Diary of Alfred E. Potter October, 1952

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04.  Saturday: I’m working in the basement for a change.  Finishing a job I started some time ago on First Aid Supplies.  This evening took Ma and Mary Ann to see “Here come the Marines” featuring “Huntz Hall” and Leo Gorcey, the Bowery Boys.  An exceptionally educating picture followed.  It was a colored picture of an African expedition filmed in Africa featuring Howard Hill “Worlds Greatest Archer.” He shoots with Bowl and Barrow and kills A Python –A lion – A tiger – An Elephant.

05.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass Father Milbauer Speaks on Slothfulness.  Worked on orders the rest of the morning.  This afternoon to Mercy Hospital to see Aunt Mary.  We learn that we are now her cousins, Thres and I.  Had quite a visit with Sister Irene.  She has a letter from Joe _____.  This evening to “Catholic Daughters Card Party” at St. Vincents, with Otto and Emma Lemke –Thres Fretschl.  We score as follows in 40 hands Emma 24 – Otto 36 – Fretschl 42 Thres 47 Myself 71.  Received some table pads for prize.  C.I.O. State Convention is in session Recreation Bldg, Herman Steffes Pres for six years lost his job to Charles M. Schultz of Milwaukee.

Com.  Frank Norkofski

06. Monday: [R4M] Met with Matt and George Mertz at North Store to get an estimate on repairs needed on the building, prior to putting in new fixtures.  Then to Mercy Hospital with a pair of new slippers four Charlie Austin.  Waited on salesman Earl Fuhs –Herb Wall – Norm Brown.  To Kiwanis directors meeting at Raulf.  Took Thres and Emma to Mame Siewerts.  Attended Chamber Commerce Annual Dinner at Athearn, Chuck Fiss new President, Boyd Jordan V. President.  Back to store at 9 Oclock.  Our Donald plays detective in our refrigerator, catches Dick Tadych taking 40 dollars from box in our store vault.  I promptly picked Dick up at his home, brought him back to the store, where he confessed.  He had been under suspicion for some time.  We’ve been short nearly two hundred dollars the last few weeks, and the folks at the store are worried.  We celebrate at Schmitty’s, Norkofski’s old place until 1 A.M.  Settled with Dick for two hundred.  He’s lucky we did not press action against him.

07.  Tuesday: [T] To Kiwanis luncheon, was not much interested in the program.  It was a movie about steel.  Took Thres to see Minnie Celichowski at Poklasny’s.  Tonite “Potluck Supper” at St. Vincents by lady Foresters.  Ma and I attend, and then played cards with Mr. Mrs. Joe Koplitz and Art Kolterjahn.  Otto Lemke birthday today. 

Two M.O.  Minnie Celichowski

08.  Wednesday: [R4M] Im back in the basement working to get stock in order.  Tonite “Potluck supper” by Cath Knights at St. Mary’s.  Took Ed – Thres Fretschl –Annie Weisheipl with us.  Movies after the Potluck.  Ed Fretschl calls it a “Pot Lunch” and Thres Fretschl thought a Potluck is a “Pot Roast.” Ha!  Ha!  Had a talk with Marge Tadych today, she will stay with us.  Dick’s behavior was a terrible Shock to her.

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10.  Friday: [R4M] Rose Weisheipl has another birthday.  She is 41.

11.  Saturday: Temperature is rising, up to about 68°and a lovely day.  Paid last respects to George Harrington at Mallery – Seefeldt’s.  He is laid to rest this afternoon.  I attended 6⁴⁵ Mass this morning.  One of the Masses was for my father Stanislaus Jarosch.  Stan Mauritz –Marge – Jackie and _____ were in to surprize me this morning.  They came in last night from San Diego.  This afternoon Don and Fritz Mertz take out dock at the cottage.  Billy Mauritz did not help us this time.  Tonite to “Strand Theatre” to see “Mario Lanza” in “Because your mine” Louis Heintz is 72 today.  He has been retired from the jewelry business about 20 years ago.  His jewelry store was where Meyers Food Store

