Our Book "Marengo"
The First 100 Years
Latest Update 04-November-2007:
Sales of the first book on Marengo history, "Marengo, the First 100 Years", have been amazing! Members of the Society have received so many comments of appreciation which have, indeed, been equally gratifying!
There are 128 pages in the publication with 10 chapters and over 200 pictures. People have dug into their photo albums and truly been a great help in making this first history book possible. The response has been so great that the Society is already planning for a second book. This process is already engaged as we continue with the scanning of pictures and in many cases, getting the pictures returned to the most generous folks who have shared them with the Society. It has truly been a learning experience for those Society members who've been actively involved, especially as we continue learning the process of entering our data on the Past Perfect computer program and scanning the pictures for immediate recall. Isn't technology great! We're discovering what a great tool computers can be for sharpening our 'Senior' skills.
Anyone wishing to purchase "Marengo, the First 100 Years" should either contact the Society through the website or call 815-568-5485. The price is $19.99 for a single copy. Postage can vary depending upon the destination. At our end, the Society will confirm the postage so that a check, Pay-Pal or money order can be sent which will include the price of the book and the exact postage due. In addition, you may want to purchase #5 in our calendar series, the theme if which is "The Fabulous 40's and 50's". June Meyer,Shirley Kitchen and Karen Lee have packed the calendar with terrific pictures!
2008 Calendar
The 2008 Calendar will feature pictures of Marengo from the years, 1940-1950. These were exciting years for many of Marengo’s residents!! The town was still a bustling hub of commercial activity while Marengo’s majestic Elm trees provided a gracious welcome to travelers and residents alike. Commercial enterprises even existed at the lower basement levels of the down town! The smell of Shearer’s Pop Corn penetrated the weekend evening air as crowds of shoppers milled the streets, leaning against the railings, taking time to visit with their neighbors and friends. There were no wooden canopies on Main Street, only appropriate awnings, accentuating the original building facades. The Sweet Shop and Faulkner’s Drugs had a brisk business, providing a refreshing cherry Coke drink to go along with the bags of popcorn. Ice cream cones were still a special treat.
A very limited number of 2008, '07, '06, and '05 historic calendars are available for $8 each or a donation of your choice, plus postage. Please send any request to the website and we will contact you.
Providing a yearly calendar, filled with pictures relating to Marengo's history, has been a lot of fun for the calendar committee. These photos often act as a key as they once again open the door to memories of good times and the beauty of our community. As a wonderful example the 2006 calendar highlighted the many magnificent stained glass windows, which include those of our local churches and a sampling of those found in our many older homes.
Since space restraints often do not allow for indentification of individuals or locations of people or places in these photos, the Society will be providing identification of individuals from time to time. The month of October, 2008 includes a photo of Marengo's 1942 Championship football teamBob Kartensen, the following members of the 1942 football team are as follows:
Front Row, left to right: Harry Nelson, Sievert Block, Scott Hemmingsen, Ed Zenk, Thor Vail and 'Perk' Penney
Second Row: Bob Hansing, Paul Holliday, (unidentified player), 'Red' MacKey, Joy Polnow, Don Marshall and (unidentified player, possibly Ed Riley)
Back Row: Coach Al Dittman, Coach Emery Ebert, teacher Ken Walthers, Principal Wayne McCleary.
Anyone having a name or idea of who the two unidentified players are should contact the webmaster or
call Dorothy Otis at 815-568-5485
