Diary of Alfred E. Potter February, 1957

01.  Friday: Had our evening meal at Columbus Club. Have’nt been there for some time.  The Thomists had a long table reserved.  The men are conspicuous by their absence.  Herb Wall, another young man Fathers Weisheipl –Worzella.  Father Weisheipl is now giving the Thomist Lecture Course.  After the meal we stopped it Poklasny’s to pay last respects to John Glaeser – and to Steve Kirchers to pay last respects to Ted Norkofski.

02.  Saturday: Had a nice visit with Father Athanasius Weisheipl today.  He showed copies of quite a number of ancient manuscripts which he obtained while studying at Oxford.  An intensive investigation is on in the mysterious crash in the blinding snow storm of out 4 engine DC 6 A Northeast Airlines Plane carrying 101 passengers, on “Riker’s Island” in the East River in New York.  20 passengers killed, 75 hurt.

03.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass – Father Milbauer.  No Sermon this morning.  We receive the St. Blaze Blessing after mass.  No sunshine this morning.  Art Mueller has a birthday today, he is 55.

04.  Monday: Norm Brown is with us as usual.  Mother plays cards at Leone Dodd’s today with the S.S.B.M. Auxiliary Card Club.  Carl Byoir 68 founder of one of the nations largest public relations firms bearing his name died at New York Hospital Sunday.  He conceived the idea of making the birthday of Franklin D. Roosevelt a vehicle for raising “one million dollars in one night” to fight polio.  This was later taken over by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.

05.  Tuesday: [“The World Major Forgot” Kiwanis Picture] To Kiwanis luncheon.  A good picture on plastics, its many uses comprises our program.  Donald and Eddie Heip to Green Bay to take in the Rexall display at the Northland.  Mother is with the S.S.B.M. Auxiliary for luncheon at the Town House.  Cards after.  The ladies are upstairs instead of downstairs as they expected.

06.  Wednesday: Art Mueller expresses his views in regard to Eddie and Don’s leaving the city.  It seems Joe Baier was not feeling too well, during Art’s supper hour and he feels they should not have left him alone at the store.  Joe however claims he was not feeling too badly and resents his name being drawn into these talks.  Well, thats Joe for you.  He sure is a good Joe.  Art does however stated emphatically that Art Hazen and Joe are dissatisfied with the way things are run at the South Store.  I personally think things are OK.  P.S. Don told Art he tried to let him know about going away but could not find him.  Art however states he is never too far away to be found.

07.  Thursday: Took in a joint meeting of Serra Clubs at Green Bay Manitowoc – Oshkosh – Green Bay.  Bishop Bona is our honor guest and is well pleased and hopes we will have more joint meetings.  Fifteen of our members took the trip.  Verne Huber took Harry Schmitt –Milo Galvin and me.  Home at 11.30 P.M.

08.  Friday: Joanne Quinn who was formerly employed at our North Store has won her wings as an American Airlines stewardess.  Assigned to flight duty out of Midway Airport.

09.  Saturday: Marianne Mueller is married to Walter Busse at Peace Lutheran Church.  Thres and I attend the church ceremony.  In the evening we attend the reception at Art and Margaret’s home.  Marianne and Walter are just leaving on their honeymoon as we get there.  Met a few folks, I had’nt seen in years, Margarets sister Mrs. Hamner and her husband also Margarets brother Ernest Krause from Jackson Michigan Dr. Brictson from Milwaukee could not attend, but Mrs. another sister of Margarets was there.  We are home at 11.15 P.M.

10.  Sunday: [8 ½ hrs] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass with Holy Name Society, Father Schorn.  Don and family are guests at Eddie and Florence Weisheipls.  Adam and Ginny Rice and family are also there.  A roll of films (colored) should make some interesting pictures. 

Com.  Deceased Holy Name Members

11.  Monday: [11 ½ hrs.] Norm Brown is with us for luncheon.  Pigs hocks is on the menu.  By the way, this is Donald’s birthday.  He is 29.  Note in the Milwaukee Sentinel that Joseph S Gaudynski Milwaukee 101 W. Mitchell St. passed away.  He was 72 and one of the old timers active in the Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Association.

12.  Tuesday: My weight is down to 142.  Thres –Mary Ann and Joann Mauritz to the Civic Music Concert at the Grand Theater.  Concert soloist is Rosalind Nadell, her accompanist Erving Mantey.  They are entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Leist – 214 Sterling Street after the concert. I attended the stockholders meeting of the Knights of Columbus.  Was even nominated as a director, was not chosen.  Ed Kitz is the new director.  Harry Schmidt and Ed Goick are reelected for a term of three years.  Attended Kiwanis, Don Marheine in charge of program.

