Time Juxtaposition

October 14, 1988, Oshkosh Northwestern

St. Mary high schoolers resurrect the 1960's in their mode of dress and adopt hippie identities while elementary students embrace the current era by learning programming skills.  The 1980's were all the rage in personal computing and it made in-roads into the nation's schools.  Today, we take it all for granted, with issuance of tablets and other devices outright to students.  This was pre-internet, as well, so the differences are even more prevalent.  Imagine today's pandemic in this era!  Home schooling would be so much different, it might as well be the hippie era.  

Be Good, Kids!

 

September 27, 1961, Oshkosh Northwestern

Like one of those old black and white movies about the perils of dating and fast living, our teenagers in the early '60's were reminded that temptations were easily found in the dating world.  It was a lucky circumstance that we had the good priests of St. Mary's to keep us on the straight and narrow.  Naturally, this would be a great topic for panicky parents of teenagers at the St. Mary's equivalent of the PTA.  While the kids could only roll their eyes at such advice, the parents eagerly took it to heart.  Say what you will about such advice, but we all have some memories of this theme, and despite getting "the talk" or not, such concerns were a simple fact of teenage life.

Somber Thoughts

September 29, 1961, Twin City News-Record

For today's installment, let's hearken back to the Cold War, when the US and USSR engaged in a relationship of mutually assured destruction via nuclear weaponry.  In the midst of the "duck and cover" drills we former students of a certain age may still recall, comes this somber editorial about saving the Fox Valley's youngest citizens from the inevitable fallout.  For those less aware, "mutually assured destruction" is a doctrine of military strategy and national security policy in which a full-scale use of nuclear weapons would cause the complete annihilation of both the attacker and the defender.  We may remember this more vividly as the theory of "deterrence," which holds that the threat of using strong weapons against the enemy prevents the enemy's use of those same weapons. Thankfully, this never escalated to the point of being a reality, but the fear was always there.

Bullying Tactic

 September 8, 1958, Appleton Post-Crescent

I've redacted the name of the young man who was the victim of this activity, something the newspaper didn't do 62 years ago.  Surely today, it would go by the name of "bullying."  I understand it was a different era for newspapers, but I cannot imagine the unwanted attention coming to this poor kid after the disclosure of his identity provided enough embarrassment to last his entire senior year.  I mean, really?  Publishing his name, his parent's names AND his address?  Likely his parents got grief too over this.   Or maybe it wasn't that way, maybe it was a slice of whimsy for the guy the rest of his life, the source of many anecdotes at high school reunions, perhaps.  But still, you have to wonder the necessity of revealing his identity.  

Postscript:  I looked him up in more old newspapers and found that he lived a very productive life, staying in the area, raising a family, maintaining a successful career, etc. before passing away five years ago. He definitely wasn't defined by this one incident.

Modeling Fun

 

September 26, 1949, Appleton Post-Crescent

Marathon put a frivolous punctuation mark on their end label production anniversary by showcasing dresses made with them during their annual Foremens' Club dinner.  I'd heard of duct tape prom dresses and wedding gowns made of toilet paper, but this was an interesting first. 

Opening Day

 

September 5, 1958, Appleton Post-Crescent

Back in 1958, Menasha was excited for its first new school in twenty years.  The then-revolutionary design, was indicative of the 1950's and its emphasis on streamlined design in accordance with the space age lifestyle the media was promoting.  We last looked at Clovis Grove in 2017:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2017/07/nearing-completion.html

Liberty's Birthday

 

September 25, 1985, Appleton Post-Crescent

Today in the blog, we go back 35 years to a fun celebration for the Statue of Liberty.  I know there was some educational value involved there but, hey...who's up for free cake?!  The only other thing better than the regular class was a film strip or a movie (now there I go showing my age again.)  

Monumental Losses

 

September 23, 1935, Oshkosh Northwestern

On July 4, 1826, former Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who were once fellow Patriots and then adversaries, died on the same day within five hours of each other.  In another historical coincidence, these two Menasha industrial stalwarts passed away within hours of each other.  While Mr. Miner was definitely a company man, and maintained and grew his company in myriad ways, Mr. Banta continually reinvented himself, culminating in founding the publishing firm that bore his name.  The comparison is far-fetched perhaps, but one cannot discount the influence the two businessmen described above had upon the economy and civic status of Menasha and, for that matter, the entire Fox Valley.  

Headquarters

September 26, 1939, Menasha Record

With the impending destruction (if not already) of this iconic office, let's go back to 1939 when it was the newest thing in town and revel in the writer's description of its interior.  Mahogany and pine combine to create a command center of commercial activity for its executives and administrative staff.

Rocket Man

 September 26, 1972, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Great timing by the staff photographer to get the rocket in the air with smoke trail; it  made for a terrific photo.  This was at the tail end of the U.S. space buzz; three months hence, in December, Apollo 17 would be was the last manned flight to the moon.  How many of my fellow blog readers followed the space race in the '60s and '70s?

Youthful Exuberance

 

September 19, 1970, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Let's get the through the dreary mid-week slog with a cheery picture that can't help but rise up our spirits.  And after all, isn't that what a cheerleader does, even a two year old?!  

