Sunday, February 8, 2015

Diary of Alfred E. Potter September, 1954

01.  Wednesday: [8 hrs.   R 2 M   Joe Sosinski died.] A busy morning, also took Thres back to the cottage.  This is Oshkosh Day at the Winnebago Fair.  Have a card from Cork Weisheipl today.  Our stores are open today.  Thres entertains Vees Haveman – Jo Nolte – Mate Shekey – Mayme Siewert at the cottage.  Joe Sosinski proprietor of National Tavern died this morning at 9.15 of a heart attack.  Born March 19 – 1909 married Theresa Frank Sept. 18 – 1930.  He was a very good friend to Fr. Wagner.  I wrote a letter to Father Wagner tonight.
02.  Thursday: [9/1 Frank Drexler died 5.15 P.M. 739-12th St.] Charlie Bauer, leader of the “Arion Band” for 32 years laid to rest in Lakeview Memorial Park yesterday afternoon.  Died Monday at Mercy 3.30 A.M.  Born Aug. 21 – 1880.  I oftentimes met him at the Post Office when I picked up mail.  He was a great kidder.  Frank Drexler died yesterday afternoon.  Born in (Oesterreich) Austria Nov. 3 – 1870 – Married Theresa Meisl Sept. 16 – 1901.  He was our choir director at St. Vincents for many years.  He was a brother to Mrs. Mary Berger (Bedern Marei).  Attended Rosary for Joe Sosinski at Fiss and Bills.
03.  Friday: [R 2 M   2 R. Joe Sosinski] Up at 6 AM – to 6.45 Mass Father Milbauer, after breakfast to Fiss and Bills.  Served as pallbearer for Joe Sosinski.  To work for an hour, took Thres to hairdressers for 2 P.M. then about 4 took her to Mercy to see Aunt Mary, also dropped in to see Rose Binder, she says “I don’t want to see him.” meaning me, I got a laugh out of it, because she is out of her mind at times, when I told her I brought blessed crucifix for her she was OK.  Had a long visit with Sister Irene she tells me Sister Elleanor can’t see any more it is hard of hearing.  Tonite Thres and I to Sitters to pay last respects to Frank Drexler. 
Com.  Joe Sosinski
04.  Saturday: Took Mary Ann to A A A to buy her ticket to California for her vacation.  I’m running short of space for news.  Last Tuesday, Aug. 31 Hurricane “Carol” batted the Northeastern States taking at least 37 lives.  In Boston the wooden steeple of “Old North Church” toppled.  Longfellows poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” and the signal lanterns made it historically famous.
05.  Sunday: [R Frank Drexler] To 730 Hi Mass – Father Meyer –Had a thunder storm during the night, a very mild one.  Worked the morning and also the evening for an hour.  Drove to cottage and got signers for objection to moving a quonset hut on Pete Geffers lot. 
Com.  Frank Drexler
06.  Monday: To the store for few hours worked, and also an hour this afternoon.  Then to pick up Ed and Thres Froetschl and out to Ralph and Marie Llewellyn on County M passed Waukau.  It was fun – Ray and Maxine Siewert – Eddie Lemke and family Otto – Emma and Genevieve and family were there, plenty of children.  Home at 9.20 P.M.  Rudy and Rose Novotny celebrate their golden wedding today.  Married by Father Carl Stebling 50 years ago.
07.  Tuesday: To Mathwigs to get Herb’s signature and then out to Armin Reinke to get his.  Armin shows me thru his place.  He prints of bowling score sheets in various types and sizes, this is a big business he has orders for 1300000 from Miller Brewing -700000 from Blatz and many others from all over the country.  An immense printing machine prints in several colors.  To Kiwanis luncheon, Mrs. Helen Lindley spoke on “Peace begins in your own backyard” I believe she is from Berlin.
