second half, and at one point, tied the game at 44 points a piece. Minocqua's Henderson led the scoring in the game with 28 points, but Elcho won 51-48, the difference being three free throws.
Wisconsin State Journal- Elcho Players Visit State Tournament
Game five of Elcho's season found Three Lakes coming to town. The headline in the paper read "Bluejays, Elcho In Top NLC Contest Three Lakes Favored To Stay In First Place." Three Lakes had outscored its opponents by 113 points at this point in the season, Elcho outscored their opponents by a total of 45 points. Three Lakes had four players on the conference top scoring list compared to Elcho's three. The December 15 game was a battle from start to finish, ending the fourth quarter in a tie, and sending the game into overtime. Otto Tiegs made the first overtime field goal followed by Dean Kilsdonk hitting four more points before the game ended with Elcho on top, 74-70. Three Lakes coach Tom Newcomb felt the referee made a bad call and protested the game with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. The WIAA would make a decision and announce it after the Christmas Holiday.
The first game of the new year found Birnamwood in Elcho playing a non-conference game. It was announced that Birnamwood would be hosting the post season sub-finals and finals at their school gymnasium. Elcho was assigned to this play-off bracket along with Birnamwood, so this January 3 match up would be important to both schools. Elcho trailed Birnamwood for the first three quarters of the game, and tied the game on a basket on the buzzer, 53-53. Matt Bubon, Vern Johnson and Ken Kraft did all the scoring for Elcho in overtime, leading the team to a 59-53 overtime victory.
The first conference game of the new year found the Hornets in White Lake. Elcho was tied with Crandon for first place in the NLC, but the pundits continued to claim Three Lakes was the best team in the conference. White Lake on the other hand had a 1-5 record even though the Lakers scored 315 points on the season, among the best in the NLC. Elcho was favored to beat White Lake, which they did 58-40. Three Lakes defeated Crandon that evening, leaving Elcho as the only undefeated team in the Northern Lakes Conference.
Elcho was to host Woodruff on Friday January 13, and it was predicted to be a tough game for both teams. Woodruff was tied for second in the NCL with a 5-1 record. More importantly, the team had outscored Elcho on the season by 45 points. The game, played in Elcho, found Woodruff playing a zone defense, which held the Hornets' offense to 18 points through the first half. Elcho adjusted the team’s offense, choosing to take long shots in the second half, and take a four-point deficit at the half to a 49-44 win. The same night, Three Lakes and Crandon pounded their opponents, but Elcho still led the conference.
The Hornets had to play two games in two days on January 20 and 21. The first being at Crandon against a team that was 6-1, and every bit as good as Elcho. The Cardinal's only loss came from Three Lakes. Crandon focused on defending Van Duser, Kilsdonk, and Bubon, making it difficult for the sharp shooting trio to score. At the half, Elcho was losing 23-15. By the end of the evening, Crandon was able to topple the Hornets 52-42. More bad news hit Elcho as well. Three Lakes protest over the December 16 game with Elcho was upheld, and the results of the game would be considered a no contest. The game would be replayed only if it would make a difference on the standings.
Elcho played the team’s second game that week-end at Laona and posted a 58-49 win over the Kellys. Dean Kilsdonk, Vern Johnson and Matt Bubon ran wild during the first half of the game giving the Hornets a 40-25 halftime lead. After the week-end games Three Lakes was leading the conference with a perfect record, and Elcho was tied with Crandon for second place.
Another week-end with two games in a row, the first being played in Phelps on Friday January 27, and it turned out to be an offensive blowout for both teams. The game was close at all times, but the Knights never managed to lead. Bubon, Johnson and Carew totaled for 75 points. The next test for the Hornets was on Saturday, hosting Wabeno. Kilsdonk and Bubon lead the Hornets in scoring, and by the half, Elcho lead 32-12. The second half saw the reserves take over for Elcho and finished the game and a win 54-34.
