Diary of Alfred E. Potter April, 1946

01.  Monday: [TEG] Was invited to Kiwanis Directors luncheon, as a guest.  Movies in color are taken.  Fred Baumgartners daughter Julie and two of her friends got an idea to fool Fred.  They called him at the store telling him his house was on fire.  Fred promptly called for Fire Department when they got there – no fire.  When Fred found out who called he took them down to police headquarters for punishment.  After a severe lecture they were released.  Art Mueller and Joe Baier go on summer schedule today.

02.  Tuesday: Bill Siewert dad and mother are married 69 years today.  The bituminous coal miner’s union walked out yesterday on strike by orders of John Lewis.  This means about 400 000 men out of work, until the strike is settled.

03.  Wednesday: Intended to drive to Milwaukee this morning, but a heavy rain delays our trip until 1³⁰ this afternoon.  We run into more rain and heavy wind most of the way.  Stopped at Plankinton but no luck, over to Yahr Lange.  Walter Lange got a room for us at the Hotel Wisconsin #843.  Bought tickets for the Sports Show, on arrival we find such a crowd I sold Mother and Mary Ann’s ticket.  They attended the Riverside showing “Tomorrow is Forever” with Claudette Colbert – Orson Welles –Geo. Brent.  Donald and I took in the displays at the Sports Show.  Had our dinner at the “Circus Room” Wisconsin Hotel.  Very reasonable only 8⁸0 for the four of us.

04.  Thursday: Donald and I have breakfast at one of “Bowles Restaurants.” Then to Mutual Drug, and from there to McClurgs new show room on North Water Street.  Mr. Grace called up while I was there, had a phone visit with him.  Met Thres and Mary Ann at the Hotel had our luncheon at the Blatz Palm Garden.  Checked out at the Hotel, drove out to see Sick Auntie –Romy and Lovie –and Gail.  Margaret is working.  Their place is torn up, they are cleaning house.  Left town about 4 Oclock stopped off at Fondulac to see Ed and Fred Worm.  Home about 6³⁰ then to work at the store.  Aunt Lena stays with Aunt Mary while we are gone.

05.  Friday: To St. Vincents 7 Oclock, then to work.  Today is Thres Fretchel’s birthday, she is 59

06.  Saturday: [T] Marion Fretschl Larson arrived this evening from California with her infant son David.  She left California Wednesday.

07.  Sunday: To St. Vincents 7³⁰ Hi Mass then to work.  Thres to St. Peters 9 Oclock and also to afternoon service.  I worked part of the afternoon.  Aunt Lena stops here for supper.  Took the ladies to the Oshkosh Theatre “Lost Week End” features Ray Milland and Jane Wyman.  Two added Technicolor pictures “Arabians in the Rockies” and “You Hit the Spot” and Loony Tunes.  After the show played sheephead.  Aunt Lena and Annie Heip are here.  I take them home at 12.30.  Frank Sullivan has a birthday.                 Com.  Grandma Baier

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09.  Tuesday: [T] To Kiwanis luncheon.  Harold Ferry is my guest.  Perry Tippler our new superintendent of schools is our speaker.  This evening to Stations and Perpetual Help Devotion at St. Vincents.

10.  Wednesday: Aunt Lena Baier is here to do some housecleaning.  The kitchen is taken today.  Rose Baier Mauritz is 44 years old today.

11.  Thursday: The bathroom gets a cleaning today.

12.  Friday: This is my busy day.  Took Thres to church for ladies annual communion on the feast of “Hour Lady of Sorrows” for “Our Sorrowful Mother.” Plenty of work at the store.  Two Stations tonite at St. Vincents, then more work until 11³⁰ P.M.  After lunch at home beat Thres a game of cribbage by 30 points.  Donald lost two games to her before I got home.  Donald takes our boat motor over for an overhaul, the first in 3 for 4 years.

13.  Saturday: Dropped in to see Mrs. Mueller this morning.  She seemed very glad to see me, she squeezed my hand much and hard.  Miss Lund one of her nurses tells me she was quite low earlier this morning.

14.   Sunday: [T] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass and Blessing of Palms by Monsignor Bastian.  Holy Name receive Holy Communion in a body, had a very pour turn out, most of the members not knowing they were to attend.  Services lasted over 1 ½ hours.  After a nap took Thres – Mary Ann to visit the Fretschels.  Thres’ hand is much improved.  Aunt Lena Baier was with us.  Tonite we have Aunt Lena Baier Annie Heip over for cards.  Took them home 12³⁰.  Harold Frick has a birthday.

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16.  Tuesday: Fred Baumgartner and myself take 825 C & N W train to Milwaukee.  Harold Mueller also goes down and business.  We attend Rexall convention.  Met Joe Galvin –Al Lamard – Dick Milbauer –A Sigurdson – Ken Ziperski – Harry Ferry – Oscar Haertlein – Ed Killkelly – John Gallagher (Shawano) Adolph Haise –Don Shelp.  9⁰⁰ P.M.  Had dinner at Eugene’s – Juneau Hotel – with John and Mrs. Gallagher, Mrs. Ziperski and Fred.  Dinner cost me 12⁶⁵ for 5.  Then back to hotel, met Lungren Jr.  Fred and I take 11⁴⁰ train home.  Carl Genal and Leo Bethke fly in to Milw. from Buffalo, they were to Bowling Tournament. Train is late get home at 2⁴⁵ instead of 2 Oclock.

