Complaint

 May 3, 1924, Menasha Record

The sign in question is pictured below:  

As you can see from the photo, the sign was at the start of Washington Street leading into Menasha, just past Nicolet Boulevard, leading the writer above to complain that it then appeared all of Nicolet Boulevard belonged to Neenah.  

We featured this sign in the Menasha book in 2012, saying at the time that little was known about it and why it was removed, etc.  Since then, I have finally located the following article which gives some insight into its removal:

March 4,1936, Menasha Record

The second to the last paragraph outlines how a vote was taken and the measure won by the vote of 5 to 4 to take down the sign after the scheduled August 1936 American Legion convention held that year.  Attributing concerns to its disrepair and the danger of falling ice from the sign, it looks as if any efforts to win back favor for keeping it up were doomed from the start.  Although I am unsure as to when the sign was originally erected, the writer's letter to the editor dated in 1924 cites the disrepair of the sign, which implies it must have been up there for several years to get into that condition. One day, I will find the entire story of that sign, but until then, it works as a strange but enticing footnote to Menasha history.  

Many thanks to long time blog reader Kris Cowling for reminding me about the sign and inspiring me to further research it.

Vet is Public Opinion

May 31, 1949, Appleton Post-Crescent

This article is a follow-up to last week's news that the 1949 Memorial Day observance would not be a combined Twin Cities affair.  Instead, we got a timely address by a Milwaukee VFW official touting the veteran as a harbinger of public policy, just four years after the end of World War II.  He went on to make other salient points, revealing his belief that public service is a fair trade for all the benefits a citizen could receive and that patriotism begins at home via the parents' influence on their children.  It's good, timeless advice for any era.   

Memorial Day 2023

I repost this every year. 

 

The VFW in 2013 said it well.  I cannot improve on this:

Many Americans have forgotten the true meaning of a holiday that we as veterans hold so close to our hearts. For too many, Memorial Day now signifies nothing more than the start of summer and is celebrated with holiday sales. Trips to the lake and shopping extravaganzas have replaced memorial visits, remembrance ceremonies or simply put, a day to reflect upon all of the luxuries—like freedom—that we as Americans enjoy daily.  

As proud veterans, we know the true meaning of Memorial Day. 

On Memorial Day, we honor our fallen comrades of the United States military in the form of remembrance. And with that, comes a deep sense of appreciation for both their selflessness in protecting the land of the free, and for their sacrifice in ensuring it stays that way. 

Each and every American owes a great debt to the courageous men and women who have given their lives to protect our way of life. While giving back to the extent they deserve is impossible, today, we merely attempt our repayment in the form of remembrance. We dedicate this day to them.

As we go about our activities, we should take the opportunity to not only remember the sacrifices of our fallen and mourn their departure, we should celebrate the spirit with which they served and reflect upon their contributions in making America, truly, the land of the free.

The VFW thanks all service members, veterans and their families for their contributions and service to the United States of America.

Can't We All Get Along?

May 21, 1949, Appleton Post-Crescent

This article proves once again that varying degrees of animosity CAN exist between the Twin Cities, no matter the subject.  But really?  For Memorial Day?  In hindsight, having separate observances was likely the best compromise of all.  

Attractive Annual

May 24, 1930, Oshkosh Northwestern

I think I will pursue finding this yearbook, if it is as handsome as described.  I'm sure I will look it up at the library the next time I'm in Menasha.  I am intrigued at viewing the pictures of the mills within...yearbooks often feature then-current photographs to carry out their theme.  However, I've seen some of those mill pictures so many times I likely could draw them in my sleep!  But a 1930 photo of downtown for example...now that would be an exciting find.  

Caught in the Act

May 24, 1900, Neenah Daily Times

Child labor was generally accepted, especially in the lower classes who needed their child's wages to get by.  Farm labor was always there, what with family farming, but the advent of mechanization in conjunction with factory work in the mid to late 19th century made the allure of using children to do the work, especially in textile mills, almost a necessity for the factory owners' fiscal well-being.  Creation of child labor laws became a movement in the late 19th/early 20th century.  But it wasn't until 1938 that Congress finally passed a child labor law (Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA) that would later be upheld by the Supreme Court.  Up until then, use of child labor had often been justified as an incentive to keep kids off the streets and it also fulfilled the Puritan work ethic that enveloped America.   But anecdotal evidence of children as young as 4 years old being employed pushed child labor activists to work even harder to get laws passed.  I wonder how young the kids at the Wooden Ware were.

