November 30

1933: "Thanksgiving Day turns out to be a very nice mild day. Male choir sings at 8 o'clock Mass, this is new to us.  We have much to be thankful for.  Worked a short time, took a drive to the cottage in the afternoon, then to the Oshkosh Theatre.  Ed Brendel is there in Ole's Big Moment then for supper and out to Sacred Heart Bazaar.  I won a chicken." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1954: "British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is 80 today.  Bishop John Grellinger celebrates his Silver Jubilee in the priesthood with a Pontifical High Mass at St. Mary's." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 29

1941: "Harry Kujawa's sister Leona is married today at Berlin.  Anna, Leona Drexler and Roman, Leona's sweetheart attend, but when they get there, the newlyweds are gone on their honeymoon."   [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1953: "To 7:30 Hi Mass - Father Wagner.  A letter from Bishop Bona is read pertaining to the Novena beginning tomorrow in honor of the dogma if the 'Immaculate Conception of Mary - Mother of Jesus.  Worked 5 hours today.  Saw Roman Holiday at the Oshkosh with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.  This is Audrey's star debut.  She's cute.  Co-feature is Merry Mirthquakes with Liberace as M.C. and of course offers some very fine numbers on the piano." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 28

1942: "Mary Meidl and Elsie Kirsch have an out of the ordinary and yet pleasant experience at the Armory Bingo.  They pay a nickel each to play a Crazy Bingo which pays one hundred dollars and they win, pay off fifty dollars each." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1955: "Sent another package to Rothbauers in Parsberg, Ins #2591, 2 men suits, 5 dresses, a slip, 1 ladies coat.  Had our MPD meeting as usual.  Fred tells us that Sy Propson bought the 'Hammerlund' store on Jackson Drive.  Norm Brown is over for the noon meal,  He brings some 'Stollen' supposed to go to California.  Had a business visit with Art Hazen at his home in regard to bringing him into Mueller Potter Drug Co.  He is very happy about this." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 27

1948: "The first Saturday of Christmas shopping is a busy one.  Eddie Weisheipl is a papa for the second time last night at 11:50. Another boy (blogger's note: Tommy Weisheipl) Florence and baby are doing fine." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1952: "Well, it looks like real winter out this morning, a nice coat of snow and plenty cold.  Clarence Westphal and Florence Ostertag are married at 9:30 this morning by Father Milbauer. A very nice wedding. We go to Anna Ostertag's for a short visit to see the bride and groom.  Donald (son) and family are over for a 2 o'clock turkey dinner. This evening we see the C.Y.O. play The Little Dog Laughed at St. Vincent's.  Don and Arlene are with us.  Well rendered play, plenty of comedy." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 26

1942: "Up at 8:15 A.M. Attended Thanksgiving High Mass at St. John's.  Had a seventeen pound goose for dinner and it was delicious, even Tommy (pet cat) was at table as usual on a holiday.  I took some pictures of him at table.  This morning we have quite a blizzard, temperatures around 20°. One could really call this the first day of winter..." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1955: "Have Debbie and Donnie (grandchildren) over this morning for children's T.V. programs.  Markie is out of sorts, teething bothers him." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 25

1948: "Worked three hours this morning.  Mary Ann (daughter) and myself attended 7 o'clock Hi Mass St. Vincent's Father Wagner.  Have a guest for dinner.  Donald (son) brings Arlene Felker.  This evening took Mother and Mary Ann to the Strand. The Three Musketeers stars Gene Kelly, Lana Turner, June Allyson, Van Heflin, Angela Lansbury, Frank Morgan." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1954: "Mother and I to 8 o'clock Hi Mass, Father Meyer.  After Mass, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.  After Mass to work.  Took Debbie and Donnie (grandchildren) out for an hour to help Arlene with that big turkey dinner preparation.  We are invited to help them take care of that turkey, its a fifteen pounder and did I get a surprise - I had to carve it, my first try and I did quite well." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 24

1948: "The Yonan brothers, John and Ted, are here and bring quite a surprize [sic], two Persian rugs, one for the living room, one for the dining room and three scatter rugs.  John is quite a salesman." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1952: "Aloys Hetzel is laid to rest.  Monsinor Bastian has the service.  Honorary pallbearers, Matt Mertz, Johnnie Berger, John Matayka, Fred Karst. Bill Nuernberg, and myself.  Wisconsin is chosen by the 'Big Ten' athletic directors to represent the conference in the Rose Bowl New Year's Day against Southern California.  This is the first time in 40 years we have a champion team." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 23

