(For) Fishing, Boating or Picnic Parties

June 28, 1905, Menasha Record

And if that fine picnic beer doesn't grab your attention, there's always Grand Ma's Coffee to "wash down" all that fine picnic food.   We are ending the week on a frivolous note, after all that smallpox drama yesterday.  Have a great weekend! 

Smallpox!

June 1, 1895, Saturday Evening Press 

With all the controversy lately surrounding parents not vaccinating their children against measles, let's hearken back over 120 years ago to a major health crisis- smallpox. Vaccination had been established since the late 1700's to help prevent new cases, but of course, there was no guarantee that all would or could be vaccinated.  The case illustrated in the article above shows just how seriously this disease was taken.  To think of fencing off one's house today with guards to keep people out would likely be a civil liberties case for the courts!  

The reference in the article to a smallpox epidemic the previous year relates to an attorney named Peter Grossman, who while running a campaign to be justice of the peace, failed to notify health authorities that his son had contracted the disease.  Evidently he continued his campaign while keeping the boy's condition a secret and it was thought he spread the disease throughout the town despite not displaying any indications that he was himself ill by it.  The sad story continues in that his son later died from the disease and Peter fled the town in the dark of night, leaving his family behind.  He later came back, though the outcome of that was not evident to me in my research.  Next week, I will run down those articles and publish them on the blog.  Journalism of the time did not tip toe around such stories, unlike today when he would have had the word "alleged" pinned to his name from the start.

Miner Women

September 24, 1976, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

This is another in our series of articles highlighting notable women with a Menasha connection. Though Jean Miner Coburn only lived in Menasha for ten years, her lasting contributions to the state are seen daily by visitors to the statehouse grounds. And the article shows that her brother and wife, also were quite influential in the Menasha community.

New Addition

September 26, 1952, Appleton Post-Crescent

Anybody associated with St. Mary's will know this as the "52 Building," where many of us attended the early grades. And, of course, ten years later brought us the "62 Building," which housed the upper grades, 5-8, and the library.  Interesting note...the architect for this addition was also responsible for the design of Valley Fair.  And, as artists' sketches go for the early glimpses of buildings to come, this building surprisingly came out looking pretty much as seen above.

Memorial Day 2019

I repost this every year. 

The VFW in 2013 said it well.  I cannot improve on this:

Many Americans have forgotten the true meaning of a holiday that we as veterans hold so close to our hearts. For too many, Memorial Day now signifies nothing more than the start of summer and is celebrated with holiday sales. Trips to the lake and shopping extravaganzas have replaced memorial visits, remembrance ceremonies or simply put, a day to reflect upon all of the luxuries—like freedom—that we as Americans enjoy daily.  

As proud veterans, we know the true meaning of Memorial Day. 

On Memorial Day, we honor our fallen comrades of the United States military in the form of remembrance. And with that, comes a deep sense of appreciation for both their selflessness in protecting the land of the free, and for their sacrifice in ensuring it stays that way. 

Each and every American owes a great debt to the courageous men and women who have given their lives to protect our way of life. While giving back to the extent they deserve is impossible, today, we merely attempt our repayment in the form of remembrance. We dedicate this day to them.

As we go about our activities, we should take the opportunity to not only remember the sacrifices of our fallen and mourn their departure, we should celebrate the spirit with which they served and reflect upon their contributions in making America, truly, the land of the free.

The VFW thanks all service members, veterans and their families for their contributions and service to the United States of America.

Memorial Day Preparations

May 26, 1943, Menasha Record

In the midst of World War II, Neenah and Menasha prepared for the 1943 Memorial Day parade.  It was certainly a time to not only reflect upon all the war dead who had come before, but also to offer special consideration to those who had perished in the fight for freedom in the current war going on.  As Mr. Gutzmann from the local VFW so eloquently said, we honor those who "...gave their lives for the defense of liberty and justice to all American men and women of the United States."  

Enjoy the long weekend but please give a thought to that sentiment.  

Impressive Workload

 October 29, 1976, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Although she was a daughter of Menasha, she left at an early age and achieved so much in adulthood elsewhere.  It is still an interesting read.  Amazing what she accomplished in an era when women were not so much of the work-a-day world, and relegated to the usual occupations. Granted, she was a teacher, but managed to parlay that into an interesting and fulfilling career in history.