Clean-Up, Paint-Up, Fix-Up

May 22, 1944, Menasha Record

So nice of Twin City Building and Loan (later Twin City Savings) to offer its assistance in making our properties more sightly.  There's nothing like utilizing the whole war theme to declare war on everything in sight, to include homeowner neglect.  Seriously though, what's the harm in adding a little paint and hammering a few nails to fix a loose "something?"  Besides, it merits something productive in the end while also distracting us the smallest bit from worrying about Junior over in the Pacific Theater.  

Free Dishes!

May 10, 1944, Menasha Record

As America was in the throes of World War II, entertainment continued to be geared to patriotic and inspirational movies as evidenced here as well as pure escapism.  Hollywood was happy to provide a shot in the arm to motivate Americans at home to continue their victory gardens and scrap drives, knowing that victory was to be theirs one day soon.  Bargain prices and gift premiums like the aforementioned "free dishes" were certain to keep the movie houses full and satisfy the patrons' desire for value for their buck.  

Lunch

May 3, 1948, Menasha Record

This ad brings up many questions.  So, is the "business man's lunch" a thing?  Like a special?  A specific sandwich or entree?  Or is it just the opportunity for a businessman to have lunch?  And why separate "business" and "man?"  Isn't it "businessman?" And sometimes it's the "Hotel Menasha" and other times it's the "Menasha Hotel."  Was that a function of the changing ownership?  Or just whatever was convenient?  Whatever the case, our illustrated businessman, or business man, is certainly pleased with either the waitress or the wonderful foods being set before him.  Or, maybe he's just a naturally happy-go-lucky guy who's got Menasha by the tail and knows his way around a boardroom.  And in this ad, a lunchroom. (I think I've gotten my snarky points out of the way for today, thank you very much.)

A Future

May 18, 1948, Menasha Record

Despite the war having ended less than three years before, there was still a draft to be concerned about by able-bodied young men fresh out of high school.  And rather than have the Army pick a trade for you, why not go in voluntarily and have a choice in the matter?  Recruiters stationed upstairs in the Menasha post office had just that idea in mind.  

A Funny Sight

 

May 20, 1905, Neenah

With baseball in full swing, we get a reminder about how much baseball was a part of the fabric of America during the early 20th century, so much so that even special arrangements would be entertained so the home team had a place to play.  In this case, Menasha does Neenah a favor by allowing the use of its ballpark. 

The idea of the Boston Bloomers coming to play the Neenah team later in the season was intriguing so I found this photo of the team.  Evidently, they barnstormed around the country and played exhibitions with the local team.  With the prevailing mores of the time, the article saying it would be a "funny sight" to see the women play says a lot about women's roles in society.  I wonder what the audience for this exhibition would think if they could see women's sports one hundred years hence.  I'm sure their mouths would have dropped to the ground.

Highly Recommended

 May 4, 1915, Menasha Record

Now, who can argue with "physicians and boards of health" about the importance of sterilizing  one's clothes while pressing them?  Why, one might as well argue against the logic of washing one's hands!  I tell you, advertisers in the early twentieth century had no shortage of interesting claims.  

Happy Mother's Day Revisited

May 17, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

I trust all the moms out there had a successful (and hopefully) restful day to themselves.  Today's entry harkens back to the Mom of the year contests put on in the 60's by the Menasha Business Associates.  We first encountered Mrs. Wanty in this post, which highlighted her and the other candidates seeking votes for this grand honor: https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/05/happy-mothers-day.html  I was told once that there is no harder or more gratifying job than being a mother.  I believe it.  Love to all the moms out there.

Holding the Key

                                                                     

May 9, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

We've shopped this store before.  It "held the key" for all our gift-giving needs and holidays, be it Easter or Halloween or Mother's Day.  Let's hope you have your Mother's Day plans in order, as the day is fast approaching.  To all you mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day!!