1939: "Had a letter from Carl Radowski today, he needs 150 dollars to go into business  at 1717 Mitchell Street, Milwaukee. About one half of the U.S.A. are celebrating Thanksgiving today.  Some time ago President Roosevelt decreed  that Thanksgiving Day this year be celebrated Nov. 23d instead of the 30th as per calendar.  Wisconsin is not celebrating today, altho the cities of Milwaukee and Madison observe today." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1943: "To Kiwanis luncheon.  Harry Stuhldreher from University of Wisconsin is with us today.  I believe he is one of the 'Four Horsemen' from Notre Dame University years ago.  Our table Dr. Gifford, Ed Durler, Ray Baxandall.  We also entertained the high school squad football players." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 22

1933: Chicago "Up at 9 A.M. took a taxi out to United Drug Co. met Mr. Storm, then over to Albert Pick to see Al Selbach, after lunch over to McKesson Fuller Morrisson.  Bought a few things, had a nice visit with Leo Lanagan, met Al Billup and Norm Brown.  Had Al Leonard over to the hotel in the evening.  Had dinner at the Oriental Gardens, met Cork Weisheipl, Dan Russo, Heck Herbertm Paul Wittenmeyer.  In the evening visited the Bier Stube at the Bismarck Hotel, sang some German songs, and drank a lot of beer.  One of the waiters told me he liked to wait on Alice Roosevelt Longworth years ago." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1948: "Honorary pallbearer at Dr. Hogan's funeral.  Father Scanlon is here.  Sisters, Mercy Hospital, doctors, nurses attend in a body.  Monsignor Bastian is taken to Mercy Hospital." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 21

1940: "All but 6 states in the country celebrate Thanksgiving Day today. It is a day of rain.  We attended 9 o'clock High Mass.  A big 13 pound turkey with all the trimmings like only Mother can make is our dinner.  In the afternoon we attended the Oshkosh Theatre.  A Technicolor picture North West Mounted Police was the feature with Gary Cooper, Madeline Carroll, Preston Foster, Robert Preston, and Paulette Goddard starring." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1946: "Soft coal mines are at a standstill.  Four hundred thousand mine workers do not go to work today.  John Lewis called off the contract with the government.  The weather is changing to colder; a high wind begins this afternoon.  Joseph Heisler, 1425 6th, passed away this morning 1:55 at Mercy Hospital.  Born Sept. 17, 1870 in Austria, came to Oshkosh 1909 from Brazil."  [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 20

1944: "Sixth War Loan Drive begins in Oshkosh.  Donald (son) drives on his own from now on.  He passed his final test." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1954: "This is moving day for Donald (son) and family from 510 10th to 1815 Oregon.  John and Lucille Felker (daughter-in-law's parents) are with them all day, helping to move and get things straightened in the house." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 19

1950: "To 7:30 Mass St. Vincent's Fahter Koehn, Lady Foresters Communion Sunday.  Arlene (daughter-in-law) attends with Mother and Mary Ann (daughter).  Donald (son) is with me at the service.  Father Koehn explains the meaning of indulgences.  Worked this morning and this evening until eight.  Then to Fretschl's for cards.  Mama won 85 cents. I lost 25 cents.  Annie Heip did not win a game." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1955: "Marge Haverty gets the news from Father Shuh that the Cancery at Green Bay is not allowing her application for divorce from Joe Weisheipl. Well, it's beginning to look and feel like winter out.  Donald and Arlene (son and daughter-in-law) get a Philco T.V. set." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 18

