Adventurous Couples

July 30, 1976, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

As promised last week, this is another of those  "Pioneer Profiles" which highlight the special women who helped raise Menasha (and in this case, Neenah, as well) out of the muck of the wilderness and into the firmament of prosperity and commerce.  And they did this literally, as evidenced above, by taking railroads west from their comfortable lives in the northeast and traveling eventually by steam ship, stagecoach, and wagon into the unsettled lands around Lake Winnebago and staking their fortunes in the muddy and stump-riddled communities they joined.  In those early days, they could not have imagined the successes their families would enjoy in later years.  But persevere they did, and in the process, helped raise the cities of Neenah and Menasha out of nothing.

Old-Timer

May 26, 1960, Appleton Post-Crescent

Back when longevity was more unusual than it is today and exploiting the novelty of someone reaping government payments for many successive years, comes this story.  Social Security had only been in existence since 1935, yet its promise of limiting what were seen as dangers in the modern American life, including old age, poverty, unemployment, and the burdens of widows and fatherless children, was in full swing by 1940 when this gent retired.  I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Hare as a young lad as he lived around the corner from me and was good friends with my grandfather.  

Test Alert

May 4, 1960, Appleton Post-Crescent

No, it wasn't the Battle of Jefferson Park, just a simple alert for the men of Company E on a Spring Tuesday night.   And choosing the pool as their designated simulated water works probably had more to do with its proximity to the armory...not to mention that "invading" Jefferson Park this time of year would not intrude upon the usual frolics that occurred at the pool. Can you imagine the hubbub this bunch would create for the regular bathers?!

Hannah Corry, Devoted Mother and Volunteer

December 24, 1976, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Look down the rolls of Menasha citizens and you often find unsung heroes, and there were no lesser ones than the spouses of our city fathers.  For every distinguished gentleman who played a major role in the city, there seemed to be a steadfast partner to back him up.  Case in point today, city physician Dr. Corry and his wife, Hannah.  The article above gives her her due.  As the mother to 13 children who all found their own successes in life, you'd think that was enough.  But Mrs. Corry was instrumental in Menasha band activities, the Red Cross, Catholic society organizations, and even completed her late husband's term on the school board.  Yes, too often these women are overlooked so it is a service to us all that they receive the recognition due to them.  I will have more similar stories in the coming weeks. 

Beginning Year Eight

Every year it seems I resurrect this postcard to mark another year on the blog.  Today sees the start of year eight.  Those of you who have followed this blog since April 24, 2012 know the secret origins of the blog- that it was conceived to act as a supplement to the Menasha book I wrote in conjunction with the Menasha Historical Society and also to promote it.

Over time, the blog took on a life of its own and now features over 1705 blog posts over those years.  We've covered everything from the historic to the frivolous and some things that were just caught in-between.  On this anniversary day, I thank you wholeheartedly for your interest and support over the years.  Your interactions, requests, and commentary have helped me keep this a joy to work on every day.  Again, let me offer my thank yous to all of you dedicated enough to stick by me as I trudge along.

Armory Proclamation

October 27, 1970, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Somebody recently asked me about the shops in the old armory, when that was, etc.  Well, here's the answer.  1970 saw the dawning of a new age of retailing for the old facility, utilizing an old theme, that of medieval times in "merry olde England."  Even the opening ceremony carried that theme to its logical conclusion.  The article below lists some of the "shoppes."

 February 23, 1971, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Band Uniforms

March 2, 1973, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Looking more like a conservative businessman than a band member, the addition of the overlay he is holding made the day...that and the traditional, enormous band-style hat.  New fashion, just in time for the upcoming Neenah-Menasha centennial celebration later that summer.  

March 8, 1973, Twin City News-Record

Bonnet Parade

April 19, 1992, Appleton Post-Crescent

A few days ago we saw the Easter Bunny at a 1965 edition of Valley Fair.  Today, we move the clock 27 years ahead to this Easter Parade within the friendly confines of the remodeled mall.   These little ones were truly in the spirit of things...and here's hoping that you too, have a Happy Easter with friends and family.  I'll see you Monday. 

