Diary of Alfred E. Potter August, 1955

01.  Monday: [R FATIMA] Marge Haverty is back on the job today.  Joe Schiessl who has been living in Chicago for many years and now resides in Oshkosh paid be quite a visit at the office, and come to find out we went to St. Vincents School and were classmates.

02.  Tuesday: [R Fatima  Television Checkup   M 9 M] Had a number of visitors this morning.  Father Louis Schorn is in my office for some time.  Topics of conversation, Repairs on the Church – Parsonage –Msgr. Bastian Memorial.  Father Bunkleman was next, he would like to buy an electric shaver “but.” Ruben Koeser is having truss trouble, and then Bill Stumpf with Wisconsin Pharmacol Co.  He is interested in “Serra Clubs” also brought news from W.P.A. Convention.  Our Television gets a checkup, 4 new tubes – 15.75.  Thres has company at the Cottage, Rose – Father Schorn’s Housekeeper –Elsie Kirsch – Emma Lemke –Thres Fretschl.

03.  Wednesday: [Temperature 93°] At 8¹⁵ this morning we are off on a trip with the Christian Mothers and Altar Society.  Took Eight Sisters with us.  Sisters Alverna – Benita – Vera – Mary Walter –Romana –Fouriere – Salvina - ___.  I had Mrs. Russel – Frank Fuchs –Fred Karst – Hattie Noe – Sister Salvina in my car.  Dess Wirtz led the caravan – First stop State’s Prison Waupun, they have about 1300 prisoners -350 guards also quite a few negro prisoners.  Then to Republican House Ripon for dinner.  I bought the Sisters a Manhattan cocktail, they enjoyed it, had fun.  Dess took a picture of the group – then a visit through the Ripon Cookie Factory, very hot there then to St. Patricks Church to recite the Rosary, Dess and Nelda Faust then took Sisters to Dess sisters farm, I took my passengers to our cottage.  Had Anna Schuchert with us, Back to work at 4³⁰ back to cottage at 6³⁰ Don family out.  Did a lot of singing.

04.  Thursday: [R Fatima   R Monsgr. Bastian   M 9 M] Loretta Baumgartner is operated on again today.  She is still getting lumps on her leg which may be cancerous.  Paid last respects to Caroline Huber at Konrads, laid to rest in Peace Lutheran Cemetery this afternoon.

05.  Friday: Mary Lou Mueller (Billy’s wife) is getting over a mild case of Polio.  To 6.45 Hi Mass Father Schorn.

Com.  Don Family – Mary Ann

06.  Saturday: [Grace of 4 ½ m  M 12 M] Ed Labudde is in my office this morning.  Maude seems to be out of sorts about something.  – Temperature up to 90° today, we did have one swell rain this afternoon.  Temperature goes down considerably this evening.

07.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ low Mass Father Schorn explains about how often one should go to confession.  Worked this morning and took Ed and Thres Fretschl – and Annie Weisheipl to the cottage this afternoon.

Com.  Aunt Lena Baier

08.  Monday: [Wedding Anniversary 44] We attend 6.45 Hi Mass.  It is an anniversary Mass in our honor, by Mary Ann.  Father Milbauer is the Celebrant.  We received congratulations after Mass from Josephine and Madeline Bastian.  Ruth Marheine also congratulates with a kiss for each of us.  Called a meeting for entertainment committee for tonight at Ed Binders office.  All there but Paul Wertch.  He is not feeling well.  Final arrangements are made for our “Annual Corn Roast.”

Com.  Thanksgiving

09.  Tuesday: Attended Kiwanis - have missed several meetings, took Harvey Lhost along as a guest, also had to bring a prize for Dr. Pfefferkorn. Had a conference with Francis Lamb in regard to Don and family insurance program.

10.  Wednesday: [R Mrs. Frank Binder Sr.   T] Took Tress back to the cottage this morning.  The Brand’s are moving to town for a few days.

11.  Thursday: [R Fatima   Norm Brown home this afternoon.   M 12 M] Called Sybelle Brown this morning, she tells me Norm is getting along pretty well, would like very much to come home, but must wait until the doctors say so.  Had quite a telephone conversation with Sister Matilda in regard to building a new Mother House.  Visited Sister Irene this afternoon and also Sister Capistrana “Director of the School of Nursing.” Also spent ¾ hour with Mike Eichman.

