1-2-3-Go!

March 1, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

Gotta love the inebriated fish with the martini glass.  I often wondered about that mascot, what led to its adoption.  It certainly fit the concept of Alex's on the Water.

You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet! And free bus service!

March 1, 1929, Menasha Record

The Brin had just opened on Christmas Day, 1928, so it hadn't been yet fitted for sound pictures, hence,the mention of the Appleton Theatre being the only Vitaphone-equipped theater in the valley.   Notice that Leonard K. Brin, who had named his theater in Menasha after himself, also owned the Appleton Theatre, as he billed it as "Brin's Appleton Theatre."

What's New for Dinner?

March 7, 1969, Appleton Post-Crescent

Let's end the tumultuous week by looking back at a happier time when we had the freedom to do just about anything.  Fried chicken was king at both Big Boy and the Mars drive-in.  Remember when Kentucky Fried Chicken was franchised to individual restaurants?   Only later came the free-standing KFC outlets.  Lots of bars and clubs, too to dance the night away with live music.  Or if that didn't suit your fancy, how about the live music at the Village Inn pizza parlor.  Bring the family!  

"The Loop"

April 28, 1928, Menasha Record

June 8, 1928, Menasha Record

August 27, 1929, Menasha Record

A reader of the blog recently asked, what is "the Loop" mentioned in one of the ads I had featured regarding Karo Week in Menasha.  I did some digging and learned that the area of Main, Tayco and Kaukauna Streets was once referred to as the Loop by Menasha businessmen.  Maybe the city fathers admired Chicago and its Loop. But whether or not this designation had some basis in fact, the designation was used in the twenties and thirties and then seems to have died off.  If you look at the map pictured below, you can see that by including Chute Street, you do, indeed, get a loop that can be traveled.  Was this the reason why?  Who knows, but it does make for a bit of interesting Menasha trivia.

Books on Sale

My two books, Menasha and Neenah and Menasha: Twin Cities of the Fox Valley, are on sale at arcadiapublishing.com. Save 30% and catch up on your reading!

https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Navigation/Books?searchText=menasha

Germs, Beware!

March 6, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

As if you haven't had your fill of coronavirus news, yours truly brings this out of retirement.  But unlike today's climate of fear, this is a more innocent time when all these kids had to do was to get through the health skit and move on, for Pete's sake. 

Of course, as of the date of this photo, we aren't that far removed from the days of polio and every kid pictured here could relate somewhat- whether knowing a friend or relative who had been affected or maybe by just remembering getting the polio vaccine.  Even I recall that, only too well.  

I wish you all well in your self-isolating routines and please continue to be safe.

Karo Week in Menasha

March 1, 1929, Menasha Record

Five of the area's local grocers get together with the Karo people to make a big marketing effort, one I hadn't seen until later years frankly.  My own family has used the product for years, to include its use on pancakes and making candy, but I had not heard of putting it on bread to give your kids.  But I guess that's the beauty of marketing- finding new and incredible uses to win over the reluctant customer and thereby "renew" the brand for a new generation.  

The Digestion of an Ostrich

March 12, 1919, Neenah Daily Times

Good "prescription" from a bowling alley "doctor" downtown.  Although some of his claims are a bit suspicious (digestion of an ostrich?), one can take it to heart that any period of time spent in recreation will do a man good, even if he does succumb to the nicotine delights Mr. Liber has for sale.  And since this was a time when physicians would literally advocate cigarette smoking in various advertisements of the day, it all fits together nicely, I think.

Party Line Co-Operation

March 22, 1949, Menasha Record

During this period while we battle the coronavirus, a time in which our civic leaders have implored us to be patient and kind to our fellow citizens, we hearken back to an era of basic phone etiquette guidelines which were published by the actual phone company.  I, too, remember people listening in to our party line phone calls and the frustration of having the line tied up when desiring to make a call.  But just as it was back then, we have courteous neighbors and those not so kind in today's world.  Just a reminder that courtesy is always in style, no matter the situation, be it in line at a grocery, or just waiting to park your car.  

Dueling Pianists

November 12, 1863, Saturday Evening Press

With all the talk lately about sheltering in place and social distancing, I was intrigued by what activities our forebearers engaged in to help pass the time, especially before the age of electronic devices, TV, radio, and even phonographs.  And of course, my research led me down the path to- what else? -  music in the home.  

I was surprised a bit, though not too much, to see these competitors for the Twin City (or at that time Twin "Village" ) dollar in piano instruction.  Written in the typical flowery language of the mid-19th century, there seems to be little distinction between the two other than the fact that Miss Crosby does indeed live in Neenah and rooms at the Rev. Thayer's.  I wonder...is that for the benefit of the reader to know where to find her if one wants piano lessons?  Or is it some unspoken morality shorthand where the reader can rest assured that she is of the utmost "character" because she resides at the residence of a man of the cloth? 

