Diary of Alfred E. Potter November, 1949

01.  Tuesday: To 7 Oclock Mass St. Vincents.  Had to bring presents to Kiwanis today, one Old Spice and one Yardley Shaving Lotion.  Ed Schrank got the Old Spice, Rev. Marlin Smith the Yardley.  I got a white carnation for being birthday boy.  Harold Fishbein, former director in Germany of U.N.R.A. spoke to us about his experiences.  He is a brother to Morris Fishbein.  Thres is with the Ladies Auxiliary making a tour thru the Delton Grass Rug Company, Mr. Ziernzack conducts the tour.  She finds it very interesting.  Emma Siewert is with us for supper.  This evening they are all back to Ladies Auxiliary meeting after Perpetual Help Devotion.  I work until 10.30.  Visits this P.M. Joseph Plank – Matt – Lena – Grandma Baier Emma Hurst.

Com.  Katherine Holzbauer

02.  Wednesday: [T] To 7⁰⁰ and 7³⁰ Mass Father Bouchette.  We are greeted with snow this morning.

03.  Thursday: Took Mary Ann out to Mandy Drexler to spend the day.  Had the Plymouth filled with Prestone for the winter, also directional lights installed.  Wilbur Mueller and self out to the cottage to drain water tanks and shut off the water for the winter.  This afternoon took Thres to Milwaukee to see Dr. Neuman.  He bandaged her leg again, advising her to keep on with present treatment.  On the way back we have dinner at Shenar’s.  Mr. and Mrs. Urban (Bizz) Marheine – Mr. Mrs. Jay Putney – Mr. Mrs. Louis Schriber – Clarence Petri and son in law Melvin Jansen also are there.

04.  Friday: well its another birthday for yours truly, 59 to be exact.  To 7⁰⁰ Oclock Mass St. Vincents Monsignor Bastian.

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06.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass, Father Wagner, then to work.  Thres and self are invited out to dinner at Ed Wirtz’s by Father Alphonse.  We find that today is Father’s 5th anniversary as a priest.  His family are here from Koehler and Sheboygan, also Dr. and Mrs. Hugo – Drs. Ray and Will Wagner with Elsie and Lill, Joe Hemmer and Margaret –_____ Pohojka, and Mrs. Had a nice sheephead game – took Dr. and Mrs. Hugo and Lucille Kronzer home.  Back to work this evening. 

Com.  Joseph Plank

07.  Monday: Temperatures up to 70° today, warmest in 20 years.  The barricade in front of our store is being taken down today.

08.  Tuesday: Took Bob Fisher (Sharp & Dohme) out to luncheon today at the Town Grill.  Ben Schinski, 301 Lemmer St. passed away suddenly this morning at his house at 8.55.  Survived by Mrs. and three sons Robert – Donald – Ralph.  Born Aug. 2 – 1883.

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10.  Thursday: John Yonan (Appleton) is looking for special holiday scotch tape has me phone to St. Paul and Chicago to locate it for him.  Emma and Mame Siewert are here to spend the evening with Thres and Mary Ann.

11.  Friday: Rose Weisheipl takes a day off to go to Milwaukee to do some shopping with her sister Marion.  Get the bad news that our electric fixtures will be shipped November 15 from New York instead of November 4 as promised.  Served as honorary pallbearer for Ben Schinski at St. Josaphat’s, this morning.  Fat Drexler – Bill Steckbauer – Tony Pable –Louis Stoegbauer and myself represent the Foresters.

12.  Saturday: I get a happy birthday card from Agnes in Berlin she gets her dates mixed my birthday was on the 4th evidently intended for mother.  Took mother and Mary Ann to the Strand to see “My Friend Irma” starring Marie Wilson the original Irma on the Radio also John Lund – Diana Lynn Don De Fore – Dean Martin – Jerry Lewis, the last two are real comedians, also “Stampede” with Rod Cameron – Gale Storm.  Then to “Town Grill” for a birthday treat for mother.

13.  Sunday: Mother has a birthday, rather quiet one.  She has completed 63 years.  To 7³⁰ Mass with Holy Name Members.  About 85 present.  Worked this morning and also part of the evening.  This afternoon our champion Comets football team played the Milwaukee Raatz team and win 7 to 6.  I think Billy Siewert save the game by stopping one of the opposition on the 4 yard line in the last lap of the 4th quarter, and it so happened that the Raatz team just could’nt break that line for even 4 yards to make that much needed touchdown.  This evening Honor Guard at Sacred Heart, their 2 weeks mission is ended with 40 Hours Devotion. 

Com.  Deceased Members H.N.

14.  Monday: C.R. Meyers are moving the fixtures from the old store to the new part, so the floor can be laid in the corner store.  Its quite a job for the folks to get the merchandise placed, and to top things off a heavy U. D. Wholesale order comes in - about 192 Cases, have them delivered to our basement at home.  Tonite again “Guard of Honor” this time at St. Josaphat’s Church.  Saw Father Joe Ahearn from Menasha.  Took Monsignor Bastian home after the services.  The folks work overtime tonite to give things placed in the new temporary quarters.

15.  Tuesday: Learn this morning that the folks worked until midnite last night, and they got most of the fixtures moved.  Had Harvey Lohst for guest at Kiwanis luncheon.