12.  Friday: [R Lady of Fatima   M 3 M] Took Tress and Aunt Annie back to town this afternoon.  Mama has an appointment with the hair dresser. ___is on her vacation and Fern takes her place.  This evening to K.C. Club for our Friday evening meal.  Joe – Cel – Corinne Drexler are there.

13.  Saturday: [M 9 M New York metropolitan area is deluged by over 6 inches of rain yesterday.  Hurricane “Connie” Churned up heavy storms along the Atlantic Coast.  In some parts of New York City over 8 inches of rain have fallen.

14.  Sunday: [R Mrs. Frank Binder Sr.] To 7³⁰ Mass with Holy Name Men.  Father Milbauer speaks on “Marriage.” Worked this morning and spent the rest of the day at the cottage.  Dons family is with us.  Joan Mauritz stayed until 4³⁰ and I took her back to town.  Father Louis Schorn and housekeeper Rose Stiefvater are surprize visitors tonight.  Father Schorn has quite a time with little Donnie.  We spent the evening playing “Pokeno.” The day’s weather was A1.  Temperature 88°.

15.  Monday: [R Sister Lorraine   First Evening Mass at St. Vincents   R Lady of Fatima] Brought Mother back from cottage this afternoon.  I feel thoroughly punk.  Learned from Earl Fuhs and Bob Heinen that Norm Brown came home from the Winnebago State Hospital last Thursday.  Had our first “Evening Mass” at St. Vincents at 7³⁰.  It is a High Mass and very well attended.  Don’s family spend the evening with us.  By the way, this is Arlene’s mother’s birthday.  Lucille is 45.  Temperature 89° today. 

Com.  Ven. Sister Lorraine.

16.  Tuesday: [Debbie: First tooth extraction.  Its a molar.] Attended Kiwanis luncheon. Al Drunham - Jack McCain - Rollin Hotelling and me made up the table. A movie is shown by Rev. Bruno Romaniski “Arm and Ammunition is not interesting to me. Gust Keller is elected Governor Wisconsin Upper Michigan District Kiwanis. Had a talk with Norm Brown over the phone today. He is anxious to get to work. Debbie had her first tooth extraction today by Dr. Martin. She is very good and did not cry. Am busy cleaning up my office and closet at the store. Don's family is with us tonite. Temperature is 90°.

17.  Wednesday: [R Raymond Pitz] Sisters Benita and Romana are at the store this morning.  Sister Benita is leaving and is in to say good bye.  Told her if she could hold off until Tuesday I would take her to Milwaukee.  Bishop John B Grellinger will celebrate Jubilee Mass at Mercy Hospital next Sunday for Sister Capistrana director of nursing.  She has spent 23 of her 25 years in Sisterhood at Oshkosh.

18.  Thursday: [R Lady of Fatima   Ed Labudde had a heart attack after the ballgame.   M 6 M – T] Had a call from Norm Brown this noon.  He wants Thres and me for a boat ride in Bud Planks boat.  Father Dave is in town.  Well we just can’t go because our S.S.B.M. Corn Roast is on tonite at Winnebago County Park, a pleasant evening had all the doings outside – Corn is as good if not better than other times.  Harry Groffen furnished corn –Abraham and Brown roasted it.  Rev. Dennis M. Burke pastor of St. Willebrords Church, Green Bay was named President of St. Norbert College De Pere.  Announcement of appointment by Abbott S.M. Killeen head of the Norbertine Abbey.

19.  Friday: [R Mike Eichman] Raymond Pitz passed away this afternoon at St. Vincents Hospital of Green Bay.  Son of Nick and Sylvia Pitz.  He was 26 years of age.  Mother and me did some shopping at Hefts market near Omro this evening and then over to Otto’s Hi K for lobster tail dinner.  It was so much food we had quite a time getting away with it.

20.  Move Saturday: [R Lady of Fatima R Mary Binder R Rose Binder R Raymond Pitz G 4.30 A.M.  R Mons. Bastian] Mrs. Frank Binder Sr. passed away at 4 A.M. this morning.  Maiden name Mary Sitter.  Born December 8 – 1871 Schillerberg Bohemia.  Married Frank June 21 – 1892.  Surviving Frank – Ed – Richard – Mrs. Bill Steckbauer – Mrs. Pete Muraski – Mrs. Joe Suda –Sister Laurice, Chicago, 31 grand children -33 great grand children, Seven children preceded her in death.  Rose Weisheipl is on leave from last evening until Tuesday, Sept. 6, a total of 17 days.  Bill Bouck 904 Algoma Blvd. died yesterday at 4.05 P.M.  He practiced law here since 1895 started with his Uncle Col.  Gabe Bouck.  Firm now Bouck and Hilton.

