Diary of Alfred E. Potter October, 1945

01.  Monday: To Kiwanis Directors luncheon at the Athearn.

02.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon, Ray Baxandall is my table partner.

03.  Wednesday: took an afternoon and evening off today.  Drove to Kaukauna to look over the new “Look Walgreen Drug Store,” it is not complete and not much to see.  Stopped at South Kaukauna Dairy Co. and bought an assortment of “Kaukauna Club Cheese” from there we drive to Fond du Lac, visited Ed Worm at the Dana Worm Drug and from there to “Club Luco” for a sumptuous dinner.  Mary Ann did away with the big steak and trimmings like an old timer.  Home at 8⁴⁵ P.M.  Chicago Cubs win first game of World Series from Detroit 9-0.

04.  Thursday: My first cold of the season is in full swing.  Detroit wins second game of world series.

05.  Friday: To St. Vincents Church 7 Oclock.  Cork (George) Weisheipl gets home this evening, he has received his honorable discharge from service.              Com.  Donald – Mary Ann

06.  Saturday: Fred Baumgartner has a birthday.  I think he is 41.  I took Aunt Lena Baier – Joe and Annie Weisheipl –Mary Ann and Thres to the Strand tonite.  “Twice Blessed” features Preston Foster – Gail Patric and the Wild Twins also Jimmy Lydon.  “Bewitched ” stars Phyllis Thaxter – Edmond Owen.

07.  Sunday: [T] To 7³⁰ Mass St. Johns, then to work.  Visited Father John Nuernberg at Mercy.  He is not doing very well.  Met Mr. and Mrs. Borchard from Marinette at the hospital.  Detroit wins 5th game of World Series 8-4.  The Cubs used 5 Pitchers but could not hold the Tigers down.  Lawrence Smith founder of “Smith Ice Cream Co.” was shot early this morning on Highway G in town of Neenah, while he was taking some things from the back of his car, by some unknown person.                     Com.  Joe Genal

08.  Monday: It was learned that Larry Smith (founder of Smith Ice Cream Co. who was shot yesterday) was the victim of mistaken identity.  A warrant has been issued for Herbert Erdman, 47, believed to be the murderer.

09.  Tuesday: A new world labor organization was established yesterday in Paris.  The United States was represented by an all C.I.O. delegation led by Sidney Hillman.  This new organization claims 75 million members under communist – socialist and left wing leadership.

10.  Tuesday: Tonite we visit at Joe Baiers.  Joe – Annie Weisheipl and Thres Fretschl are there to enjoy a game of sheephead.  Rose Weisheipl is 34 years old today.  She and her lady friends celebrate tonite.

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12.  Friday: Dr. Archie Gifford passed away this morning at 11.40 at his home R #5 Town of Oshkosh.  Prominent specialist in orthodontia.  Had his office over Otto’s store 928 Oregon St. next to us about 31 years ago.  Born June 6 – 1884 at Edgerton Wis.  His first wife Belle died Feb. 28 -1937.  Married Alma Protl at Dubuque Iowa Oct. 21 – 1938.  Donna Marie Jensen of Janesville a daughter is also a survivor.  The doctor had a lovely farm on the Jackson Road.  He also was much interested in raising pure bred dogs.            Rosary –Dr. Archie Gifford

13.  Saturday: Visited Father Nuernberg this afternoon.  He looks very weak.  Saw “Anchors Aweigh” at the Oshkosh tonite.  Frank Sinatra –Kathryn Grayson – Gene Kelly.  Its a technicolor.  “Gentle Annie” features James Craig – Donna Reed – Marjorie Main.  The Heips are with us.  Stopped at Ollie Kinateders for a lunch.

14.  Sunday: To 730 Mass St. Vincents with Holy Name Society, then to work.  Bob Zemke is Donald’s dinner guest today.  Took a ride this afternoon to Ripon – Green Lake –Berlin – Omro –stopped at the Kujawa’s – Berlin, no one home, stopped at our cottage on way back – picked up a few freezables.  Out to the Weisheipl’s tonite for cards.  Thres and Ed Fretschl –Aunt Lena Baier are there.  View the remains of Dr. Archie Gifford at Spikes- MacDonald.  Joe Baier two Wauwatosa to see Emma.  She is improving.              Com.  Lawrence Smith

15.  Monday: Jack Farrin is laid to rest today.  Attend funeral services for Dr. Gifford at the Masonic Temple this afternoon.