1952: "Father Michael Drexler drops in at the store this morning; he is now assistant at St. Joseph's Marinette.  I believe his pastor's name is Champagne.  Poor Mike, according to his own version, had to learn all over again how to be an assistant pastor." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1954: "We receive news who the new pastor is going to be at St. Vincent's.  He is Father Louis Schorn of Sacred Heart parish Manitowoc.  He is a native of Two Rivers, ordained April 14, 1916 and appointed assistant to Father Bastian.  It was at a time when German sermons still prevailed at St. Vincent's and poor Father Schorn had quite a time trying to deliver one in that language.  But he and Father Bastian got along very well together.  He was chaplain in the Fifth Infantry in 1918-1919 in France, St. Mary's at Custer 1919-1923, then to Wausaukee until 1939 September to Sacred Heart at Manitowoc.  He attended St. Lawrence College Mt. Calvary when I did." [from A. E. Potter's diaries] 
1956: "Markie (grandson) is over to stay with Grandma this morning while the family attend 9 o'clock Mass.  Little Donald (grandson) presents Sister Mary Walter with 6 beer bottle tops and that really was funny." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 17

1945: "Took Joe and Annie Weisheipl to K.C. dinner at St. Mary's Hall.  They had a program to raise funds for their children's Chrstmas party.  I won 4 dollars which almost cleared my expenses.  After the party we spent time at home, took them home at 12:30... Mother and Donald (son) drive to the cottage this afternoon to defrost the refrigerator and put on the storms for the winter and that's finis for the cottge this year." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1952: "Thres entertains her card club today, Ladies Auxiliary South Side Bus. Men's Club, 18 ladies.  Emma Lemke stays over for the evening with Ma and Mary Ann (daughter).  I attended the K of C Stockholders Fun Party tonite and it was a lot of fun.  Before the meal and party some of us attended the rosary for Mrs. E. J. Dempsey who pased away Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock following a short illness."  [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 16

1947: "Thres and Mary Ann to St. John's with Lady Foresters.  I attend St. Vincent's.  This evening Mother attends card party at St. Vincent's and is quite lucky.  I worked - put in 6 1/2 hours today." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1949: "Attended Hi Neighbor musical comedy revue at Sacred Heart School.  Had Ed and Thres Fretschl with us.  The Weisheipls were very much in the revue - Rose - Marion - Eddie - Florence - Max - also Joe Drexler and daughters Marion - Joan." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 15

1946: "We have company tonite and it is tonite because Uncle Joe Weisheipl had an evening off from work.  Ed and Thres Fretschl - Uncle Joe and Annie - Aunt Lena are here.  Aunt Annie is really feeling excellent after a few tonics. Uncle Joe's eye is OK and his hands look pretty good.  Thres and yours truly also receive presents.  I got linen handkerchiefs.  The party broke up at 2:10 A.M. with Annie still going strong." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1950 : "Cloudy but warm today.  Completed putting on storm windows upstairs this afternoon.  Donald (son) was here to help.  Mother takes care of Debby (granddaughter) for the evening.  Arlene (daughter-in-law) brings over half a loaf of wheat bread.  It's her first try at baking bread and she's done a good job." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 14

1943: "To 7:30 Mass a St. John's, then to work.  Had early dinner left about 11:45 for St. Nazianz with Thres, Mary Ann, Mrs. Theresa Drexler, Fred and Mrs. Karst. Passed Father Ott about 5 miles from St. Nazianz, hadn't driven 1000 ft. and had a flat tire (rear right).  Father Ott stopped to help me change the tire.  Arrived at St. Nazianz about 1:45.  Met Father Edward Wagner there.  Donald (son) and boys are fine.  The students present a play The Masterful Monk.  It is well presented to a packed house.  Met Fathers Gregory, Vincent, Denis, L .  After a short visit with the boys we leave for home, get home at 7 o'clock, after a short meal I go back to work to finish our drug orders. Get back at 9 P.M." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1952: "Boeder Stephan are laying linoleum on our back stairway.  Ma starts making "Gropfens" at St. Vincent's this afternoon for tomorrow's bake sale.  Dess Wirtz is learning to make them also, tells Ma they should go into business.  Quite a number of "Gropfens" are sold this afternoon.  I bought homemade candy 4.25.  I took Mary Ann (daughter) and Thres to K.C. Club for fish dinner this evening.  Met Charlie Jucolano, told him about the sale of his novelty finger pencils."  [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 13

1886: Theresa Ann Potter (nee Drexler) is born.
1937: "This is Mama Potter's birthday, 51 years old, and it rains most of the time.  John Sitter and Henry Meyer open an undertaking establishment in the Steckbauer building 7th and Ohio Streets next to Precours Food Shop." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1942: "Thres has a birthday, 56 today.  She is feeling quite well.  Forty Hours Devotion begins at Sacred Heart.  We are soon to have gas rationing. I register this afternoon at Jefferson School." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 12

