Company E

April 30, 1967, Appleton Post-Crescent

We first met these veterans back in 2012 when they had a fifty year reunion: http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/11/world-war-i-veterans-reunion.html.  The Common Council at that time saw fit to plan a special ceremony to honor these vets with the approach of the fiftieth anniversary of them being called into service. 

Get the Habit

April 27, 1968, Appleton Post-Crescent

Mainstay of Valley Fair and Fox Point for years.  I was always curious about the "broasted" chicken.  Apparently it is a trademarked process, available only to licensed restaurants.  As it turns out, broasting is a method of cooking chicken and other foods using a pressure fryer and condiments, a technique invented by a Mr. L.A.M. Phelan in the early 1950s and marketed by the Broaster Company of Beloit, Wisconsin, which Phelan founded.The method essentially combines pressure cooking with deep frying chicken that has been marinated and breaded.  This is obviously a northern thing.  The company still exists and from its web site, you can search for restaurants in your area that use the patented process.  I counted 45 locations in a 25 mile radius of Menasha that use this.  From my home in South Carolina, I found only one.

Just One More Minute

This is not the first envelope we've featured to tout the city's great qualities.  See this sample from 1932: http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/11/when-you-live-in-menasha-you-vacation.html.  This version of promoting the city is postmarked 1904 and comes courtesy of the personal stationary of Mr. John Schreibeis, one time policeman, grocer, postmaster, and local politician.  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/10/schreibeis-groceries.html. 

Service Calls $2.50

April 16, 1960, Appleton Post-Crescent

When did house calls to service one's television end?  Was it when everything became tubeless?  Remember those tube testing machines in hardware and grocery stores?  The cable installer coming to the house nowadays just isn't the same as having some tinkering guy working in the back of your walnut cabinet with a giant box of tubes in tow.  But nobody wanted to hear the dreaded, "I gotta take it back to the shop."  I remember very well coming home from school a few times to find the empty cabinet sitting there forlornly in the living room, devoid of its heart and soul.  How DID I manage without my daily dose of Colonel Caboose? 

Entering Our Fifth Year

Yesterday marked four years since I began writing this blog, using this postcard, which has become one of my favorites.  As long time readers know, this blog was an early attempt to publicize a book of Menasha photos I had published.  But this effort has taken on a life of its own.  You, the loyal readers, have showed such a keen interest in what I've been doing and have provided countless memories, anecdotes, and snippets of history of growing up in our fair city to supplement my efforts.  As I approach 1000 posts, I thank you once again.  You make this all worthwhile. 

Supply Limited!

April 20, 1965, N-M Daily Northwestern

When's the last time YOUR bank gave you anything free?  It used to be you'd get calendars, pens, coin banks, etc. just for showing up.  Of course, the "gift" had the bank's name and phone number plastered on it, as an advertising premium.  This goes beyond the norm, but one still wonders if the Jung Company printed up special packets of seeds with the bank's logo on them. 

Statue Wrecked

April 20, 1962, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

April 19/23, 1962, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

This poor Indian statue seemingly had been targeted by vandals for years, until it finally disappeared all together in the early 1970's.  Wish I had a nice color photo of it to feature.  If I recall correctly, I think there had been a color postcard of Menasha which featured it.at one time, but if so, I haven't seen one of those for a long, long while.    Subsequent research revealed no further stories on the vandalism nor on the origins of the statue.  I am sure it was a personal project and a source of pride for George Banta, Jr. as he was also the driving force behind the Red Bird statue at High Cliff. 

It's a Kettle, Not a Grill

May 11, 1968, Appleton Post-Crescent

This ad caught my eye, if only because the name didn't seem right.  Somehow, the name Weber Kettle doesn't flow as well as Weber Grill.  But trusty Google tells me that it is indeed a kettle, not a grill.  Moreover, the name is a registered trademark.  Not much to do with Menasha today, save for the Drucks connection.  But some days are like that.

Local Grocers

April 13, 1966, N-M Daily Northwestern

From a simpler time, when local corner grocers could thrive in the small town marketplace and entertainment was, perhaps, tuning in a new episode of the Andy Griffith Show on your black and white television with three channels.  And you'd better watch it in its entirety because you won't see it again, if at all, until summer reruns! 

What a Bike!

