Diary of Alfred E. Potter November, 1955

01.  Tuesday: Mueller Potter had their work bench drive and Plenamin sales meeting at Robbins last night at 9.45.  We attend 8⁰⁰ Oclock Low Mass Fr. Milbauer.  Dick Stith won my birthday prize at Kiwanis today.  Cemetery Board meeting 7 Oclock City Hall, met Vern Rogers who has property for sale. 

Com.  Mons. Aloys Bastian.

02.  Wednesday: Attended 7³⁰ Mass.  It is a bleak day, with colder weather coming up.  Made visit at St. Vincents and this afternoon took Thres to visit the new Saint Peter Church.  The first Services were held there yesterday.  It is gorgeous and ultra modern, but one must get used to it as a church.  Met Sisters Romana – Rodolfa –Zephirim from St. Vincents there.  Had a Mueller Potter Directors meeting at the store with Jack Hammarlund present.  Indulgences Offered For: Agnes Gerth – Olivia Lutz – Mary Drexler – Martha Heintz – Frank Norkofski – Kenneth Dushenski. 

Com.  Rose Binder

03.  Thursday: [R Mike Eichman M 6 M] Oshkosh March of Progress celebration in honor of the opening of the New Improved Main St. begins this morning.  Made visits to Mercy this afternoon.  Father Louis Schorn in 126 is doing well.  Joe Drexler in 148 has lung cancer, expects to be home in 3 or 4 days, most probably does not know his condition.  His son Danny came home last Monday.  Has been in the Saar region in Germany.  Bill Shaefer in ___ is shaving himself for the first time since confined to the hospital 8 weeks ago.  Mrs. Ed Kleinschmidt broke a leg and is back in bed for a long time.  Mike Eichman is very low; extreme unction yesterday.  Mrs. Eichman is bearing up under the strain. (on page Nov 4) Thursday Oct 4th Continued Met Len Holt and F. Reimer both at the hospital for checkup.  Had a short visit with Sister Philipbertha and a long visit with Sister Irene, also Mrs. Eichaman (Short visit Sr. Eleanor)

04.  Friday: Well its just another birthday.  Have spanned 65 years, but not ready to collect Social Security.  To church at 6.45.  Met Dr. Ray Wagner this noon.  He tells me Elsie’s sister in Milwaukee.  Her father Mr. ___ died Nov. 1 -1953.  I received 10 cards and a telegram.  The Radomski family said the telegram.

Com.  Mike Eichman

05.  Saturday: Had a long distance conversation with Mrs. Kotler, Glencoe.  Postponed our forthcoming meeting from next Monday to Nov. 14th.  This afternoon Don and mother to cottage to put on storms for the winter.  I was with cemetery board looking over some 30 Acres of property which Vern Rogers is willing to sell to the city for cemetery purposes.

06.  Sunday: Bishop Stanislaus Bona dedicates the new St. Peter Church. I served as honor guard.  Had about 30 Sir Knights there.  It was quite breezy and cloudy.  I also attended 7³⁰ Mass at St. Vincents.  Father Andrew from Mt Calvary said the Mass.  Coming back to St. Peters Dedication Rev. M. J. McKeough, Dean of St. Norberts College and brother to Father Francis McKeough assisted at the Bishop's throne.  Open House this afternoon.  Mother was baby sitter while Don and Arlene get pictures.  Don’s family stayed with us for the day, had dinner and supper here.  Joanne Mauritz came in this afternoon and stayed for the evening.  Mother and I paid last respects to Ruth Zweifel and Michael Eichmann this afternoon.  This evening I served as guard with George Wagner at Fiss and Bills.  Met Dan Krause from Berlin.  Harry and Agnes come in for a visit tonite and at 10³⁰ all left for home. 

Com.  Don family – Mary Ann.

07.  Monday: [Family Rosary M 3 M] Served as active pallbearer at the funeral service four Michael Eichmann.  It was a solemn requiem, some by Father Milbauer, assisted by Fathers Bunkleman – Warrella – Meyer.  It snowed a bit this morning turns out to be up blustery day.

08.  Tuesday: Spent part of the morning looking over the Hammarlund store with Fred Baumgartner.  Jack has a nice clean stock, a fairly good basement, he has quite a stock of proprietary remedies.  Father Schorn dropped in to see me this morning.  Father Milbauer is taking him around, he is still well strapped and breathing is difficult.  To Kiwanis this noon, Perry Tipler Supt. of Schools talks on what is wrong with our method of education.  We learn there is nothing wrong with it.  Donald and myself spend 1 ½ hours with Walter Patri this afternoon.  Tonite I attend Perpetual Help Devotion.

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10.  Thursday: Mother is busy cleaning house – our bedroom today.

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13.   Sunday: [Begin Gelatin] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass Holy Name Society has about 110 at Holy Communion a decided improvement.  Father Schorn said the Mass but finds it quite difficult.  Mama’s birthday today, she completed 69 years.  Don and family are over for the day.  This afternoon we decided to go to a movie.  We chose the Oshkosh “Frances (the talking horse) in the Navy” with Don O’Connor – Martha Hyer and “Desert Sands” a color movie which is very good.  On the way home we stop at Marquarts to pay last respects to Hattie Bathke sister to Ernie Siewert.  Had quite a visit with Siewert Bathke her son stationed at Gulfport.

