Autumn Idyll

October 26, 1986, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Wednesday finds us with an image from the river as iconic as a picture postcard.  Despite the industrial cacophony within the mills and plants lining the river, our two subjects are worlds away, bringing pause to our mid-week frenzy and soothing our tired soul, if only momentarily.   

A Look Back- A New Grist Mill

Reprinted in the October 17, 1968, Appleton Post-Crescent

From the archives, 149 years before in 1868 and printed in the Appleton Crescent before its merger with the Post, comes this news item about the new splendid grist mill just constructed in Menasha.   It lasted only until 1885 when the US Government bought him out to extend the dam across the river.  We first discussed the Symes mill in 2012:
http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/09/symes-flour-mill.html

Electro Measure

October 17, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent

So much of the Fox Valley's business news revolved around the paper and printing industries over the years, but here was a unique application.  Computer automation comes to the Fox Valley in a system designed to give management positive cash and quality control and to eliminate spillage in a food service/restaurant environment.  While not totally doing away with bartenders, the system provided a more accurate drink every time and took the guesswork out of it.

Friday the 13th

October 13, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Instead of the usual black cats and frightening type of Friday the 13th references, we feature this, a happier coincidence.  Having a 13th birthday on Friday the 13th seems to have been typical schtick in the Fox Valley as I've seen many instances of this type of story over the years reported by the Northwestern.

In Transit

October 14, 1971, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

The donated Soo Line caboose made its final trek to Smith Park some 46 years ago.  Symbolic of Menasha's rail heritage, the caboose was donated by the Soo Line during the 100th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Wisconsin Central Railroad.  We first talked about the caboose back in 2013: https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/11/caboose.html.

Energy Circus

October 17, 1990, Twin City News-Record

I'd have liked to have been in the audience for this talk, if only to see how safety with electricity was integrated into a circus type presentation.  Plus, I like circuses.  Judging from all the accoutrements, this guy must have made the "circuit," going from school to school and town to town throughout Wisconsin.  (Go ahead, groan with me.)

Fire Prevention Week

October 9, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent

Looks like bad karma weighs heavily in today's collection of news articles.  Both the bowling alley fire during fire prevention week and the Milwaukee woman's loss of her diamond ring while littering display a bit of irony.  Nevertheless, I'm sure the Banta School students enjoyed their fire marshal status, even though the boys looked a bit wary.  I figured it was either a) all the attention they were getting, or b) realizing that the girls had cooties.  My money's on "b."