Diary of Alfred E. Potter January, 1951

01.  Monday: “Happy New Year” We enjoyed the evening an early morning at Heips – Left there at 3³⁰ A.M. took Betty on 17^th St. home, then over to Donald’s to wish him a happy new year, home by a little past four, we also took Don Gerth and Diane home.  Just about in when Rose – Ed Binder –Dess – Ed Wirtz –Mary Les Borisch drop in and stay until 5³⁰.  We to 6 Oclock Mass.  Father Koehn, to bed at 6⁴⁵ woke up at 1¹⁵ P.M.  Had dinner, more sleep until 4¹⁵ then out to Matt and Amanda’s and Twins – to Joe Drexler’s and to Otillia Drexlers, met Herbie Mugerauer there, then home, showed some movies, to bed by 11 P.M.

02.  Tuesday: Well we are all back to work some still a little tired.  Thres and Mary Ann are on committee for Ladies Foresters meeting.  I work until 10 P.M.  Father Alphonse Wagner brings the ladies home and stops in for an hours visit.  He tells about the home of Frank Bibl and Theresa Pollock.  They are to move to St. Marys Home.

03.  Wednesday: [T R 2 M] We had an all days snow today, sometimes near sleet.  Tonite Thres and self attend Kiwanis installation of officers.  Bob Bork is our new president.  Boston Store presented Style Show.  Had a Thank You Card from Sister Amelia also a card and short letter from Sister Meiurada.

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07.  Sunday: Temperature is 21° below zero this morning.  To 7:30 Mass St. Vincents Father Alphonse.

08.  Monday: [TEG   R 4 M] Not so cold this morning only 13° below zero.

09.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon.  Our table: Harry Bruegger –Les Conroy – Glen Fadner –Tom Marquart – Myself.  Weather is moderating.  Very busy day for me at the store, finished at 9⁰⁰ P.M.  Had company at home John – Matt – Carrie Bauer and Louis – Mary Mauritz are here to see the movies of our trip.

10.  Wednesday: [R 2 M] Father Leander Nickel is in this morning, soliciting ads for St. Mary’s weekly bulletin.  Clark Hastings is in town with Sonny Peck.  He is seeking information about Ray Fiedler.  I gave him what I could and recommended him for a position.  Had luncheon with Clark and Sonny at the Athearn.  Return card from Father Berres arrived today.  Wrote to him December 13th.

11.  Thursday: [TEG] Emma Siewert is with us today.  She entertains at cards tonight.  Mrs. Edward Beck and Mary Notzke.

12.  Friday: [R 4 M] Annie Heip visits Aunt Mary at the hospital.  She almost gives to be one of Jehovah’s witnesses.  “Halleluya Praise the Lord”.

13.  Saturday: My job today is in the basement of the store, and

14.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass St. Vincents Holy Name, Father Koehn.  To work at 9⁰⁰ A.M.  Looks somewhat gloomy out.  Had a long dinner when I came home at one oclock, then we slept until 5³⁰.  Back to work at 6 Oclock until 9³⁰.  Harry and Agnes are here this evening. 

Com.  Deceased Members Holy Name

15. Monday: [T] Anna (Dobish) Jungwirth is 76 today.  She still works every day.  Mueller Potter annual meeting tonight.  A successful year back of us.  All officers reelected.  Meeting adjourns 12³⁰ A.M.  To bed by 2 A.M.  President Harry Truman sent Congress his government spending budget today for the next year, only 71, 594, 000 000 ouch!  This is an unprecedented peacetime spending program.  Figures to 471 dollars for each man – woman and child in the U.S.A.

16.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon, took John Bolger as a guest.  Ozz Witte – Dr. Louis Graber –Leight Hough – Doc Wiley are at our table.  Ralph Buckstaff showed a movie.  This evening Father – Sons banquet Knights of Columbus.  I took Donald.  Father Alphonse was our chauffeur.  Stopped at store near midnight.  Ed Fretschl is scrubbing floors.  I gave him home about 12¹⁵.  To bed by 2 A.M.

17.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] This is Debbie Potters first birthday celebration.  She is dressed very cute by her mother.  The Felkers John and Lucille, Don Kriesl, Jack and Bernice Zuehlke and boys Rony and Terry – Diane - Billy Mauritz.  Debbie helps open presents.  Party breaks up 11:30 to bed at 1 A.M.  Temperatures up to 45° the highest since last November 19 when the temperature registered 47°.

18.  Thursday: Donald removes the heavy snow from our roof at home this afternoon.  Emma Siewert is here this afternoon and evening.

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20.  Saturday: Dale Lenz and Jeanine Keller are married by Rev. T.J. Mittelstaedt at Emmanuel Lutheran Church.  Both worked for us at the South Side Store.

21.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass St. Vincents, Father Wagner, breakfast and then to work.  Mrs. John Postl passed away today at 11.30 at Mercy Hospital.  Born Jan. 20 – 1890.  Married to

22.  Monday: Tonite is Radio Jamboree for March of Dimes Station WOSH.  Joe Weisheipls Orchestra –Geo Stadler – Karl Fretschl play.  Art Gruenewald – Leo Kagan sing.  We also learn that Sid Hirschberg is in the outstanding young man and Pat O’Malley the Boss of the year in the annual J.C.C. contest.  The Jamboree lasted until 1³⁰ A.M.

23.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon, we visit the Curative Workshop after luncheon.

24.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] The Fretschls and the Weisheipls are here for cards tonight.  Played 10 games before I won one.  One of the ladies left the water in the lavatory of the bathroom running full force, it was an hour before I discovered it.  Cork called for the folks, they left for home at 2 A.M.  This is Edward Weisheipl’s birthday.

25.  Thursday: Monsignor W^m Reul is in to see me and to introduce his new assistant Father James Geenan.  It’s the first time Monsignor is in to see me since we came back from our European Trip.

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28.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass Father Koehn, and after breakfast to work.  Had an exceptionally fine noon meal, thanks to Ma Potter.  Back to work at 6 P.M. temperature is dropping.  Could’nt get my car started after work, Art Mueller pushed me out to Ohio Street, luckily Gans Thoma was still on the job, found gas line frozen, took ½ hour to thaw out.  Art’s radiator needed attention.

29.  Monday: We are faced with a real cold spell this morning temperature is 22 degrees below zero at 6 A.M.  Took my car to garage for checkup, battery, grease job, etc.  Father Spalding is in to see me about being probation officer for a young man.  We get the boy out of the County Jail this afternoon.  He is Marvin Eberhardt of 925-6th St.

30.  Tuesday: Temperature is 31° below this morning.  Coldest since Feb 20-1929 when it was 34° below here.  Lone Rock, Wis. is the coldest spot in the U.S.A. 53° below.  Art Mueller's water system is froze up, took all day to thaw out the pipes.  This is quite an experience for their first winter out in the country.  Did not go to Kiwanis Club today.  Art Hazen is chaffeur for most of us at the store. Father Pemiskern drops in to say hello, he is now at Crandon.

31.  Wednesday: Got my DE Soto back this morning.  It is much warmer out this morning only 13° below zero.  Attended meeting of the Retail Division Chamber of Commerce at 9³⁰ A.M.  Father Joseph Patrick Hurst pastor of St. Joseph’s Church – Berlin was instantly killed this morning when his car was hit by a passenger train (Northwestern) at a crossing between Green Bay and De Pere.  He was born in Westport Oct. 22 -1887, son of James and Mary Hurst.  Ordained June 1 – 1914.  Pastor at Butler –Wauwatosa and Racine.  We attended Judy Stillman Dance Review for March of Dimes.  Took along Ed and Thres Fretschl.