08.  Wednesday: Gale Robertshaw new “Rexall” representatives is with us.  I took him to “Town Grill” for luncheon.  Tonight we have a hearing by the Winnebago Board of Adjustments in regard to an appeal by Peter Geffers to move a Quonset Hut on his lot next to our cottage.  It is quite a session at least an hour long.  I had a lot of help from the neighbors objecting.  Walter Wilde –Mr. Shields – Bob Brand –Charles Ritchie –Charles Binder – Al March – Herb Mathwig are there.  Jimmy Geffers was pretty angry at times, claims he can raise pigs on his property if he wishes to.
09.  Thursday: This is an important day for Joe Baier, he hit the half century mark.  I stopped over for short visit to congratulate him.  Midwest first Outdoor Evening Mass was celebrated by Samuel Cardinal Stritch last evening in Soldiers Field and environs for an impressive tribute to the Virgin Mary in this “The Marian Year.” About 260000 attended and at least 125 were given medical aid when they were overcome or hurt in the throng.  Two first aid stations were manned by 55 nurses – doctors and ambulance attendants, 283 policemen kept traffic flowing, 1199 Busses were charted by parish and school groups, 4 choirs numbering 4000 voices and 4000 others participated in the program.  This was surely a great tribute to our Blessed Mother.
10.  Friday: Had a call from O.A. Haase “Howdin Distilled Spirits” should really bottle some more whiskey.
11.  
12.  Sunday: [11 hours] To 730 Hi Mass with Holy Name Father Milbauer, No Sermon today.
13.  Monday: [9 hours   R 4 M] Norm Brown is with us today for noon meal, we missed him of late.  He tells us he was hit by a car last Saturday in Neenah while crossing a St., to Shultz’s Drug Store.
14.  Tuesday: [8 hours] To Kiwanis luncheon, Louis Howman head of Winnebago County Welfare Department is our speaker.  Thres is bothered with dizzy spells, took her over to O.R. Simpson for treatment.
15.  [4 hours  R 4 M]
16.  Thursday: [8 ½ hours] My stomach is not too good these days.
17.  Friday: [R 4 M   Father Leo Schiffler is 62 today.] Well – Well we have some sunshine this morning, took Mary Ann to the Airport to get her bearings about the Chicago Airport.  We meet Mrs. Steve Wittman, she is very responsive to our questions, she sure is a 100° percenter for aviation.
18.  Saturday: [T] It rained most of the night and it is raining as well as we see Mary Ann off in the plane at 7 A.M. She is to leave Chicago at 10.45 United Air Lines flight #617.  Thres and myself to Mercy this afternoon to see Rose Binder, she is quite cheerful today it and it seems good to see her looking improved.  She said she was in Chapel today.  We also visited Aunt Mary, no improvement there.  Don and family are over tonite for T.V., received telegram from Mary Ann at 845 that she arrived in Burbank Calif. at 5.15 P.M.
19.  Sunday: [R Rose Binder] To 730 Hi Mass – Father Meyer Sermon “Thou art Peter.” A lovely day with temp. at 60° this morning at 7.00 A bright sunny day with very heavy winds. 
Com.  Mary Reif
20.  Monday: [R 4 M] Norm Brown is with us this noon but Mary Ann is missing.  Attended Cemetery Board Meeting at 430 at City Hall.  We vote on the budget to be presented to the City Council for the coming year.  Thres and Annie Heip to Council Cath. Women.  Bishop Grellinger speaks on the canonization of Pope Pius X.  I attended Apostolate Meeting, meet Father Robert Sladek will be our new director.  Father Spaulding who is with us the last 7 years has been appointed Director of the Green Bay Diocesan Apostolate.  Father Lambert Scanlon to pastorate Holy Rosary Church, New Holstein.
21.  Tuesday: [R. Walter Dodd] Had Mary C Willsie of Brandon at Kiwanis today.  She was in Exchange Teacher in the Philippine Islands last year.  She tells of her experiences there and illustrates them with Slides.  Very interesting.  This afternoon I visited Alexian Brothers, met Brothers Sixtus – Ewold – Eugene –Aloysius also Roy Shelp older brother of Don Shelp at Weyauwega.  Mother has Donald and family over tonite.  I attended Perpetual Help Devotion and then to work.  Donald family made for home at 1 A.M.
