A Valley Fair Summer

June 1, 1963, Appleton Post-Crescent

The marketing director for Valley Fair sure knew what he was doing when he set up this schedule.  Talk about something for everyone!  The mall, in those days, almost acted as a convention center would nowadays, what with varied and topical events happening almost every week.  And we took advantage of it all, too.  It was a special time.

Memorial Day

 

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.

Daily Press

Menasha Press Office, 1898

February 11, 1974, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

 

I know I've mentioned it before but there is a lot of great historical information out there just free for the taking.  Case in point, this wonderful "souvenir" edition of the June 1898 Menasha Press which gives a terrific snapshot of the city in that year.  As the article above states, it was part promotional tool as well as descriptive in nature.  There are many period illustrations and photographs as well.  This newspaper pre-dates George Banta's publishing business and touts him as a local insurance man, with only a mere mention of the side printing business he utilized for his insurance company needs.  City benefactor Elisha D. Smith would, later that year, donate the public library to the city in October.  And the Spanish-American War was in full swing, so patriotic fervor for that crisis was evident. 

All in all, it is a nice primer of the city in 1898 and is available at the following link:

http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=header;pview=hide;id=WI.MLHSouvenir

I heartily endorse it.  Happy weekend!

Safe Bike Award

May 24, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

I just ran across this news item, which relates to a story I told in 2013:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/07/safety-winners.html.  I won this award, later that magical summer in July.  I always wondered why the tickets were to the Neenah Theater instead of the Brin, which was still operating.

Superb Dining

October 1, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent

It's been a while since we had any mention of the Left Guard.  I ran across this ad and was taken by the reference to the 1000 Yard Room.  It reminded me of all those 1000 Yarder banquets in the 1960's that were held in our own little hometown, to honor the leading rushers of the National Football League with little press coverage.  Except for, perhaps, newspapermen in attendance and maybe a quick interview on a Green Bay TV sports cast, they were low key affairs.  Can you imagine anything like that happening today, when ESPN sees fit to hold its own award show for athletic achievement in a gigantic venue with superstars from all media in attendance?  No sir, those days are long gone.

Government Land Office

Here's a "found" piece of history, a cancelled envelope from the government land office when it was headquartered down on Broad Street.  It lasted until 1893, as evidenced below by the proclamation compiled in the Annual Report of the Commissioner of the US general Land Office for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1894.

Daily Sleeper

July 3, 1937, Oshkosh Northwestern

In the age of railroad travel, how convenient it must have been to fall asleep in Neenah and awaken in Chicago in time for breakfast.  And that air conditioning, what a lifesaver in the hot summertime!  At the time, the depot in Neenah was between Sherry and Main Streets.