1936 : "We have a new decoration on our house, a "Chicken Pox" card.  Donald (son) is the victim." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1940 : "Drove to Milwaukee to attend a meeting of the Druggist Service Bureau.  After hearing a report of the financial condition of the Bureau, I made a motion to dissolove the corporation and sell out to some jobber.  After some discussion motion was unanimously carried." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1944 : "To St. Vincent's 7:30 Holy Name.  Then to work.  Donald (son) took another driving lesson.  He drove me out to the cottage, from there to Cartwrights on Route 41 to pick up a bushel of MacIntosh apples." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 11

1940: "It is still raining this morning.  At noon heavy black clouds come up which bring on a very severe windstorm and lower temperatures, dropping from 53° to 12° above.  Much damage is done." [from A.E. Potter's diaries]
1950: "Took DeSoto over to have it winterized at Beck Motors.  This afternoon delivered "Pope Blessings" to Anna Drexler (Mrs. John), to Tony and Jennie Pable; also delivered Lourdes water to them and to Ray Ostertags and Bill Mauritz.  Anna Ostertag seems to be suffering from sinus trouble.  Took Bill to the cottage to pick up paint and brushes.  Stopped at Wilbur Mueller's." [from A.E. Potter's diaries]

November 10

1939: "Busy taking out Red Cross material and enrollment blanks to industries and business places." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1942: "Had a nice visit with Father Bastian this evening.  He wants to know all about Donald (son).  Left some Mass offerings and paid him my pledge on our new church organ which he expects to be installed by Christmas." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 9

1943: "Ground is covered with snow this morning.  To Kiwanis luncheon.  Our table Ozzie Witte - Ed Shrank - Charles Behnke - Bart Heiss - Irv Sill and myself.  Ebborn Ziebell presents a talkie movie about Bombay.  Am elected to be a director of Kiwanis for the next two years." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1948: "Alois J. Drexler passed away at 5:45 this morning at his home 907 7th St.  Brother to John, Frank, Carl, Joseph, Robert, Mrs. Ross Polier, Mrs. Max Fenzl.  Clark Hastings dropped in this morning on his way to see Ralph Sperry at St. Vincent's Hospital Green Bay." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 8

1942: "To St. Vincent's at 7:30 with Holy Name Society.  Left at 11:45 for St. Nazianz to visit Donald (son).  Took along Aunt Lena Baier and Joe and Anna Weisheipl.  Donald is looking well; brought him a violin made by Titus in 1906 for Phil Laffey.  It should be well broken in after 35 years of exercise.  The Dramatic Guild at the seminary put on a play Salvanarola The Flame of Florence.  The play was well rendered.  On our way home stopped at Miller's Restaurant Chilton for a nice meal.  On our arrival home, took Lena out to Ann Ostertag's.  Little Jimmie has a birthday.  Anna Weisheipl played bingo at Sacred Heart and won 5 times." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1946: "Aloys and Mary Drexler 907 7th St. are married 25 years today.  They have four children: Richard, Mrs. Florence Kuklinski, Dennis, and Gertrude Drexler. Thirty-nine years ago I boarded with Aloys' grandmother Theresa Drexler at this same address." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 7

1935: "Attended St. Vincent's Holy Name Party tonite.  Had a very enjoyable time.  Got home at 12:30 A.M. Dancing was in order thru most of the party.  Mary Ann (daughter) gets two days of vacation.  Teachers convention at Milwaukee." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1946: "Kummerows deliver a Gainsborough chair and a combination telephone desk and seat to our house this morning.  These are Mother's and my birthday presents.  Just learned this last present is a "chatter bench." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 6

