A blog which supplements my two books, Menasha, and Neenah and Menasha: Twin Cities of the Fox Valley
Pages
Downtown 1958
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
A Study in Black and White
December 29, 1969, Appleton Post-Crescent
Like silhouettes against a vast expanse of white, Jefferson Park gives this day in 1969 to us an interesting study in light and dark, in perspective, and also in minimalism as Mother Nature does her usual thing. I've often heard that the simplest things can be the most interesting, or most pleasurable. When it comes to art, less is often best.
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Happiest New Year
Monday, December 28, 2020
"Tapespondents"
Friday, December 18, 2020
Yes, Virginia....
December 24, 1935, Menasha Record
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Story of Christmas
December 23, 1964, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
A more traditional Christmas play was the subject of Menasha High's theater department this day in 1964. Today, such a display might not ever happen due to political correctness and the fear of offending the non-believers. But back in this day, it was still okay and MHS seniors did their utmost to put on a rousing and, I'm sure, a touching show.
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Christmas City of the Valley
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Sing Nowell!
December 23, 1943, Appleton Post-Crescent
I must admit, I wasn't aware of this show as a Christmas favorite. But I did a little research and learned that it is based on traditional Anglo-American songs and carols. Purportedly, the show always features two aspects of the season: the familiar Christmas story as recounted in the New Testament, and the visiting customs involving gift-giving, performing dances and plays, and sharing food and drink with neighbors and family. I'm sure their fathers, serving all over the world during the war, were justifiably proud to receive this photo clipped out of the newspaper and included in a welcome letter from home.
Monday, December 14, 2020
A Variety of Savings
Friday, December 11, 2020
Satisfied
December 18, 1958, Twin City News-Record
The Menasha Rotary Club couldn't have asked for a better result from their pre-Christmas dinner according to this roving reporter. Children reap the magic of the season and it surely was evident that day, if little Eugene Johnson was to be believed.
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Christmas Spruce Up
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Closing Early
December 24, 1941, Appleton Post-Crescent
I'm assuming Ralph meant 10 pm on Christmas Eve, though that isn't specifically stated. And nice to know we could still rely on him for Christmas Day libations in case we ran out. Seventeen days earlier, we declared war on Japan after the disastrous Pearl Harbor attack; maybe Ralph knew how much we needed a stiff drink. The blog first visited Ralph's way back in 2012: https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/11/ralphs-beer-depot.html.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Time for Change
Monday, December 7, 2020
Not Too Late
Friday, December 4, 2020
Whew!
December 20, 1948, Menasha Record
Either Santa has asbestos underpants or he really DOES have magical powers! Assuming he DID come down the chimney, that kid who seems to be warming his hands is darned lucky Santa didn't skip his house altogether! I'm too young to remember the Menasha Record, but I DO recall Christmas Seals and similar illustrations on the front pages of the Post-Crescent or Northwestern newspapers.
Thursday, December 3, 2020
A One-Two Christmas Punch
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
The Sign of Flavor
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Avalon Cafe Bar
We've visited the Avalon a couple of times in the past. The links below reference those posts, in 2013 and 2016. To refresh your memory, the Avalon sat next to the rear of the Bank of Menasha on Main Street. In the early 1960's, the property was sold to one Fred Thurston and his partner who turned the bar into something called The Left Guard. You might have heard of it.