Diary of Alfred E. Potter April, 1953

01.  Wednesday: [R 4 M   T] Had a phone call this morning from Mrs. Pan Drexler for a 2 oclock appointment with Sister Mechtildis Neuman from Mercy Hospital.  Got a box of smoked chubs from Kenny Sepersky today.

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03.  Friday: [R 4 M] Places of business are closed from 12 to 3 as usual.  Our Easter lilly came this morning and this afternoon Thres got one from Norm Brown.  Thres made 84 Gropfens this morning.  Over to Mercy Hospital to say goodbye to Sister Emmelia who is leaving for Germany on a months vacation with Sister Philibertha –Capistrana and ____.  Mary Ann has another bad cold.

04.  Saturday: Marge Haverty and Vivian Miller have birthdays today.  Marge is 39 Viv is 41.  Six years ago today Bill Siewert passed away.  This afternoon Thres Fretschl called up telling that Emma Lemke is laid up.  Thres and I visit her tonite and find that she had an operation for piles yesterday morning at Ray Wagners office.  O. Lemke is out to Fretschl’s tonite, maybe they are playing canasta.  We also visit Aunt Mary at the hospital, gave Louise Emnot a big apple and did she enjoy it, also visited Mrs. Herman Garbrecht.  Also worked tonite, this is my seventh night of work.

05.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass Father Milbauer.  Very many communions.  Worked this morning.  Had our Easter dinner at the Raulf Hotel.  Then out to Weisheipls they are having a big dinner, Joe –Marge – Eddie – Florence and family – Robert Mary’s fiance are there.  Little Tommy has the measles.  After 4 Oclock Don and family are at our house for the Easter egg hunt.  Thres Fretschl is 66 today.

06.  Monday: Attend Kiwanis Directors Meeting to make for absence and March.

07.  Tuesday: Had a very interesting speaker at Kiwanis today.  Mrs. Edgar Arkett of the Salvation Army spoke on her experiences in Korea.  It is about as interesting a talk as I ever heard.  Thres is at South Side B.M. Auxiliary supper and meeting tonite.  I attend Mother of Perpetual Help devotion.

08.  Wednesday: [R 2 M] The people of Oshkosh voted themselves a new mayor yesterday.  John Voss beat Ernie Siewert 8374 to 6657.  I contacted Armin Knoop this morning about the work at our new store.  The understanding now is that everything is to be completed by June 1st.  Also saw Vic Fink about our new fixtures, they should be ready May 15th.  Father Michael Drexler is in to see me this noon about setting a friend of his OP in business.  It will require about 6000 dollars, three to be supplied by Father Mike.  I advised very strongly against it.  We are at Ed Froetschl’s tonite to celebrate Thres birthday.  Annie Heip and myself are there also.  Mary Ann and Joan Mauritz to “Charlies Bar” Merritt and Bowen for small steak dinner.  Mary Ann joins us at 11.20 P.M. at Froetschls.  We are home at 1.45 A.M.

09.  Thursday: [T] Thres and Thres Froetschl play cards at St. John’s tonight.  Thres wins the Cervelot sausage as doorprize.

10.  Friday: [R 4 M] Thres congratulates Rose Baier Mauritz today.  Rose is 51.  Larry Gerdes is in to say farewell today as Nyal salesman.  He has called on us for 33 years.  He came to Frederick Stearns from Parke Davis.  He intends to work for Blue Line Chemical Co. in the St. Paul – Minneapolis District.  Thres plays Canasta at Caters and what time do you think she got home?  1.30 in the morning –Wow!

11.  Saturday: Put in a good day of work.  9-12-1230 to 6.  This evening took Ma and Mary Ann to the Mode.  “Lovely to look at” Red Skelton – Howard Keel – Katherine Grayson – Ann Miller – Marge and Gower Champion.  Very good cast, also “Son of Ali Baba” Tony Curtis – Piper Laurie – Susan Cabot also very good technicolor.

12.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass Father Wagner, Holy Name.  Work the balance of the morning.  We have little Debbie as our dinner guest.  Norbert Mueller is 406 dollars short in his cash I find 48.85 extra in his change.  He also tells me Donald was given the cash for the week, but Don has not turned it in.  Drove out to the West Store and find Norbert had not given cash to Don at all, he finds it back in his Rx scale.  Had him check cash and he finds no extra money, still about 360 dollars short. 

Com.  Joe Werner

13.  Monday: [T   1 R   R 4 M] Had Norm Brown over as luncheon guest.  He tells us he took the Sisters from Mercy Hospital to Air Port Milwaukee Easter Sunday evening.  The Sisters could not take the plane they were to take because of engine trouble and missed their big plane from N.Y.  Thres plays cards at Louise Zentners, this evening Council of Cath Women, I took home Annie Heip – Mary Girens –Mary Borish   Mrs. Bishop.

14.  Tuesday: [1 R] A busy day coming up.  Another check up on the general contractor Pitz.  Met Gilbert and he tells me they are stymied by the electrical work.  I immediately check with Armin Knoop, he calls Appleton and we are to go there this afternoon to iron out any difficulties.  To Kiwanis luncheon _____ of mountain climber tells us all about it.  I don’t want to be a mountain climber.  Armin – Fred and I are off to Appleton worked 2 hours with the Electrical Engineers.  Forgot to mention that I won a double deck of cards at Kiwanis, Marshall Stowers birthday gift.  Also spent about an hour with Ed Binder about papers for ______ and about insurance for my car accident.  This evening to Perpetual Help devotion, also paid last respects to Joe Pechmann at Konrads.

