Strange

February 21, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent

From the same edition as yesterday's entry, comes this industrial looking close-up of the John Strange plant.  Smoke rising in the wintertime from a factory or mill seems to be a well-used trope of the local newspapers to denote strength and vitality in industry.  And, of course, they sometimes produce cool looking photographs.

Banking on Architecture

February 21, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent

An abstract view of the then-new First National Bank on Main Street.  This was excerpted from a Sunday edition touting the Fox Valley's business and industrial additions throughout the past year.  Until I saw this photo, I had forgotten that the bank had an escalator and certainly wasn't aware that it was the valley's only bank to feature one.

Hide-and-Seek

February 22, 1978, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

I remember being dressed in snowsuits like that when I was kid.  It was sort of reminiscent of Ralphie's little brother in A Christmas Story.  One false move, and you're helplessly laying there in the snow like a slug.

Lost Arts

February 8, 1987, Oshkosh Northwestern

When this article was written, the writer made sure to cite the "micro-chip" age and how this type of activity might be strange to today's students.  If he only knew what would come about in the years hence.  Flash forward thirty-one years and this kind of stuff could seem positively prehistoric to today's kids.  Still, I like the idea of showcasing old-time skills to today's youth.  It might even inspire someone to follow up and learn something new.  And who knows?  In my retired future, I might be able to teach students about the old internet arts of using Gopher, Archie, and Usenet.  (Don't worry...only true nerds remember these!)

A Better Day is Coming

February 28, 1975, Appleton Post-Crescent

Your Thursday, slice-of-life mood piece, as the caption writer anthropomorphizes the boats as if they are thinking a better day is coming.  But fans of the cold or not, eventually it's what we all want in the midst of the harsh winter, right?  (Plus, I just wanted to use a big word.)

Trip of a Lifetime

February 14, 1958, Appleton Post-Crescent

If for no other reason than to see the inside of the train station for once, I publish the above photo of the newspaper carriers' trip to Chicago.  For what sounds, from the attached article, as a pretty good time in the Windy City, you'd think somebody might have cracked a smile for the occasion.  But so as to not sound like a snarky blogger, I shall conclude this recitation and just assume the boys had a rollicking good time.

Smile!

February 20, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

With an assignment looking like an early Halloween art project, Menasha students display their understanding of good (and bad) dental hygiene.  Looks like the kids had fun, or else the news photographer was good at getting kids to smile.