21.  Sunday: [Sister Capistrana celebrates silver jubilee today.] To 7³⁰ Low Mass, Father Schorn.  Sermon on Marriage, how incompatibilities can be overcome.  We are in for more hot weather, thermometer goes to 99°, in Milwaukee to 100°.  Princess Margaret, sister to Queen Elizabeth is 25 today.  I worked this morning and also this afternoon 1³⁰ to 4.30.  Then to Fiss and Bills to pay last respects to Ray Pitz.  Then picked up Aunt Annie Heip to the cottage for a while, then to Omro Theatre to see “Pa and Ma Kettle at Waikiki.  We’ve seen it in Oshkosh, Aunt Annie and Mary Ann had not seen it.

22.  Monday: [2 R Mrs. Frank Binder Sr.   R Lady of Fatima] Brought mother back to town this afternoon.  Attended rosary for Mrs. Binder this evening at Sitters.  Sister Laurice is looking very good.  She said she would always remember me.  She remembers the checks coming in when she was Superior at St. Josephs Orphanage.  Joe Weisheipl has a birthday, Annie has a dinner for him.  He is 48.

23.  Tuesday: [R Safe Journey] Out at 6³⁰ this morning picked up Eddie Weisheipl at 7⁴⁵ and Sisters Alverna – Mathilda –___ at 8⁰⁰.  Jeanette Phelps also took some of the sisters and we start for Milwaukee at 8⁰⁵.  Jeanette had quite a time following me, I believe her first experience to Milwaukee.  Arrived Mount Mary at 9⁴⁰ and was surprized to see such a larger number of Sisters.  Jeanette drove home, Eddie – Mary Ann and me to McClurg’s for holiday buying.  Lydia waited on us, met the new Manager Mr. Davidson, very fine gentlemen.  Learned also that Rene Kimmel was OK at Detroit and incidentally this is or was her third marriage.  Completed our buying about 4 P.M. took a drive on Lake Drive and thru Lake Park on Lake Michigan, then for dinner at “Cape Cod Inn” and then for home.  Arrived at 10²⁰ P.M.  I drove both ways.  Weather excellent, not hot.

24.  Wednesday: Matt and George Mertz are here this morning, to repair our garage windows and doors.  The big door needed quite a bit of attention.  Minnie Schrant laid to rest today.  Mother to Ada Schrant and sister to Ben Meyer and Tina Wetterau.  Clara Pomrenke a daughter died July 24th this year.  She was an aunt to Eva Redmann, working for us.

25.  Thursday: [R Lady of Fatima] Took Thres and Aunt Annie to the cottage this morning.  Thres and I stopped to visit Mary Bloechl Miller on sixth St..  Mary will be September 6th, 75 years old.  Donald Rothenbach stopped at our house to see me.  It seems Danny Nikolas got into trouble last May, doing quite a bit of damage and Don is now probation officer over him.  Visited Ed Labudde at Mercy Hospital this afternoon.  He is in 146.  He is doing very well, must take off weight.  Thres has Father Norbert Lemke, Otto and Emma and Ray and Maxine Siewert for company.

26.  [R Lady Fatima]

27.  Saturday: This is a big day for Toni and Nora Serwas.  They celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.  We attend the solemn Hi Mass.  This afternoon we are at their house reception.  Met Father Michael Drexler there.  Gave a set of hand carved bookends to the anniversary couple.

28.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass, Father Schorn. 

Com.  Mrs. Frank Binder Sr.

29.  Monday: [R Lady of Fatima   R Marge   R Leo Girens   R Msgr. Bastian   Norm and Sybelle 22 years.] Marge called at our house this morning, she has an appointment with Bishop Grellinger this afternoon at 1³⁰.  I brought Thres Fretschl and Annie Heip back from the cottage this morning.  –Norm Brown called on the phone and invited us to dine with them, so I picked up mother at the cottage about 5 P.M.  Hit Neenah after 7 and drove Norm and Sybelle to Jake Skall’s for dinner.  We learn Norm and Sybelle are married 22 years today.  Margaret and George Theiss are there also, home at 11.30 P.M.

30.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon, Our speaker Lorton Henderson

31.  Wednesday: [R Lady of Fatima  R Rose Binder  R Sisters  TG] Donald and myself take the Sisters of St. Vincents to our cottage for their annual picnic.