On the Waterfront

 

September 11, 1970, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Here's a rare up-close view of a former waterfront business, this one from fifty years ago.  To the left, you can glimpse the back of the recently vacated public library which fronted Mill Street since 1897.  The Anchor Inn would go through several iterations before its eventual demise; in fact, in later years, the whole block would disappear with the advent of an office building and parking lot.  But back in 1970, this was one of the downtown dining options.  If memory serves me, the last time I ate there was in 1980, after returning from an Army tour of Alaska.  

Water, Water Everywhere

September 25, 1970, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Growing up on Second Street, I lived just a few blocks form this water treatment facility and often I would pass it on my way to Jefferson Park.  Needless to say, like most people, I had no idea what went on inside the building and likely, at my age, didn't care.  But we all took for granted what it did, giving us safe and healthy water for our every day lives.  With the old water tower in the background, it gives its location away on Broad Street. 

Pressing the Flesh

 

March 12, 1960, Twin City News-Record

A few days ago, we teased Senator John F. Kennedy's campaign stops in Appleton and Menasha in early March of the 1960 election year.  Neenah was to be included as well, but had to be scrapped at the last minute due to time constraints, disappointing many Neenah voters and Kennedy supporters.  

Many thanks to Larry F. who cued me in to this story.  He remembered, as a young boy, picking up his dad at American Can and seeing JFK shaking hands with the workers at the shift change at 3.  Although his thought was that this occurred the previous year, his memories otherwise were spot on, to include knowledge of a plaque that commemorated the event.  Today, you can find the plaque at the marina in Menasha, as the surrounding landscape has evolved dramatically in 60 years.  The union hall is long gone, but the plaque remains, and so do the memories.  See the link below:

https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMCZKG_JFK_campaigned_here_Menasha_WI

Many thanks to waymarking.com.

Unusual Crop

September 16, 1972, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Here, in the blog, we've seen strange crops over the years- enormous pumpkins, watermelons, flowers, etc. featured here, but this tobacco crop is a first for the Menasha area.  Mr. Wilson's "chawin' tobacco" was a hit, at least for him. I'd take his word for it- my own grandfather most likely would have welcomed such a thing, but I'm okay, thanks. 

On the Campaign Trail...in Menasha!

March 12, 1960, Twin City News-Record

With a Presidential election looming less than two months from now, the country's focus on the candidates was never higher.  That is, unless we go back 60 years to the days of John F. Kennedy vs Richard Nixon. Although it isn't the greatest quality, this photo will act as a teaser for a more detailed article later in the week regarding JFK's visit to Menasha in early 1960.  A long-time blog reader tipped me off to this historical happening (I was three years old at the time, so my memory of this is zilch!).  Needless to say, his visit brought great excitement to the valley and to those who saw him in person, I'm sure.  We'll delve into this in more depth in coming days.

Electro-Polished Point

September 7, 1955, Appleton Post-Crescent

This "old school" pen brings back memories of my older siblings attending classes at St. Mary's High in the mid-'60's.  I'm not sure if the school was holding on to the old ways but I recall my brother going to school wearing the infamous, what we now consider nerdy, pocket protector because the school required the use of these old style ink pens and they had a tendency to leak.  Many a white shirt pocket was in danger of the Scripto blue ink stains.  Now, by the time I saw them in use, the pens actually had ink cartridges which made ink bottles unnecessary, but it was still imperfect.  Luckily, by the time I reached high school some six years later, there was no more requirement for them and Bic ball points were good enough.  Maybe it was the nuns' idea?!  

Pony Dreams

July 31, 1941, Menasha Record

I can only imagine the realizations going on in the mind of a parent to have won this prize of a pony and how much fun it would be to turn this down once his or her child gets wind of it!  Oh yes, the pony comes with lots of equipment but no mention of feed, boarding, etc.  Try explaining THAT away to your kid.  Oh, for the simpler Labor Days of rides, parades, and picnics.

But with no ponies, at least in MY sight, I will enjoy my Labor Day weekend, whatever it entails.  I'll be back next Tuesday after all the hoopla.  Stay safe!

Downtown Enthusiasm

 September 12, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent

An exciting time for Menasha as the new football stadium, Calder Field, was to be dedicated and inaugurated the next day.  We've seen other blog posts about the dedication ceremony but this is the first time we've seen the excitement move downtown in sort of a pep rally sort of way.  A sign of the times, I can't help but notice so many dresses and skirts worn by the young ladies in attendance.  No judgment, just an observation as times and fashions change.

Get Out the Vote

 September 11, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent

As if the idea of a mobile voter registration booth wasn't smart enough, the League of Women Voters were clever enough to use some word play to rename the vehicle they used to do the job.  How neat was that?  Of course, the cynic in me thinks the VW people had already thought this one out and likely offered their VW vans to many more markets than this one for such a purpose.  Still, a clever name and while voting is more in the news than ever today, it wouldn't surprise me to see a similar campaign or other creative ploys to encourage our citizens to have the ability to cast a ballot on Election Day.

Back to School Supplies

August 17, 1955, Appleton Post-Crescent

It was another time, when kids actually rode their bikes to school, so it's no wonder the local hardware would consider getting one's bike in good repair to be an essential back to school priority.  From the items on the price list, it appears one could almost build a bike from the ground up.