Diary of Alfred E. Potter August, 1950

01.  Tuesday: Took Mary Ann to the cottage this morning to cut grass, and she did, she mowed all of its front and back of the cottage.

02.  Wednesday: Bill Mauritz is out tonite to finish cabinet for our kitchen sink.  Rose – Joan – Barby are along.  Otto Lemke beats up the ladies in cards, tables turn when I begin to play.

03.  Thursday: The Ladies Auxiliary Party at Wirtz’s is called off.  Kenny Seperski is our noon meal guest at the cottage.  This afternoon Otto Lemke takes Emma – Thres –Mary Ann to the Time, to see “Jolson sings again.” Had unexpected company, Carl – Marge – Jimmy Radomski – Anna Drexler – Leona Czekalski dropped in at the store.  Took them over to see Donald’s place.  They are much impressed.  This evening they all come to the cottage with Harry Kujawa, forgot to mention Rose and Teddy Giddings.  Donald - Arlene - Debby are there also.  Debby sure is lively tonight and does her stuff to the amusement of everyone.

04.  Friday: To 7 Oclock High Mass St. Vincents.  Monsign. Bastian. 

Com.  Donald – Mary Ann

05.  Saturday: To 7 Oclock Mass St. Josaphat’s with Knights of Columbus.  At 9 Oclock to Sacred Heart Church, Wedding Marion Drexler – Ralph Terrace.  All her sisters attended her, Solemn Hi Mass Father Mike Drexler is here.  First National Bank where Marion worked is well represented.

06.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass St. Vincents.  Heard Father Koehne preach first time, Donald and Arlene first anniversary.  Took them to Power Boat Club for dinner.  After that stopped at the cottage where Joan Mauritz –Doris Heisler –Rose Sosnoski – Carol _____ and Billy Mauritz and boys had a party.  I worked until 10.30 tonite.  Thres and Mary Ann see Fred Astaire and Red Skelton in “Three little Words.”

07.  Monday: [T] Norm Brown and Bob Kniss are in today. This afternoon took Father John Murphy along to Mt. Calvary for the Alumni Reunion. Ed Boney - Al Reinig - Stan Wachowiak - John Pfister - Mike Prock are there. Had a visit with Father Gerold This evening we enjoyed an old-fashioned blow out with a few of us resurrecting a lot of old time songs. Father McGinnety, chaplain at Paris Island, Carolina played piano for us. Met Ed Hutter from Fond du Lac. Frank Ascherl, Madison is also with us. Drove home with Father Murphy about 10.30.

08.  Tuesday: Back for Solemn Hi Mass this morning at Mt Calvary.  Met Father Dominic Meyer –Ed and James Wagner – Joe Rauch – Andrew Quella –Fathers Nathaniel and Fidelis –Coelistine.  Father Nerius –Cyprian were there also.  Brought Father Joe Rauch back to Oshkosh this afternoon.  Father Wagner is in for signatures for Visas to Portugal.  This evening anniversary party at the cottage, 39 years for ma and me.  Joe – Annie Heip –Thres – Ed Fretschl – Don and Arlene – Otto Lemke, - Emma Siewert are there, all brought presents, too many.  They broke up at 1 A.M.

09.  Wednesday: Am busy at the store trying to make up for lost time.  Helped the boys a bid to get things lined up in the old basement.

10.  Thursday: Robert Lombardo is in this morning to pick up order for “Postgraduate Medicine” for our M. D’s.  Should bring you closer relationship with the doctors.  Took on the “Dana” Line of Cosmetics today.  Worked until 10 tonight.  Bob Fisher (Sharp & Dohwe) took me to luncheon at the Roxy today.  Fred Baumgartner and Loretta are there also.

11.  Friday: Father Alphonse Wagner is in this afternoon.  He had a visit with Monsignor Reul who came back from Europe last Saturday.

12.  Saturday: Donald is finally putting screens on his house back of the store.  We visited Aunt Mary today, she seems in good spirits, her mind is not improved, I think it is worse than it has been.  Took a drive to Berlin to see Harry, to pick up some cash.  This evening took a drive to Ripon – Rosendale and back home.

13.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass Monsignor Bastian Father Dave Koehne sermon.  Holy Name Sunday.  Worked this morning and part this afternoon.  Bill Mauritz – Ray Ostertag stopped in to look over the store.  They had not seen it yet.  After that Thres –Mary Ann and self stop at Bill and Rays.  Had supper outside.  The air is cool.  I stopped it Joe Baiers – persuaded Emma to come along out to Bill’s.  Bill – Ray – Joe and me out to cottage for an hour. 

Com.  Dec. Members Holy Name.

