Diary of Alfred E. Potter November, 1951

01.  Thursday: To 6³⁰ Mass, then to the store –to give orders before going away.  Left with Father Wagner – Elsie and John about 9³⁰.  Its a pleasant day, stopped at St. Catherine Church in Milwaukee.  Left Elsie off at her sisters – stopped at Schwabenhof for noon meal, then to Broadway Church Goods, Alex Paderowski waited on me, couldnt park to shop at Gimbels, so we went to Yahr Lange to say hello to Tommy Atkins – Bill Kies – Walter Lange – Paul Hayden.  Then to Dr. F Schulte dentist a relative of Father Wagners –then to Carl and Margaret’s.  Gail showed us a spinnet piano, her birthday present.  Met Fathers Ryan – Lambert – Hickey – pastor and assistants of Immaculate Conception Church where Carl and Margaret attend. 

Com.  Cath Holzbauer November 1 - 1951

02.  Friday: [R 4 M] Brrrr its cold this morning – 9° above and we have to walk to church and back.  To 7³⁰ Mass.  Art Redmond tells me he’s going to go into partnership with Earl Siewert next Monday.  Had a letter from the Rothbauers today, they received my check for 50⁰⁰.  Letter mailed Oct 29th air mail is fast.

Com.  Stanislaus Jarosch

03.  Saturday: [R 2 M] And today more cold 8° below during the night and an all day snowstorm.  We get 3 new lamps for the living room from Mel Thomas (Kummerows) and new drapes from Boston Store.  Norm Brown’s daughter Barbara is married to Donald Weiss at St. Josephs Church – Reynolds Indiana by her Cousin Rev. Robert Fasselman.  David was best man.

04.  Sunday: [T] Well its another birthday for me, 61 years are gone and yet it seems only a few years ago when I was a boy at school –Time sure flies.  This date is very uneventful, had Donald and family here for 1 Oclock dinner.  Worked this morning and evening, 6 ½ hours.  Its another cold day temperature about 10° above.  Fr Wagner – Hi Mass – 7³⁰.  Had 2 ½ inches snow yesterday.  The Fox river is frozen over. 

Com.  Thanksgiving

05.  Monday: [R 4 M] Still cold, unofficial 3° above registered at Buckstaffs observatory.  River freezing is a record, the coldest first few days in November in 60 years.  Henry J. Durler died at his home, 19 Monroe Ave. yesterday afternoon 3³⁰.  Born Mar 17 – 1874.  President Peoples Brewing Co. since 1933.  Had Norm Brown over this noon.  He likes pork, so Ma has pork for us.  Sy Propson is at Madison to take another try at the State Board of Pharmacy.

06.  Tuesday: The snow is hanging on, with predictions of more to come.  To Kiwanis luncheon Gene Vogel – Carl Schmidt – Hugo Riese and myself at table.  Called Emma Siewert Lemke to wish her a happy birthday.  She is 65, and feeling fine.

07.  Wednesday: [R 2 M] Im not feeling too chipper this morning.  Took plenty of rest.  Tonite the Canasta Club are over to celebrate my birthday.  Ed – Rose Binder –Ed – Dess Wirtz –Walter Leone Dodd –Les and Mary Borisch.  The party broke up at 2 A.M.

08.  Thursday: Erwin Merrill is here to check our furnace and heating plant and finds some things that need attention badly.  Attended Golden Jubilee K C Banquet at Club with Fr Wagner.  Honor past grand knights Bill Schaefer – Joe Plier – Joe Kubasta – Eddie Marheine –Ed Binder –Paul Kelly –Roy Martin – Joe Plier Paul Jansen – C.W. Zemlock.  Jim Cain is Master of Ceremonies.  Won $1 at sheephead, playing Fr Wagner – Dr. Ray Wagner – Dr. Fred Kronzer.  Ma – Mary Ann – Joan Mauritz Doris Heisler to Civic Music Concert by De Paul’s Infantry Chorus at the Strand.  Joanne uses my membership.

