Saturday, March 7, 2015

Diary of Alfred E. Potter December, 1956

01.  Saturday: I’m still working in the basement at home, and hoping to get the job pretty much out of the way.
02.  Sunday: [Anna Weisheipl 74 today   R Rose Binder] To 730 Hi Mass – Father Schorn.  Jeanette Phelps had a car accident last night near their home.  She was taking Auburn home and somehow lost control of the car, hit Aloys Ray Pable’s parked car and the impact shoved Ray’s car on the lawn and it landed against the porch steps of Norm Sitte’s 632 – 14th.  Both cars had to be hauled away by wreckers.  Thres visits Annie Heip tonight.  It is Annie’s birthday.  Bill – Rose Mauritz – Ray Ann Ostertag are also there. 
Com.  Anna McEvoy
03.  Monday: [11 ½ hours] To 645 Mass St. Vincents –Father Milbauer, about 40 persons attended.  Took Norm Brown as my guests to the Athearn to the joint luncheon meeting of Rotary and Kiwanis.  Joseph Meier who takes the part of the “Christus” in the Passion Play is the speaker and a very good one.  He outlined the history of the Passion Play, how parts in the Play have passed from one generation to another.  He is the 7th generation in his family to play the “Christus.” I’m very busy working on the books.  Did get time for a haircut. 
Com.  Serra
04.  Tuesday: [9 hrs] Don is over to the house to pick up “Christmas Tree Ornaments.”  He tells me he and Eddie worked until 11.30 last night.  I really got a raking over the coals from Fred Baumgartner today, one that I won't forget for a while.  My suggestion for carrying more green stamps at this time of year met with a very stern rebuff.  Hence forth I better keep my suggestions to myself.
05.  Wednesday: [Father Schorn 64 today.  5 hrs.] Father Louis Schorn birthday.  Thunder and lightning during the night, it is still raining this morning.  Turns out to be a rather busy day for us.  Mother Mary Ann and me invited by Rose Stiefvater to dinner, to help Father Schorn celebrate his birthday.  Met Father’s sister Mrs. Kaster and husband Ben, also Father Baum from Osman and his housekeeper Miss Peters.  Ed and Dess Wirtz – Ray and Elsie Wagner also there.  I think Elsie had a darn good time, at least I tried to help.  She and I were together at table.  Father Milbauer got great kicks out of the party.  Don and Arlene picked us up at 745 to see the “Passion Play” sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.  It was very well presented with what stage room was available.  Joseph Meier portraying the Christus and Fred Hagan portraying Judas were exceptionally good.
06.  Thursday: [12 hrs] More mist and wet today.
07.  [9 hrs]
08.  Saturday: [9 hrs] Had a rather peculiar and unpleasant experience early this morning.  Our door chimes woke us at 4.30 this morning.  I hopped out of bed reader scared, when I turned on our back yard light, I could not see anyone.  Result both mother and myself did not get back to sleep for some time with quite a bad heart re-action.  Christmas business is opening and quite brisk. 
Com.  Harry Adams
09.  Sunday: [David Brown 21 today Arlene Potter 26 today.  7 hrs.] Arlene’s birthday – She is 26.  To 7.30 Hi Mass with Holy Name Mass and Communion by the Society, spiritual bouquet for our beloved Bishop Bona.
Com.  Bishop Bona
10.  Monday: [11 ½ hours] Norm Brown is with us as usual.
11.  Tuesday: [TG] To Kiwanis Club, had a varied program.
12.  Wednesday: Snow today.
13.  Thursday: [Temperature 3°below this morning.] Had a letter from the Rothbauers today, they received our package mailed October ___ on December 6th.  Alice has another baby, a boy.  I answered their letter this afternoon, also wrote to Jim Kirsch at St. Meinrad’s and to Janice Renier at Green Bay.  Marge Haverty is laid up with a cold today.  Mother and Rose Stiefvater play cards at Jennie Miller’s tonite.
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16.  Sunday: To 730 Hi Mass - Father Schorn.  We are very busy at the store. Took mother to Berlin to pick up her fur coat and Mary Ann's.  Markie spends time with mother while Don and family are at church.  He is in love with our Mickey Mouse cookie jar.  This afternoon K.C. Childrens party.  They all get a box of chocolates, that's it.
