Back to School

August 22, 1970, Appleton Post-Crescent

Some things never change, though the brand names and formats might.  Haven't seen a metal typing table like the one pictured since my early days in the Army.  And I wonder if they still make Hollywood brand candy bars?  And despite our computer/tablet/smartphone age, simple pencils and paper are still stocking the aisles of the local superstore when back-to-school time rolls around.

Quiet Fishing Day

Boaters edge closer to the railroad bridge over Little Lake Butte des Morts.  This was published in the October 22, 1976 Milwaukee Sentinel. 

Signs of Life

September 3, 1970, Appleton Post-Crescent

This pastiche of local businesses' ads is reminiscent of the Christmas/Happy New Year's messages the paper was famous for.  Coupled with a driving safety quiz, it makes its point of being extra careful on the roads, especially at back-to-school time.

Dining Room

From my friend Richard Nebel comes this beautiful view of the Hotel Menasha dining room, circa 1903.   I would have loved to have seen a close-up of the detail work on the ceiling, definitely from a bygone era.

Healy's Mid-Town

August 14, 1948, Manitowoc Herald Times

Unless Mr. Healy had some connection to Manitowoc, I find it curious to see this grand opening ad in the Manitowoc newspaper.  Seems like a long drive to visit a bar or to go bowling.  Nevertheless, it became a downtown institution for many years, seeing service as Gundi's in its last days. 

Gandy Dancers

August 26, 1971, Appleton Post-Crescent

Interesting article on the unsung heroes of the railroad, keeping up the lines, more or less behind the scenes.  As a not-so-glamorous job, these fellows lived a nomadic life, not unlike carnival workers and circus folk.  Most likely, though, they had a better reputation in the towns they visited due to the railroad being an established, trustworthy institution. 

Cleaning Pool

                               

                                                                August 28, 1971, Appleton Post-Crescent
With the Back-to-School season quickly approaching (or already here as it is here in South Carolina), the joys of summer are once again put away to the bane of most kids' existence, the return to the day-to-day regimen of school.  The joys of the daily visits to the pool are but a memory.  And all the newest and brightest school supplies and new clothes are not enough to offset the dread feelings for new teachers, new surroundings and seemingly insurmountable challenges.  Can summer ever return fast enough?   

Afternoon Festivities

August 14, 1967, N-M Daily Northwestern

Somehow this festivity escaped my radar as a young man, but then it appears it was for younger children anyway.  I'm sure a mature young man of 10 would have seen it as infantile.  Of course, free food and games would have been a sure enticement.  But still, way to go Menasha, for putting on something like this for the city's kids. 

Drugs and Youth

August 12, 1967, Appleton Post-Crescent

In the "summer of love," or as 1967 has become generally known, police departments nationwide were quickly getting themselves up to date with the threat of hallucinatory drugs which had gained increased popularity in the swingin' sixties.  Contrast that news story with the "feel good" blood drive photo next to it featuring Menasha's life guards.  One wonders if the news editor did that intentionally or if it was just a lucky coincidence.  That's not to say that our fair city didn't have a drug problem, but a juxtaposition like this can only further reinforce our already pleasant memories of small town life being wholesome and good. 

I'm taking a hiatus from the blog next week, so look for me to return on August 22. 

Pay What You Weigh

August 14, 1930, Appleton Post-Crescent

Back when the airplane was still a novelty and barnstorming was a thing, folks would pay to experience flight.  And now, thanks to this ad, the dear residents of Menasha could have the same thrill. 

We've covered the old Whiting Airport extensively here in the blog in past years:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/09/first-air-mail-flight.html , http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2015/11/airfield_19.html , and http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2014/01/cherry-sparkle.html.  The airport didn't last due to the economy surrounding the Depression years, but we all know it gave its name to Airport Road. 

This is an example of the airplane mentioned in the ad.  It could hold six passengers.

Photo courtesy of San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives - https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/14541100063/, No restrictions, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41508540 

Solid

January 12, 1921, American Architect

We first encountered the First National Bank (second iteration) as featured in this architectural journal back in 2014:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2014/12/stately.html.  In the last few years, during its removal for the new office tower, much was made of its stately appearance, with its iconic columns, and the lament as to their disposition.  But little, if anything, was said about its magnificent interior.  If the unspoken message of a bank was represented by its appearance, then this bank had it in the greatest degree.  Solid, unyielding, almost fortress-like, it was a cathedral of finance.  Even the ornate skylights mimicked being in church.  I remember being in this bank as a small boy and simply being in awe at the hard marble writing desk which I couldn't even reach.  I regret that these photographs aren't in color. 

Ride-O-Rama

August 7, 1963, Appleton Post-Crescent

It's late summer and it can mean only one thing...the carnival at Valley Fair.  If memory serves me, there were rides at Valley Fair several times during the year (and at Fox Point, in Neenah as well), but summer was the biggest event. This time, they trade upon the recent Seattle World's Fair to entice the audience with new attractions and rides. 

Freight House

January 1976

A nice shot of the Milwaukee Road Freight House, on Racine Street, between Third and Fourth Streets.  We've visited it at other times:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2014/11/freight-house.html and http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/08/milwaukee-road-freight-house.html.  Note the vintage automobiles.  Not sure about the others, but that VW is at least a 1972 edition; the four vents on the back hood give it away. 

Friday Night Feast

August 1, 1975, Appleton Post-Crescent

The Left Guard does the old verse from Omar Khayyam one better- "A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread—and Thou," with a crazy Friday night feast of the senses.  I'm sure the breaded fish cubes were, ahem, delicious...but perhaps a better name might have helped sell the idea? 

Vacation Pak

August 1, 1972, Appleton Post-Crescent

Back when newspapers still had a larger cachet of relevance, before our internet-driven news cycle nearly drove them out of existence, what could be finer than to have your carrier safely collect all your papers while you vacationed for later consumption?  I'd forgotten about this service until I ran across this ad. 

Mother Nature Causes Havoc

July 28, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent

As evidenced by the trouble this storm caused the residents of our fair city, man is no match for the forces of nature, especially in the storm-laden months of summer.  On the brighter side, the writer did see some humorous distraction in the light of so much turmoil. 

Menasha Gets Boat

August 1, 1966, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

I would have thought, with being on the Fox and the adjacent Lake Winnebago, Menasha would have had its own "official" boat long before the date of this photo, but perhaps not.  As a boy, I recall seeing the boat on the river and thought it was pretty neat, but then, it might have just arrived, per the caption above.  I would have been 9 years old in '66, so maybe this event is what kicked off my interest in the boat.

What a Difference

September 4, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent

It's a tad early for this, and maybe kids don't attend St. John's anymore for school, but this photo essay works the whole back-to-school trope. After all is said and done, kids' bikes are a symbol, albeit dated by today's standards. But fifty years ago?  Well sir, you got yourself a slice of normal everyday life, yes you do.