Police Ban

October 18, 1932, Menasha Record

I wish there had been more detail about this crime, but one can infer the seriousness of the crime.  From the sound of it, it appears Menasha's youngsters were doing more than just hitting the back of the girl's head in front of them in the classroom.  This smacks of hiding in the shadowy recesses of Main Street and attacking our innocent citizens.  If it was so, the Chief's actions were totally justified.  But he should have been careful because of the old dictum: if pea shooters are outlawed, then only outlaws will have pea shooters.

Swing Bridge

This plaque pretty much tells the tale of the swing bridge that preceded the original four tower bridge on Tayco Street that we all grew up with.  Here's a photo of the bridge, though the profile featured on the plaque above gives a better view of its scale: https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/06/tayco-street-swing-bridge.html

Drag Me Down

 October 11, 1975, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Well, it's Fall now and it's about time for that annual rite...homecoming floats, football games, dances, and other activities.  The fashions and hair styles may change from photos like this from year to year, but the fun is always there and the memories that follow close behind.  Such fond memories.

Leaping Lena

 

September 29, 1925, Menasha Record

Made down the road in Fond du Lac by the Bonita Candy Company, the Leaping Lena bar gets the first class ad treatment by the Record, complete with a comic strip which were in their heyday about this time.  This is an intriguing confection; you just don't see that many candy bars that involve cherries.  For the record, the Bonita Candy company was sold to the Ziegler Candy Company of Milwaukee in 1953 and the bar was manufactured there presumably until that company folded in 1972.  Undoubtedly if you were in Menasha at this time, you'd have found this bar in the local pharmacies and candy stores.  

Trying Their Luck

September 29, 1981, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Engaging in a favorite pastime before the seasons change too drastically is the watchword here.  Yes, there'll be further fishing once the snows come and the lake freezes, but it'll be a different experience, perhaps even not to their liking.  So, let the summer weather die away a little slower, let the days go by not so fast, and let us enjoy as much as we can.  Time is running out, but I think we can squeeze in a few more sessions.  

Highland Fling

September 2, 1913, Oshkosh Northwestern

Earning the admiration of everyone south to Oshkosh, our Miss Brooks performs the dignified dance, not the unvarnished scandalous ones enjoined by the younger set.  Befitting her national costume, this young lass has captured the imagination of the social set who wished to revert back to some degree of dignity and decorum, or so they thought.  For is it not true that every generation has its squawkers and Henny Pennies who decree the sky is falling in a scandalous manner?  One's thoughts must now wander to the next decade, and one can only imagine the angst brought upon by "The Roaring Twenties"--  punctuated by flivvers, flappers, and fur coats.

Holdup!

September 6, 1913, Oshkosh Northwestern

Crime was afoot in Menasha as this poor bartender was waylaid by assailants.  In spite of the ensuing violence, he was lucky to retain his money.  The mention of "sensational occurrences of the last few nights" makes me want to do some more digging as to what is being referred to there.  A crime spree?  Stay tuned.

Teen Problems

 September 30, 1981, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Menasha students tell it like it is about the problems of the time.  Not to downplay the dynamic between student and parent, but a lot of this boiled down to common sense, Parenting 101, as it were.  Taking an interest, making a stand, keeping kids busy, and establishing trust between parent and student went a long way towards a smooth experience with one's teen.  Drinking and vandalism seemed to be the problems of the day in 1981.  In many later years, the rise of bullying would enter the fray, especially fueled by the advent of cell phones, computers, and social media.  But for now, in 1981, those problems are miles away.  Bullying still existed (who didn't see a kid's lunch money pilfered by a bully?) but not to the degree to which it later escalated.

Cool, Clean Water

September 3, 1981, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

We, at the blog, have enjoyed this view many times over the years.  Be them young or old, singles or groups, they've all enjoyed the fresh drinking water available from that old pump on Second and Manitowoc for oh, so many years.  It was almost a rite of passage to stop for a drink.  We lament its passing but revel in the memory of those hot summer bike rides, capped off with the best drink in town.  

Parents' Day

 
September 25, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Proud parents get their due during this game.  It isn't much, but still a nice gesture to honor those Moms and Dads who support their kids throughout the lengthy sports seasons.  Most would likely forego the attention they get on days like this; the event is probably designed more for the kids than for their parents, to be honest.  And in case you didn't realize this was the 60's, observe all the suits and dresses adorning the parents.  Not a flip flop or tank top in sight.

Grow 'Em Big

 September 4, 1964, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Taking his cue from the famous painting American Gothic, Mr. Berndt does his best impression of that work, sans pitchfork and daughter (most people think it's the farmer's wife, by the way).  Gardening has always found its way, especially in the realm of county and state fair competitions, to feature extra large vegetables, so why should Menasha miss out on the fun?  Besides, it gives our local hero bragging rights and makes for a fun photo in a Friday edition of the paper.

Labor Day Fun

 September 2, 1986, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Leave it to me to let time go by and forget to show any Twin Citians having fun over Labor Day.  Today, we go back some 35 years in time to seek our fun at the end of summer.  Sure, the bulk of the activities might have been held in Neenah but you know you went.  

