It's the Best!

June 16, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

It's the bane of every suburban weekend barbecue master...stained clothes! But it's Gunderson's Sta-Nu process to the rescue!  It helped salvage 1959's grilling season and kept Mr. Joe Average as an upstanding member of his neighborhood social circle.  As The Monkees said in Pleasant Valley Sunday eight years later..."charcoal burnin' everywhere!"

Crime Does Not Pay

June 26, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

This Wrightstown resident learned the hard way that when Menasha puts the hammer down, it means business.  One wonders if this crime was done in broad daylight or, perhaps, under cover of darkness after a night of carousing at any of Main Street's finer establishments of that era.  Needless to say, one hopes that he sounded the warning when he returned home that Menasha does not take kindly to outside interlopers assaulting our beautification measures.

Paying Homage

May 26, 1981, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Here's a step back in time to 1981 and a look at the Memorial Day ceremonies that were held in the Twin Cities.  Then, as now, we pause to reflect on the sacrifices of those who fought and died for our country.

Memorial Day 2018

I repost this every year. 

 

The VFW in 2013 said it well.  I cannot improve on this:

Many Americans have forgotten the true meaning of a holiday that we as veterans hold so close to our hearts. For too many, Memorial Day now signifies nothing more than the start of summer and is celebrated with holiday sales. Trips to the lake and shopping extravaganzas have replaced memorial visits, remembrance ceremonies or simply put, a day to reflect upon all of the luxuries—like freedom—that we as Americans enjoy daily.  

As proud veterans, we know the true meaning of Memorial Day. 

On Memorial Day, we honor our fallen comrades of the United States military in the form of remembrance. And with that, comes a deep sense of appreciation for both their selflessness in protecting the land of the free, and for their sacrifice in ensuring it stays that way. 

Each and every American owes a great debt to the courageous men and women who have given their lives to protect our way of life. While giving back to the extent they deserve is impossible, today, we merely attempt our repayment in the form of remembrance. We dedicate this day to them.

As we go about our activities, we should take the opportunity to not only remember the sacrifices of our fallen and mourn their departure, we should celebrate the spirit with which they served and reflect upon their contributions in making America, truly, the land of the free.

The VFW thanks all service members, veterans and their families for their contributions and service to the United States of America.

Summertime Idylls

June 14, 1984, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

July 2, 1985, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

As we wind into the Memorial Day weekend, let's enjoy some nice weather and outdoor activities.  The above photos are from Jefferson Park but recreation can happen anywhere and sometimes, the best places are under our noses and don't require a whole lot of forethought or planning, as represented here. 

 

Let's also remember why we have this holiday in the first place as we give honor and thanks to those who gave their all so we can live the lives we have.  I'll see you next week.

Evelyn

June 22, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

We touched a bit upon the history of steamboats in the area last month:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2018/04/steamboats-comin.html  Now comes this story of the Evelyn, one of the last steamers on Lake Winnebago, as seen above.  The article below goes into great detail about the new steamer that used the Evelyn's boiler and engines. 

January 14, 1908, Appleton Post-Crescent

Old Habits Die Hard

May 26, 1981 Appleton Post-Crescent

Seeing this reminded me of a story my marketing professor at Oshkosh told in class on day.  He talked about driving north on then-US 41 and seeing a mileage sign that said, "Menasha 9, Neenah 8."  He said it was the only time he ever saw Menasha beat Neenah in anything.  I remember that it got a huge laugh in class that day, but it revealed a stark truth we'd all grown up with.  In a paired name, somebody had to be last, and convention dictates that the established pairing not be tampered with, be it Minneapolis-St. Paul, Hewlett-Packard, or in Neenah's case, Kimberly-Clark.  Of course, the danger is that the secondary partner can be forgotten or dismissed, a la Sears, Roebuck & Company.  I'm sure most people walking around today have no idea there was ever a Roebuck. (Of course, in a little while, Sears may be forgotten too, sadly.) 

I never did find any resolution to this in the newspaper archives.  When I was in the valley a few weeks ago, I recall driving south on 41 and don't believe I saw any Neenah-Menasha signs, but I could be mistaken, especially with the construction and all.  Plus, I've got 60+ years of that mindset to undo.  After all, my latest book was titled Neenah and Menasha: Twin Cities of the Fox Valley and I'm as guilty of this as anybody.

Elks Aftermath

June 9, 1910, Appleton Post-Crescent

This news account details the events of the recently held Elks' Convention in Menasha in June of 1910.  You may recall that the cover of my book, Menasha, uses a photo taken on Main Street during that period.  In fact, the street was paved not more than a month before for the very first time, in order for the city to put, as they used to say, it's "best bib and tucker" out for the visiting crowd.  From the above account, it seems Menasha succeeded.

Quintessential Eighties

June 16, 1983, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

This photo just screams "the 1980's" to me, from the kid's trucker cap to the hairstyles and summer fashions.  No matter that the timeless merry-go-round they're all seated on was more than likely resident in Jefferson Park some twenty years before when I would enjoy a twirl upon it, mesmerized by the rainbow of colors aswirl from its center. The accessories might change over time, but the core values of fun remain.

