Let's Talk Turkey...

November 20, 1974 N-M Daily Northwestern

One of the "leftovers" from the holiday last week.  And if there's a way to feature a turkey in an ad around Thanksgiving, somebody will do it.  Don't forget to use your Master Charge or BankAmericard!  

Spying

November 20, 1958, Appleton Post-Crescent

A posed picture, to say the least, but a slice of a more innocent life we all experienced at one time or another.  School project or not, there was a certain magic about science kits and the space race as a kid growing up.  Remember Mr. Wizard?  Maybe I thought at the time I was the exception for not being obsessed with sports like some kids, but my best Christmas present ever was a chemistry set one year, with real chemicals that smelled and made smoke and came with a microscope and glass slides. Ah, science. 

Yours for Only $1.00

November 27, 1968, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Growing up, we weren't Bank of Menasha customers, so I didn't have the pleasure of getting this dandy album for a dollar with a Christmas Club account.  But I do seem to recall similar albums being offered at Firestone and remember one in my parents' record collection amongst various polka albums, Frankie Laine, and Mitch Miller.  And a quick check of eBay reveals that it can be had today for the low price of $2.50 with $4.00 shipping!  I'm sure some of us still have record players if you are so inclined.... 

Delightful Menu

November 20, 1971, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

I'm taking the remainder of the week off from the blog to spend time with family.  And in keeping with the holiday, let me bestow my thanks to you, dear readers, for your unflagging support of this blog.  Your interest, enthusiasm, and support make it all worthwhile.  I'll be back Monday, November 28th.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Oswald Acquaintance

November 26, 1963, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Fifty-three years ago today, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  I was in the first grade and I remember that day only too well, as do most of us of a certain age. This news article from four days later, details one Menasha resident's acquaintance with the assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald.  I did not know of the Menasha connection to this tragedy until very recently when I came across this story. 

Christmas Opening

November 24, 1971, N-M Daily Northwestern

Needless to say, it's that time of year when that jolly old elf returns to visit children and get his lists ready, cash registers ring, and hopefully, the spirit of giving also rings true for consumers.  Thanksgiving traditionally marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season and it was true back in 1971 when local downtown merchants welcomed nightly shopping on a more regular basis with turkey drawings, Christmas chorales, and of course, the fire truck arrival of Santa on what was to become known as Black Friday. 

Eyeing Racine's Plan

November 16, 1965, Racine Journal-Times

Back in the days when every other year seemed to bring a downtown redevelopment plan to our fair city, Menasha leaders trekked to Racine to meet with that city's leaders on the multi-million dollar redevelopment effort beginning there. 

Field Dedication

November 15, 1930, Appleton Post-Crescent

Hearkening back to Monday's installment, detailing the Menasha-Neenah football game of 1930, we follow up with the dedication of Butte des Morts Field amid pageantry and speeches from Twin City dignitaries.  In the spirit of past joint events, community leaders brought their citizenry together under the aegis of a simple football game, while lauding the unity of purpose that brought them together as one. At least for that one evening, parochial differences were forgotten while simultaneously celebrating the identity of each town.

At the Industrial Exhibit

November 21, 1923, Appleton Post-Crescent

I haven't said much about the Menasha Knitting Mills over the years, though I've seen many references to it.  It was organized in 1919 from what I can gather and the 1924 city directory lists it at 306-308 Broad Street which was the old Germania Society building.   But past the 1928 version of the directory, I see no mentions of it any longer.  I fear it was a casualty of the economic hard times brought about by the Depression, considering the timing of its disappearance. 

Public Watch Dogs

August 16, 1923, Appleton Post-Crescent

I found this curious item while perusing newspapers and began to think, why would this be an issue?  Well, it readily became apparent when I realized it was the height of Prohibition and what would become known as the Roaring Twenties.  Couple this with a newfound freedom in fashion, motion pictures, and literature and it spelled trouble with a capital T in River City...er, Menasha.  Saloons that couldn't make it due to the outlaw of alcohol quickly became other businesses- pool halls, and dance joints and you can be sure as your Aunt Nellie's knickers that the local church groups would get energized enough to influence their friends on local city councils to do a thing about it.  Hence, the public moral watchdogs.  The newspapers of the 20's are rife with stories and mentions of having formal dances in the "traditional way."  None of that flapper stuff that Hollywood was promoting.  And Menasha wasn't alone.  The local papers delighted in long recitations of public decency laws for Oshkosh and Grand Chute/Appleton.  Here are some other local crackdowns on vice or its potential.

