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Hodag Pride
Posted 12/31/1969
Rhinelander Hometown Pride The Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce along with WXPR public radio and other agencies have begun "Hodag Hometown Pride". The campaign is designed to show why Rhinelander is a great place to live, work and play. As part of Leadership Oneida County activities, WXPR News Director Ken Krall has recorded several interviews with people who are Hodags through and through. Those interviews include: Todd McEldowney, a former teacher and long-time radio sports voice of the Hodags sports teams; Mayor Dick Johns who has lived most of his life in the city; and Betty Helgeson, another Rhinelander native who worked many years for the Rhinelander Daily News. Dave Havel, a local Rhinelander businessman, talks about the huge effort it took to move Rhinelander's symbol to where it stands today at the Chamber of Commerce; Cathy Steffen, a teacher and Rhinelander native whose father got to know the Hodag's originator, Gene Shepard, quite well, perhaps too well. For Bob Hasal, living in Rhinelander is a little bit of heaven right here on Earth. Bob grew up in New York city. He met his wife, a native of Rhinelander, and in 1996 they decided to move here. Bob compares living in the Big City of New York and the virtues of Rhinelander. WXPR will have more stories on the website over the coming weeks, including some accounts of the activities of Gene Shepard, the originator of the Hodag. Suggestions for stories may be dropped off or mailed to the Chamber, or you can email them at rhinelanderchamber.com. Best stories are eligible for a monthly $10 Chamber gift certificate.
