Den of Iniquity?

February 27, 1914, Menasha Record

We've been to this place before...in 2012.  See this link for some photos:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/08/mission-billiards.html. The building still stands today, just past One Menasha Center in the former Morton's Drugs (remember them?).  

The proprietor lists his table as 5 x 10 feet.  I don't know much about pool tables but by today's standards, this seems a bit large as 9 feet seems to be the limit, with 8 and 7 foot tables available also.  That is, of course, unless he was measuring a different way.  Nevertheless, the pool hall was smack dab in the center of downtown and one wonders how tolerated that was or did the establishment withstand periodic morals issues raised by certain aspects of the populace.  But considering the area's history of tolerating so many drinking establishments for so many years, perhaps this was small potatoes.

Live to Learn and Learn to Live

March 16, 1901, Oshkosh Northwestern

A librarian who habitually observed the rough manners of young boys in the library would be interested in quelling such disturbances.  I'm sure the library environment of 1901 resembled very little of the library we've come to know and love in the current day, with silence enforced with death stares and punitive sanctions to ruffians of all ages.  The logic for starting this was likely related to the fact that young ladies had etiquette classes and cotillions which led to debutante balls, etc.  Introducing young people to "society" was once a big deal, so any efforts like this made sense.  But despite the writer reporting the enthused reactions by the young men involved, I sincerely wonder how welcome this organization was to an average young boy of the time, other than going along with it to please his parents.

Wooden Ware History

March 12, 1962, Twin City News-Record

We've delved into the history of the Menasha Wooden Ware many times previously.  But in this go round, some of the old-timers who actually made the pails and supervised their production were featured in this presentation.  Imagine the history they witnessed from the Wooden Ware's heydays.  

Hey There!

March 13, 1962, Twin City News-Record

The battle of the sexes, retail-style.  Not really, but taken from a 2021 perspective, it's the same old trope, men are the hands-on, manly hardware types while women, or "Girls!" as they are known here, only care about housewares, appliances, and cutlery they can obtain at these stores.  She's obviously looking at place settings while he's ogling the latest power tools.  God help us if she needs to hang a picture in 1962!  But hey, I'm being too harsh, as I recognize it for its time.  I enjoy a Rock Hudson-Doris Day movie the same as anybody else, but I can take it for what it was, back then.  I'm just glad we've come a long way from this.

Winter Pursuits

March 7, 1960, Twin City News-Record

Wholesome winter fun ruled the roost when these Twin City boys put their carpentry skills to good use to create welcome habitats for our feathered friends.  Personally, I do not know the difference between a wren house and the "rustic" kind, but the photo reveals that some creativity was definitely involved.  

Good or Choice

March 11, 1968, Twin City News-Record

Lots of incentives by the Wanserskis to buy that side of beef you've been eying up.  Provided you had the requisite freezer space, 49 cents per lb. sounds like a pretty good deal, even for 1968.  

Killing the Boredom

March 11, 1968, Twin City News-Record

March 12, 1968, Twin City News-Record

A lot of Menasha residents killed the boredom of a random winter Sunday afternoon by taking the tours of a new school and a new water plant.  With no football in sight and the promise of spring pursuits many weeks away, taking advantage of this opportunity was a no-brainer.

The Big Day?

 February 25, 1985, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

If this happened while I was in high school, it would have seriously scared me into taking my time about jumping into things.  This photo really seals the deal because it looks so real.  How did this work, though?  Everyone is so professionally dressed up, I would hope the school teamed up with some formal wear place or bridal shop to cut down on the costs involved.  If nothing else, it might show how much work (and cost) is involved in getting a wedding put together.

Frosty Walk

March 12, 1973, Twin City News-Record

Anytime walking across the river can be an adventure but doing it in the frigid temps of March only emphasizes our robustness in living where we do.  The bridge and Banta's might be gone but our hardiness remains.

Cookie Time

February 27, 1970, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

A favorite time of year, to be sure, even back in 1970.  The uniforms might have changed and the cookies might have been tweaked a bit, (gluten free, anyone?), but I still look forward to them.  

