A blog which supplements my two books, Menasha, and Neenah and Menasha: Twin Cities of the Fox Valley
Pages
Downtown 1958
Monday, November 28, 2022
The Hiatus Continues
Friday, November 18, 2022
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 26, 1968, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
Here's wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving and hoping that what's on your table rivals what was on the Hotel Menasha's menu back in 1968. Please take some time to reflect on all the blessings bestowed upon our lives, big and small. For myself, I give my sincerest thanks to you. Your generous enthusiasm for Menasha history inspires me to seek out more and more interesting aspects of this great town of ours to share with you.
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Brewed to the Taste of Our Region
November 19, 1948, Menasha Record
While it wasn't brewed in our town, everyone in the Fox Valley was still familiar with this beer. I'm not sure what "the taste of our region" really was, but still it's a great ad gimmick to counter any arguments that Chief Oshkosh didn't taste like those big city Milwaukee beers.
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Holidays Are a Time for Art
November 18, 1978, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
As we continue this week's theme of Thanksgiving-related projects and events, we hearken back to that cornerstone of all November school art projects, the depictions of the history of the holiday. I believe student depictions of Pilgrims interacting with Native Americans is second only to drawing a turkey by outlining your hand.
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Say "Thanks" With Flowers
November 23, 1948, Menasha Record
Linsdau's makes a good argument to gift the host or hostess with flowers or even a plant as a thanks for Thanksgiving dinner. And it avoids the faux pas of bringing the wrong bottle of wine, or even offending them if they don't drink.
Monday, November 14, 2022
New Friends
November 26, 1979, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
We start the week on a pleasant note with memories of the Santa parade. And occasionally we encounter friends, new and old, which underscores the obvious fun. Life is like that sometimes.
Friday, November 11, 2022
Veterans Day
November 12, 1979, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
Today being Veterans Day, please take a moment to remember the sacrifices of the brave men and women who have given of their lives to keep us all safe and free.
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Vets Vent
November 13, 1983, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
Marine Corps veterans speak their peace about patriotism and love of country in advance of Veterans Day. It was a different era when these vets were interviewed; the atmosphere seems more politically charged now when it comes to these subjects. After twenty years of war overseas and having lived through the controversies surrounding kneeling during the national anthem and other civil disturbances, one wonders what their viewpoints would be now. No one will argue that flag waving is nice, but these vets were the truest of patriots for the service they provided.
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Another Wall?
November 8, 1961, Oshkosh Northwestern
Humorous take by the Northwestern regarding the always out-there tensions between Neenah and Menasha and likening it to the then-current Berlin Wall being built.
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
There is Still Time
November 4, 1958, Twin City News-Record
Heed Edmund Burke's prophetic words. Vote. No matter what your party is, vote. No matter how much you feel your side has it "in the bag", vote. Be a part of the democratic process and vote.
Monday, November 7, 2022
More Tubes
Friday, November 4, 2022
Again, We Learn....
November 24, 1999, Twin City News-Record
These "Back in Time" compilations are pretty neat. From the archives of over a hundred years ago, we continue to learn something new. Today's new word..."footpad." As used in the first paragraph, a footpad is a robber who does so on foot, usually victimizing pedestrians. His counterpart is the "highwayman," a robber on horseback, and one who is considered of a higher level, that is, as thieves go. I will admit, I was aware of the term highwayman but had never heard footpad until today. From my research, the word was popular until the 19th century, then fell out of favor, for whatever reasons.
Plus, we get a swell Island view of the area between Ahnaip Street and Nicolet Boulevard from the vantage point of the Walter Brothers Brewery..
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Guess Who Will Win
November 5, 1940, Menasha Record
Local theaters get in on the fun, using the national election to pull in customers. Gimmicks ruled. Remember, this was an era when they gave dishes away at theaters, among other goods. So, what could be better than the chance for a free movie ticket, especially when the odds are fifty-fifty, though knowing the politics of the time could certainly move the needle in one's favor. And just a side note, don't the prices for The Man Who Came to Dinner seem exorbitant for 1940? I'd read that a movie ticket was a quarter during the 1940s. So even if it IS one night only, that's still a hefty price.
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
The Alley Fleet
November 4, 1958, Twin-City News-Record
The alley behind Main Street houses the finest 1950s era service trucks and vans available to come service your television or antenna needs. Remember the days of coming home to an empty tv cabinet because the repair man had to take the picture tube back to the shop? That was traumatic for this little boy. That's an era we'll never see again. It disappeared along with those tube testing machines that some grocery and drug stores had. I distinctly remember the Food Queen in Neenah having one.
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Winners, All
November 2, 1959, Twin City News-Record
Local schools held Halloween parties and the winners are shown above, for best costumes. Despite the need to have a contest, really, all the kids were winners as how can you put a value on getting free candy?