Diary of Alfred E. Potter September, 1940

01.  Sunday: Seven Oclock Mass at St. Johns, then to work.  In the afternoon attended Mode Theatre.  “Balalaika” starring Nelson Eddie and Iona Massey, a Russian setting makes a good picture.  The “Flying Deuces” starring Laurel and Hardy is the comedy.  When we got out of the theatre we find a dead battery in our Chrysler.  After work in the evening took the Fretchel’s and Robert along to the cottage.

02.  Monday: Day begins with a heavy fog but turns out very nice.  Ed Fretchel trims trees, Donald and Robert fish.  In the afternoon Joe and Ann Weisheipl come out.  Thres Fretchel is very lucky at Sheephead.  Art Mueller tells me a nice lady asked for me at the store, she tells him I sent her a Valentine when she was eleven years old.  She has been a nun for years.  Well I think I know who it is, it must be Celia Beck.

03.  Tuesday: School begins today.  Donald 7th grade – Mary Ann 4th.  Well I went out to see my “Valentine” this morning.  It is Celia alright and I find her at Rob Beck’s, 944 – 5th St.  We had a long visit, recalling old times and characters.

04.  Wednesday: Paul Jungen leaves this morning for Whitelaw to work on the farm of his cousin and to go to Manitowoc Hi School.  Took the Fretchels along to the cottage.  Ed is widening our driveway where oil had eaten out the grass.  It is a lovely day, temperature is about 85°.  I pick about 4 bushels of apples.  Art Mueller gets a new car, it is one of the new model Fords.

05.  Thursday: Paul Jungen is back again today.  He decides on staying in Oshkosh.

06.  Friday: Had a pleasant surprise today.  Wm Pflueger dropped in to see us at the store.  He used to call on us years ago for Milwaukee Drug Company.  Has been off the road for 17 years.  He was responsible for many a young man getting a drugstore of his own.  Brought Al Christl to Oshkosh, also Syl Stack.  Got an option for Mr. Mueller on the Walter Bode Drug Store and James Coe the Medland Drug Store.  This is going back of good many years.  

07.  Saturday: A rather hot day, temperature 85°, mowed grass at the cottage grounds.  Took a swim in the late, the mosquitoes are bad.  Had Laurence and Dolores Kinateder along. 

08.  Sunday: Attended 7³⁰ Hi Mass at Sacred Heart Church.  Holy Name men from all over the city received communion there in a body.  Look to be about 500 men present.  Took Ed and Thres Fretchel to Fond du Lac to view the remains of Peter Koehm (Clara Klima) has been.  Stopped to see Ed Worm at the drugstore.  He’s on duty today.  Stopped at Archie Romlow’s on the way back.  Thres Fretchel gets the giggles there.  Bill and Emma Siewert also dropped in.  In the evening Thres was busy at the first Bingo of the season at St. Vincents.  I worked until 9.15 P.M.  Joe Jungen moves to 740 – 10^th St..

09.  Monday: Joe Baier is 36 years old today.  He and Ed Weisheipl enjoy a round of golf altho the weather was not any too pleasant.  Fred Fellner dropped in to see me, this afternoon.

10.  Tuesday: Meeting of Red Crosse Executive Committee tonight, to plan for Annual Roll Call.  Appointed Rev.  Oberleiter- Earl Fuller – Henry Zentner as committee to bring in recommendation for Roll Call Chairman.  Appointed Walter Patri – Kath Weinmann – Ray Miller to bring in recommendation for a part or full time secretary for our chapter. 

11.  Wednesday: Left with Thres for Milwaukee at 11.15 A.M.  Had lunch at Theresa, arrived Milwaukee at 1.45.  Bought Holiday Goods from A.C. Grace – McClurg – phoned a drug order to John Lange, Mutual Drug, took Thres to De Luxe Corporation to order blankets, then to Mutual to pick up drug order, then out to Marg and Karl Radomsky’s 1717 W. Mitchell –for a visit.  They have a nice little tavern there and nice living quarters.  Back home at 8 PM to attend the Ladies Auxiliary South Side Business Mens Card Party at the new So. Side Junior High

12.  Thursday: Ed Fretchel has a birthday, he is 55.  Harold Mueller is laid up with swollen glands in his neck.  Eva is laid up too with Varicose Veins and Rheumatism.  The Germans are bombing the Royal Palace at London.

13.  

14.  Saturday: Caroline Drexler 1210 – 9th is operated for appendicitis this morning.

15.  Sunday: Attended 7 Oclock Mass at St. Johns.

16.  

17.  

18.  Wednesday: Ed Fretchel and Thres have the party at our cottage.  It is a combination birthday and wedding anniversary party.  Ed and I drive out early in the afternoon.  Toward evening Joe and Annie Heip, Bill and Emma Siewert, Thres and Thres Fretchel and the rest of our family come out.  Is quite a party and lasts until 2 A.M.  The weather is pleasant, could sit down by the lake in the moonlight and no mosquitoes to bother.

19.  Thursday: Our thermometer registers 85° in the shade today.  Had Harry Kujawa over for dinner today.

20.  Friday: Temperature is still rising, up to 89° today.

21.  Saturday: Caroline Drexler is taken home today.  We visit her this afternoon.  She is feeling pretty well, at least she says, “There is no place like home.” Had Karl Kieckafer over to the store this morning, trying to sell him the idea to be our “Red Cross Roll Call Chairman.”

22.  Sunday: Wm and Rose Mauritz and family and Ray and Ann Ostertag and family are making a day of it out to our cottage.  We attend the Horse Races and Feature Acts at the Fair Grounds this afternoon.

23.  Monday: Father Leo Sharp from Chicago is in to say hello.  He is on his way to Superior to pick up his dad.  He had his mother – sister and brother Bernard with him.

24.  Tuesday: Had Anton Paulick over to check our furnace.  He also started the fire for us.

25.  Wednesday: Took a drive to Milwaukee with Thres Polier – Anna (Mrs. Theo) Drexler.  Let Anna of Karl Radomski is, then to Mutual Drug Company, De Luxe Corporation and then to Mader’s for dinner.  We had Pork Shanks and they were the biggest I every tried to eat. To McClurgs after dinner, then to Yahr Lange’s House Party.  Don Bludau shows us around.  They have a fine display of Holiday Merchandise.  Back to pick up order at Mutual then out to Karl’s for supper.  Met Ray Stewart, a former chef at the Hotel Raulf at Karl’s.  He helps Karl a bit while he is in Milwaukee.  Started for home at 8³⁰ P.M.

26.  Thursday: Had a farewell visit with Ven Sister Virginia at Mercy Hospital this morning.  She is to leave for Tulsa Oklahoma tomorrow.  She’s been at Mercy for 14 years.  Her sudden transfer is a distinct shock to Sister and to her many friends.  Sister tells me she has lost 4 pounds and is unable to sleep at night.  We all hope she will be back in Wisconsin again before long.

27.  

28.  

29.  Sunday: Attended 7³⁰ Hi Mass at St. Vincents this morning.  The Green Bay in Diocese is celebrating with Bishops Rhode is 25 year Jubilee as Bishop.  The faithful are invited to receive Holy Communion and receive a plenary Indulgence.  In the afternoon took a trip to Berlin to visit the Harry Kujawa family.  Took Anna and Leona Drexler, and Aunt Mary along.  After work in the evening attended Strand Theatre.  “Brigham Young” was the main feature, a picture of the Mormons.  Star in Dean Jagger –Tyrone Power ____ Darnell, also _____ starring Walter Pigeon as Nick Carter.

30.