Easter Feast

 

April 16, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent 

In spite of the stock illustration of the family going to dinner in the seemingly metropolitan Menasha (rather tall buildings, I'd say!), I'm sure a grand time was had by all.  From the same edition of the Post-Crescent that brought you yesterday's Easter Bunny encounter at Valley Fair comes this invitation to dine in downtown Menasha. 

Bunny Treats

April 16, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent

Long time readers of this blog know I have a thing for the old Valley Fair.  So naturally, I enjoy getting shots of the interior of the mall worked into the blog, especially when the season demands it.  Be it Santa or the Easter Bunny, or a random car show, I'm there.  Although these kids seem rather reluctant at the prospects, I'm sure the furry gift-giver made friends with lots of other, more demonstrative children during the 1965 Easter season.  

"Crack" Band at Madison

April 15, 1933, Wisconsin State Journal

Obviously this old black and white photo doesn't do justice to the description of the band's uniforms by the writer of this piece.  But needless to say, Menasha must have been proud of its two high school bands from this time as this was the era when Menasha High School won the state band competition in that storied year of 1931: http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/05/1931-marchers.html.  And the state competition was even held in Menasha that year.

Statue

My friend Jeff Heimerman has provided THE definitive photograph of the Banta Indian statue...and, in living color!  Thanks, Jeff. 

The below article reveals its final disposition, though the links that follow it reveal that people had had it in for that statue for years.  

October 12, 1974, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

 https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2018/07/banta-indian.html

 https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2016/04/statue-wrecked.html

March for Peace

April 5, 1969, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

One of my daughters asked me one day about growing up in the 1960's, thinking it was all hippies and peace marches.   I told her that I didn't remember much of that in Menasha.  Of course, I was only approaching the teenage years when the sixties ended, so my viewpoint was that of an adolescent who had his nose in perhaps too many comic books and certainly I didn't have the world view I would develop later on.  Case in point, the photo and article above.  I about 12 and a half when this march occurred and from the looks of it, it looked rather benign.  I have no memory of it, but then on that Friday afternoon, I was more than likely ensconced in my sixth grade classroom whiling away the hours until the 3 o'clock bell and missed the news coverage of the day anyway.  Still, I am heartened that Menasha students of the time felt the need to get involved, despite the obvious sparse turnout.  Parenthetical notes: I love the 29 cent gasoline sign.  Anybody out there recognize exactly what street they were marching on and which gas station this might have been?  And how about that police car accompanying the group?  I'm not sure if was protecting Menasha from the potential civic "unrest" the march might have incited, or was it protecting the marchers from the "angry mobs" of Menasha citizens railing against those long hairs and their peace doctrine?!   Oh, those kids and their Beatles music. 

Ice, Ice Baby

April 15, 1969, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Northeastern Wisconsin has seen more than its share of ice jams over the years.  According to the National Weather Service, cold snaps followed by a thaw and/or rain can lead to this potentially significant hazard developing along area rivers and creeks.  The melting snow, combined with rains can cause the frozen rivers to swell, which breaks the ice layer on top of the river.  The ice layer often breaks into large chunks, which then float downstream and often pile up near narrow passages in the river as well as near bridges, dams and bends in the river.  In doing a little research, I was amazed to find that the Army Corps of Engineers had categorized at least ten types of river ice.  I guess the more something is studied, the more it leaves the mundane and becomes specialized. 

The Vaudette Theater

April 17, 1911, Menasha Record

For whatever reason, we've not discussed the Vaudette very much.  I think in passing I've mentioned it, but the Brin and the Orpheum and later, Valley Theaters get much more attention in this blog. The Vaudette, as shown above occupied space in what later became the Menasha Furniture building at 362 Chute Street.  Originally a Vaudeville type house with live acts, it morphed into the popular entertainment of its day, the moving picture theater.  The Vaudette didn't last beyond 1914 or so, and the photo above, of the street getting paved in 1910, is the only photo I have of the Vaudette's existence.  The Vaudette changed its name in March, 1912 to the Square Theatre, presumably due to its location on Menasha's square. 

