Riding the Rails

July 10, 1969, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Okay, so this guy was taking a ride through the railroad jungles of Neenah.  But hey, in Menasha there were just as many train switchings and boxcar uncouplings to make this guy representative of all I wanted to do as a little boy.  If my Mom knew how much time I spent watching the activity between Third and Fourth Streets, she would have banned me forever from ever taking another look at a train car.  Yes, in today's environment, I'd never have had that much freedom.  But that's a debate for another day.  In the meantime, I'll just sit quietly and try to conjure up that clickety-clack sound punctuated by an occasional horn from the lead engine.  

45 Years Ago Today

June 9, 1975, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

This was the scene forty-five years ago today, when I and 100 of my classmates graduated from St. Mary's.  The anniversary of this event is more poignant this year in that the 45th reunion we were planning for August has been cancelled, in deference to the COVID-19 threat.  I suppose we could have a socially distanced reunion, using a program like Zoom or Skype but it wouldn't be the same.  Instead, we'll plan for next year, so we really can let loose (as if we needed an excuse!)  

Riot Control

December 1, 1969, Twin City News-Record

This editorial was written to address preparation in light of the social unrest of the 1960's- Vietnam, civil rights and the like that became watchwords to define that decade.  

We first broached this subject in 2018:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2018/05/potential-for-troublemakers.html. And while, at that time, I had the '60's in mind, who would have thought, in 2020, that our country would be on fire and unruliness would be so widespread?  In light of recent developments, such precautions could be deemed eerily prescient.

Acrimony

June 14, 1968, Oshkosh Northwestern

Another in a series of stories from the Northwestern's 100th anniversary.  Although the headline seems like one thing, the article quickly descends into a litany of antagonistic activities and hate between the residents of the Twin Cities over the years.  Spirited athletic rivalries are one thing, but fistfights between street sweepers on Nicolet Boulevard?  Wow!  

Stroebe Island

June 14, 1968, Oshkosh Northwestern

I found this great description of old time life on Stroebe Island in an edition of the Northwestern newspaper, celebrating its first 100 years of existence.  As was the practice of the day, big events such as anniversaries necessitated a special edition with many stories about surrounding communities.  We saw this during the 1948 celebration of Wisconsin's statehood and again in 1953 during Menasha's centennial.  We first encountered Stroebe Island on the blog in 2014:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2014/09/stroebe-island.html.

Regatta

June 24, 1964, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Over the years, we've featured a lot of boats, from pleasure craft to rowboats to major steamboats from the 19th century.  But in my mind's eye, nothing says summer to me more than these visitors.  Living a mere three blocks from Jefferson Park, my summer months were punctuated with the roars of the engines as these racers traversed the lake, entertaining the thousands of folks who'd congregate at the park and elsewhere.  Aside from riding my stingray bike in the summer sunshine, this scene just does it for me.

Awards for Thespians

May 29, 1945, Appleton Post-Crescent

Not to be undone by Broadway's Tony Awards and the motion picture industry's Oscars, ambitious Menasha High School drama students came up with their own awards to recognize hard working actors and actresses and stage hands.  These three can only dream of their future days treading the boards.