Lazy Sunday

October 17, 1983, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Let's end the week on a peaceful note.  Though this was photographed on a fall Sunday, this scene could have been taken anytime in Jefferson Park.  The Packers didn't play that day, so recreation of other sorts was the watchword of the day.  The Pack played Monday night, and did they ever, scoring an exciting 48-47 win over the Redskins at Lambeau in the midst of the Bart Starr coaching era.

But here we are at the start of the summery weather, and so much more of this is in store for all of us.  Here's to you, for having a peaceful, lazy Sunday in your future.  I'll see you next week.

A Different WWII Parade

While their fathers, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, and neighbors toiled overseas and elsewhere to make the world safe again, these young lasses were holding their own on the homefront, learning the maternal graces of showcasing their young charges within the confines of Jefferson Park.  Receiving such a photo from the hometown newspaper must have brought such a wealth of emotions from this black and white newsprint affirmation of their dreams and aspirations, a blatant explanation of what they were fighting for.

Potential for Troublemakers

July 28, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Been down, isn't it a pity
Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city

All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head

(with apologies to The Lovin' Spoonful)

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  The 1960's were many things and though 1967 was billed as the summer of love, the actions of the local constabulary seemed to presage the turbulent year that 1968 would bring.  I do not recall any riots in Menasha or neighboring Neenah, for that matter, but the local force was ready nevertheless.  I searched in vain for some photographic evidence of this riot gear, but it was not to be.

Wading

July 15, 1937, Appleton Post-Crescent

Decades before the Jefferson Park pool became a reality, Smith Park was the place to be for swimming, and yes, wading.   Jefferson Park was only 4-5 years past its inception and the news article details some of the refinements that would later make it the Jefferson Park we all came to know growing up.

Congrats to the Class of '71!

May 24, 1971, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

A refreshing mix of old and new await the new graduates of 1971.  Be it traditional jewelry or fashions, perhaps a nice leather briefcase, or a technological gadget to set the pace, these fine Neenah-Menasha merchants are sure to please!  Even a box of Bowlby's chocolates would make one's day.

Koch Building Revisited

December 21, 2016, Appleton Post-Crescent

  

Carl Koch was an immigrant from Bavaria who came to Menasha in 1855.  He initially had a photography business but later opened a dry goods store in this building, constructed in 1882. It was the first commercial building in Menasha's downtown district, preceding the later Planner's Block in 1884 and the Scott Building in 1885, though it did not receive the accolades those two structures received.  It is thought that its location, away from the more populated Main Street area had some role in this. Koch had his store on one side, the other side was a tavern. Upstairs, Koch lived with his family on one side and rented out the rest of the floor. The building is of significant architecturally as a great example of late nineteenth century design and construction. Its decor includes Queen Anne, Second Empire, and late Victorian Gothic features.

Amateur Safe Cracking

May 12, 1960, Appleton Post-Crescent

I love how the repairman insulted the attempted safecracking attempt.  It's enough to give a would-be criminal a complex or something.

And it's coincidental that I found this article after watching an episode of the old "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" program that featured an advertising man's publicity scheme to tout a seemingly impenetrable safe by allowing a famous safecracker to try to open it.  He couldn't open the safe either.  But the promised money inside ($50,000) that he would gain for himself if he was successful, disappeared nevertheless.  It seemed he had developed a more lucrative sideline after getting put of prison which entailed employing his daughter to help him pick some pockets.  The ad man was left with egg on his face when he discovered later that the envelope inside contained just blank paper. 

I doubt that the Menasha High safe ever had had that much cash in it, but it made for an interesting moment in the city's history and an even more topical photograph. 

Steer Heist

April 1-3, 1963, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

Not unlike the theft of the gargoyles that used to grace the roof lines of a certain downtown building, comes this case.  At least this one was solved, though it seems the damage was too great for the steer to rise to the occasion once again.  Today, this building houses the Weathervane Restaurant.

UFO's

May 10, 1961, Appleton Post-Crescent

I reported here two years ago about a UFO sighting in 1966.  At that time, the strange object was seen over Appleton Road: 
https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2016/04/ufo-sighting.html
One wonders what young Mr. Strebe endured after, as they say, his cover was blown. No newspaper today would have given out his address, and chances are he would have endured enough abuse over social media that a disclosed address might have been the least of his worries.  But that would be today's reaction.  Of course, different times bring different attitudes, so perhaps it was no big deal and I am comparing apples to oranges.  After all, it WAS in the midst of the Space Age and alien invasion movies had been a staple of the preceding decade, so all eyes were on the skies.

Crowded at the Fair

May 11, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent

These photographs show the intense crowds that packed the Valley Fair Shopping Center at one of its many events throughout the year.  Be it sidewalk sales, swap meets, boat shows, or the "pig fair" in the parking lot, the shopping center acted as a second downtown to the many communities in the Fox Valley, to include Menasha.  And that doesn't even address the biggest attraction of all to young people- the Tip-Top Shows that would grace the parking lots several times a year, bringing in kids of all ages to enjoy the carnival and rides atmosphere once reserved for the once per year county fair circuit.  You can't put a price on memories like that.