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Downtown 1958

Downtown 1958

Monday, September 16, 2024

Service With a Smile

September 13, 1966, Twin City News-Record

We visited Coonen's last week, too but in all my years of interacting with service station workers, I never saw one wearing that cap the company thought they should all wear.  Nor was he wearing a necktie under his jumpsuit either.  If anything, he was greasy in all the right places, which if nothing else, gave the impression that he was indeed a worker bee instead of a pristine corporate shill.  It's sort of like having your baseball uniform covered in mud from a head first slide.  Respect.

Friday, September 13, 2024

Amply Stocked

September 6, 1966, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

There's lots to feature here, though my focus was originally on Menasha Hardware.  Feast your eye on the local ads for all the Menasha businesses.  I'm especially impressed with the electric and water utlity's ad for getting a dishwasher.  Even little Junior and Sally can help out Mother with the drudgery of dishwashing.  And note the three gas station ads up in the corner.  They are touting themselves as "service" stations, and they were, unlike the convenience store formats we have today.  A different era, to be sure.

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Anniversary Celebration

 

September 16, 1966, Twin City News-Record

Of course, this was at the height of Bat-Mania.  The TV show we all remember only began in January of that year so naturally there'd be free Bat Rings and an appearance by "Robby's Batman."  (I'd like to see what HE looked like!)  They certainly covered all the bases- Batman, pony rides, a clown...too bad they couldn't have swapped the pony rides for Batmobile rides, but we all knew that wasn't gonna happen!

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

School's Open

September 27, 1966, Twin City News-Record

We at the blog continue to harp on safety as the kids are back in school.  Far be it from us to tell you what to do but a well-tuned auto pays off in mnay ways, not to mention giving you a leg up on the question of safety.  Just ask these guys.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Jamming In

September 25, 1985, Twin City News-Record

We've all had our parents come to nights like this, or for those of the older persuasion, we've done it ourselves on behalf of our own kids.  This photo though doesn't do justice to the challenges of fitting into a pre-schooler's or a first grader's desk and chair set though.  Now THAT would have been a terrific picture! 

Monday, September 9, 2024

Keeping Dry

 September 21, 1983, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Starting the week off with a few slice-of-life vignettes around the Twin Cities.  Keeping dry during a rain shower can be challenging at best and positively detrimental if one gets in the way of a splashing car going by.  Regardless of that, enjoy the views around town. 

Friday, September 6, 2024

Crusade for Safety (II)

 


August 19, 1960, Twin City News-Record

As we learned yesterday, August is the bewitching month and nothing gets one's attention like a horrific car accident photo, especially when the promise of a "death potion" accompanies it.  It is as true today as in 1960.  And, the legal consequences are even more severe than back then.

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Crusade for Safety

August 26, 1960, Twin City News-Record

An interesting turn of a phrase, calling August "The Bewitching Mionth."  But safety is always in fashion, be it in the home, at work, or out on the highways and city streets.  Twin Cities' businesses get together to sponsor this ad for the public good.

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Get, Get Gettelman

August 19, 1960, Twin City News-Record

Fritz, the half bottle-half man beats the drum for Gettelman while shilling for Charlie's Beer and Liquor Store.  He reminds me of that Blatz baseball trio who used to grace the back bars of so many Wisconsin taverns in the '50's and '60's.  They sure don't make advertising like they used to, do they? 

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Fresh From Our Bakery


August 25, 1961, Twin City News-Record

After all these years, I can still conjure up the smell of the place in my mind; it was a heavenly smell to this boy with a never-ending sweet tooth.  I thought...what a great place to work...but I knew somehow I'd get used to that aroma and it wouldn't be so special anymore.  

Monday, September 2, 2024

Measuring Progress

 August 29, 1961, Twin City News-Record

We've all been here- setting our goals for summer reading and trying hard to achieve them, prizes or not.  These young ladies set a good foundation for themselves in having a productive upcoming school year.