16.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon, I was late as usual, but got a chair next to President Harry Bruegger.  Dr. Thomas Jones brother of O.R. spoke on the “Atomic Bomb” and he sure knew his stuff.  Visited Father John Nuernberg this afternoon.  He is in fairly good spirits altho he is much weaker.  Met Father Champaign of Marinette.  Father Kandy also stops in.  I had a short time with Father John alone and we did a little reminiscing.

17.  Wednesday: Took Thres Fretschl along to the Strand.  “Wintertime” featuring Sonja Henie –Jack Oakie – Cesar Romero – Carole Landis and “We All Kissed the Bride” with Joan Crawford – Melvin Douglas.  Sneak Preview was “Sunset

18.  Thursday: Soft Water Service is being installed at our house today.

19.  Friday: Dr. W^m Wagner leaves early this morning for Dakota to do some pheasant hunting.

20.  Saturday: After a busy day at the store to Mercy Hospital to visit Father Nuernberg.  He is very low when I get there at 4¹⁵ P.M. The family is all there.  About 6¹⁵ Sister Eleanor told us he would not live much longer.  I prayed ahead several rosaries and other prayers and litanies.  He passed away very peacefully at 7 Oclock. Bizz Marheine gets a call from Dr. Bill Wagner to send 2 Tires at once.  Doctor’s car blew two tires when he got to Dakota.

21.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass at St. Vincents.  Work the rest of the morning.  Charlotte Arendt is on today.  Took in “Rhapsody in Blue” at the Strand, a picture depicting the life of George Gershwin.  “Robert Alda” takes Gershwin’s part supported by a large cast – Joan Leslie –Alexis Smith – Charles Coburn – Al Jolson –Oscar Levant –Paul Whiteman –George White – Hazel Scott and Anne Brown.  Thres and Mary Ann are with me.  The Heips saw the picture yesterday.

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23.  Tuesday: Kiwanis Club honors “The Lem” family (Chinese) for outstanding citizens.  Dr. Noordhoof did the pinch hitting for the regular speaker who could not come.  Our table “Doc” Watson –Karl Knobla –Leight Hough – Abe Kagan and yours truly.  Received a letter from Carl Radomski today.  He writes from Witzen -hausen, Germany.  His address: Pfc. C. Radomski -36950421 –H.I. Co.  3d Bn. 30^th Inf. A.P.O. 3 c/o P.Master N.Y.N.Y.

24.  Wednesday: This is Aunt Mary’s birthday she is 72 and feeling pretty spry.

25.  Thursday: Up at 5³⁰ picked up Rose Matschi – Emma Jungwirth –Gene La Fond left for Marinette shortly after 7 Oclock, arrived there at 930.  Services for Father John Nuernberg begin at 10 Oclock.  Bishop Stanislaus Bona who is celebrant.  About 150 priests are present.  Victor Kandy plays the organ.  After the services dinner is served in the church basement.  Met Fathers Duer – Alt –Zey –Heiman – Courtney – Baier.

26.  Friday: Attended funeral services at St. Vincents, said farewell to Father John.  Monsignor Bastian was the Celebrant, about 75 priests attend.  Victor Kandy played the organ and also gave the farewell sermon.  Dinner was served at noon at our school gym.  I had Fathers Leo Sharp – Dominic Dietrich for table partners.  They paid me a visit at the store in the afternoon with Fathers Andrew Quella –I. Renklewski (Chi).  Father John is laid to rest but his many friends in all walks of life will never forgive him. R.I.P.  The Harry Kujawas visit us tonite.  The usual spirit of good will and fun prevails.

27.  Saturday: Took Joe and Annie Weisheipl to Oshkosh.  “State Fair” in technicolor is a nice picture.  Dick Haymes – Dana Andrews – Jeanne Crain – Vivian Blaine –Charles Winninger star.  Stopped at Pete Kings, met Mr. Mrs. John Voss.

28.  Sunday: To 730 Mass St. Vincents, read by Father Malachy of Mt. Calvary.  Then to work until 11 AM.  Took Thres and Mary Ann to Mt. Calvary for the Annual Chicken Dinner and Bazaar.  Over 900 people were served.  At the Bazaar I won a crate of “delicious” apples, Mary and a bottle of wine – Mama won nothing.  

Visited with Father Gerald for a while and then back home.  View the remains of George Koplitz at Marquardts.  Donald drives to Green Bay with Don DeBehnke and Buss Baumgartner to the Packer.               M.O.  George Koplitz

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30.   Tuesday: Almost got to Kiwani’s luncheon Justin Addington and Ralph Sperry are in town, take me to lunch instead.

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