09.  Friday: Took Mary Ann and Ma to the Oshkosh tonite.  We see June Haver – W^m Lundigan – Frank Fay – Marilyn Monroe in “Love Nest” “The Sun Sets at Dawn” is the second picture, very good.

10.  Saturday: Mrs. Frances Johnson former National Pistol Shoot Champion is laid to rest this morning.  Funeral Services at St. Mary Magdalene Church – Waupaca.  She was 43.  Her husband and daughter survived, also her parents Mr. Mrs. Matt Zitzelberger Almena Wis and 3 brothers and 8 sisters.  She appeared here at South Park Gym at the Sports Show.  This afternoon took Donald – Billy Mauritz to cottage to put on storms and take out dock at the cottage.  Its a beautiful day.  I had quite a visit with John Glotz Sr.

11.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass with Holy Name Men.  Fr Milbauer explains about man after the end of the world.  Read good news today.  Sy Propson passed the exam at Madison for full fledged pharmacist.  Worked this morning and part time this afternoon.  Tonite Sacred Heart Congregation ends 40 Hours devotion and also their Mission.  Attended with 4th Degree K C as honorguard.

12.  Monday: [R 4 M] Norbert Mueller is laid up at his home with his skin eruption.  Has not been diagnosed, any more than being an allergy.  Art Hazen is doing relief work at the west store.  I have a dental appointment with Dr. Norman Kleinschmit at 1³⁰, the usual procedure scraping the tartar.  Tonite Joe and Annie Heip –Otto – Emma Lemke –Thres Fretschl are here to celebrate Thres’s and my birthday.  Ed Fretschl comes in at midnite.  I worked until 10 Oclock tonight.  The party breaks up at 1³⁰ A.M.  Aribee Phelps our neighbor is out driving trucks again.

13.  Tuesday: [T] Ma has another birthday.  She is 65, and of course its quiet after the birthday celebration.  The left side of my mouth is getting achy and a little swollen.  Dave Koslo, New York Giant Pitcher is guest at our Kiwanis luncheon.  Plenty of dads brought their sons to hear Dave.  Our table Earl –Chuck Clemens and Junior  – Rev. Alvin Lindgren and myself.  Visited Sister Alverna this aft.  Byron Lopp, a nationally known sales training authority begins a 3 days sales clinic at the Athearn tonite.  I spent a quiet evening at home.

14.  If Wednesday: [R 2 M] Its a rather busy day getting ready for tonite’s formal at K C Club House.  Ma has a hair do – Pa a haircut etc.  Forty Hour ends at St. Josaphats Church tonite.  Fr Geenan has the sermon.  Our 4th Degree Knights are there as usual.  About 12 of us are there.  Six of us had early dinner at the Club and then to church.  We are back at the Club at 9 .PM.  Ed – Dess Wirtz bring Thres out.  The Binders –Wirtz’s – Dodds –Borisch’s are there.  Dr. Joe Kronzer and Lucille arrive at 6.15 and have a great time.  Home at 2 A.M.

15.  Thursday: Read in the Northwestern that John Mutchler who had been manager at Sitters Furniture Store Since Aug 1 – 1958 leaves Saturday to go to Appleton to resume working for the Leath & Company.  He spent 20 years with Leath before coming here, at Decatur Ill.  John has been on our retail division Chamber of Commerce.  My teeth are giving me plenty of trouble today.  Had dinner at Peace Lutheran New Dining Hall sponsored by So Side Business Mens Club.  Orville Gartman City Comptroller, outlined the 1952 Tax Budget, he was on the floor 1 ½ hours.

16.  Friday: Donald and me to Sacred Heart to return merchandise left over from their mission.  Hot poultices on my face during the night, some puss exude’s this morning and my mouth feels somewhat better.

17.  Saturday: Father Bunkleman is in my office this morning for short visit.  Deer hunting season opens in Wisconsin.  Joe Weisheipl (Uncle Joe) had a slight stroke today while helping out at Ray Robbins Tavern.  Saw him tonite, he shows signs of improvement.  Ed and Maude Labudde take Mary Ann – (Dolores) Doris – Faye– Joanne along to Milwaukee this noon.