Work Lessons

February 18, 1970, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Tales of yesteryear.  Does any kid have a paper route anymore?  Does anyone get the newspaper, for that matter?  Or is it like my world in South Carolina where an adult man in a car brings my paper every morning at 6:30 and I am the last person on the cul-de-sac who still subscribes?  I suspect this dialogue was a bit imagined and repurposed by the writer to get her point across, but she imparted enough info about paper routes in 1970 that it is a time capsule to a by-gone era.  The whole "Hey Mister" thing sounds like newsboys from a 1930's movie.  Still, she is correct that delivering newspapers was one of the first thing kids could do to make their mark in the business world, save for mowing lawns and selling lemonade on the corner.  Even I succumbed somewhat, not having my own route but helping friends deliver The Buyer's Guide on Wednesdays sometimes.  Not the same, but similar.  

"No Man's Land"

January 24, 1967, Twin City News-Record

This was the condition of womens' athletics five years before Title IX became a reality.  Begrudging acceptance of a "no mans' land" on selected nights and a condescending attitude towards any interest.  This was the same era when a woman had to sneak into the Boston Marathon to participate and then was hunted down to oust her from the race.   

Title IX, from 1972 said that "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."  This law, coupled with the era's newfound progressive interest in womens' rights led to an evolution and a revolution where the world of womens' athletics for this era compared to today looks positively prehistoric. 

What, Me Worry?

 

January 31, 1967, Twin City News-Record

A familiar visiting icon (at least to some of we blog readers, to whom Mad Magazine was a staple growing up) made an appearance to help St. Mary's High Schoolers meet a milestone  with another semester in the books.  

In a Burger Sort of Mood

January 24, 1967, Twin City News-Record

Nostalgia reigns supreme here at the blog, and I was in a burger sort of mood anyway.  So,  nothing could make me happier than to pluck a bag of burgers through the ol' time portal and bring them back to the present day.  Well, we know that isn't going to happen but we still have our memories:  

 

Do You Want a Nobby Rig?

February 1, 1895, Neenah Daily Times

Another fine selection of area merchants and services for the Twin Cities.  My eye was drawn to the "Livery" ads.  "Nobby" refers to something being elegant or fine, it being a British colloquialism.  So a "nobby rig" would be a stylish or fancy carriage for one's horses.  And in this year of 1895, this was something of interest as the horseless carriage wouldn't be a default choice for transport for many years to come.   

Thriving

February 2, 1889, Saturday Evening Post

Mayor Lawson's pulley company received some welcome press by the forerunner to the Post-Crescent.  He had founded the company just an year before.  In the same issue of the paper, was this ad:

Here's the link to my original pulley company post back in 2012, but do a search on the word "pulley" and you'll find many ads and photos related to the company: https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/06/menasha-wood-split-pulley-company.html

98 Cent Sale

January 31, 1961, Twin City News-Record

Later in 1961 or sometime in 1962, Tip Top moved to its final location at Third and Racine Streets.  But for now, music fans alike could flock to the Tip Top location on Main Street to satisfy their greatest musical desires and save money in the process.

Quick Delivery

February 13, 1913, Menasha Record

The Woodenware was better than a lumber yard in some cases by its willingness to sell lumber and wood products to the general public at competitive prices.  And kudos to the copywriter who thought up the neat eye-catching backwards lead-in. 

Orpheum Tonight

February 12, 1925, Menasha Record

Some neat stuff in this issue of the Menasha Record, not the least of which is the Orpheum movie listings.  In case you didn't know, Tom Mix was the Roy Rogers of the silent era.  I've included a photo of the movie palace below, in case you haven't seen it before.  The Orpheum, later known as the Valley, was on the south side of Main Street, about where the marina is today.  And it predated the Brin, which didn't open until Christmas Day, 1928.

Courtesy of Jeff Heimerman as posted in the Remembering Menasha History and Menasha4U groups on Facebook

And you can find another photo of the Orpheum at this link, depicting a World War I parade:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/10/orpheum-theatre.html

Takeover

 

February 12, 1957, Twin City News-Record

Local Boy Scouts flexed their muscles and shouldered civic governmental responsibility when they visited City Hall and other agencies to learn how the city works.  The News-Record provided some nice photos of the occasion in this edition, as well as reminding us of the impending Valentine's Day on the horizon.