"Traffic Jam"

June 22, 1970, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Here's a picture unique to Menasha and other cities along the Fox River, and definitely a harbinger of summer.  Seeing this scene reminds me of the days before air conditioning in my boyhood home and the many late summer nights with open windows.  As I lived only three blocks from the river, the clanging bells of the Racine Street Bridge opening for boat traffic is etched in my memory.

Polish Oral History

September 4, 1979, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Recently, I discovered a great series of oral histories, written as newspaper articles in the Northwestern from 1979 by history professor Michael O'Brien from UW-Fox Valley.  This is the first of twelve articles he wrote for the paper detailing diverse topics about the Twin Cities.  I am proud to present the first of them, highlighting the experience of the Polish in Menasha.  As time progresses, I will offer additional articles. 

Sparkle Picnics on the 4th

June 28, 1960, Appleton Post-Crescent

It can't be summer on this blog without paying homage to the old Twin City Bottling Company of Menasha that lasted until 1978.  In a future posting, we will detail the demise of the company, but for now, let our memories bask in the glow of summer, a cold cherry soda, or perhaps a root beer, in hand. 

Happy Father's Day (Belatedly)

June 18, 1960, Appleton Post-Crescent

I missed Father's Day on the blog due to taking some time off the week before and didn't give it a second thought.  But then I came across this neat picture presentation the other day from 1960 and it reminded me that I had forgotten the day entirely.  So many portrayals of dads, especially on television and in movies nowadays portray them as bumbling idiots and the butt of many jokes (Homer Simpson, anyone?). It was refreshing to find this poignant tribute to fatherhood that I can share with you.  To all the dads out there, my hat's off to you.

Tot Lot Safety

June 24, 1972, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

While it's never a bad idea to promote safety, I wonder how much of the safety message got through to these kids, possibly overwhelmed by this magnificent red fire engine in their midst.  If it had been me at their age, I wouldn't have heard one word!

Temperance Pledge- 1861

I found the certificate above in a digital archive for the Newberry Library in Chicago.  Signed in 1861 by 7 year old Ella Bosworth, it is significant for its value in understanding the temperance movement of the era.  But notice who signed this pledge certificate.  Elisha D. Smith, founder of the Menasha Wooden Ware, Menasha benefactor, and teetotaler.  As we've written here before about his donation of Smith Park to the city, he stipulated that there be a strict ban on "alcohol, circuses, gambling, sports, and dangerous machinery" at the park. What became of little Ella remains a mystery to me for now; I wonder if she fulfilled the Band of Hope Pledge for the remainder of her days, abstaining from intoxicating liquor, the use of tobacco, and all profanity.

Twin City

June 21, 1967, Appleton Post-Crescent

We all know this building eventually became City Hall, but fifty years ago this week, it began its life as a savings and loan.  Today this ad would be deemed politically incorrect, but I'll bet it didn't raise many eyebrows in 1967. 

Flag Day Observance

June 15, 1972, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

I was on hiatus last week, so I missed my opportunity to celebrate Flag Day with you.  So...instead, we go back a week (and some 45 years) to do it up right.  This cute photo reminds me of a Little Rascals film or some such.  We'd be hard-pressed to find something like this nowadays, I suspect.

Poolside

June 23, 1978, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

We've seen pool preparations in past blog posts the last few weeks, so with the first official day of summer tomorrow, what better place to enjoy it than at the pool?  And with the infamous toe check, no less.  (Looks like the same saw horse I remember.)

Touring Team

June 9, 1963, Appleton Post-Crescent

June 17, 1963, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

Looking back 54 years to another sports legend visiting the Fox Cities.  For any baseball fan, one can only imagine the excitement to come out to the ol' ballpark and see the great Satchel Paige.  I'm only sorry the reporter failed to mention the attendance, because I'm sure it was a packed house. 

Tennis Champs

June 9, 1963, Appleton Post-Crescent

June 10, 1963, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

54 years ago today, Menasha was able to add a tennis championship to the ol' trophy case.  And remarkable too, in that according to the story, they seemed to have done it the hard way...by seemingly not taking any individual titles that I can see, yet amassing enough points to edge out Manitowoc.  Way to go, Bluejays!

 

Folks, I'm going to take a break from the blog for about a week.  Look for my return on June 19th.  See you then!

First Annual

June 10, 1929, Appleton Post-Crescent

Here's some social items for Menasha from some 88 years ago, to include the first ever graduation ceremony at St. Mary High School. 

It is interesting to note that only 14 members of the school graduated that year, but I suspect that it took some time to build up the school population, seeing as how this was its first year of existence.  But more importantly, in the early 20th century, school attendance through 12th grade wasn't a given. 

Statistics show that in 1910 only 19% of 15- to 18-year-olds were enrolled in a high school and barely 9% of all American 18-year-olds graduated. By 1940, the numbers had risen to 73% of American teenagers enrolled in high school. And within some  American cities, especially in the more industrialized North, high school enrollments were initially lower than the rest of the country. These cities had a large number of European immigrants, who weren't as inclined to enroll their children, not to mention many job opportunities for youth, which may have kept them from enrolling as well.  Sound familiar?

...Of Beauty and Utility

August 24, 1940, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

Revisiting this news coverage like this seems woefully late, considering that the parish decided way back in 2015 to demolish the school this article talks about.  The school WAS demolished last summer.  After all, a new Seton Middle School, of which this facility had evolved into after many years of elementary service, was just finishing construction near St. Mary Catholic High School in Neenah, making this facility obsolete. Still, as matter of history, it's nice to see what was promoted about the school when it was shiny and new. (And yes, the article IS dated 1940, though at first glance it looks like 1910 due to bad microfilming; the 4's just didn't come out right.)

Jumping with Joy

May 28, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

Before the big box stores became the "appliance giants," we had to make do with smaller, more confined retailers for our appliance needs.  Much like Drucks on the other end of town, Becher Electric made its mark with hometown, personable service and a dependable reputation that you knew they'd be there for you. And in this day and age of impersonal service, don't we all long for that?

To the Pacific Coast

June 3, 1929, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

How much wanderlust and daydreaming did ads like this inspire, when viewed from the perspective of a homebody from northeastern Wisconsin?  In the golden age of railroading, smart ad men took note from what steamship companies had been doing for years- offering the exotic to Joe Average in advertising circulars, newspaper ads and the like.  When a train trip to Milwaukee or Chicago was cause for wonder, a vacation such as this promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime event.

School's Out!

June 3, 1967, Appleton Post-Crescent

I'm sure the photographer set this up.  But regardless of that, this kind of sentiment had to be on these kids' minds.  And, more than likely, I had preceded them out this same doorway or I was coming along mere moments later with the same excitement brewing in my fourth grade head.  Ah, the magic of summer vacation, just ahead.

Pool Preparations

May 28, 1966, Appleton Post-Crescent

Unlike this post from last year when we said goodbye to the pool for the season:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2016/08/cleaning-pool_23.html, this year we look at getting the pool ready for summertime bathers.  I have to admit, I never gave much thought to the extensive preparations required to service hundreds of swimmers each day.  Hearken back to the news story of the pool's opening day in 1957 and it states that "Capacity of the Menasha pool, when the two smaller pools are put into use, will be 1,300."  That's a lot of feet to check!