Patrons of the Supplemental united Food Pantry on Moore Street in Hanna are reminded that the pantry will be open for food distribution Tuesday instead of Wednesday, at the usual hours of 2 to 5 p.m.

Historical society

The 13th annual dinner meeting of the Wanatah Historical Society was held recently at the REMC community room. President Norman Grieger welcomed the 77 guests in attendance. Ed Marks offered the invocation for the catered dinner.

Betty Siegesmund discussed the past and the present asking if the past was really better.

Norman Grieger told of the early railroad history in the Wanatah area. Wages for railroad workers were $1.25 or $1.37 a day. Robert Barker reminisced about Jocko's Confectionary, a candy and ice cream story on First Street. Gerald Benkie reported on the beginning of Wickes Lumber Company and about his own family business, Benkie's blueberry farm. Rosalie Mack talked about the Wanatah Bank and how it changed over the years.

Marlene Mitzner, owner of the former Standard Oil station, talked about Standard Oil evolving, leading to the now British Petroleum station on U.S. 30. Jim Smoker talked about his father's purchase of the Smoker Farm on U.S. 30.

Jim Czerwonke gave the history of the Wanatah Mercantile Company on Cross Street. Early on the place was a flour mill and the name of the flour was Cock of the Walk. The historical society has been seeking a flour sack with the name on it but they haven't found one yet.

Drawings were held for merchant prizes furnished by area businesses. The society has volume one and two of the Wanatah Pictorial History. The two can be purchased for $35 including shipping or $22 for the second and $17 for the first.

The society is planning a memorial garden with bricks selling for $60 each. When a large enough group of bricks are purchased and the weather permits, work on the project will be resumed next to the Caboose Museum. Bricks can be inscribed as a memorial to a family.

Christmas party

The Cass-Dewey Township Farm Bureau Christmas party is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at Strongbbow's Restaurant, Valparaiso. Reservations are due by Dec. 4 to Shirley Egolf at (219) 733-2143.

Foot screenings

Podiatrist William Roman will be at the Wanatah American Legion Post at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4 for the convenience of senior citizens.

The column solely represents the opinions of the writer. Grace Chambly is the Wanatah LaCrosse correspondent.