July 18, 1923, Appleton Post-Crescent

December 22, 1923, Appleton Post-Crescent

Football Fever

November 13, 1930, Appleton Post-Crescent

 

Eighty-six years ago, the upcoming Menasha-Neenah football game had the two cities all agog with enthusiasm.  Many small news items in this edition carried stories about pep rallies, parades, miniature football field models on display, and the upcoming dedication of Butte des Morts Field where Menasha contests were held for many, many years.  Neenah won the game, 6-0.

Veterans Day on the Square

November 12, 1966, Appleton Post-Crescent

Veterans Day activities made their annual appearance on the Menasha Square that November day in 1966.  Special kudos to the photographer recording this event at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, per Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day) protocol.  Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at that precise time in 1918, when the armistice with Germany went into effect. The United States previously observed Armistice Day until it was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

Shorthand

November 11, 1966, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Is shorthand a dead art?  I recall my sister taking shorthand in the '60s and dutifully recording her practice figures into her mandatory shorthand notebook.  They still make the notebooks, but do they still practice the skill? 

It reminds me of all the business courses I took in high school and college.  Learning to type was a boon, though to this day, I cannot type without looking at the keyboard.  I generally credit typing class to knowing where the keys are on the keyboard but that's about it.  With the advent of the computer as word processor, the handling of margins is a dream and counting carriage returns and the sound of the bell at the end are a mere memory.  I ended up majoring in business in college because I thought I was a grown-up and that is what grown-ups do, do the sensible thing. Right.  I even began my college career intending to follow my brother's footsteps into accounting.  After many C's later, I transferred to marketing.  You'd think I would have gotten the message. All in all now, at my advanced age, I think I should have majored in English, or theatre.  I always told my daughters to follow their passions and to not settle.  I think I succeeded in that regard, thank goodness.  I'd hate to think that they too were slaves to the sensible thing, and living lives of quiet desperation, to quote Mr. Thoreau.

Last Opportunity

November 11, 1939, Appleton Post-Crescent

By 1935, corrugated cardboard had succeeded over wooden containers, and the Woodenware discontinued its line of barrels.  Woodworking plants were converted to the manufacture of toys and juvenile furniture, a product line that would continue only until 1952.  But for now, dollhouse furniture was a vital means to survive during the Depression years. 

We first encountered the Woodenware's toy line back in 2013:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/06/tyke-toys.html.

Sample Ballot

November 1, 1976, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

As a kid, I always liked seeing the sample ballots printed in the newspaper.  I had always thought the polling place was a mysterious affair, although I do remember accompanying my Mom or Dad to Jefferson School as a little boy and was enamored with the whole "pull-the-handle-and-the-curtain-closes" thing.  I recall cutting the ballot out of the paper and pretending for a few minutes that I was casting my own, even though I'm sure I knew nothing beyond the TV ads I'd seen about the candidates.  Now, of course, at my age, any air of mystery is long gone and I know the candidates and their views, ad nauseum.  Nevertheless, it's the right thing to do, so go vote!

Save This Voting Guide

November 2, 1972, Oshkosh Advance-Titan

Knowing where to place your vote is, obviously, an imperative on Election Day.  UW-Oshkosh's newspaper saw fit to publish this handy guide in 1972 so the area's residents would know where to go.  The election that year was George McGovern vs. the incumbent, Richard Nixon.  We all know how that turned out. 

As a public service, this year's polling places are denoted on the following map:  http://www.cityofmenasha-wi.gov/content/departments/city_clerk/(2)voting_&_elections/documents/aldermanic_districts.pdf

Give It a Trial!

