The Stanley Area Historical Society will host a book presentation and signing on Sunday, Oct. 26, for the book “Only in Stanley, Wisconsin” by local author Betty Plombon. Attendees will have the chance to meet Plombon and purchase signed copies of her book. She will give a short presentation about the book at 1:30 p.m. The museum opens at 1 p.m.

Following will be an introduction to a new organization in our area, “Quiet Reading Time,” inspired by “Reading Rhythms” in New York City. Stanley-Boyd librarian Katie Burzynski and Stanley-Boyd elementary teacher Lia Campbell have organized it. Katie and Lia will introduce and explain where attendees can quietly read together, followed by discussions. This part of the program will include live background music provided by local chiropractor and musician, Brady Booth.

As for the book “Only in Stanley, Wisconsin,” Plombon shared more on what went into writing it.

“This book is close to my heart, and I’m excited to share it with you. I have been collecting these stories for years, and it is now time to share them with someone,” she said.

The 95-page paperback explores Stanley in the early 1900s, covering topics like: Why were there two Catholic churches in a small town? Stanley’s “Wild Road” to prohibition, efforts to ban Band Music and Sunday Movies, and the brief period of the Ku Klux Klan’s presence in the area. Many other stories are also included.

Drawing from sources including local eyewitness accounts, newspaper reports, county and state records, and the diary of Father Haas at St. Anne’s, “Only in Stanley” explores the early life and untold stories of Stanley at the turn of the twentieth century, a time marked by a population boom. It was the days of saloons, gambling, and bawdy houses. The local one-man police officer requested additional assistance.

Prominently featured in the book is Father Felix Byrne of St. Mary’s, who, along with Pastor Granskou of Our Saviors Lutheran, Evangelist Billy Reid, and others, worked to close down the city’s 12 saloons.

This did not make Father Byrne popular with the local saloon owners, who were the prominent donors to the local church and served on the church board (They were quickly relieved of their duties). Saloons and liquor featured prominently in the split between St. Mary’s and St. Anne’s. The two churches continued to serve from 1902 to 1969, before Holy Family mended the division.

It was the “Drys” versus the “Wets,” a new Civil War in Stanley, sparking everything from letter-writing campaigns in local and regional newspapers to lengthy, heated, and loud speeches before large crowds at the local Opera House, parks, and churches.

Another “dry” pastor in the area, meanwhile, was the Rev. Stanley Szymczak of St. Mary Czestochowa, who received threatening handwritten letters to hang him due to opposing alcohol during Prohibition.

Campaigns to ban Sunday movies and oppose “houses of ill fame” occurred in Stanley’s early years, with local police reportedly earning their “poor salaries” attempting to fight such vice. Newspaper articles quoted by Plombon help to flesh out the stories of these early years in Stanley.

Also included in “Only in Stanley” is a mention of the Great Depression and the time leading up to it, when the KKK came from Indiana and made inroads in Worden, Edson, and Stanley. The Klan presented itself to prospective members as a social club and reform-minded organization, but was shown differently by its actions, which included cross burnings and church invasions.

“It was a social group,” one member of the local Klan replied. “And if you didn’t join, they threatened you.”

Inside its pages, the book contains numerous arrests, including names, as well as interesting and humorous events, such as when Tom Foster was taken to county court and sent back to Stanley with the reply, “Stanley can clean her own dirty linens.”

The book signing for “Only in Stanley” will take place on Sunday, Oct. 26, at the museum. It opens at 1 p.m., with a program about the book at 1:30, followed by a presentation on the new organization, “Quiet Reading Time.”

Stanley-Boyd teacher Lia Campbell shared more on what quiet reading time is about.

“I was traveling this summer and saw the event advertised, but was unable to attend,”Campbell said. “I went to their website to learn more, and it sounded super interesting. I like the premise of the group-low stakes social, prioritizing committed reading. As teachers and librarians, we understand the importance of reading, being role models for our children and students that reading can be done for enjoyment, and we thought we can do this here in Stanley!

“Readers are encouraged to bring their book of the moment, enjoy quiet reading with music provided by Brady Booth and check out Betty Plombon’s new book!”