17.  Wednesday: [T] Back on the job at 10 am still tired.  There is plenty of work all our drug orders came in yesterday.  Tonite to St. Johns with Thres for confession, and back to work until 10³⁰ P M.  Sent Easter packages to Sisters Virginia – Melora – Linus.  I quit smoking yesterday.  Don’t know how long I can stick to it.  Am trying on the advice of Dr. A. G. Koehler.  This is quite a penance for me.  I’ve smoked over 50 000 cigars since a young man, also quite a few pounds of tobacco, not many cigarettes.

18.  Thursday: To St. Vincents 7 AM with Thres – Donald – Mary Ann.  Judge Sam Lucksinger has a birthday.             Com. Ven .  Sister Jacoba

19.  Friday: Harry Hollenbeck has a birthday.

20.  Saturday: Thres receives a nice plant from Ed and Ruth Marheine.  Took Thres and Mary Ann to Oshkosh to see “Swing the Parade of 1946” Bill Regan and Gale Storm –Connee Boswell –The Three Stooges –Louis Jordan and colored orchestra.  Also “The Enchanted Forest” with Edmond Lowe – Brenda Joyce – Billie Severn – Harry Davenport.

21.  Sunday: [TEG] To 7³⁰ Mass St. Vincents.  Lady Foresters to Holy Communion.  Thres and Mary Ann with them.  Then to work.  Call the Kujawa’s at Berlin after dinner.  They are expecting us over, so we take a drive over about 4³⁰ P.M.  Harry had us look over the Pheasant farm near Berlin, also Chapmans – City Water Dept. – Berlin Tannery.  After supper we played Poker Rummy – back home at 10⁴⁵.  Aunt Mary is all set for lunch and a few nightcaps which are promptly served by yours truly.  To bed at 1 A.M. Com.  Health and Strength

22.  Monday: Took Thres and Mary Ann to Strand tonite to see “Adventure” starring Clark Gable –Greer Garson – Joan Blondell –Thomas Mitchell and “Movieland Magic” in technicolor.

23.  Tuesday: Attended Kiwanis luncheon.  The Music Committee put on the program.  Oscar ran its and George Fisher resigned from park board.  Tonite to Committee meeting Troop 18 at St. Vincents.  Present M. Fitzgerald – Bob Weber –Frank Dichtl – W. Bougie – Frank Kempinger –Harold Thompson.  Harold is voted Scoutmaster for our troop.  Before meeting attended Perpetual Help Devotions.  Chief of Justice Harlan F. Stone passed away suddenly of cerebral hemorrhage at Washington, D.C. after opening a session of the Supreme Court.  Benito Mussolini’s body is stolen from Maggine cemetery during the night.

24.  Wednesday: [T] Aunt Lena is here for more house cleaning. This afternoon 5 Oclock we take a drive to the cottage, Donald and Mary Ann cut grass, I take care of the plumbing. Jimmy Geffers drops in to say hello. He was married this afternoon to Dorothy Umphenauer from near Lincoln, Nebr.at St. Marys parsonage. He introduces his bride. Back home at 10 P.M. Just learned Jimmy's wife is from Beatrice, Nebraska.

25.  Thursday: Ed Fretschl almost quits working for us this morning.  After he is thru blowing off steam, he decides to stay.  Up to see Walter Patri this morning had Jungen guardianship report completed and filed with Bill Niemuth office.  Attended Apollo Male Singers Concert at the Oshkosh tonite.  Thomas L. Thomas (baritone) is guest artist, with his accompanist Jacob Hannemann.  Milton Rusch passed away this noon at Mercy Hospital.  Born Nov. 9 – 1907.  Son of Al Rusch – Brother to Norman and Jack.  Married Julie Hart Nov. 8 -1942.

26.  Friday: Kate Smith is on the radio 15 years today.  Lionel Barrymore is 68 today.  He has been acting for 50 years – 30 years in the movies.  We are busy making room for Arno Abraham in our warehouse at 928 Oregon Street.  Lyle and Jack give me a lift to do the job.  We have a new assistant at St. Vincents to help Father Leo Ott.  His name, Alfred Schneider a native of Chilton.  He has served over 3 years as army chaplain.  Served in the army air corps in twenty countries.

27.  Saturday: Temperature is down to 24° this morning.  Ed Fretschl gets Saturday afternoons out from today on.  Took Aunt Lena Baier – Annie Heip – Thres – Mary Ann to the Strand to see “Saratoga Trunk” starring Cary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman also “Naughty Nanette ” in color.

28.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass St. Johns, then to work.  Tis a rather cool day.  Took Aunt Lena – Thres – Marianne to see “Ziegfield Follies of 1946” in technicolor.  Fred Astaire – Lucille Bremer – Judy Garland – Lena Horne – James Milton – Red Skelton – Lucille Ball – Fanny Brice – Kathryn Grayson – Gene Kelly – Victor Moore – Esther Williams and William Powell are featured.  “Coney Island Honeymoon is another technicolor.

29.  Monday: [T] Dr. Norman Kleinschmidt gives my teeth a going over.  No fillings today.

30.  Tuesday: Paul W. Jungen surprised me with a visit today.  He is now out of service, had been serving as a horse breaker in India.  Discharged at Camp McCoy April 25^th.  He gets 300 dollars mustering out pay.  Inducted Mar. 23 – 1943.  Entered actual service Mar. 30 – 1943.  Donald takes Thres and Aunt Lena and Lawrence Kinateder to the cottage.  The boys clean up the back yard, the ladies, the windows and screens.  To Kiwanis luncheon, had Don Laber for guest.