17.  Monday: Norm Brown is over this noon as usual, with our Christmas presents.  Left Don’s here also.  He tells me Sybelle had to get a set of new teeth.  Her others must have been a poor fit, as she only had been a little over a year.  Paid last respects to Walter Jennerjahn this afternoon.  Florence tells me his last illness was in the liver, nothing could be done for him.
18.  Tuesday: [TG   1° below zero this A.M.]  To Kiwanis luncheon, George Jordan leads the program with Ben Borsuk, Bill Mortell, and Russ Williams filling in.  I picked up our Christmas tree at Harold Weed's.  Spent the afternoon and evening at home wrapping packages for the Doctors and also writing cards to relatives and friends.
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23.  Sunday: To 715 Mass Father Milbauer –somewhat surprizing, no sermon this morning.  Don and I deliver Christmas presents to Doctors this afternoon, some out of the city like Dr. Petersik and we get caught in a snowstorm, rather blinding at times, but we make it.
24.  Monday: Much snow and slush make travel very slow in town.  We are trying to complete the distribution of presents for the nurses and office help of the doctors.  At the stores it is our busiest days.  Close shop at 530.  Spend the evening at Don's home.  The kiddies have the time of their life opening presents.  Markie especially likes his snuggle bear and musical top.  Stopped to see Harlow Schenck this afternoon.  He can’t get out when its slippery for fear he may break a lamb.
25.  Tuesday: [Com.Thanksgiving] Begin the day attending midnight that the Solemn Hi Mass St. Vincent's.  Father Schorn is the celebrant and has a wonderfully instructive sermon, “why Christmas.” Don and Arlene to 9 A.M. Mass, leave Mark with us and after Mass they are with us again to exchange presents.  After a few pictures taken by Don we have Dinner at the “Town House” then back home for a time.  Then Don and family and Mary Ann visit St. Vincent Sisters.  Mark shows them how to turn on their new T.V. and by the way Donnie and Debbie get presents from Sisters Mary Walter and Rudolphia.  Mother and me spend the evening at Father Schorn’s.  Ben and Carrie (Fathers Sister) Kaster from Green Bay are there also.  Home at 11.45 P.M.
26.  Wednesday: Christmas Day is over but the holiday will continue.  Had a letter from the Rothbauers today.  They had a pleasant time dividing the present I had sent them for their needy families.  Mother – Mary Ann and myself spend the evening at the Louie Mauritz home where Sister Melora is on a 5 days leave from her duties at Notre Dame High School at 530 West Mitchell Street in Milwaukee.
27.  Thursday: A beautiful day with plenty of sunshine.  I’m busy with professional and industrial bills.
28.  Friday: Fred Baumgartner is back on the job at North after spending the Christmas Holiday with Buss and family.
29.  Saturday: Had a letter from St. Anthony Guild Paterson N. Jersey.  Mother and I have been enrolled as Perpetual Members and will share in life and after death in the Spiritual Benefits of membership.  Also a letter from Sister Iraneaea at Holy Family Hospital –Estherville.  She states Joe Rieger has a good job in Aurora.  A Card from Sister Linus at St. Augustine’s Milwaukee.
30.  Sunday: To 730 Hi Mass – Father Schorn.  No regular sermon today.  He dwells on mostly events of the year.  Don’s family and Mary Ann visit Norm Brown’s at Neenah and Tom and Dee Peck in their new home on Doemel Drive.  Joe and Ceil Drexler dropped in for short visit with us this afternoon.  Grandma Mauritz is a little improved today.  Delivered some eye drops and gave her the first dose in each eye.  Matt Drexler – Amanda – Johnny and Joey were with us this evening for an interesting and pleasant visit.  It was surprizing how the boys have grown up and how bright they are.
31.  Monday: It is a busy day and if the old year and getting ready for the new.  Mrs. Mauritz passed away at 4 Oclock this morning.  Born Nov. 21 – 1880.  Married Joe April 29-1902.  When I saw her last night I knew she was losing strength, but she was conscious and answered my questions.  When I left she said goodbye.  I did note that she was very feverish.  Bill and Al are the only children surviving.  Boz and Ag Hazen have a cocktail party at their house tonite.  Our party consisted of Ed and Thres Fretschl –Annie Weisheipl.  Mary Ann spends the night at Don’s Joanne Mauritz was with them.

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