15.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] Went to see John Fitzgerald about settling for my car accident.  Also saw Sister Irene, gave her the sponsorship papers for Sister Mechtildis.  This afternoon sell Norm Robl about Kiwanis club, he thinks he will resign.  Dropped in to see Joe Weisheipl Appollo concert tonight, David Poleri – guest artist very good.

16.  Thursday: Attended Centennial meeting tonite. The book committee is voted into the centennial corporation. They have been on their own until now.

17.  Friday: [R 4 M] We now have “Eye Glasses for India Campaign.” We have a box at the store were people may deposit old eye glasses.  these will be sent to India and doctors there will arrange to fit them.

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19.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass – Father Milbauer

Com.  Johanna Lang

20.  Monday: [R 4 M] Visited Amanda Drexler this morning, she is doing very well but will have to watch her diet.  Norm Brown is with us for luncheon.  John Voss, new mayor of Oshkosh takes over tonite, we will now have 16 aldermen instead of 32 as heretofor.  Marge and Joe Weisheipl are married 14 years today.

21.  Tuesday: Called Armin Knoop this morning, he tells me the bids for Electrical Work Will be in by the end of this week.  To Kiwanis luncheon Kiwanis dignitaries are in town.  Cy Johnson Madison District Governor and Glenn Harris and Wausau are with us.  John Voss Mayor was our guest also.  Weather is moderated, no overcoat necessary today.  Thres is working outside today.  Attended “Perpetual Help” devotion this evening, which completes my novena.  May not be able to begin another until fall.

22.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] Feels like spring is here this morning; temperature is at 72° this noon. I visited Uncle Joe for a time this morning. I also did a little preaching. He is very anxious to get out and wants to march in the memorial day parade. I told him not to be in too much of a rush. Took a drive to the cottage this afternoon, our first one this year. Everything looks OK. Stopped at Amanda Drexlers with Thres. Mandie had a bad spell of dysentery today. She is very weak, her sister Elizabeth was with her. Richard Koch’s aunt, Lillian Zellmer is in this morning. She tells me he is working for Ford Hopkins, Kankakee, Illinois and is divorced from his wife. Got a sudden urge to clean the back attic today. Donald is over with his family and helps a lot. They leave for home at 1 A.M. Rose Weisheipl to Rexall Meeting at Green Bay.

23.  Thursday: Another bright day altho temperature is about 10°cooler than yesterday.  Jean Powers is in today, the first I’ve seen of her since she’s married.

24.  Friday: [R 4 M] Look like we are in for and all days rain.  Over to high school to see Harwood Evans and Carl Trager about judges for 4 H speaking contest.  They refer me to Alma Link, and Anabel Wood.

25.  Saturday: More rain.

26.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass Father Wagner.  Got out orders this morning.  Left with Ma and Mary Ann at 3¹⁵ for Milwaukee to pick up Joseph Rieger, who is due on Northwest Airlines Flight 525 at 9.41 P.M.  When we get there we learn Flight 525 is 2 hours late.  We drive back to the city, have a nice Fillet Mignon dinner at Jack Diamonds, met a Mr. Murphy from Chicago and Bill Kimmel from Minneapolis.  Bill is with Bell Telephone, just returned from a Southern Alabama Louisiana vacation.  He is a young man, but had the misfortune of losing his wife, the day before last Christmas.  After dinner I phoned the airport and learn the 525 will be in at 1⁴⁵ instead of 11.41.  We then took in the Pa and Ma Kettle Show at the Alhambra.  Back to the airport we find 525 now comes in at 2⁵⁰ A.M.  When it arrived Joe was not on it.  I then drove to the Wisconsin hotel registered, left word for Joe to call me.  He came in at 5⁰⁰ A.M. Capitol Airlines.  Had him come in a taxi, I’m too tired to pick him up.

27.  Monday: [T   R 2 M] Had breakfast in the coffee shop and we are bound for home by 11 A.M.  The weather is nice, home at 12.45 had dinner, took Thres to Tobobins for cards, Joe with me for errands, and to Sister Irene’s by 4¹⁵.  She is indeed happy, kept him for supper. We all had lunch at 10 P.M.  Joe to bed, Thres and I to bed at 12⁴⁵ A.M.

28.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon.  Dick Rutledge had his centennial officers over.  I managed to get two more judges for the 4 H speaking contest Earl Clemens and George Savage.  Thres took Joe to the Time tonight to see “Ivanhoe.” John R. Bauer died this morning at his home 925 8th at 4.48.  Sick one week.  Born June 22 – 1879.  Married Dorothy Ferdinand Jan. 26-1920.  Dorothy has been out to the State Hospital for some time.

29.   Wednesday: [R 4 M] Otto Stoegbauer Sr. leaves for Rochester.  He may have to undergo an operation.  Amanda Drexler had her first operation seven weeks ago today.  We took Joe to the Lady Foresters card party tonight.  Donald and Arlene and Mary Ann play with him.  We play with Thres Froetschl – Emma Lemke – Annie Weisheipl.  I win a case of beer.  Paid last respects to John Bauer at Poklasny’s. 

M.O. John Bauer.

30.  Thursday: Betty Raab 44 was granted a divorce from Joseph Raab 47 yesterday.  Married Waukegan June 9 – 1932.  They have 4 children, he to pay 145 months alimony.  They lived across from our store at 523 – 10^th St.