April 13, 1966, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Do kids even want bikes anymore?  This little number was the hottest thing going when I was ten years old.  It was advertised on Saturday morning TV all the time as well as gracing the backs of the endless supply of comic books I devoured each week.  I wasn't fortunate enough to have a 5 speed with a cool shifter, but I had the basic model with the coaster brakes and that was enough for me at the time.  During that more innocent time, Menasha was my kingdom and that bike was my mighty steed. We first visited this shop in 2013:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/02/menasha-bike-and-toy.html

Talk to the Animals

April 13, 1968, Appleton Post-Crescent

Of course, this caption is addressing the movie, Dr. Dolittle, which did quite well in the 1967 Oscars race.  I'm assuming the papier mache critters had sturdy wire frames so as to not injure the kiddies. 

Rubble is All that Marks the Spot

April 13, 1968, Appleton Post-Crescent

Despite the recent hubbub over landmarks going away, demolition has been going on downtown since the town began.  The buildings we recently lost in the past few years once were interlopers too, and may have caused the old-timers of their era some consternation when they first appeared. 

Now Open

April 13, 1968, Appleton Post-Crescent

It was a sure sign of spring when Wittman's would open for the season.  We first visited this "fun center" in this blog in 2014:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2014/09/wittmanns-funland.html.

The Friendly Bank on the Corner

April 9, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent

 

Just a nice spring time ad for the local bank.  But then, what's this?  This 1965 ad is contradicted by a previous story I featured at this link in 2013: http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-new-bank-of-menasha-innovation.html. Whereas that extensive story talks about the walk-up window being THE innovation of 1967, clearly there was some sort of window two years earlier, per this ad.  Maybe it was just refined more during 1967?  Maybe the bank personnel had their facts wrong the day they were interviewed in 1968?  Maybe I care too much about such trivia?  Who knows.  

UFO Sighting

 

April 11, 1966, Appleton Post-Crescent

Fifty years ago, this UFO was spotted over town.  Say all you want about the changes downtown, but these "aliens" were hovering over residential areas that have largely remain unchanged after fifty years. However, one still wonders...if these same visitors returned today, would they recognize Menasha? 

Pig Fair

March 27, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent

I recall my parents referring to the farmers market as the "pig fair."  A few years back, I attended an exhibition about food at the History Museum at the Castle on College Avenue in Appleton.  That exhibit attributed the term "pig fair" to the early 1900s, when livestock was also for sale or exchange at the farmers markets held in Appleton near Soldiers' Square.  I think it had a more far-reaching history beyond that explanation though.  

Field Trip

April 30, 1966, Appleton Post-Crescent

Today, when tablets and laptops are issued to students on a routine basis and videos can be viewed over smartphones, such pursuits might seem rather archaic by today's standards.  And not having any school age children or grandchildren puts me at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to even knowing what goes on in classrooms today.  But here's to simpler times when a school field trip was really something to look forward to, even if just a short jaunt in the city.  In my book, it ranked right up there with seeing the projector cart being wheeled in at the start of class!  You DO remember film strips?  But that's a subject for another day. 

Spring Chores

April 16, 1966, Appleton Post-Crescent

Fifty years ago this month, city crews were hard at work getting the city pool ready for the upcoming summer season.  That familiar aqua green shelter over the bleachers area was definitely a distinctive feature.  Here's a better view of it, though sadly, in black and white:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/01/menasha-pool-revisited.html.  Over time it has become one of the mental snapshots of summer that I carry with me throughout my life.

4th and Racine

July 15, 1960, Appleton Post-Crescent

While I grew up, I knew this place as Dave's Burger Shanty.  Not sure why he repeated the same ad twice, side by side, though.  If his idea was to capture one's attention, it hit the mark.  And evidently, Mr. Dave Pfrang was more than a great burger chef, he also had this soap store for a period of time in the same area.

May 23, 1963, N-M Daily Northwestern

Won't Be Long Now!

We first encountered a similar item for sale on eBay in February of last year:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2015/02/therell-be-grand-opening-soon.html.  This appears to be an update of the same theme.  Enough people still smoked in 1964 to spread the news of the impending new First National Bank building via matchbook. 

Beatles Visit

April 1, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent

With The Beatles being the biggest thing going for 1964 teenagers, is it any wonder that the Post-Crescent would lampoon Beatlemania for April Fools Day?  The only thing more absurd might have been a report that the Fab Four were coming to Menasha to give a free concert in Jefferson Park and staying at the Hotel Menasha!  Happy April Fools!