Celebrating a Milestone

February 24, 1979, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

If you're wondering why we're celebrating 74 years here instead of 75, this article was part of a "progress" package that the Northwestern published and, presumably, this success story for Menasha needed to be told in that issue.  This article provides some fascinating historical details...for example, that the store used to house the city's movie theater and that Mr. Saecker was an embalmer.  It is easy to forget that many, if not most of the early undertakers were furniture makers because building caskets was a logical extension of their business. For them, undertaking was a second business rather than a primary profession.  No doubt you'll recognize the name of his associate, Mr. Laemmrich, who carried on in the funeral business in Menasha.

Thin Ice Danger

February 4, 1982, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

I cannot let the winter go by without at least one photo of Little Lake Butte des Morts and its ice fishing shanties.

Fire Revisited

January 20, 1984, Twin City News-Record

We've talked about this fire in the past, but hadn't had a photo from this vantage point before.   Featured in the "Glancing Backward" feature of the News-Record, this image brings the idea of "cold" to a whole new level.

Newspapers for the Taking

 

 July 19, 1980, Twin City News-Record

I was taken by this article, at the mere thought of such a bonanza available to anybody, especially to a guy like me who likes local history.  But, alas, I missed my opportunity, being out of town on Uncle Sam's dime in those days.  And at that age, I might have passed on the opportunity anyway, as my interests have evolved over the years.  At the ripe old age of 23 (I had hair!), and I was still impressed with my youth and what that might entail, so I know I would have taken the attitude of the newspaper that hey, the future is here and we don't need these old war horses around any more.  Of course, that the future was microfilm, for that day and time seems quaint by today's technological standards, but then progress is measured in drips and drabs at times and I remember enough Army initiatives for the time that entailed such "advances."  

Well, kudos to the News-Record all those years ago for not just pitching the volumes into the dumpster out the back door.

Yucks for You

 February 12, 1943, Appleton Post-Crescent

Some collect coins, some collect stamps.  This man collected jokes.  There's probably a joke buried in that story, as well.  A joke collector walks into a bar....

Brigade History

February 1, 1975, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

While not Menasha oriented per se, at least geographically, Menasha boys belonged , too.  And as the organization grew, a few years later than this article, girls were admitted in 1979 and the name became the somewhat clunkier sounding Boys' and Girls' Brigade.  Still, the leader development.and fellowship afforded by the organization is so much more beyond any name awkwardness.

One With "Heart"

February 7, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Well, it's February now and we all know what that means...time to start planning to remember that special one on Valentines Day.  In '67, Menasha residents had it all down pat, just go down to the Sweet Shop and everything you needed was well at hand. It sounded like a one stop headquarters for all things Valentines.