Big Game

September 28, 1925, Menasha Record

In light of yesterday's less than optimal result to the Packers game, I bring this item to you today, a much better result, as published in the Menasha Record in 1925.  As big as the Packers and the game of football are right now, it's hard to imagine a time when one had to explain that the Packers and Bears were members of an organization called the National Football League.  Granted the league had only been formed some five or six years before and the membership was rife with teams from the likes of Canton, Duluth, and Pottsville, but then, Green Bay isn't exactly Chicago or Detroit either.  

Packer Game Special

 September 11, 1964, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

While this gastronomical feast is all well and good, nothing is stated about being able to view the actual game during these hours.  Granted, it was 1964 and television and the NFL had particular rules about sell-outs and broadcasts, so a home game viewing was unheard of. Prior to 1973, all games were blacked out in the home city of origin and on any TV stations located within 75 miles of the team's home city, regardless of whether they were sold out. And as for away games, the idea of a television in a restaurant dining room was something unheard of anyway, aside for the local corner tavern.  So the expectation was likely low for this to happen.  Still, hubby might be able to curry favor with his best girl during the game by taking her out to eat.  So, in the end, the game might have been a minor consideration by this time in his planning. 

The Menasha Way

 September 30, 1941, Menasha Record

You just have to love the emotional notes the editor threw into this editorial about boys' baseball possibly being cancelled.  And a big hallelujah to the eleventh hour rescue by the mayor, the city council, and various service clubs and organizations banding together to somehow "go to bat" for the affected youth across the city, to keep them in "...activities that will keep boys on vacation clean and honest in their pursuit of recreation."  It is reminiscent of how baseball was described in the movie, Field of Dreams: "It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again."  Heartwarming stuff, indeed.

War Efforts

 

                                                                            September 20, 1943, Menasha Record

Browsing the old newspaper from the World War II era made me stop and think about how we were so united in fighting that war.  The representative ads shown above don't even scratch the surface in regards to what was actually done.  Yes, we have those stock images of the "Rosie the Riveter" archetype and the gas rationing, victory gardens, bond drives, etc.  All very quaint to us today, but people were really into it.  Contrast that unity to now with all the discord we read about everyday over something like wearing a mask or getting vaccinated and I fear we can never go back to a united front over anything in this country.  Early in the pandemic, I recall public service ads on TV telling us all that we were all in this together.  Well, that certainly didn't seem to pan out, didn't it?  

I'm reminded of a quote attributed to football coach Lou Holtz, who said, " In the nineties, everybody wants to talk about their rights and privileges.  Twenty-five years ago, people talked about their obligations and responsibilities."  And by extension, you can relate this to every day people today who, by and large, seem to be all wrapped up in themselves rather than in how they fit into the grander scheme of things with their fellow man.  Caring is out the window; it's now, what's in it for me?  The whole thing makes me rather sad.  

The Tayco Street Merchants

September 21, 1925, Menasha Record

At one time, Tayco Street was a booming business district that threatened to rival the downtown Main Street area. In the 19th century, a wagon bridge crossed Little Lake Butte des Morts and entered Menasha just down Water Street.   For a quarter-century it allowed farmers easier access to the flour mills in the Twin Cities.  Area merchants welcomed selling them supplies for the return trip back to their farms. Except for a short time about 1856, when the bridge was damaged by a steamboat en route upstream, the bridge functioned well into the mid-1870s, when the wood began to deteriorate and it was abandoned.  The Koch building, built in 1882, and which still stands, was constructed with faith that the bridge would be rebuilt, but it never was.  As a result, trade in the Tayco Street area languished until the early 20th century when further efforts were made to improve the area, to include construction of the Brin Building around 1928.  This ad precedes that building date, but shows the dedication to renewing the image of Tayco Street.  I am sure the addition of the Brin was thought to help "seal the deal" on this retailing rebirth.  There's more on the Koch building:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2018/05/koch-building-revisited.html

Labor Day Festivities

September 1, 1906, Menasha Record

Aside from a few typos, the meaning comes through.  This was the weekend the Nicolet Monument was dedicated in the midst of a statewide archaeological convention held in Menasha.  The monument is portrayed below in the postcard.  Since that date though, the monument has been renovated at some point to eliminate the part about the savages and reduced the number of steps up to the rock from six to four.  

September 1, 1906, Menasha Record

After the convention, a congratulatory letter was published in the Record, praising the Menasha women for their wonderful presentation of the monument.

September 20, 1906, Menasha Record

Coming Through

 September 20, 1983, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

We leave this week with a unique picture.  To me, this photo just about sums up Menasha- a city located on the water with numerous outdoor recreation opportunities and a historic downtown and (1 of 2) iconic draw bridges.  

Have a great Labor Day holiday.  I'll be back on September 7th.  See you then!  

Step Right Up!

                                                          September 12, 1985, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

My old kindergarten gives the public just what they've been craving...a circus!  And while I think the kids got more out of this than anyone else, what a thrill to dress up and parade around, something usually saved for the likes of Halloween or a Christmas pageant.  And a great shot of the Tudor exterior of the Jefferson school building.  

Get Distinguished

September 6, 1923, Menasha Record

The Bank of Menasha weighs in on staying in school, citing government statistics that predict what I can only interpret as their idea of success, using the word "distinguished" in its place.  Perhaps the word used was in more favor in the 1920's as opposed to now.  But still, the bank has its heart in the right place: success is bound to follow when one has more education under one's belt.