Old School

 October 15, 1954, Appleton Post-Crescent

I wish the quality of this photo was better but you can see enough to get the idea.  And by this I'm pointing out the old school football helmets with no face masks, starting to be phased out in this decade.  When I was growing up, my dad's old leather maskless football helmet was in my old toy box in our basement.  I'd often put it on and being a young kid, it seemed like it was from another planet; I knew the 1960's NFL and I sure didn't understand history and what it meant.  I wish I still had that old ratty thing, if only for sentimental value.  

Instant Playground

September 18, 1977, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

While this looks like a fun time to any given kid from the 70's, today, there'd be police tape around it to keep people off.  God knows we don't want a lawsuit from Junior jumping off a damaged limb.  

I'm taking the next week off from the blog.  See you on the 30th!

Heat Wave

 

September 7, 1978, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

The late summer temperatures rise in downtown Menasha, giving us an excuse to view a photograph of a street view we don't have anymore.  

Say It Right

 

September 17, 1978, Twin City News-Record

Despite what it says here, we arrived at an answer back in a 2019 blog post.  Please see the following link:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2019/03/just-curious-he-was.html.  The writer at the time, cited in a 1923 Post-Crescent article, stating that "Ahnaip" meant "wolf."  And as a bonus, claimed "Naymut" meant "welcome." Now, there's no certainty that this so-called expert was indeed correct; he chose to post his answer anonymously, so no fact-checking his knowledge or credentials. I'm just impressed somebody cared enough to ask about correct pronunciation.

Glancing Backward

September 26, 1984, Twin City News-Record

Lots of familiar names and happenings around the Twin Cities in this compilation.  It just goes to show that news comes in fits and starts- some are big news days and others are just simple day-to-day routine matters.  Neverthless, they all make the cities hum and turn the wheels of commerce.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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! 

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. 

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.

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.

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? 

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.  

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.