Reunion

 October 1, 1990, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

The "isolated" outpost cities of Neenah and Menasha turned out to be profound for these gentlemen- not only in their quality of living, but for the revolutionary ways in which they learned their trade in the packaging business.  The business world after World War II was extraordinary in the excitement generated for new products, new media, and inventive new ways to harness the technological advances that were a by-product of war technology.  Avant garde ideas were massaged in unconventional training programs.  The result was an executive pool who could react to these new-fangled ideas being birthed daily and monetize them exclusively to their companies' advantage.  We don't often think of the Twin Cities as being ground zero for such free thinking, but here is the proof.

Tanks A Lot

October 25, 1983, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

If I were the kids in this tour, I would have eaten this up with a spoon.  Of course this was closer to my era when kids still played "Army" for real in their yards, instead of shooting enemies on a screen.   It was a time when toy guns were cherished because they looked and sounded as as real as possible, no orange plugs on their ends to denote their toy status.  It's a different world now, one where no 10 year old can saunter anymore into a five and dime and come out with rolls of caps for his cowboy pistol.  No matter that five and dimes have gone the way of the dinosaur; the political climate wouldn't support kids doing that anyway. 

Locks

 

October 9, 1983, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

We haven't featured the locks for quite some time.  This article from 1983 showcases lock operations when there were questions at that time about the viability of continuing the locks' operations.  But gladly, those doubts were worked through and in 2004, the Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA) was established by the State of Wisconsin to revive the system.  Since then, the locks and the waterway authority have overseen a vast water network of new recreational opportunities.  Of course, nobody anticipated a problem like an invasive fish called round gobies, from entering and overpopulating Lake Winnebago and decimating sporting fish eggs, prompting the Menasha lock closure in 2015.  Until a reliable solution can be established, please enjoy these photos from a better time.

Just Swingin'

                                                                      October 7, 1981, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Sometimes, this is all that you need.  Just you and your best friend, working together to have a little fun, wherever you can find it.  Life may not always be this easy, but when it is, it's the best!

At War?

 October 10, 1979, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Seeing a vehicle like this must have been a surprise to passing Neenah-Menasha motorists of all persuasions.  With the Twin Cities not being military towns per se, I myself would have done a double take at the sight of it.  At least the author of this piece knew it was an armored personnel carrier; too often, a thing like this is often mistaken for a tank by the civilian populace, mostly due to its armor and its tracks.

Ooh...Pretty Scary, Huh?

October 19, 1988, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

With Halloween just seven days away, scenes like this are routine by now.  Just a friendly reminder from your local blogmaster that it is time to get your candy if you plan to answer your door for the little ghosts and goblins who'll be making a visit one week from tonight.  

Sensational Featurette!

October 28, 1935, Menasha Record

As a boy, I can remember being severely scolded if I ever muttered the word "hell" in my parents' presence outside of a religious context.  And that was in the 60's.  So I find it a bit incongruous that the word is being used for this "sensational featurette" in the 1930's.  Maybe my parents were more conservative when it came to such things; perhaps they were just trying to keep me from graduating to more offensive words!  But I am also keenly aware of the old adage "War is Hell" and the expression "Come Hell or high water" so its use isn't totally off my radar.  Not having a good reference to culture in the 1930s, it just makes me wonder where they drew the line.  Remember that Clark Gable saying "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!" in Gone With the Wind four years later was a monumental in-road against movie censorship of the time.  And of course, today, anything goes, but I still wonder about such things.

No Charlie Browns Here

October 25, 1960, Appleton Post-Crescent

These zealous young athletes look so determined.  No matter that it is touch football, these kids are truly into the game.  No uniforms and no specialty gear like you'd find today, just kids in t-shirts and sweatshirts and blue jeans having a good time.  Even their sneakers are rudimentary- Chuck Taylors or PF Flyers or Red Ball Jets (remember those?)  What a great time.

Crazy, Mixed Up Pep Rally

 

October 28, 1939, Appleton Post-Crescent

Logic takes a back seat on this October day in 1939.  Why, you'd think it was April 1st for all the mixed up shenanigans occurring during this pep rally.  The spirited students must have had themselves a field day, standing normalcy on its head.  

School Spirit

October 25, 1969, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

October 8, 1973, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

The month of October brings leaves burning, Halloween decorations, and thoughts of Homecoming at local high schools.  A victory is always a nice plus, but the joy associated with the floats, the pep rallies, the bonfires, and the dances are enough to set the event off as special in the hearts of students and alumni alike.  Enthusiasm and excitement reign, even more so than the Homecoming King and Queen.  

