A blog which supplements my two books, Menasha, and Neenah and Menasha: Twin Cities of the Fox Valley
Pages
Downtown 1958
Friday, February 26, 2021
Den of Iniquity?
Thursday, February 25, 2021
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.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Wooden Ware History
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Hey There!
Monday, February 22, 2021
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.
Friday, February 19, 2021
Good or Choice
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Killing the Boredom
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
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.
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Frosty Walk
Monday, February 15, 2021
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.
Friday, February 12, 2021
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.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
"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.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
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.
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
In a Burger Sort of Mood
Monday, February 8, 2021
Do You Want a Nobby Rig?
Friday, February 5, 2021
Thriving
Thursday, February 4, 2021
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.
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Quick Delivery
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
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