Three Lakes coach Tom Newcomb announced on February 1, that his team would replay Elcho on Tuesday, February 7. As of February 1, The Blue Jays record was 10-0 and the Hornets were at 9-1 but because of the Hornets being short one win, Elcho would bounce between second and third in the standings with Crandon. The replayed game had the Hornets once again beating the Blue Jays, this time 77-72. Four of the five Elcho starters scored in double digits and all played the entire back and forth game. Three Lakes and Elcho were now tied for first.
2 - Erhardt Marv Broeski 24 - Erhardt Van Duser 34 - Jim Carew
The last game of the Northern Lakes Conference had Elcho facing Crandon at home. This was Elcho's final conference game of the season, and Crandon had one game left with Wabeno. Crandon's defense ended up being the deciding factor in the February 10 game. Elcho fell to Crandon in the last forty seconds of the game, 68-64, and up to that point, it was a back-and-forth game, with the lead changing many times.
The last scheduled game of the year was against Winneconne, a non-conference match-up. Like Elcho, Winneconne had been rated in the state rankings all year, but dropped to honorable mention at the end of the season. Principal John McKenna, moved to Winneconne from Elcho, touted Dean Kilsdonk and Matt Bubon as the players to watch -and called them "shifty". The Hornets lost the game 81-79, scoring 5 points in the last thirty-six seconds to make the game close. Matt Bubon scored 23 points and Van Duser hit 10 free throws.
The 1955-1956 Northern Lakes Conference basketball season was one of the toughest title races in conference history. Any one of three teams could have won the season tile.
Northern Lakes Season Standings:
W L TP OP
Three Lakes 12 1 1003 725
Crandon 12 1 862 610
Elcho 11 2 797 673
Woodruff 9 4 825 754
Laona 6 7 667 710
Minocqua 5 8 779 774
Wabeno 5 8 667 710
White Lake 3 10 658 787
Phelps 2 11 761 923
Eagle River 0 13 572 890
Post Season
Jim Carew, Matt Bubon and Dean Kilsdonk were named to the Northern Lakes All Conference teams on Saturday, February 18, but they and the rest of team had to prepare for their sub-district at Birnamwood on the 21. Their opponent would be White Lake. The Lakers finished their NLC season with a 3-10 record, and Elcho was favored to win the match. White Lake battled Elcho for the first three quarters, with the lead going back and forth many times. Elcho outscored White Lake 24-17 in the final quarter, with Erhardt Van Duser scoring eight of them. Dean Kilsdonk scored twenty-four points during the game. Elcho won the game 72-65.
Elcho's next challenge was the tough Birnamwood team. Birnamwood and Elcho had both been listed in the state rankings during the regular season, and Elcho had beaten Birnamwood in a close non-conference game during the regular season. Birnamwood had beaten Mattoon to move to the next round of the tournament and would play the Hornets in Birnamwood. Elcho never trailed in this contest and beat Birnamwood 61-51.
Elcho would meet Three Lakes once again, but this time it was for the District Championship and played in Birnamwood.
The Blue Jays earned their way to Birnamwood by beating Woodruff 76-63. The only team they could not beat during the NLC season was Elcho, and they would not beat the Hornets for the district championship as well. Erhardt Van Duser hit eight field goals and five free throws and team mate Dean Kilsdonk added 16 points. Elcho was the district champion. Elcho would meet Abbotsford at D. C. Everest on Friday March 2.
Elcho took a quick 9-4 lead over the tall Abbotsford Panthers by taking some good outside shots, but by the half, Abbie was leading by eleven, and never looked back. At the end, the game was a rout. Abbotsford won 93-69, the highest score in WIAA tournament play that year. The Hornets played in the largest gymnasium they had seen all season and in front of 500 people. Coach Kotecki's 1955-56 Hornets out performed everyone's expectations that season. They became the "Little Team That Could."