Tune That Dial?

November 21, 1929, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

I found this intriguing item during a recent research session.  I never did find out why Menasha didn't get the radio station it desired at the time, though it might have been a question of timing.  I saw more than one instance of other communities being turned down as there seemed to be a band width cut back during the Depression years.  See the article below.

December 8, 1929, Wisconsin State Journal

Pillow Nite

April 24, 1929, Appleton Post-Crescent

Always a giveaway or some sort of game going on at "Menasha's Family Theatre." This is just about four months after the Brin had opened, so definitely a bit of competition going on, I'd guess.  The 1930's would see a definite upsurge for such giveaways such as Dish Night and Bank Night, and a healthy dose of double features to keep the customers coming in.  This would be right when the viewing public needed a morale boost, at the heights of the Great Depression.

View-Master

August 18, 1949, Menasha Record

Growing up, I don't recall ever playing with one kid who did not have one of these in his toy chest repertoire.   The View-Master was a relative of the old stereoscopic photos our great grandparents looked at in their parlors.  The View-Master system was introduced in 1939 at the New York World's Fair, four years after the advent of Kodachrome color film made the use of small high-quality photographic color images practical. Tourist attraction and travel views predominated in View-Master's early lists of available reels, most of which were meant to be interesting to users of all ages.So it is no wonder that this photographic shop in downtown Menasha would be the sales agent in town.  

This was my first exposure (no pun intended...really!) to the Van Dyke Card and Camera Shop.  A scan of my newspaper archive web site reveals it was active from May,1948 through August,1953 in Menasha and would have been located in what later became part of the expanded Drucks Electric, which began life at 234 Main and later carried the address 234-236 Main Street.

Cannot Be Excelled

April 1, 1910, Neenah Daily Times

Don't be confused with the Walter Brothers Brewery, the maker of Gem and Gold Label beers.  No, this was another brewery which had existed since the 1860's but was acquired by the Winz family by 1881 and went by that name for several years.  This version lasted from about 1888 until 1920 and was, like the preceding businesses, located at First and Manitowoc Streets, according to the 1913 telephone directory.  Formerly known as the Winz Brewery, the 1920 City Directory lists Werner Winz as President, and Peter Winz as Secretary-Treasurer, so evidently the only change was that name change in 1888.  We first talked about the Winz brewery in the blog in 2012: https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/06/winz-brewery.html

Let's Go Fly a Kite

April 24, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Pure joy at getting that kite in the air.  As a boy, I had more than my share of Charlie Brown-like incidents, with the kite getting caught in the tree, so I share this kid's happiness.  Of course, I wasn't the sharpest tool in the box either, insisting I could get the thing aloft with the ever-so-slightest of breezes, but maybe that was just childish enthusiasm.  Or worse, stubborness, which I carry onward to this day, for some things. Wasn't it Dirty Harry who said, “A man's got to know his limitations?"

Just Relaxin'

April 4, 1967, Twin City News-Record

I think I remember that storeroom, but what caught my eye really was the, what we'd call today, "retro" rabbit ears and console TV. I know as well as you do that this was state-of-the-art in 1967 and viewing at that time was limited to the three channels emanating from Green Bay.  They're probably watching a soap opera, even though it says they're watching news.

And just in case you really wanted to read that news article from yesterday, here it is in its rightful format.  (Hope you didn't get a stiff neck in trying to read it as presented.)

April Fools' Day

June 29, 1923, Menasha Record

Perhaps it was the Menasha Record's April Fools' prank that year of 1923, putting the origins of the day in a June issue.  Maybe they thought...we'll show them, we'll just wait almost three full months to explain it all away.  So, beware the day!  You never know who might be out to fool you.