16.  Wednesday: Attended “Hi Neighbor” musical comedy revue at Sacred Heart School.  Had Ed and Thres Fretschl with us.  The Weisheipl’s were very much in the revue - Rose - Marion - Eddie - Florence - Max - also Joe Drexler and daughters Marion - Joan.

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18.  Friday: Thres and self to Mercy Hospital to visit Clara Lemke.  Otto is with her.  She is in pretty bad shape.  She is still conscious complains of much dizziness.

19.  Saturday: Took in “Task Force” at the Strand with Gary Cooper – Jane Wyatt.  This picture is sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club in honor of National Kids Day and the proceeds will be used for our underprivileged child program.

20.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass St. Vincents and then to work.  This afternoon at 2³⁰ Father Alphonse Wagner calls for me to go deer hunting.  Ed Wirtz and Jerry Schoenberger are with us.  We see many deer being brought back.  We have dinner at “The Port” at Pembine.  We arrive at our destination about 8³⁰ a cottage on Lake Hilbert owned by Rud Fisher, who operates Waverly Beach Resort.  Meet his wife Ethel and Len and Mrs. Duerth from Appleton.  They all turn in early except Ed Wirtz and myself. 

Com.  Safe Journey.

21.  Monday: Ed Wirtz and me snore together.  Up at 5³⁰ breakfast 6³⁰ Howard Campbell father of Ethel made breakfast.  Out at 7 Oclock to pick up Carl and Leonard Carlson who are to show us where to hunt.  Ed and I were spotters, the Carlsons and Jerry, drivers.  After 3 hours of tramping, no success.  I staid in this afternoon.  Ed Wertz spent the afternoon snoring in a chair.  Father Wagner and Jerry did some shopping for food.  Played sheephead, I lost 85 cents.  To bed in the new addition of the cottage and is it cold!

22.  Tuesday: [T] Up at 6³⁰ Ed Wirtz made breakfast.  I’m still froze up from the cold quarters.  Out at 7³⁰ to pick up the Carlsons and another Carlson called “Slippery” Tried some different woods and no luck again, back home at noon.  On our way home at 2³⁰ Took a different road home thru Laona stopped at Lake Monger near Lakewood to visit Marty Vanderwelden, then over to John’s Lake to visit Walter Jennerjahn, he has a lovely cottage – a trout stream and part of the mountain.  Home at 6³⁰ had dinner at Hi K Otto Christiansen is feeling very good kidding Ed Wirtz.

23.  Wednesday: Back to work this morning.  I’m still tired.

24.  Thursday: Over to Gust Kleists – 322 – 14th St. to fit with a truss.  Had our Turkey Dinner all by ourselves, no company.  We did attend St. Vincents 7 Oclock Mass.  Father Dennis Bouche.  This evening to the Strand “The Story of Seabiscuit” starring Shirley Temple –Barry Fitzgerald –Lon McAllister, and “The Secret Garden” with Margaret O’Brien – Herbert Marshall

25.  Friday: Maxine Siewert call this morning with the news of the passing of Clara Miller Lemke, at 10.55 last night.  Born June 16 - 1891

26.  Saturday: We are treated to a blizzard this morning.  This afternoon took Aunt Mary to confession and then to Poklasnys to see Clara Lemke.  Met Father Norbert Lemke S.J. son of Otto.  He is stationed at Fordham University.  To the store the rest of the afternoon.  This evening to Poklasny’s with Thres and Mary Ann.  Father Lemke offers rosary.  Annie Heip is there.  Alvina Putzer has a birthday.

27.  Sunday: A lovely morning.  Took Aunt Mary with us to 7³⁰ Mass St. Vincents.  This is a memorial Mass for deceased Brother Foresters.  Then to work.  This afternoon to St. Mary’s Church.  Guard duty with 4th Degree Knights at the investiture of Father Reul as Domestic Prelate with the Title Right Rev. Monsignor.  Bishop Bona gave an explanatory talk on the Papal Household.  I’m back to work at 4³⁰.  Thres and Mary Ann at Poklasny’s for Rosary.  Worked 6 ½ hours today.  Com.  Deceased Brother Foresters.

28.  Monday: Clara Lemke is laid to rest in Sacred Heart Cemetery.  Father Norbert Lemke conducts funeral services in church and at the cemetery.  Father Joseph Rauch is here.  Our car – Thres – Mary Ann –Annie Heip –Alvina Putzer and myself.  To work by 10.30.  This evening Thres and Mary Ann help me check McClurg Order until 10³⁰.  Worked 10 hours today.  We had a full crew at the store today, Electricians –Ceiling Men – Plumbers – Carpenters – Heating Men – Painters.

29.   Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon.  Our table Henry Zentner –Ellis Bohlwan – Frank Thew – Dr. Nordhoff – myself.  Mr. Froelke prove to be an interesting speaker on “Indian Lore ” He spoke mostly about the Lake Superior Regions deposits of copper and silver from at least 3000 years ago.  Worked 9 hours today.  This evening the Heips and Fretschl ’s are here for a belated celebration of Thes’ and my birthdays.  Took them home at 1³⁰.

30.  Wednesday: Telephone call from Mary Ann: “Daddy, you must come home to dinner at once ” “Mama made something new and its falling apart” Mary Ann also learns that putting gravy on sauerkraut improves its taste, very much.  Worked 12 hours today.