Dine Out for Easter

April 16, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent

From one holiday to another.  Now Easter is on the horizon, and about as late as it can be.  But with all the stuff going on out in the world, we can only hope that by the time Easter comes this year, we will once again be able to break bread in a communal way in a restaurant.  Until then, we'll do the best we can, taking care of ourselves and our families.  

Great Solemnity

March 18, 1973, Appleton Post-Crescent

It was a grand old time for the Irish in 1873 per this detailed article.  Festive marches, impassioned speeches, and appearances from Irish societies from all over the valley punctuated the day.  Even the temperance societies got into the act...can you believe belonging to something called the Total Abstinence Society?  Nevertheless, a good time was had by all.  Here's to a great St. Patrick's Day for you all.  I know this is a challenging time, but I know you'll make the best of it.  

All Day Holiday

February 12, 1907, Menasha Record

From the literary minds of the fifth estate who found it so funny a few weeks back to report on a supposed KKK meeting in Menasha comes this revelation about St. Patrick's Day of 1907.  Either the writer is a fan of O. Henry stories or a failed practical joker.  It must have been a slow news day to have come up with this gem.

Built to Go!

March 25, 1967, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

I remember as a boy, going down to the Gibson lot downtown, next to the fire station with my Dad.  It wasn't very big- space was at a premium, unlike today's mega lots that encompass acres of real estate.  But to a little guy of four or five, it seemed like a world of cars.  There's something nostalgic about that memory which I've kept in my heart all these years.  Maybe it was the small town charm of the experience, but mostly I'm thinking it was just being with my Dad, no other kids or Mom.  Just the two of us, a couple of guys looking at cars.  

Cash In

March 16, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent

Drucks celebrates St. Patrick's Day with a special sale and pulls out all the stops in keeping with the theme.  

"Colorful History"

July 24, 1983, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

No editorializing or moralizing here, just make of this what you will.  The article confirms some of those rumors that have been floating around Menasha for years by quoting a very reputable source.

Merit is the Reason

March 9, 1935, Appleton Post-Crescent

The Post-Crescent brings us yet another advertisement disguised as a news article, this time for a distinguished local beer.  From the good folks who would later bring you Gem beer, comes their earlier product which had been available since the late 19th century.  Just dial "2" and some of that golden nectar will soon be coming your way.

Taste the Difference

March 4, 1961, Appleton Post-Crescent

Sugar-free?  How very modern!  But in heavy glass bottles, the way soft drinks were intended to be served for home consumption, with a nice deposit to boot.  This is not our first rodeo with Twin City Beverages, but this blogmeister is still in love with that map label touting the Twin City nature of our very being.

Agony of Defeat

March 13, 1961, La Crosse Tribune

Winners and losers.  For every ecstatic victor, there is a dejected finisher whose fans follow right along to the bitter end.  Some are in shock, staring vacantly into space, while others hide their eyes, too anxious to watch the inevitable.  The sudden heartbreak is too much to bear.  There is no tomorrow, only the next campaign.  For the seniors, it becomes a personal asterisk on their record, a stigmata that will always mark the year that they could not get the job done.  All the cliched platitudes about being proud of their season, about getting that far...in the moment, they cannot salve this sting of defeat.  For those lower classmen, they will say there is the next season, but the soon-to-be graduates will always know how close to the sun they flew before the fall.  As time moves on,  they reassess their experiences. They take comfort in knowing they did their best, but every now and then they sit thoughtfully and wonder, what if?

Three Post Offices

May 13, 1968, Appleton Post-Crescent

Though this piece is largely an explanation of early postal service for Appleton, there IS some connection with our fair city. We've covered parts of this before. One can see the derivation of the name "Tayco" for the street on Menasha's west side- which led to that mail box nailed to a tree in what was then called "Teco's Point."

Oh, Buoy

March 21, 1961, Appleton Post-Crescent

As the text above states, Spring IS just around the corner and soon these valuable and necessary navigational aids will be dotted around the area waterways.  If this doesn't want to make you want to shake the winter cobwebs from your person, perhaps the warmer weather and the spring thaw will do the trick.  As for me, I am ready.  

A Man of Experience

March 11, 1961, Appleton Post-Crescent

Well, how neat was this- to have such a cool record department in our very own downtown, manned by the area's favorite disc jockey and record spinner.  Before he became noteworthy in other pursuits, Jerry Burke anchored this fine record desk and advised customers about what to buy.  We first encountered Jerry in a feature about the Blue Inn in 2013:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-inn.html

X-Ray Fitted

March 23, 1950, Appleton Post-Crescent

Tuchscherer's wasn't the only place downtown to get your feet x-rayed in order to ensure a "good" fit to your shoes.  I'm sure the kids just loved it.  And I love the juvenile illustrations of the kids playing throughout the ad.  It reminds me of the figures still found on Tootsie Pops. (Really...take a look.)  Also, less than ten years before, this address was the Hoffmann grocery store.  Not sure what led to a changeover into the shoe game, but they seem to have captured a moment in the late '40s/early '50s zeitgeist when the post-WWII boom was at its peak and optimism reigned supreme across the US.