June 1898, Menasha Press

This patent medicine was represented locally by Charles Baldauf who passed away the next year in 1899.  His widow, Emma Baldauf was sister to Valentine M. Landgraf, famous for the Landgraf Hotel which was located on the grounds of the current Brin theater building.  Sadly, Baldauf's widow passed on the next year at age 32, leaving behind three young children. 

State Trophy Comes Home

November 2, 1959, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

The Menasha Historical Society took the prize in 1959 as the best historical society in Wisconsin.  Only historical societies affiliated with the Wisconsin Historical Society can be nominated for the award.  A society that has previously received the trophy is not eligible to be nominated again for a period of 25 years following its selection to receive the trophy.  It's so good to see so much effort across the state towards educating and enriching the public with local istory.

Award Winners

• 2014 — Evansville Grove Society
• 2013 — De Pere Historical Society
• 2012 — Sheboygan Historical Society
• 2011 — Bay View Historical Society
• 2010 — Dunn County Historical Society
• 2009 — Heritage Military Music Foundation
• 2008 — No trophy conferred
• 2007 — Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society
• 2006 — Chippewa Valley Museum
• 2005 — Burnett County Historical Society
• 2004 — Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
• 2003 — Fort Atkinson Historical Society
• 2002 — DeForest Historical Society
• 2001 — Mount Horeb Area Historical Society
• 2000 — Watertown Historical Society
• 1999 — Two Rivers Historical Society
• 1998 — New Berlin Historical Society
• 1997 — Cedarburg Cultural Center
• 1996 — Portage County Historical Society
• 1995 — Merrill Historical Society
• 1994 — McFarland Historical Society
• 1993 — Vernon County Historical Society
• 1992 — Mazomanie Historical Society
• 1991 — Clear Lake Historical Society
• 1990 — Manitowoc County Historical Society
• 1989 — Marathon County Historical Society
• 1988 — Kenosha County Historical Society
• 1987 — Wisconsin Slovak Historical Society
• 1986 — Bay View Historical Society
• 1985 — Wauwatosa Historical Society
• 1984 — Manitowoc Maritime Museum
• 1983 — New Holstein Historical Society
• 1982 — La Crosse County Historical Society
• 1981 — Outagamie County Historical Society
• 1980 — Waukesha County Historical Society
• 1979 — Chippewa Valley Museum
• 1978 — St. Croix County Historical Society
• 1977 — Hawks Inn Historical Society
• 1976 — Brown County Historical Society
• 1975 — Ripon Historical Society
• 1974 — Menomonee Falls Historical Society
• 1973 — Barron County Historical Society
• 1972 — Fort Atkinson Historical Society
• 1971 — Rock County Historical Society
• 1970 — Dunn County Historical Society
• 1969 — Ozaukee County Historical Society
• 1968 — Beloit Historical Society
• 1967 — Milwaukee County Historical Society
• 1966 — Wild Rose Historical Society
• 1965 — Watertown Historical Society
• 1964 — Fond du Lac County Historical Society
• 1963 — Oconto County Historical Society
• 1962 — South Wood County Historical Society
• 1961 — Douglas County Historical Society
• 1960 — Northland Historical Society
• 1959 — Menasha Historical Society
• 1958 — Marathon County Historical Society

History of Menasha Press

March 26, 1931, Appleton Post-Crescent

George Banta, Jr. gave his fellow Rotarians a short history of Menasha newspapers in this 1931 talk.  Oh, to be in the audience, listening to this and rubbing elbows with the many Menasha notables that must have been in attendance.  Imagine the history these guys could relate. 

Car Tour 1916

November 1, 1976, Appleton Post-Crescent

The timeframe of this story predates a post we did last year showing a 1924 "auto trails" map published by Rand McNally:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2015/03/autotrails-map-of-1924.html.  As we discussed then, early efforts to help drivers navigate what roads there were, were limited to following landmarks and crude signage.  At least by 1924, there were some standards being developed.  This story, which is based in 1916, comes 8 years before the 1924 map, and was essentially describing a guidebook that gave sequential, left turn, right turn directions...a very crude GPS if you will!  Taking a long trip in an automobile must have been quite the adventure.