May 14, 1970, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
I remember only too well the University of Wisconsin School of the Air, coming over the loud speaker in my St. Mary's Grade School classroom. Many a morning was spent singing to the lyrics that had been earlier reproduced on a ditto machine. Remember the smell of the ink? And how blurry the type was?
May 22, 1923, Menasha Record
Now then...you carry the "best" coal, but you charge as much as those other guys, so what do I have to lose? I suppose, I will accept your roundabout way of saying you give the "best service" and that being the only difference between you and those other guys? Yet, you carry the "best" coal. I wonder if this logic also applies to your flour and feed as well.
June 1, 1971, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
Yes, it was a cold Memorial Day that year, a high of 53 from what I read. No wonder it seemed ironic that an event that usually kicks off the summer seasson (at least by the calendar, if not in spirit) was devoid of the sunshine and warmth it usually brings.
I repost this every year.
May 25, 1956, Appleton Post-Crescent
Most ads like this today would say "don't drink and drive," first thing, followed by "don't text and drive!" But this is the 1950's where the world might not have been so litigious; the focus was on actual regular driving cautions. And at first glance, I wondered, why does Mom have a mustache?!!
Have a great Memorial Day weekend.
May 4, 2005, Twin City News-Record
A variety of news headlines from days passed. Menasha had been without the National Hotel since it burned down in 1901. It took another four years for the Hotel Menasha to be built on the same site.
And I love the photograph of the Wooden Ware men, each holding a distinctive tool related to his job duties. A tip of the blog's hat to whomever thought up that idea.
May 19, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
It was fitting that the Menasha Historical Society took great pride in accepting the state's designation of the Nicolet landing site, giving it state-wide recognition. A humorous side note though was the menu for the celebration luncheon, just one delicacy short of maintaining true authenticity for the event.
May 6, 1974, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
A comedy of errors ensues when one's love spurns the gifts of another? And the gift giver winds up in trouble with the law? I guess it's just another example of Murphy's Law...if anything can go wrong, it WILL go wrong.
(And kudos to whomever coordinated the aerial field trips for Banta students. I would have given anything to get a plane ride at that age.)
May 5, 1967, Twin City News-Record
Thirty cents for a shot and a beer is a good price, even in 1967. (Not sure how big the beer is, but no matter.) And not to disparage the fine owners of the Drawbridge who were supplying a convenient service for its patrons, but as for me, I'd be a little anxious about cashing my payroll check at a place where the drink flows quite easily, if you know what I mean. A few too many and all that hard-earned $$$ might go towards buying rounds for the house!
May 13, 1935, Menasha Record
I seriously doubt that any radio stars were found in this manner, but it has all the inklings of an American Idol type competition and we could always hope, right? The management would do anything to get patrons to fill the seats of their theaters, be it prize giveaways, personal appearances, or other gimmicks.
May 16, 1928, Appleton Post-Crescent
I can only think that the city fathers were really in fear of whatever feral dogs that were roaming around and causing commotion to homeowners and their garden plots. Nevertheless, as no good deed goes unpunished, there would be the occasional dog who broke free from his owner who would then be castigated and be required to pay the fine.
May 26, 1938, Appleton Post-Crescent
Menasha High students sure had a wide range of interests in 1938. I was encouraged to read that baseball was the number one hobby, but then it stands to reason that it would be in that era as it was still "America's pastime." Not one person mentioned football or the Green Bay Packers which is a bit surprising. In today's world, as far as sports goes, that'd be number one, I'd bet. And the rest would likely be taken up by video games and using social media on their phones.
May 3, 1965, Twin City News-Record
I know the big day was yesterday, but here's to hoping that you didn't forget! There is no harder or more gratifying job than being a mother. I believe it. Love to all the moms out there.
May 21, 1969, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
The school year is coming to a close and we all know it's time for reminiscing within the pages of our yearbooks. Be it the Nicolet, the Renard, or the Rocket, we've all been there, trying hard to come up with a poignant or witty reminder of the days we shared. So many students (and faculty advisors) were involved in the creation of these memory books; they don't get the credit they largely deserve.
May 4, 1956, Appleton Post-Crescent
Interesting that this caption talks of classes for beginning players yet shows only ladies getting instruction. Perhaps it was Ladies Night? But women's golf had gotten a boost with the formation of the Ladies Professional Golf Association or, LPGA in 1950, so that increased awareness might have piqued some interest by Menasha women.
May 27, 1954, Appleton Post-Crescent
Memorial Day brings the start of summer and those dreams of family outings, picnics and the like. Reunions, too, so have a big supply of Gear dairy products to satisfy the family. The post-WWII 1950s were primed for this type of family life ad; we had the American dream incarnate.
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May 28, 1964, Twin City News-Record
Oh, the absurdity of finding a duck wearing a raincoat and working an abacus! Readers of this blog know this guy loves himself an anthropomorphic advertisement more than anything. And finding examples pertaining to his ol' hometown please him more than anything.
May 5, 1956, Twin City News-Record
White coats and thin black bowties were in fashion in the 1950s as formal wear for well-dressed men. Ladies had a little more leeway though those poofy dresses seemed to always be in vogue. Over generations, the prom had evolved from debutante balls and sophisticated tea parties into the event we all know so well by the 1950s. Unlike some of the prom stories we've heard this event appears to have been positively demure in nature, though I'm sure there might have been some wildness on the fringes.
May 17, 1966, Twin City News-Record
I'm not sure I'd call Swiss steak "championship dining," but I'm sure there were fans of the dish out there. To each his own. Nevertheless, I was curious about pricing, so I found a similar ad from 1976. By then, this dinner had risen in price to $2.75. The Federal Reserve Bank's inflation calculator online says $1.50 in 1966 was worth about $2.63 in 1976, so kudos to the Left Guard for keeping the price so close to the inflationary price. (By contrast, this $1.50 meal in 1966 would cost you $14.08 in 2023, the last year available in the calculator.)
May 24, 1966, Twin City News-Record
St.Patrick's third graders pose on a hay wagon in a group photo celebrating their rare Saturday outing to a local farm. For many of these city kids, it was a first up-close look at what they'd only seen before on TV and in books and movies. They looked pretty enthusiastic!
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May 24, 1966, Twin City News-Record
Spring temperatures bring out the best in us after a long winter's hibernation. And what better way to get the warmer season going by planting a tree to benefit the community? At first glance, I thought they were all holding hands around the tree. But upon closer inspection, I learned my first instincts were way off.