12.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Holy Name Mass.  Father Wagner.  After breakfast I cleaned up the mess on my desk at home and also the dining room.  Another beautiful day.  This afternoon to Mercy to see Mary, she is exceptionally happy today.  Sister Irene had some affidavits for me to fill out about Joe Rieger.  Charlie Austin is very happy with his bedroom slippers.  Had a visit with Sister Cornelia.  She had a stroke last January.  She is able to get about with a cane.  Worked tonite and after work to Otto Lemke’s for cards until 11.15 P.M.

Com.  Katherine Holzbauer

13.  Monday: [R4M] Mike Ostertag is here this morning to paint Aunt Mary’s room.  Our Mary Ann is intending to move down stairs.  Dr. Henry Romberg is 52 today.  Joe Schani begins his 38th year as treasurer of St. Stephan – James Court C.O. Foresters at installation of officers tonite.

14.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon.

15.  Wednesday: [R2M] Rexall One Cent Sale is on at our North and South Stores.

16.  Thursday: It is really cold this morning, 22° at 7 A.M.  Left key at Wilbur Mueller’s to disconnect water system at the cottage.  Kiwanis “Song Fest” is on tonight at Markesan.  Zala Miller offers to take Thres and me along.  Earl Clemens was also with us.  Wilfred Kastner directed for us, we have no piano player.  We do get a real surprize however, snow all the way going, and all the way home.  The Markesan Kiwanians sure put on a fine show.  We get home at 11.35 P.M.  I have a heavy nose bleed when we get home, the first in years.

17.  Friday: [R4M] About 2 ¾ inches of snow fell last night.  It’s the first real snow in October since 1945.

18.  Saturday: Took Thres and Mary Ann to Strand tonite to see two pictures of the Bowery Boys, one “Jinx Money” the other “Smugglers Cove”

19.  Sunday: [T] To 7³⁰ Mass.  Father Wagner Father Milbauer spoke on the Ave Maria and the Blessed Virgin and her life.  Did not work much today, about 3 hours.  The weather is nice this morning, but changes to cold abruptly this noon.  To the Oshkosh tonite, two very good pictures.  “We’re Not Married” with Ginger Roger, Fred Allen – Marilyn Monroe, David Wayne –Eve Arden, Paul Douglas –Mitzi Gaynor – Eddie Bracken –Zsa Zsa Gabor – Louis Calhern –Victor Moore is the jude.  Wild Bill Elliott stars in “The Longhorn”

Com.  Honor Sacred Heart

20.  Monday: [R4M] Had Norman Brown over for the noon meal today.  Dropped in to see Uncle Joe this evening.  He is improving from day to Day.  Our Rexall Sale was a Success.  We gave away much merchandise for 1 cent.  Art Mueller run a large ad with coupon in the Wautoma Paper.  The cost of the ad was._____  We received one coupon.

21.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon, as the program was of an agricultural nature, I as chairman had to introduce our guests the Corn and Oats King – Phil Williams and Paul Voss.  I presented each with a 10 dollar check, we are calling it the Carl Schmidt award in honor of Carl who was the agriculture chairman for many years.  Also introduced Art Staple owner of Kitz and Pfeil, Member of the Wisconsin Council of Agriculture.  Then Vern Peroutky, Winnebago County Agricultural Agent, who introduced Milo Swanton, who spoke on the dairy industry of Wisconsin.  – Tonite to K.C. Meeting, Father Mangan spoke on the origin of the Holy Bible.  Father Edward Mangan is Doctor of Sacred Scripture and Doctor of Theology.  Father Mangan has the honor of being chosen by the Biblical Commission to make the new translation of the first book of the Bible – “The Book of Genesis”

22.  Wednesday: [R4M] John Berger passed away suddenly at 10 A.M. Tuesday at his home 1208 So. Park Ave.  He ushered last Sunday at 7³⁰.  Born in Austria 66 years ago.  Married “Pedern Marei” Mary Drexler July 22 – 1913.  Clara Madler died this morning 2³⁰ at Mercy.  Born Aug. 12 – 1888.  She was housekeeper for Father Theodore Pufahl for 40 years.

