Gary Entz
Commentator - Northwoods Moment in HistoryIn addition to being a historian and educator, Gary R. Entz serves on WXPR's Board of Directors and writes WXPR's A Northwoods Moment in History which is heard Wednesdays on WXPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
After serving six years in the US Navy, he returned to college and earned a B.A. in history from Bethel College, Kansas. He earned an M.A. in history from James Madison University, Virginia, and a Ph.D. ftom the University of Utah. He is the author of "Llewellyn Castle: A Worker's Cooperative on the Great Plains," University of Nebraska Press, 2013. He and his wife Ocie Kilgus have made the Rhinelander area their home since 2009.
-
Cross country skiing, ice hockey, dog sledding, tobogganing, and snow shoeing all have devotees in the Northwoods. At one time, enthusiasts from across several states would come to Rhinelander to compete in organized winter athletic events. -
There have been several NFL players who have gone on to earn a law degree after their time playing football ended, but very few have earned a law degree before playing. Perhaps the first to do so was a player from the Northwoods. He played center, but his life was so much more than NFL football. -
Snowmobiling is as popular today as it has ever been. Snowmobiles are used for work, recreation, and sport. While Eagle River is known for its championship snowmobile derby, it was not so long ago that Rhinelander hosted on of the nation’s premier snowmobile races too. -
Today when people want dairy products they go to a supermarket or convenience store. But in the past dairy products were either delivered directly to an individual home or a shopper went to a creamery store. One of the largest creameries, serving both the Northwoods and the U.P., was in Rhinelander. -
New Year’s Eve celebrations have been going on for a very long time. But as the time of the celebration has shifted over the centuries, one thing that has not changed is the fact that some people must work over the holiday. -
In the 1930s the price of a tree averaged two dollars, which is about thirty-four dollars when adjusted for inflation. This was a lot of money during the Great Depression, which meant that tree theft became a problem. -
Public decorations are part of the holiday tradition in towns and communities across the Northwoods. Streets are gaily decorated, and a community Christmas Tree is put up for all to enjoy. But where did this tradition come from? -
In June 1929, hikers found the charred body of a man near the town of Three Lakes. It was a mystery that led to a flood of speculation and a surprising conclusion. -
Vilas County is named after William Freeman Vilas, who represented Wisconsin in the United States Senate. But there was another man from the Vilas family who had an impact on the Northwoods. Logan Vilas was an adventurer who set several Northwoods firsts. -
Rhinelander was founded as a sawmill town, and in its earliest years little thought was given to the need for a National Guard unit. When one was established, an armory was needed as a storage and training facility. For most of its history, Rhinelander’s armory served as an important community center.
