100 years ago (1910)
The Public Library Board submitted its annual report to the Village Board. The circulation statistics just covered the seven months since the library was re-catalogued in February. During these seven months a total number of 2,902 books were issued to 518 borrowers. According the statistics of the State Library Commission our library had the largest pro rata circulation of any library in the state. It was estimated that during the past year nearly 6,000 books had been issued to patrons. During the year 150 new books were obtained, bringing the total number in the library to about 1,300.

50 years ago (1960)
In the 1960 presidential election the Village of Oregon residents cast 426 votes for Richard Nixon and Henry Cabot Lodge and 385 for John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. The surrounding Towns of Oregon, Dunn, Fitchburg and Rutland all cast the majority of their votes for the Kennedy-Johnson ticket. Gaylord Nelson running for governor and Robert W. Kastenmier running for the U. S. House of Representatives won in both the Village and in all the surrounding precincts.

The OHS football team won their last game of the season, beating Evansville 19-6. However, their only loss of the season to Sun Prairie knocked them out of the league championship. OHS football players that were named to the All-Conference (first team) were quarterback, Kent Cohee; guard, Bob Jorgensen; tackle, Darrell Christensen; and half-back Morris Haukereid. Haukereid was also named most valuable player, having scored 17 touchdowns and 11 conversions for 113 points.

It was reported that the new addition to the Brooklyn Grade School was progressing in spit of inclement weather; there had been a fairly heavy snowstorm on October 26th. However, the beams were in and the roof construction was well on its way. Plans were to have the project completed on or about December lst.

The American Legion held their annual banquet at The Waterfall Restaurant. Norton Ames was Master of Ceremonies for the program and Dr. W. E. Ogilvie entertained the group with colored slides taken on his recent trip to Europe. The three OHS students, Neil Jones and Philip Shenefelt who had attended Boy's State, and Sandra Cahoon, who attended Girls' State, addressed the group about their experiences this past summer.

Residents were reminded that they can help local firemen the most by not following the fire trucks and parking in driveways and yards where they might be in the way. There is a state law prohibiting the following of a fire truck closer than 500 feet and parking on the roadside within a block of any fire department apparatus.

The faculty of Oregon Schools held a galloping card party where they played "500". Homes that were open for the occasion were those of Don Smith, E. A. Kozlovsky, Miss Paulson, and A. F. Ames. At the close of the games they all enjoyed refreshments at the home of Mrs. Marian Hams.

The Rex Theatre in Evansville advertised a double feature: "The last Days of Pompeii" and Elvis Presley in "Jailhouse Rock".

25 years ago (1985)
The OHS Marching Band wins at The Tropicana Bowl and gets an invitation to the Tournament of Roses Parade for New Year's Day in any one of four years---1987 through 1990. Band director Steve Spiwak estimated that the possible cost of such a trip could be anywhere between 60 to 80 thousand dollars and that he, the parents, and school administration would have to keep the invitation in perspective as to whether or not it would be possible.

Jo Reynolds, chairperson of the Town of Dunn task force to restore the Dunn Cemetery, reported that the cemetery had been vandalized the night before Halloween. However, Reynolds along with the advice of archaeologist, Will Gilmore, as well as other volunteers plan to repair what they can and continue their work.

Evergreen Savings and Loan merges with Anchor Savings and Loan. Evergreen Savings and Loan's Oregon office opened June 16, l975.

The Madison Sectional Center of the U. S. Postal Service selected Arlen Christensen as the "Best Dressed Carrier" in all of its associated offices. Oregon Post Master, David Schmitt, presented Arlen with the award.

Two OHS students, Jennifer Uphoff and Dawna Wright, drafted a petition addressed to President Reagan which read in part: "For a long time we have been concerned over the build up of nuclear arms. Now we are troubled by your declaration that you will not make concessions towards disarmament at your upcoming summit. We, the undersigned students of the Oregon High School, urge you to disarm now, for our sake, and the sake of world peace." They obtained 98 signatures in two days. The original was sent to the White House and copies to Newsweek and the Madison newspapers.

The OHS football team wins over Sauk Prairie (27-6) giving them a perfect conference record of 6-0 and with it, the Badger Conference Championship. The game was called after the 3rd. quarter because of excessive rain. The Observer noted: "Over thirty straight hours of rain had turned the Oregon football field into a quagmire of mud and slop." From there the team, with an overall record of 9-0, headed to the state playoffs where they lost in the first round to Antigo 27-0.

OHS football players named to the Badger All-Conference first unit team were: Keith Olson, Dan Kissling, Jo Milz, John Stack, Dan Rolfe and Steve Anderson . Dan Kissling also received the honor of being named Wisconsin's Football Player of the Year by the Associated Press.

Three Oregon EMTs, LaVonne Williams, Tim K. Olson, Ann Herritz, received Distinguished Service Awards and Bev Lance, an honorable mention, from the Dane County Department of Emergency Planning and Emergency Medical Services Division.

Area scouts that had recently attained Eagle Scout rank were Erik Blasch, son of Bruce and Barbara Blasch; Greg Hann, son of Mr. and Mrs. Al Hann; and Mike Dean, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marc Dean. They were all members of Boy Scout Troop #168.

10 years ago (2000)
In the 2000 presidential election the Village residents gave the Democratic ticket of Al Gore and Joe Lieberman 2,311 votes, while the Republican ticket of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney received 1,487. The Gore/Lieberman ticket won in the Village of Brooklyn as well as in the Towns of Oregon, Rutland and Dunn.

The Brooklyn Lutheran Church celebrated its 50th. Anniversary. The congregation was organized on April 12, l950 under the direction of Pastor Robert O. Berthelsen with 56 charter members. The baptized membership in 2000 was 225. Richard L. Thickpenny was serving as their pastor.

The OHS boy's basketball team won the Sheboygan South Tournament, defeating Huntley, Ill. 66-51, and the host school Sheboygan South 73-66. Mark Johnson scored a total of 66 points in the two games which included a career high of 34 points in the title game with Sheboygan South.

The Brooklyn teachers performed "Gotta Have Cheese". This was a series of skits given by each of the eight faculty members, illustrating to their students how they needed to use a combination of their "smarts" to solve problems, i.e., "word smarts", "number smarts", etc. Each skit illustrated how a mouse tried to solve the problem of getting cheese off the principal's desk but just couldn't accomplish it by using only one "smart". Those playing the eight mice and big cheese were, Mary Mullen, Jane O'Brien, Linda Daly, Kay Burns, Molly Kilkenny, Marcia Taugher, Kathleen Ciolli, Todd Haydon and Anita Koehler.

The OHS Music Department presented a production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" Cast members included: Tina Knable, Mike Neuenfeldt, Eric Tissot, and Eric Brown.

Parents presented the Oregon School District with a signed petition of more than 450 parents calling for a re-assurance from the district that they will continue to offer the option of half-day kindergarten The School Board assured them they had no intention of eliminating the half day option.

The Village Board delays the rezoning request for Sienna Crest to build an Alzheimer's facility on the corner of Park and Janesville Street. There was concern about the future plans the DOT might have for the Hwy 14 and 138 interchange.

The Oregon School District said farewell to their Japanese guests of the past three weeks. During his stay, Kouchi Nakata and his colleagues shared information about Japanese school life and culture with district students at all levels.