14.  Monday: Mueller Potter Meeting 8.15 A.M. to 9³⁰.  Then to P.O. for mail, then to City Assessor Office to learn assessment of the Hirschberg location.  Building is assessed 22300 Land 7700 total 30000.  Talked to Mayor Siewert in regard to Light Poles on Oregon to Airport.  He advised holding off until next year, in regard to petition for same.  At Noon Norm Brown is with us for capon and 1³⁰ P.M. Meeting with Mrs. Abe Kolter –Mrs. Elcrot –Leight Hough – Harold Zweifel –Bill Gengler, in regard to Hirschberg building.  Then meeting Gene Cole in regard to memo pad for MD’s then Dave James in regard to Nat. Association Independent Business Men.  This evening 7³⁰ conduct meeting Directors S.S.B.M. Club. then back to work, took Dave Wingrove home on Doemel Drive 3.3 miles from South Store.  Visited Annie Heip.

15.  Tuesday: [M 6 2 M] Was nearly bounced out of bed by a heavy bolt of thunder.  Heavy rain follows and keeps on raining or misting most of the day.  Had Harvey Lhost for my guest at Kiwanis, also met Major Summers, Salvation Army from Manitowoc.  Thres is at the Westinghouse demonstration in St. Vincents Hall this afternoon.  Met with Mr. ___ Roberts in regard to janitor work at South Store.  Thres and me to Perpetual Help Devotion.

16.  Wednesday: Snow during the night, high and bitter winds all day, temperature down to 25° this morning to 10° at 6 then back to 13 at 10 P.M.

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18.  Friday: [M 5 M   R 2 M] Attended hearing on the proposed terminal in need of same.  The Harry at the Court House was conducted by WJ Zarter engineer for State Aeronautics Commission.  12 persons testified.  I was called on as one of them.  Bill Gengler called in regard to the Hirschberg building.  I have noon news for him.  He is recommending Rusch and Horton to handle any deal that may be forthcoming.  Don’s family are with us tonight.  Sister M. Lothaire “St. Vincents” is in with a legacy check for 99.49.  Her Brother James Russell died about 3 years ago at International Falls Minnesota, Sister Lothaire’s name a racially was Margaret Russell.  It is snowing quite profusely when Don leaves with his family at 12.30.

19.  Saturday: [Don gets T.V. Set.  M 9 M] Marge Haverty gets the news from Father Shuh that the Cancery at Green Bay is not allowing her application for divorce from Joe Weisheipl. Well, its beginning to look and feel like winter out.  Donald and Arlene get a Philco T.V. Set.

20.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass, Father Milbauer.  His Sermon is on “Holy Orders.” Worked this morning. 

Com.  Mary Drexler

21.  Monday: [M 3 M] Danny Drexler is in to get a letter of recommendation for his stay in this country rather than go back to service in a foreign country.  His father Joe is afflicted with lung cancer.  We have our regular M.P.D. Co. meeting this morning.  Norman Brown is with us this noon.  He is arranging a surprize Christmas visit for Barbara and family from California, unknown to Sybelle.  I did some cleaning up tonight in the closet and we find mothers watch and ear rings in a dress we will send to Germany.

22.  Tuesday: Attended Kiwanis Club luncheon, did not stay for the program.

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24.  Thursday: Stopped at Don’s about 10 this morning and find John and Lucille Felker are there for the day.  It is a lovely Thanksgiving Day.  We have our dinner at 5 P.M. at the Town Grill.  Mother – Mary Ann and Myself.  Ed Binder has his family there for dinner also.  Pat and John Faust have a different car looks like a Studebaker.

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26.  Saturday: [M 12 M   G 6 M] Have Debbie and Donnie over this morning for Childrens T.V. programs.  Markie is out of sorts, teething bothers him.

27.  Sunday: [R Lady Fatima] To 7³⁰ Mass at St. Johns, Foresters Memorial Holy Communion.  Took Thres and Mrs. Jungwirth to St. Vincents, Lady Foresters at St. Vincents I took a day off today worked only one hour.  Mary Ann spends the day at Donalds.  Temperature is dropping and it blizzarding out.  I tried a walk this evening but did not get over 1 ½ blocks when I get back I notice it is zero at 8³⁰.  Dr. John E. Schein died this morning at 6.15 at his home 531 – 9th St.  Born Nov. 19 – 1871 – married July 27 – 1904 to Laura Phillipson. 

Com.  Deceased Bro. Foresters

28.  Monday: Sent another package to Rothbauers in Parsberg, Ins #2591, 2 Men Suits, 5 Dresses, a Slip, 1 Ladies Coat.  Had our M.P.D. meeting as usual.  Fred tells us that Sy Propson bought the “Hammerlund” store on Jackson Drive.  Norm Brown is over for the noon meal, He brings some “Stollen” supposed to go to California.  Had a business visit with Art Hazen at his home in regard to bringing him into Mueller Potter Drug Co.  He is very happy about this.

29.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon.  Russ Williams – Ozzie Witte – Louis Graber – Don Sullivan at our table have a lively discussion on the proposed new high school for Oshkosh.  Russ is on the taxpayers advisory board.  Jean MacFarlance, teacher of French at the High School gives an account of her trip last summer to France.  Met with Francis Lamb this afternoon in regard to declaring a dividend on M.P.D. Co. stock and also about selling to employees we wish to take into the company, price of stock etc.  Mother and I attended Perpetual Help Devotion 7³⁰ this evening.

30.  Wednesday: Marge Haverty is in Green Bay today at the “Chancery” try to iron out her troubles with Monsignor Ropella.  Rose Weisheipl works on sending out bills at home this aft.  Thres – Mary Ann and self attend “Shrine Follies” at the Raulf.  John Voss – former mayor of Oshkosh is interlocutor.