The Old Ball Game

 

May 20, 1899, Appleton Post-Crescent

Menasha fans were crying in their respective beers after this showing.  But I just love the language of 1899, referring to the Menasha team as "ball tossers" and remarking that Appleton " gained some good practice."   Not the usual sports banter in a sports report we've become accustomed to, which would actually highlight the action.  Having the score by innings was nice but a little more info would have been helpful...maybe a traditional box score?  

Miss Lonelyhearts?

May 9, 1908, Menasha Record

While it isn't fair to label this as a "Miss Lonelyhearts" type of column, it comes close in that it seems to deal with affairs of the heart, be them successful or, as is the case in many of the anecdotes related here, largely unresolved and unrequited.  (I'll have to look into further issues to see what the winner of the gentlemen's popularity contest gets besides notoriety.  And in Menasha, that might have been enough.)

Trolley Surprise

May 15, 1912, Menasha Record

Conducted either in the interests of time or, perhaps, novelty, comes this innovative idea for a prospective bride.  One wonders about the reactions of the other riders at the sight of this celebration.  Considering the decidedly stricter mores of the time, one hopes that they were convivial.

A Grand Musical Tour

May 15, 1978, Twin City News-Record

Spring is a good time for the schools to allow their students to let their hair down, so to speak, and unleash originality and creativity for the public's consumption.  I'm sure there were many proud parents and relatives in the audence when this crew crooned for their families from the St.John stage.

The Winner

March 30, 1961, Twin City News-Record

After commenting on the third place winner of this contest yesterday, I felt compelled to include the overall first place winner.  More good sentiments towards making a better Menasha.  

Words to Ponder

May 2, 1961, Twin City News-Record

Please take a few minutes and read the essay above from the "How to Make Menasha a Better Place in Which to Live" contest.  It reads as if it could have been written today...or at any time during the last 62 years!  I bring this up, not to criticize the city, but rather to show that things do not necessarily change, despite calls for it, year after year.  It reminds me of that old trope about the writer saying that: “Children; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. They no longer rise when elders enter the room, they contradict their parents and tyrannize their teachers. Children are now tyrants.”   And then it is revealed that it was written by Socrates in 470 BC.  I think my generation was branded with similar comments in the 60's and 70's as well.

Whatever your views on Menasha are, it will always be a work in progress, just like any other city.  And no amount of griping or Neenah envy will help make it better.  With the city's sesquicentennial right around the corner, we would do well to take stock of what is good about Menasha and build upon that foundation and take pride in what we have achieved over the last 150 years.

Southpaw Pitcher

The 1952 baseball card for Dave Koslo.  We've talked about Dave in past blog posts, how he is the namesake of the Menasha ballpark and how he worked with my father later in his way too brief life at Banta's.  And as with many big leaguers of his time, he lost three years of his professional baseball career while serving in World War II as a paratrooper stationed in France.  Though his career ended before I was even born, I still knew of and about him my entire life.  Dave ended his career in 1955 played for the then-Milwaukee Braves. 

Some notable facts about Dave Koslo:  On April 18, 1947,he gave up Jackie Robinson's first major league home run, hit in the third inning.  

He was the National League ERA champion in 1949 with New York. 

He was the winning pitcher in the opening game of the 1951 World Series and the losing pitcher of its final game.

For his career, he compiled a 92–107 record in 348 appearances, with a 3.68 ERA and 606 strikeouts.

A Tale of a Pail

 

We've covered a lot of this in previous posts, but the above is a 1931 trade ad for pails manufactured by the Menasha Wooden Ware.  Pails were made until the late 1950s, and the Wooden Ware eventually became the Menasha Corporation.  Pails and kegs and other wooden storage containers went the way of the dinosaur as the industry discovered new ways to do shipping, in particular, the corrugated carton.  This linked post from 2012 shows the group of men who were, indeed, the last of the pail makers:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/07/last-of-pail-makers.html

May Day

 May 2, 1967, Twin City News-Record

While I don't understand the reference to Jim Deach, a DJ at WNAM, I can appreciate the May Pole on this, the first day of the month of May.  Perhaps Mr. Deach questioned the Fox Valley as to whether this activity happened anymore?