23.  Thursday: Paid last respects to John Berger this afternoon at Poklasny’s.  Met his daughter Sister Mary Rosine of Harbor Springs Michigan.  She belongs to the Notre Dame Order.  This evening City wide Holy Name Banquet at St. Vincents.  Edward Marciniak of Chicago spoke.  Francis Kriz did the introducing.  Donald and I attended. Donald won a dollar door prize.

24.  Friday: [R4M] Pallbearer for John Burger funeral this morning, others Mike Ostertag – Geo. Brandenstein – John Tauber – Frank Scheinert –Louis Zernzach.  Stopped at Shubert’s Market tonite –Ray Siewert tells about the close calls “Billy Siewert” had in Korea lately.  Paid last respects to Clara Madler at Fiss and Bills.  Anna Ostertag has a letter from Lucille (Mrs. E.C.) Ruppenthal Tigerton Wis.

25.  Saturday: Another nice day.  Fred Baumgartner and myself drive to Manitowoc to look at Dick Buerstede’s Drug Store.  He spent about 30000 dollars remodeling the place.  Has a new type of Louvrer Ceiling.  Im not impressed.  Then to Kaukauna to look over Art Look’s two Drug Stores.  Met Eugene Lang North Store and Mongan in South Store.  North Store was the old Brauer Pharmacy.  Spend the evening doing up packages for the Rothbauers in Germany.  Clara Madler is laid to rest this morning I took Sisters Irene and Sister Kunigunda from Mercy Hospital to the Solemn Requiem Hi Mass.  After the service they came over to our house for short visit.

26.  Sunday: About 50 – Fourth Degree K.C. their wives and widows of deceased members attend 7³⁰ Hi Mass St. Vincents receive Holy Communion in honor of the Feast of “Christ the King” and in memory of the deceased Sir Knights Leo Girens – Art Hill – Jack Kavage – Walter Dodd - Gust Bett.  Breakfast at St. Vincents Gym.  Thres attends party for the Sisters St. Vincents this afternoon.  She won in Bingo for Sister Romana.  Our 4th Degree Honor Guard at close of 40 Hours Sacred Heart.  Father Michael Drexler Carries the “Blessed Sacrament” in procession.  Took Msgr. Bastian to Sacred Heart. 

Com. “Fourth Degree Knights”

27.  Monday: [R4M] Had Norm Brown over today for a Pigs Hocks Dinner.  And his comment “I’ll remember this meal for a long time.” Tonite 15 of our 4th Degree Knights are at Omro St. Joseph’s 40 hour Devotion Closing.  Father Alfred Loche is Pastor.  After the service we stopped at our own K.C. Club House.

28.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon.  We learn that Ralph Witherbee and Wesley Schneider our elected President and Vice President for 1953.  We see the picture “Government is Your Business” Harvey Abraham – Assemblyman from Oshkosh is our guest.  I had a short visit with him.

29.  Wednesday: [R4M] Joe and Anna Weisheipl are married 46 years today.  They are just 5 years ahead of us.  We had a surprize on them in the evening.  Had Ed and Thres Fretschl – Emma Lemke with us.  Joe is very much pleased and stays up until 11 O’clock.

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31.  Friday: [R2M] Temperature is 65° this noon.  Wonderful weather for this time of year.  Worked in basement of South Store all day, and got along quite well.  Took Thres and Mary Ann to K.C. for the evening meal and after that to the Strand, to see “The Jungle” filmed entirely in India with Rod Cameron – Cesar Romero – Marie Windsor also “Hell Gate” story of Devil’s Island Prison with Sterling Hayden – Joan Leslie –Ward Bond.  Both very good pictures.  My De Soto hit 23000 mile mark today.