1952: "Took a drive to Mt. Calvary this noon to see Father Gerald Walker and learn on arriving that he is confined in St. Agnes Hospital  Fond du Lac with a bleeding ulcer.  Had a nice visit with the Vice Rector Father Gratian.  Drove to St. Agnes Hospital and had a short visit with Father Gerald, then with Charlie Pable who is now pharmacist at the hospital, tells me he's been there since March, has two boys in the Capuchin Novitiate at Detroit and then came the real surprise, a visit with Father Adolph Wittman whom I have not seen since our days at Mt. Calvary in 1907.  He's been paralyzed for 25 years.  He is now able to say Mass and gets around with two canes.  We sure did a lot of reminiscing." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1955: " Bishop Stanislaus Bona dedicates the new St. Peter's Church. I serve as honor guard.  Had about 30 Sir Knights there.  Rev. M. J. McKeough, Dean of St. Norbert's College and brother to Father Francis McKeough assisted at the Bishop's throne.  Open house this afternoon." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 5

1937: "First Friday to seven o'clock church services at St. Vincent's.  Ed Fretschel gets a wonderful parcel post package.  A present for him turned out to be a badly shot to pieces pheasant and a dead cat.  And he sure gets the razz-berries from the store crew." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1940: "The country sets a precedent by electing Franklin Delano Roosevelt for President of the United States for a third term.  Julius Heil is re-elected Governor of Wisconsin." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 4

1890: Alfred Edward Potter is born in New York City. (He will arrive in Oshkosh in 1894 on an orphan train from the New York Foundling Asylum.)
1953: "Well this is a big day, our formal opening of the North Store and my birthday.  It is a grand success.  George Davis, Sales Manager Central Division Rexall, flew up from St. Louis.  He and I had our pictures taken; he was also interviewed by John Minors of the Northwestern.  A steady flow of people all day.  Had dinner at the Athearn.  Norm and Sybelle Brown, Paul Martin, Bob Fisher, Kenny Sepersky, George Davis, Fred and Loretta Baumgartner, Thres, Mary Ann , myself.  Ed and Fred Worm come in for dessert.  Took in $2293.  After closing party for the clerks.  We are home at 11 P.M.  I'm rather tired." [from A.E. Potter's diaries]

November 3

1950: "To 7 o'clock Mass Monsignor Bastian.  We are at St. Vincent's Hall tonite to see the movie Christ the King.  Movie of our trip to Eurpoe is shown also.  Dr. Ray Wagner was narrator.  The hall was well filled with an appreciative audience." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1955: "Oshkosh March of Progress celebration in honor of the opening of the new improved Main Street begins this morning.  Made visits to Mercy this afternoon.  Father Louis Schorn in 126 is doing well.  Joe Drexler in 148 has lung cancer, expects to be home in 3 or 4 days, most probably does not know his condition.  His son Danny came home last Monday.  Has been in the Saar region in Germany.  Bill Shaefer is shaving himself for the first time since confined to the hospital 8 weeks ago.  Mrs. Ed Kleinschmidt broke a leg and is back in bed for a long time.  Mike Eichman is very low; Extreme Unction yesterday.  Mrs. Eichman is bearing up under the strain." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 2

1935: "Santa Claus comes to our house again.  Today he brought an "Iron Fireman Stoker."  Tony Paulick installed it for the Wilson Company.  This will mean a steady fire and an even temperature in our home for the winter."  [from A. E. Potter's diaries]
1945: "Two Masses this morning 6:30 and 7:00.  Donald (son) is busy with the annual Homecoming football game at the high school.  Big parade at 5 o'clock.  He gets in about 1 A.M. Our Indians are beaten by West Green Bay 24-14." [from A. E. Potter's diaries]

November 1

1933: "All Saints Day and it's another nice day.  Took Sisters Ambrosia, Maximillian, Serena, and Genrose to Berlin this afternoon.  Visited Fred and Margaret (Blogger's note: Kujawa, cousins) for a while.  Bought quite an assortment of holiday goods from Mr. Grace today.  Oshkosh City Lines Inc. a new bus concern begins business in Oshkosh today." [from A.E. Potter's diairies]
1947: "To 7 o'clock Mass St, Vincent's.  The boys are getting work done at the store that counts.  Worked 8 hours today.  Tonite we surprise ourselves.  We attend the opening official basketball game with the [Oshkosh] "All Stars" playing the Minneapolis Lakers and losing the game 49 to 47 in the last 5 to 10 seconds to play.  The "Lakers" have a well organized team.  Thres and Mary Ann (daughter) enjoy it very much." [from A.E. Potter's diairies]