Free Concerts

October 1, 1907, Menasha Record

The illustration shows a phonograph that play cylinders, though the copy mentions records.  Don't be confused; the cylinders were still referred to as records, unlike the flat discs we associate the term with.  Flat discs were introduced to the public around this time and the cylinder market was largely abandoned in favor of disc records by competing companies around 1912, leaving Edison as the only supplier.  Cylinders had been in play since the 1890s, but they allowed only two minutes recording time while discs of this era offered four minutes and the public saw discs as a better value.  (The whole affair is reminiscent of the old VHS vs. Beta video tape contest in the 70s and 80s.)  In time, Edison saw the handwriting on the wall and marketed a disc playing phonograph of his own in 1913 but continued to manufacture cylinders until 1929.

The Cards You've Been Looking For!

October 28, 1935, Menasha Record

Yes, it's only October but it's not too early to get ready for Christmas by getting those pesky little requirements out of the way, to include things like Christmas cards.  Even in 1935, people were not waiting until the last minute.

Dot the 'M" in Menasha

October 6, 1956, Twin City News-Record

Unlike the famous Ohio State marching band spelling out "Ohio" with the big honor being the musician who gets to dot the "I", Menasha didn't have such an obvious honor.  Maybe it was the person who was in the middle downward angle of the "M"?  Whatever the case, I just hope someone checked the field after the Neenah part of the program.  There's no telling (ahem) what those horseback riders left behind.  Just sayin'.  

Underground TV

October 25, 1962, Oshkosh Northwestern

I had heard of underground radio before, but never underground television.  But seriously, knowing the size limitations of 1962 television cameras, I am surprised this technology even existed back then.  Today, I'm sure it is as routine as changing one's socks.

Briskwool Toys

October 11, 1945, Appleton Post-Crescent

I found the above two items on eBay.  Notice the tags which identify them as being manufactured right in Menasha under the label of "Briskcraft Corporation."   More information wasn't available, but it is worth pursuing.  I will admit that I had not heard of "briskwool" nor was I aware of the toys' manufacture in our fair city until running across the above advertisement.

Columbus Day

October 12, 1935, Oshkosh Northwestern

Back when Christopher Columbus was more universally revered, school children marked the day with pageants and programs that celebrated the man's achievements in exploring.  In today's politically correct world, still having a holiday in his name is a point of contention.  And as you know, the blog does not intend to stir up discord but merely to reflect on the historical record of days past.  

Halloween Treats

October 8, 1969, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

October 22, 1970, Twin City News-Record

This being October, it means Halloween, among other things.  So we may as well get into the spirit of the season, despite the early date on the calendar.  After all, the trees are turning, the area lawns are rife with black and orange Halloween decorations,  some frivolous, some hideous, but all in the spirit of fun...or terror, if that's your bag.  I'm sure we'll revisit this holiday before the month..."expires."  (Cue the scary laugh...Bwahahahahahaha!)

A Towering Achievement

October 25, 1969, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

As school projects go, this was more attractive an idea than constructing papier mache maps or cooking meat pies!  At least to yours truly at that age.  But needless to say, it was a bit of an engineering feat that probably caused the class to say, "tres magnifique!"  

Fashion Show

October 6, 1962, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

1962 brought to town what the well-dressed local police officer would be wearing while fighting crime and enforcing the law.  It's a definite mid-century police issue, complete with that "Sam Browne" belt.  Today, the belt has been relegated to ceremonial use, if at all, in police forces nationwide.  Safety issues have rendered the belt obsolete because the vertical design of the belt could enable others to gain physical control of law enforcement officers in an altercation.  But seeing that belt definitely says "police."

National Downtown Week

October 23, 1964, Twin City News-Record

The News-Record highlights some 1964 improvements in area stores to improve their images and optimize the chances of people to shopping there.  There is only so much a new coat of paint can do but it is a necessary first step in improving the "optics' as they tend to say around my office.

Newest Addition

October 1, 1954, Appleton Post-Crescent

Located at 408 Water Street, this restaurant was a mainstay in the downtown for years.  Even after it ceased to be Alex's, the address operated under other names and owners for many decades.  But missing from this ad is the inebriated fish holding a martini glass, which became the restaurant's primary logo in subsequent years.