Gas War Ends and Tiny Tots Lost

September 7, 1963, Appleton Post-Crescent

In our "things you'd never see today" department...on the day in 1963 comes news of the end of the local gas war in the Twin Cities, but our attention is also drawn to the story of the lost Kimberly boys locked in the gas station bathroom.  What is so shocking to today's sensibilities is not that such a thing happened but that the kids were three years old and left pretty much on their own to make their way to a day camp at a local junior high school.  Today, the parents would be charged with child abuse and the kids taken away for a very long time.  But this is 1963 and we're a long ways from the present day.  So, it ends with a happy ending- reunited families, a heavy sigh of relief, and many thanks to the neighbors who helped in the search for the kids.  What a change. 

We've Enlarged Our Store!

September 24, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent

Just in time for your Halloween planning comes the newly remodeled and enlarged Anderson's Coins and Novelties with costume rentals and wigs and masks.  And if that doesn't meet your needs, perhaps a pack of pepper chewing gum or chattering false teeth will make your day brighter.  The dribble glass is always a classic.

A Bit Late for Labor Day

August 28, 1958, Appleton Post-Crescent

A Labor Day advertisement, albeit a tad late, this fine graphic uses the minimalist 1950's style I've come to love to denote sophistication and a contemporary feel.  I am particularly enamored by the script address at the bottom and the two-tone effect of Mr. Resch's name and the word "liquor."  Whereas today's local liquor retailer is on the east end of Main Street, Resch's held ground on the west end, where Tayco meets Main, across from the old Brin theater.

Charter

June 19, 1953, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

From the era of Menasha's centennial celebration in 1953 comes this interesting translation of the city's name as "horn."  I had not heard that one before.  Usually, Menasha is attributed to mean "island" or "the settlement on the island."   But of late, I've seen many references on the internet claim the name means "thorn."  Or is "horn" a typo here and the writer meant "thorn?" 

Neenah History Lesson

June 17, 1962, Appleton Post-Crescent

Back in July, we published a similar feature on Menasha's history::  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2017/07/history-lesson.html. Today, I am fulfilling my promise of a similar look at Neenah. The theme of this piece is "water," right down to settling on the city's name due to a miscommunication with the locals.  As the writer describes it, water WAS the life-blood of the town, making it possible for its industries to blossom and evolve. 

Summer's Last Day

August 1, 1980, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

On this, the last official day of summer, let us return back for a moment when it coaxed us out to hit a few balls, swim a few laps, or bask in the glory of the long sunny days.  Autumn is upon us, and though that season, too has its joys, it is only a transitory state, as we hasten towards the long winter months ahead. 

Exciting Days

November 11, 1966, Appleton Post-Crescent

Though this talk was largely oriented towards Oshkosh's history with its many saw mills, one can easily see the connection between the activities described here and the end products required by Menasha's factories.  For many years, logs were floated down stream on the Fox for eventual use by the Menasha Wooden Ware and other businesses along the river.