22.  Wednesday: [R 4 M   Cora Loffey 77 died today at 12.20] Had a short letter from Mary Ann, temperatures range from 90 to 105 where she is.  Thres has company tonite Emma Lemke –Thres Froetschl.  I brought Annie Heip in at 6.15.  After work I played Pokeno with them.  Took them home at midnight.
23.  Thursday: [R 2 M] Mrs. Cora Loffey passed away yesterday at 12.20 at Mercy Hosp.  Married Phil A Loffey Oct. 26 – 1896.  Born Feb. 7 – 1877 Cora Mueller.  Our Donald took violin lessons from her husband Phil.  He died Aug. 19 – 1947.  Lou Perini President of the Milwaukee Braves presents Walter Bender President of the County Park Commission with a check for 225000 dollars for lease of the Stadium.  The original lease is $25000.  Summer ends officially at 7.56 A.M. today.
24.  Friday: [R 4 M] The folks are getting cards and card folders from Mary Ann.  Don and Arline leave for Milwaukee this afternoon about 4.30.  Thres and myself have our evening meal at Knights of Columbus.  Lucille Stoegbauer.  Kiwanis Kids Day Peanuts Sale is on in full force.  I bought a box to distribute among friends.
25.  Saturday: Weather is warmer today.  I begin to clean up our mess of magazines at home.  Janet Wolff is married to Warren Steinert this evening at 7 Oclock by Rev. David Fetter at Peace Lutheran Church.  Daughter of Leo Wolff our across the St. neighbors.
26.  Sunday: [Milwaukee Braves attendance 2131388 for 1954.] To 730 Hi Mass.  Father Milbauer – Sermon –“Christ wants all to be saved.” A very good explanation indeed.  Bill Mauritz – Ray Ostertag are over to trim the trees at the house and Clarence Westphal brings his power saw over to cut down four of our trees, Two on the east side and the two Plum trees in back of the Garage.  Ma and I have dinner at the “Town Grill.” St. Vincents Christian Mothers Bake Sale and Card Party.  Thres wins nothing.  Joe Baier and I work until 11.30 tonight on orders. 
Com.  Matt Baier
27.  Monday: [R 4 M   Eddie Mathews –Virjean Lauby marry.] Elizabeth Fetter wife of Rev. David Fetter died last night at Mercy Hospital.  Had been ill seriously since July with cancer.  Born April 23 – 1916 Bellevue Ohio.  Married Mr. Fetter Nov. 6 – 1938.  Came to Oshkosh Aug. 28 – 1946.  Three children David – Mark –Eliz. Ann.  Mrs. Lottie Homolka died unexpectedly last night 8.30 at home 925 – 7th.  Born in Austria April 1975.  Married Jacob Homolka 1895.  He died March 30 – 1953.  Donald and Dave Wingrove get rid of the debris around our house.  Had a letter from Father Gratian Zack –Mt. Calvary Vice Rector, also from Father Martin Wittman Fond du Lac St. Agnes Hospital.
28.  Tuesday: We have our Kids Day luncheon at Kiwanis.  My guests Joey Baier and Billy Cartwright.  Russel Oakes “Wacky Wizard of Waukesha” furnished the entertainment.  Our peanut sale netted $621.34.  Camp Wawbeek, Wis.  Dells, will benefit 250 dollars for swimming pool.  Attend dinner meeting of Knife and Fork Club at Athearn.  Saw Karl Mundt R. S. Dakota speaks on the threats of Communism.  One of the best talks – we have heard.  He has had much experience with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  Our table George Anderson – Rob Mehlmans – Leighton Houghs and selves.  Ed Binder brings Rose home this morning.
29.  Wednesday: Marion Weisheipl bears a baby girl about 6 P.M.
30.  Thursday: Attend Chamber of Commerce luncheon.  Present Bill Petrie –Morton Gazerwitz – Norman Rodot – John Callahan – Jack Delveau and myself.  Took Thres to meeting of S.S.B.M. Auxiliary at Clara Wickerts, Entertainment Committee meeting.  I spend part of the evening visiting with the Sisters St. Vincents, also brought them some magazines.


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