18.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass St. Vincents - Fr Wagner – Lady Foresters Memorial Mass.  Worked this morning and until 8³⁰ tonight.  Visited Joe Weisheipl this morning, had a good nights rest.  After work tonite to Emma Siewerts for cards.  Ed and Thres Fretschl are there also.  I lost 25 cents at cards, so did Otto Lemke.  Home at 1¹⁵ A.M.  Robert Fretschl gets a deer. 

Com.  Uncle Joe Weisheipl

19.  Monday: [R 4 M] Visited Uncle Joe this morning.  He insists on getting out of bed, but is unable to navigate.  Eddie gave him an enema tonite and he is much improved.  Had Norm Brown over this noon for pork roast, one of his favorites.  I worked in the basement today, getting stock in order, worked until 10.30 and I have a cold.  Too hot to Emma’s last night.

20.  Tuesday: Visited Joe again this morning, he is resting and shows more strength.  To Kiwanis club this noon.  Frank Van Keuren – Abe Kagan – Hugo Riese and myself at table.  John H. Williamson spoke.  I bought one of his books “I met an American” Its a story about the reign of William Hale (Big Bill) Thompson as Mayor of Chicago.

21.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] Visited Uncle Joe again – he is sleeping, so I do not disturb him.

22.  Thursday: Stores (MPD) are open until noon today.  I worked this morning.  We have a small turkey, Mary Ann – Mother and Me.  Snow this afternoon.  Donald and family out to Arlene’s folks for the day.  We see “An American in Paris” at the Strand starring Gene Kelly – Leslie Caron – Oscar Levant – Nina Foch.  Its a technicolor – good.  Met Eddie and Florence on the way out of the theatre – they are on the way in.  Visited Uncle Joe – Marion – Rose – Annie are home, then to Tads for a steak and chicken – home at 11¹⁵.

23.  Friday: [R 4 M] To work at 9 A.M to 12 Noon.

24.  

25.  Sunday: Could’nt get up for 7.30 Mass this morning, but did get to 9 Oclock – Childrens Mass.  Father Wagner Sermon Fr. Milbauer.  Then to work.  Tonite we attend City Wide Catholic Choirs Concert at Recreation Hall.  A Large appreciative audience, J. A.  Breese directs.

26.  Monday: [R 2 M    T] Norm Brown and Bob Kniss are in for there weekly visit.  Intended to write orders, no chance too many things to put away in the basement.  Jean Powers is laid up.  Ladies of the SS Business Mens Club play cards at Carl Hagene’s this P.M.

27.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon Vernon Thompson – State’s Attorney General spoke.  Al Kuebler – Ralph Witherbee – Ed Durler – Gene Vogel – myself at table.  Thres and Emma Siewert to see Aunt Mary at the hospital.  Write orders practically all day and also this evening, worked 10 ½ hours.

28.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] Well Im back at the basement at store, getting things in order and checking in holiday merchandise.  Tonite Thres and self visit at Le Roy and Clara Hahn’s 972 – 4th St. to play our first tournament sheephead game.  An evening well spent.  Scores Leroy 40 Clara 35 Ma Potter 35 Myself 53.  Played 50 hands.  Worked 8 hours today.  Dropped in to see Joe Weisheipl Sr. today, he is sitting up.  His face is still a bit drawn to one side.  Annie has a new gas stove.

29.  Thursday: Thres Fretschl called Thres yesterday morning to tell her she received her Christmas presents –A new Westinghouse refrigerator –A Universal Kitchen stove –and a new Kitchen sink.  Robert Fretschl brought us some Venison steaks.  Took Donald and family to Berlin this morning.  His and my notes are due as of yesterday.  Debby has stomach flu.  Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Riese celebrate their golden wedding anniversary at the Athearn Hotel.

30.  Friday: [R 2 M] Merchandise is rolling and heavy about 200 cases today.  Weather is moderating, business is very good.  Had Art Hazen and Agnes over tonite after work.  Jim Dougherty brings in my vouchers at 11.45 P.M.  Well the folks leave at 1 A.M.  Thres gets a permanent wave today.