FREE PRESS MESSENGER AMERY
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SPORTS: Girls basketball ends in second round of playoffs PAGE 22
Marko makes COUNTRYstate-wrestling history Paulson wins second state title, team takes third overall
the process, the dynamic duo led a Serving Marine-on-St. Insquad Croix, May Township of sixScandia, to a 3rd-place team finish BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The 2015-16 wrestling season will be one of legend for Amery High School as the Warriors stamped their place in state history. The power-packed Warriors spent the majority of the season ranked No. 3 in the WIAA Division 2 state team rankings and boasted two returning state champions. Both champs reclaimed their glory of the year before and one joined an even more elite crowd, becoming just the 14th Wisconsin high school wrestler ever to win four state championships.
at the 2016 WIAA Division 2 Individual State Wrestling Championships. After winning his fi rst state title as a 106-pound freshman, Hunter Marko has been on the radar of wrestlers, coaches and wrestling enthusiasts around the state as the man to beat. And over his next 105 matches, only two ended with him drawing the short straw. This season, as a senior, Marko’s record was flawless. Marko entered the 2015 state championships with a 33-0 record and
SENTINEL BURNETT COUNTY
son Eye Clinic. That was nearly 47 years ago. “There was a real shortage of dentists. And we saw so many people, it was just difficult. Some of them would just walk in the front door with a toothache. And the philosophy back then was that if they showed up, we took care of them. Some days were long and tiring,” he says, explaining the physical demands of leaning over patients all day. He continues, ”It wasn’t all that rewarding to see people who wouldn’t come back regularly.” Bob has seen a lot of changes over the years, many in equipment and materials. He says things are stronger now, and more aesthetic. When asked if he can tell when people haven’t flossed regularly, he says people are usually honest with him about that. But he’s not on the front lines either. “I wouldn’t notice because usually the hygiene people see them first. It may have been horrible to start, but by the time I get there, it’s not.”
COUNTY ST FREE
ISANTI-CHISAGO
JESSICA DE LA CRUZ|AMERY FREE PRESS
THE SUN Dr. Bob Johansen sits at the desk he made for his Dental Arts office. Johansen officially retired this week after nearly 47 years in Amery, and looks forward to doing more woodworking, traveling and spending time with his grandaughters. BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Believe it or not, Amery dentist Bob Johansen has a hard time coming up with something he doesn’t like about his work. At
least, not that he would share. “The hardest times were when I first came,” he says. He was just 26 when he started working as a dentist. His office was across the street from Dental Arts, in the building that’s now Christopher-
ERIC PAULSON
Hunter Marko celebrates after winning his championship match in Madison Saturday night.
SEE WRESTLERS ON PAGE 18
Dr. Johansen retires after 46 years of smiles FREE
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Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
SEE DENTIST ON PAGE TWO
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The Scoop on DQ Wisconsin’s first Dairy Queen FREE begins a new chapter BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
R
Rumor has it our local Dairy Queen has changed hands. And the rumor would be true. Anyone who’s driven by the Amery Dairy Queen recently has seen a lot of activity, but no ‘hot eats’ or ‘cool treats’ to be found. Not yet. Amery has the distinction of being home to Wisconsin’s very first Dairy Queen, which SEE TREATS ON PAGE TWO
JESSICA DE LA CRUZ|AMERY FREE PRESS
Amery Dairy Queen was recently purchased by three Minnesota men. They look forward to opening in late March or early April. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 33, 2222
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Changing Lives ... One Smile At A Time We are always accepting new patients and same day appointments are generally available
Dr. Heather Marks Dr. Rollyn Lee Phone: 715-268-2103 Fax: 715-268-7729 www.river-place-dental.com
1030 River Place Drive Amery, WI 54001
The Area’s Laser Dental Experts NEWS 715-268-8101 editor@theameryfreepress.com
1030 River Place Drive
ADVERTISING PUBLIC NOTICES P.O. Box 106 715-268-8101 715-268-8101 phumpal@theameryfreepress.com phumpal@theameryfreepress.com Amery, WI 54001
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