14.  Monday: Took Sisters Romana – Pancratia and _____ to Milwaukee.  Sister Romana is celebrating her golden jubilee at the Mother House.  Had our noon meal at Karl Raatsch’s on E. Mason.  We all got away with the whole pike.  It was delicious.  Then some shopping at Gimbels and then for home.  Back at 5³⁰ P.M.  This evening at Konrads to view the remains of Julius Baumgartner and back to work.

15.  Tuesday: [T] To 6³⁰ Mass Father Wagner.  To work about 10 A.M.  This is Mrs. John Felker’s Arlene’s mother’s birthday she is 40.  Mrs. Mary Ann Von Hoof at Necedah states she has had another apparition of the blessing Virgin at Necedah.  About 100 000 people from all parts of the U.S.A. were there.  About 60 priests also.  Art Mueller and family left for Brush Colorado this morning about four.  Attended Kiwanis luncheon.  Ray Perkins – Ozz Witte – Ray Baxandall – Simon Horwitz Mr. Schallern, attorney and myself at table.  Attended funeral services for Julius Baumgartner. 

Com.  Jacob Ries

16.  Wednesday: A hot day.  Took Joe – Annie Weisheipl – Ed – Thres Fretschl to the cottage with us this afternoon.  Had an enjoyable afternoon and evening.  The folks stayed overnight.

17.  Thursday: [T] To town early this morning.  Sister Alvina brought seven of her community in Appleton to our cottage for the day.  Much surprized to find a good friend Sister Generose with them

18.  

19.  

20.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass.  Monsignor Bastian.  Took Ray Ostertag family to the cottage.  They and Bill Mauritz family spend the day.  It is somewhat cool.  Thres and I visit Aunt Mary this afternoon, also Norbert Mueller – Dorothy Bauer.  I dropped in to see Herb Wheeler my old foreman at Goulds many years back.  Don – Arlene –Don Gerth – Diane to Milwaukee to the State Fair and midget Auto Races. 

Com. Geo Revland

21.  Monday: Annual Rotary Kiwanis picnic today at State Hospital Park.  We did not attend

22.  Tuesday: Attended Kiwanis luncheon.  It was a round table affair.  About 50 members were there.

23.  Wednesday: [T] A lovely day temperature 82° this afternoon.  Moved back to town.  This evening we visit at Monsignor Reul’s.  Father Wagner –Ray and Elsie Wagner –loss and Mary Borish – Thres and myself.  Had a splendid evening.  Father showed pictures and movies he had taken on his trip abroad, very interesting.  Home at 1220 AM.  Mary Ann takes Joan Mauritz and Doris Heisler to the Oshkosh –Green Bay ball game.  We lose 8-5.

24.  

25.  Friday: We have another meeting in my office about the pilgrimage. Les Borish, Father Wagner, Doctor, Thres and myself. Les is going to Milwaukee early tomorrow morning to have the necessary changes made.

26.  

27.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass.  St. Vincents

28.  Monday: Bob Kniss takes me out to lunch at the Town Grill.  Norman Brown is with us.  Tickets are still marching in front of the Grill.  They have been picketing since May 1st.  I worked until about 10 P.M.  This will be a busy week for me, getting things in order.  Edward Weisheipl takes his vacation this week.

29.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon.  Al Kuebler –Sam Lucksinger – Frank Sullivan and myself at table.  Joe Baier had a late call last night.  Edward Weisheipl’s little “Bobby” became suddenly ill.  Dr. Gerth is called in and about 11 Oclock they took Bobby to Neenah for special examination an observation.  According to reports today he is still a very sick boy, shows no symptoms of Polio, although he may have obstruction of the bowels.

30.  Wednesday: This is “Oshkosh Day” at the Fair and it is a very wet one, rain most of the day.  Store is closed I worked this afternoon pick up some prescriptions.  Otto Lemke – Emma Siewert take Mary Ann out riding, around the lake.  I delivered St. Joseph’s Pamphlets to Mrs. John Bart –Mrs. Mae Haidlinger –Mrs. Johanna Lang a visit at each place.  Mrs. Lang is very glad to see someone she knew, she is near 85.  Father Alphonse Wagner stops in about 7 P.M. stayed a few minutes until 8 P.M.  He’s good company.  Had a few things to discuss about our trip.  I worked until 9³⁰ P.M.  Annie Heip – Thres – Ed Fretschl are here when I get home.  Joe Heip comes in at 10 P.M.  Had a good time with cards, Corky Weisheipl comes in after 1 A.M.  After a farewell the party breaks up at 2 A.M.

31.  Thursday: Bobby Weisheipl is much improved today.  Rev. James (Jimmie) Weisheipl is in the store today for short visit.