Hide Article Text (OCR)
Mny91 197S Doily Northwestern.nt safety building conceptird Mrs. Aarons said the committee rec-•ill ommended that the County Board and nd City Council appoint a Joint committee its that Mould determine the following:What savings will be by sharing vi- Joint city-county safely building.W- Preliminary estimate of the cost off * operation of the building and the compilation of shared formula ratio to be at used in city and county payments, ce Study of staffing of sheriff’s drpart-to ment and City of Oshkosh police so that manpower nreds can be projected.To determine future requirements of the Judicial system — space and staff required.The committee recommended that bolh the county and city provide funds in Ihelr 1976 budgets for hiring of consultants. one doing a management consultation on building needs and the other tabulate information and develop a program for the facility.Assuming wc find an acceptable site.” said Mrs. Aarons “we could be hi the position, by Oct. 1. 1976. of letting bids for construction of the facll-ily.”The joint committee was created be-cause of inadequacy of the Juvenile de-tentlon facility In the Jail and non-conformance of the county Jail itself with existing state jail codes.Bolh the dty police and sheriff's department see a need in the near future Tor more space. The committee indicated that housing the two departments in one building might create more efficient and economical operation.‘Grandma’ Vajgrl with two of bar boysMrs. Mary Vajgrt of Oshkosh embonders while ton, and Loren Grahn of Randolph, Mrs. Vojgrf,relaxing with two young men who have lived in 72, has had «ven hearing impaired boys osher home as part of th# public schools' hearing boarding students in her home in the post 14impaired program: RorkJy Polfuss, left, of Prince- years. —Northwestern photoLife full for 'Grandma'V By JUDY BUSSELLy NorthweMrra SUfl Writert Chef th* past H vcBrS, seven fteir-I tng impaired boys have called heri ''Grandma.11 she'll he 73 in August, but is peppy;: cheerful, used ui hard work, and “new. cr Ids up.”She l* Mf». Maty Vajgrt. 812 W. Sixth Ave., a widow, mother of four - sons.- grandmother of. 12.: and a- sOOO to? be greatgrandmother ’*. - • ■ Slice: SttUffibeT bf 1961. .'after- her husband: Fred. died. Mrs. Vajgrt has been a Minting home parent in the Oshkosh - public schools’ program/for the deaf and Hearing impaired, presently upiTalcd id Cooperation with ihe Winnebago County Department of Social Service*.”1 was t» young for Social Security when my hUsbatid died, and 1 knew I had to get something to do. Through my neighbor. Mrs. John Schroeder. who was in the boarding h*ftte program at that time. I became interested in this aild she let the school system know I was available. Mrs. Vajgrt explained.When they asked me if I wanted a boy or a girl. 1 said '1 grew up with boys — 1 bad four brothers (and a half-sister) — and I can understand them better.’ 1 had to be able 10 do what Ihe boys were doing to have companionship on the farm on which we lived When I was younger. she added.She also had ibe experience of rearing Bob ami Dick (her surviving twins from triplets). Don. and Hon. All are married, with Dick living in Fori Washington and her other sons In Oshkosh. where Bob plays the organ at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.She has had boarding home students ages 5 to 14 slay In her home Monday through Friday since Brian Bies of Two Rivera ramc to live with her in 1961. Tbc young man who stayed the longest. Loren Grahn of Randolph, came in September of 1964 and is Mill with her Although he graduated from high school. Loren wanted to stay on for room and board after he began working at Dura-Products. Inc.. Nec-nah.I-oren has been a ’brother’ to the other boys, add has been A Big help. Mrs. Vajgrl said Also with Mr this year b Rand.V Polfuss of Princcloh. who will graduate from Oshkosh Nofth High School June 4. Rafldv haS been With her since September. Ifififh and is presently-^emptoyed part-time at the Oshkosh Post OfficeAil Ihe boys called me 'Grandma.'■ -For Lccen. U-WIS a new ward .because -’Ins’Grandma was .always called’ •Grandmother ’ LVhcfl He got a Job in Nemah.he wanted to remain here and said he was ’going back home to OniHUnr-. Mrs. Vajgrt slated.. Grandma” says she’s graduating this vfir, because it is her last yer In. the program. Marjory Charlton. county1 fttckal Worker, said: Usually 70 is the Age limit lor boarding home parents, bill We got special permission to continue with Mary because She did such a gedd job. Randy's parents always stmt dfld said they wanted Mary to continue so Randy could stay here.Mrs. Vajgrt said the boys she’s had have had various' degrees 61 hearing impairment. Some could communicate fairly well, others, when they arrived, had little speech.” She said being with them a long time helps, and we also do a lot of yakking at the table be’ fore We do dlSlUs. I Aren has helped me with some of the boys becftttse he could interpret what they were trying to say.”‘•They weren’t always UUght sign language, but they’re starting that again in the schools, and Mr. Thomas (Dave Thomas. North teacher) uses both oral and sign language. They were Just leaching lip reading, and the boys are very good at that.’* Mrs. Vajgrt said.. 5he feels trying to explain the meaning of words with no tangible aignifi-canoe is must difficult because you can’t poiM to something and explain where to use H In a sentence. The big-gest pnfclem for lhc boys is making sentences — kbowlng where to put thcac words — and a dictionary doesn’t help them ooc bit.”Part af Grandma's success is knowing how to handle kids: Youmake a rule and stlfk With it, or else )Wre IMI.”When ode high school student fame In M 2 a.m. ofle day. Mary and MM of the other parents met With the social worker and set up a Code of Conduct to ail boarding hdrfie high schoolers would he under the same rules. .. Loren still Tells me where he*« go-• Uis and how late he’ll -be. md he’B 21! He,wasn't quite 10 whed- l got hitn. Rindy. Who'S 18. left artvovie before U was over one night becMlse.be knew he had to be home by 18 p.m.. I told him it wasn't necessary to leave the movie before II endul,” Mrs, Vajgrt noted:' Both Loren Ami Handy have bought ears, and Mrs, Vajgrt mliae* the morning visits she u*ed to have with Hatidy’s mother after he «u driven in lo schoolThe Vajgrt grandchildren have learned a lot in associating with, children With hearing handicap*, and some have been able m cdmmunicatequite well by making the hearing impaired children look at them while' they were speaking or reading, according lo Mrs. Vajgrl.I’ve enjoyed these years ol working with these boys, and I think I’ll miss not having boys, but I’m so thankful I’m able '.o do what 1 atn.”.Mf.v Vajgrt commented. *. .-■ ;Her doing includes keeping busy with my hands from 5:90 a.m. until she goes to bed. ami I'm the last one to bed In the neighborhood. She’* always sewing, and her hobby is making all her grandchildren clothing for their birthdays. One Christinas she also made ’’between 15 and 18 pairs of pajamas” for gift*.She likes to camp with her family, and join in their smgafongs. And there are always big events: birthday*, baptisms, first communions, graduation* My calendar Is always marked up. Whenever there is any activity. I go! /Grandma is also used to calls trora the family when she Is aaked: Are you available? We need a shepherd for the kids. Fortunately. I have my children all dose by. I feel sorry for poiplc who don’t have anybody.” Mrs. Vajgrt said.Lakeflies, parking
Newspaper Details
Neenah Menasha Northwestern
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, US
Wed, May 21, 1975
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Badgerlink
WI, USA 21 Apr 2017
Other Publications Near Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh Daily Northwestern
Oshkosh Gazette
Oshkosh Enterprise
Oshkosh Early Dawn
Neenah Menasha Northwestern
