Clovis' Turn

March 22, 1978, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Yesterday we witnessed how Gegan students broke their winter doldrums with special projects that were worlds away from their regular school work.  In today's installment, Clovis Grove students get their opportunity to engage in similar activities, mostly of the arts and crafts varieties.  Taking a break from the mundane is a great tip for better mental health and the faculty of those two schools obviously recognized that their kids could only benefit from a break.

And speaking of a break (how's that for a lousy segue?)  I'm taking a hiatus for the next week from the blog.  I'll see you back here on April 5th, which just happens to be the day after Easter this year.  So...happy weekend, and Happy Easter! 

Winter Wale

March 13, 1978, Twin City News-Record

Gegan School students break up the winter doldrums with Winter Wale activities.  With Spring's arrival never a sure thing, comfort food for the psyche was prescribed for all.  And what could be finer than a respite from the drone of book learning in order to learn something new.  

Film Festival

March 25, 1969, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Here at the blog, we're no strangers to the nuances of technology and how shifts in generations usually are in proportion to scientific advances of the day.  Many of us remember our grandparents who lived through the arc of technology beginning with phonographs, then motion pictures, radio, television, etc.  So it is with us, who recall when this projector was considered state of the art for a school's audio-visual needs.  (Raise your hand if you were a member of the A-V Club!)  I still can generate a smile at the memory of seeing that projector being wheeled into my childhood classrooms and thanking the gods that today, would not be a normal, boring day!  Even a film strip (remember those?!) was enough for me.  But enough of school memories...this film festival looks to be a winner.  And as if the movies to be shown weren't great enough, that psychedelic light show might be the hit of the night.  

Irish Heritage

 March 9, 1979, Twin City News-Record

Before March ends, here's another article which highlights the rich Irish heritage of Menasha.  The story talks extensively about Dr. Francis Corry, an early physician and health officer for the city.  We first encountered him in 2019 while discussing his wife, Hannah Fitzgerald Corry, an extraordinary citizen of Menasha in her own right:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2019/04/hannah-corry-devoted-mother-and.html

Can You Believe Your Eyes!

March 14, 1938, Menasha Record

Another week and another week of laundry to consider knocking out.  But hey, there's hope.  Two of Menasha's finest retailers offer laundry day salvation, using the latest wringer washer technology from the likes of Norge and Speed Queen.  And, if you decide that deluxe outfit from Menasha Furniture is for you, getting that year's supply of Rinso is a definite plus.  Happy Monday!  

Study in Light and Shadow

After yesterday's photo of a wintry St. Mary's, let's have equal time with a photo of Menasha High.  This, taken from the 1956 Nicolet, shows the auditorium side of the high school, in a dramatic black and white photo study of light and shadow and highlighting the stately columns marking the entrance.

Winter Idyll

With the advent of Spring only three days away, there's no better time than the present to share a winter-time photograph.  I found this while paging through the 1937 Renard, St. Mary's yearbook.  Of course, this is the old school, and years before the additions of the 1952 and 1962 buildings which tended to crowd things up a bit more.  It's isolation from the church and the surrounding vacant land allowed for more trees and foliage, for which the winter snow contributes to giving the whole photo a tranquil quality.

A Real Holiday

 

February 12, 1907, Menasha Record

Every year on St. Patrick's Day, I rerun this old chestnut, celebrating the "tricksters" at the Menasha Record, for fooling all the citizenry in advance of the day.  In the past, I've attributed it to it being a slow news day, or the editor's prerogative, but be warned, all is fine.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Decorated Paperware

As featured in the 1937 Nicolet, Menasha High's yearbook.  The Menasha Products Company helped make and further a market for decorated and disposable party ware, a must when having those post-Prohibition bridge parties and get-togethers.  As we all know, clean-up is the biggest drag of such affairs, and what could be easier than to just throw it all away?  

Champs Come Home

March 15, 1960, Appleton Post-Crescent

Pandemonium reigned some 61 years ago when the basketball champs of St. Mary's came back to Menasha with the trophy.  Great photos of the downtown parade hubbub.  One wonders how those vehicles could move, considering the fans wanting to be as close as possible and rushing the cars holding the victorious coach and team.  And extra bonus...the kids got the day off from classes.

....Reflect That Perfect Grooming....

March 12, 1940, Menasha Record

Easter bonnets aren't just for ladies, at least in 1940-era Menasha.  Grade's beckons all well-dressed Menasha men to reconsider their headgear and ponder a new purchase for Easter Sunday.  Think about it.  You have time.  

Copycats

March 15, 1968, Twin City News-Record

Today's entry is an interesting advertisement promoting church attendance.  It is charming to me, in that it depicts the kids dressed up for St. Patrick's Day.  

The array of names that sponsored the ad is a who's who of Fox Valley businesses, which wanted the public to know they were aligned with the church-going sentiment.  I wonder, in today's climate, how many local businesses would be so eager to do so.   No editorializing, just an observation.  

Dining Options

March 14, 1976, Appleton Post-Crescent

With St. Patrick's Day approaching it's time to examine the many options to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on '76, from easy-going luncheons at the Left Guard to more formal dinner plans involving corned beef and cabbage.  

It's Tax Time

March 11, 1968, Twin City News-Record

Okay, these items were available at Jandrey's in Neenah...but hey, that's right next door and you were going to shop there anyway if a bargain was available.  That adding machine looks like a behemoth, considering the state of electronic calculators currently.  We all have one on our cell phones today, which makes even the cheapest Casio or TI device redundant.  But at least this model was all electric and that was rather modern for 1968.  It didn't require that handle you'd pull down to make it work.  You'd get enough physical action from pushing the carriage on that manual typewriter shown in the same ad.  Progress.

That Old Gang of Mine

March 21, 1930, Menasha Record

Comic strips were very popular in newspapers in the early part of the 20th century, so much so that, by 1931, one of the first Gallup polls showed that readers considered the comics section the most important part of their newspaper.  And of course, advertisers utilized them in advertisements, one of which was syndicated to any shoe store that sold Florsheim shoes, as indicated above.  Tuchscherer's happened to be our local outlet.

...With All the Fringe Upon It...

March 30, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

Easter for this year might be four weeks away, but that doesn't mean preparation and anticipation for the holiday shouldn't be in full swing.  These first graders at St. John's put their hearts into their task to arrive at festive head gear to display to fellow students.  

Looking Towards Spring

 March 12, 1940, Menasha Record

With an event like this, can Spring be far behind?  Twin City fishing enthusiasts were invited to the armory for a chance to win this row boat and outboard motor.  In the next two years, the country will enter World War II and, I'm certain, some events like this will be likely put aside to focus on that.  But for now, Spring Fever is in the air.

Solid Comfort

  

March 12, 1940, Menasha Record

Nothing says air-conditioned comfort to a well-heeled, spats-wearing, cigar-chomping business man than the Chippewa, at least in the eyes of Milwaukee Road employees.  Of course, one would have to drive the 18 miles to Hilbert to catch the train, but that air-conditioned comfort is hard to beat.

Watch for Safety

March 14, 1940, Menasha Record

For those who couldn't wait for Spring and the local demolition derby to take place, came this opportunity to see localized carnage and destruction under the guise of highway safety.  The whole idea reminds me of those grim movies they'd show in driver's ed training in high school.  But if it did any good, it likely was worth the effort.  

Infamous Visitor

 March 24, 1930, Menasha Record

Stories of Al Capone's travels in Wisconsin are legendary, though not much is known about his connection to Menasha besides this story.  One wonders what piece of property he was interested in obtaining.