Thank You - Fall 2024
Items Donated
Kwik Trip - Brat barn food & supplies
Pat Nelson - Antique band saws & wood working tools
Connie Brayton - Deb Pagel's Lioness vest & pins
Diane & Michael Venn - Food & supplies for spring brat barn event
Sue Boettcher - waffle iron, tin box, framed Fish coins, picture viewer & 18 pictures
Steve Sward - various antique railroad items, saw blade
Mary Kramer - Messages from 1962 for floral arrangements ordered for Mrs. JFK for the White House
Anonymous - 238 pieces of horseshoe art for raffles
Diane Venn - Items for future raffles
Connie Brayton - Elcho High School 1978 Yearbook
LaMont Kraft - Photos & pictures for raffles
Carl Buesing - Pictures of Summit Lake
Otto Tiegs Jr. - High Point Match Books (3)
Susan & John Liss - Raffle basket for Brat Barn
Reincarnation Resale and Decor - Raffle basket for Brat Barn
Debi & Greg Mejak - Items for rummage sale
Michael & Diane Venn - Food & supplies for summer brat barn event
Darlene Dronchi-Tuminello - Flowers for brat barn
In Memoriam Donations
Diane & Michael Venn in memory of Neil Mejak
Sarah Starr in memory of Harriet Case Sumerwell
Monetary Donations
Kristin & Ann Sager
CJ's Clubhouse - Elcho, WI
Building Renovation
Various individuals & entities that contributed thru the Capital Campaign
Francis Howe Memorial Fund/Judy Rustick - Elcho, WI
Builders Service - Elcho WI
Andy L & Leone Sheldon Charitable Trust - Milwaukee, WI
Bryan Spransy
Pat & Mary Ann Evans Patrick - Elcho, WI
Anonymous
Marcia Robinson - Ridgefield, WA
Bear Wheeler, insulation labor - Elcho, WI
Nancy Pelzer & Steven Belllin - Ames, IA
Membership Renewals
Terrie & Steve Whealon - Elcho, WI
Peter & Paula Rohde - Pewaukee, WI
Otto Tiegs III- Bryant, WI
Debi & Greg Mejak - Elcho, WI
Otto Tiegs Jr. - Elcho, WI
Bryan Spransy - Elcho, WI
Jennifer & Tom Redding-Barnum -Tucson AZ, & Elcho WI
Marcy Johnson - Kenosha, WI
Linda (Knuth) Best - Madison, WI
Terry & Mary Maves - Elcho, WI
Barb & Bob Sagstetter - Marshfield, WI
Jeff & Beth Werner - Appleton, WI
Gerald Wallin - Green Valley, AZ
Barbara Katz - Manitowoc, WI
Marilyn & George Rock - Greenville, WI
Renee & Dan Wink - Summit Lake, WI
Chris & Chriss Feliciano - Elcho, WI
Sarilee Maney - Wauwatosa, WI
Jean & Bob Hess - Elcho, WI
Brenda & Tom Henley - Oconomowoc, WI
John Liss - Elcho, WI
Russ Sobolik Family - South Milwaukee, WI
Jeanne Follstad - Red Wing, MN
Beth & Donald Goerke - Elcho, WI
New Members
Candice Tiltges - Arlington Heights, IL & Pelican Lake, WI
Pat & Harlen Girtz - Pearson, WI
Rob & Kathy Schmidt - West Bend, WI
Todd & Nancy Von Haden - Elcho, WI
LaMont Kraft - Seymour, WI
Mary & George Rather - Green Bay, WI
Jeanne Tiegs - Bryant, WI
Christian & Melissa Olson - Racine, WI
Charles Black - Pelican Lake, WI
Norbert "Todd" Huebsch Jr. - North Port FL & Pelican Lake, WI
In addition to the specific individuals listed above we would like to THANK all those that supported, baked and worked on our Brat Barn, Music in the Park, craft fair fundraising events and the museum restoration project. We couldn't have accomplished what we did this year without all your generous time and effort.