Fright Fest

October 31, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

As if trick or treating in 1959 wasn't enough, the valley offered several Halloween themed events that year, parties, dances and oh yes, the special movie programs.  Who can forget those schlocky horror films we willingly spent our hard earned nickels and dimes on? 

A Couple of Long-Standing Businesses

October 24, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

After all the changes in the downtown area over the years, these two remain in one form or another.  I remember only too well that giant Gunderson ad painted on the side of the building near the Racine Street Bridge in bright yellow and green paint.  I wish I had a good photo of it right now.

Bear Hunt

October 26, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

I found this photo while routinely combing through the sports pages recently.  To be honest, I was taken aback, expecting the usual football oriented fare on those pages.  After living down in South Carolina for the last 20+ years, I sometimes lose sight of the fact that such hunting continues in dear old Wisconsin.

Library Dedication

October 22, 1898, Menasha Evening Breeze (Library Edition)

Over the years, we've spoken about the original public library many, many times.  But what I bring you today is something truly special.  The above is a reproduction of the first page of a local Menasha newspaper commemorating the dedication of the original public library on Mill Street in 1898.  The newspaper contains remarks from the mayor, M.M. Schoetz, and Mr. Elisha D. Smith, the library's benefactor.  Additionally, you will find a chronology of the library's inception, a floor plan, a short biographical sketch of the first librarian, Miss Lucy Lee Pleasants, and other fascinating information.  I urge you to click the link following or paste it into your browser to peruse this newspaper. There, you can zoom in freely. I cannot reproduce it here as well as at its actual web site, so please visit this site. You won't be disappointed.
https://books.google.com/books?id=R99DLen7cWwC&pg=PA1&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=false

Fire Safety Revisited

October 9, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent

In keeping with Fire Prevention Week, Menasha firefighters did their part back in the day, schooling local children on the hows and whys of fire safety.  National Fire Prevention Week is observed in the US and Canada, during the week (from Sunday to Saturday) in which October 9 falls. In the US, the first Presidential proclamation of Fire Prevention Week was made in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge.  I'm sure some of our readers remember the annual visits of local firefighters and the mandatory fire drills.

Ski Jump Disapproved

March 15, 1963, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

 

Finally, Wisconsin Dells could breathe a sigh of relief...efforts to have our own Tommy Bartlett Water Show on Little Lake Butte des Morts failed this time around.   And no ubiquitous bumper stickers out there touting our water pageant, either. 

Flag Raising

October 12, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

I remember only too well when Gegan was built on Airport Road, as my grandparents lived on that road.  Once again, the lure of construction viewed by this kid from his stingray bike made its siren call.  How could I resist?