Double Smash Program!

July 12, 1945, Menasha Record

Here's what's playing in the Twin Cities' theaters this July day in 1945.  As you can see, air conditioning was still a big draw and look at the value you'll get for your 27 cents plus tax....two feature length movies plus a newsreel and in the Brin's case, a Three Stooges short and a Bugs Bunny cartoon.  Is it any wonder this era was called the Golden Age of Hollywood?  Needless to say, radio was great, but the movie experience was first rate.  

Running It Out

July 12, 1945, Menasha Record

The news of such a school coming to Menasha must have put some of these kids over the moon.  As much as baseball WAS the national pastime in the 1940's, having any affiliation with a major league club would be a dream come true, even if it was just an instructional situation for a very short time.  Still, the thrills of working out with coaches who (cross your fingers) might recognize one's true talent would make for a very heady experience, indeed. Hey, a kid can dream, can't he?!

Making It Last

July 10, 1945, Menasha Record

Shortages for many things occurred during the Second World  War, to include automobiles.  Metals used for car manufacture were diverted to make airplanes, tactical vehicles and armaments to supply the troops engaged in fighting in the two theaters.  So it's no wonder the oil companies of America saw fit to engage the public in encouraging the care and upkeep of the vehicles the public already possessed.  It was not only a patriotic thing to do but also good business for the car care companies.  This company took a humorous bent on the topic.  But did cars of that era REALLY require an oil change every 1,000 miles?  

WWII Paper Drive

                         

June 22, 1945, Appleton Post-Crescent

This advertisement from 1945 is representative of the time.  The unfortunate caricatures and language would obviously not pass muster today.  But it does show the commitment to the war effort that local industry took part in, paying the advertising costs for the city to get the word out and making it even easier for the citizens to do their part to win the war.

It's the Taste That Tells...

 January 27, 1945, Menasha Record

Local favorite, Gear Dairy brings us Krim-Ko chocolate flavored dairy drink.  Though I had no direct experience with the drink, one suspects that it somehow doesn't fit the Wisconsin definition of "milk" or it certainly would have been touted as such.  Perhaps it was more like today's Yahoo?  Whatever the case, my research indicates that the Krim-Ko company marketed its syrups all across the country to local dairies for them to concoct this beverage for their customers, sort of like the licensing agreement the early Kentucky Fried Chicken company had with restaurants, like Marc's Big Boy for instance, before they decided to open their own free-standing restaurants.

Moonlight Sailing

 

We "sail" into the weekend with this 1950-ish real photo postcard showing the business nature of Menasha silhouetted against the twilight skies.  The juxtaposition of the city's industrial base vs. its recreational nature has been a marketing tool for decades.  

Just Doing My Job...

 

July 10, 1958, Twin City News-Record

A local postal carrier from the city goes beyond the call of duty to alleviate the surplus of Christmas mail that inevitably piled up during the busiest part of the year and is rewarded for his efforts. To say he is modest, is an understatement.

Soon to Be Food Store

 July 9, 1958, Twin City News-Record

66K seems like a bargain to build a grocery store, but then again, this is 1958 dollars.  The real measure, per the internet's convenient inflation calculator, is more like 10 times more.  For those who don't remember, the Red Owl was adjacent to Hart Park and from time to time, I could play on the playground while my parents shopped.  And yes, I was unattended.  Sadly, we all know that wouldn't fly today.

Taking a Break....

 July 10, 1958, Twin City News-Record

A commentary on the time, when Westerns ruled the TV airwaves. Is it any wonder that our play would emulate what we saw on the black and white screens in our living rooms?  I was a serious cowboy, too.  For a time.  But then in a few years, that interloper, G.I. Joe, made his way into my life and all bets were off after that.  I was now a military man.  

They Didn't Like Us....

 

July 10, 1958, Twin City News-Record

Surely these folks DID arise on the wrong side of the bed.  What were they expecting Whitefish Bay or some other tony Milwaukee enclave?  Still, I give credit to the editor of the News-Record for sticking up for Menasha and giving the prudent, civic-minded, diplomatic response.  I wonder if they ever came back, or, for that matter, if they ever saw the editor's rebuttal.  Perhaps not, if their newspaper had been cancelled as they'd requested.

Looking for Bargains

July 15, 1977, Twin City-News-Record

Today we feature the aftermath of Menasha's Sidewalk Sale, or what the photographer noticed at a particular moment in time.  It looks like everybody was fervent in their quest for bargains, no clowning around for the lens.  

We Don't Monkey Around

                                       

July 13, 1977, Twin City-News-Record

There'll be no monkeying around when there's free popcorn to be had and bargains galore during Menasha's famed Sidewalk Sale.  Hardware values, summer fashions, foliage plants, and more were all for the taking in the summer of 1977.  

Also Serving Frogurt...

July 15, 1977, Twin City News-Record

"Frogurt," or perhaps better known as frozen yogurt or froyo, was a 1970's invention that came to be famous nationwide by the likes of businesses like TCBY.  In the fast food industry, variety is good but quality is even better.  And I'm sure most of us didn't visit Dave's for the frogurt.  

A Four and a Half Foot Tall Toothache

July 14, 1977, Twin City News-Record

Best Bakery literally takes the cake...to Neenah, to the Valley Inn's first anniversary celebration.  Sounding like a candidate for the Guinness Book of World Records, the intrepid bakers did their artistic best to showcase the event and, likely, give the bakery a public relations shot in the arm, that as any business knows, always helps.  They say any publicity is good publicity and this must have been a a sight to see. I'd have hoped the local television stations would have featured it as well.  

Beat the Heat...Any Way You Can

 

July 18, 1977, Twin City News-Record

Beginning a week-long look back to July,1977, 45 years ago.  

These two young ladies found a very unique way to cool off during the summer of 1977.  It wasn't every day that the water tower would be drained for maintenance.  You just had to be ready at a moment's notice to take advantage of such an event.  

Fireworks

 July 8, 1957, Appleton Post-Crescent

Late '50s Menasha residents view the fireworks from Jefferson Park.  I lived down Second Street from the park and could see a lot of it from my house, though many of the trees obliterated the view somewhat.  I love seeing the fashions of the time.  Today, I doubt you'd see so many dresses or skirts.

At this time, let me offer you my best wishes for a Happy Fourth of July celebration.   Be very careful if you blow off any fireworks.  

I'm going to take a week off from the blog, so look for me to return on July 11th.  See you then!