13.  Wednesday: [T] Gale Robertshaw is in town, he works with Don most of the day.  Mary Ann and Joanne Mauritz see “Oklahoma” showing at the Raulf.  Harold Mueller’s car is or rather was stolen last night about 8 Oclock.  Charles Egner 1325 – 9th died of a heart attack at 9.15 this morning at his home.  Born Jan. 27 – 1884.  Married Alvina Spannbauer Sept. 11 – 1906.  Work at the Soo Line Freight Depot 36 years.  Retired Jan. 30 -1954.  Art Neubauer 476 Bowen died at the County Hospital last evening 7 Oclock.  Brother to Stella Neubauer Lee.

14.  Thursday: Well it’s a mad rush for Valentine Cards and Candy.  Stores did very well.  North has only a few 4⁰⁰ and 5⁹⁵ boxes candy left, we did try to help them out but did’nt do too well at it.  Thres has company for the evening –Bill and Rose Mauritz here until 11.45 .PM.  Harold Mueller’s car is found at 2.15 this morning on Minnesota Street.  Kimberly Clark has entered into an agreement with Peter J. Schweitzer Inc. to acquire all capital stock from the Schweitzer family in exchange for 735000 shares of K.C. common stock.  The company is the world’s largest manufacturer of cigaret – condenser and carbonizing papers.

15.   

16.  Saturday: Had company this morning.  Francis Roch and John Stadtmueller are over to see me in regard to signing an agreement with the First National Bank in regard to the use of the Club Rooms over the Security Office.  The agreement is to the effect that the S.S.B.M. may use the rooms free of charge and have exclusive use of the bar and lunch room in the rear, the bank will assume all obligations, calendar of events, janitor service etc. providing we decorate the rooms once in five years.  I promised to sign at the Directors meeting next Monday evening.

17.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass.  Father Milbauer.  No sermon today, a letter from Bishop Bona in regard to Diocesan Charities Collection next Sunday.  Thres plays cards at St. Peter’s recreation this afternoon with Aunt Annie Heip – Rose Mauritz –Anne Ostertag. 

Com.  Art Neubauer

18.  Monday: Norman Brown is over this noon.  Temperature down to zero this morning.  Thres plays cards at Angie Jansen’s today with S.S.B.M. Auxiliary.  No prize.  This is getting to be a habit with her lately.  Frank Binder is back on the job at the post office after two weeks recuperating from an operation for piles.  Attended Directors Meeting So. Side Business Mens Club.  Agreement with the First National Bank was ratified.  I signed as promised.

19.  Tuesday: [Rose Stiefvater became Father Schorn’s housekeeper 9 years ago today.] Another zero morning.  We have a few absentees at the South Store today.  Judy Redmann is having dental surgery by Dr. Wayne Luebke, Eva, her mother stays with her.  Marge Haverty is laid up with a cold.  To Kiwanis Club luncheon.  Brotherhood week is observed by having ministers as our guests.  Rev. Al Lindgren a former Club member now at Watertown is our speaker.  He stated he saw more ministers at our lunch and then there was in attendance at the Ministerial Association meetings.  Attended Cemetery Board Meeting at 4³⁰.

20.  Wednesday: [Fire Chief Bernard Geffers resigned yesterday, effective May 1.] Art – Margaret – Kathy Mueller take a trip to Milwaukee this morning.  Joe Baier tells me, they are buying of “health board” recommended by O.R. Simpson, local masseur.  A beautiful day for drive.  Rose Stiefvater – Anna Ostertag – Minnie Brusius are here with Thres for tournament play in sheephead.  Frank Novotny father to Raymond Novotny, Postmaster of Oshkosh, passed away yesterday in Manitowoc at a home for the aged.  He was quite a character years ago he came to see me often at the drugstore.  Born 9-18-1871 in Olenice, Moravia, 3 sons survived him.

21.  Thursday: Paid last respects to Frank Novotny at Konrads this morning.  Met his son Frank who operates a small farm outside of Oshkosh near Allenville.  Charlie Rhoten and Gale Robertshaw are in my office this afternoon, preparatory to a meeting of Rexallites from nearby cities tonite at the Raulf Hotel.  We converse on shopping center locations.  Mueller Potter is well represented tonight at the meeting.  Don – Eddie – had Arline – Florence with them.  Mother also attended.

22.  Friday: Attended “Serra” luncheon.  Father Charles O’Hara vice president Marquette University was our guest speaker.  His subject “Education.” Eddie Brand and Dr. Joe Kronzer were guests.  Our table Ed Binder – Harry Schmitt – Roy Lindsey – Al Potter.  Had lobster tail for luncheon when I got home for evening meal we also have the same.  Worked in our cellar for 1 ½ hours this morning and 2 ½ “ this evening.

23.  Saturday: Well, what do you know, Ma served me some more lobster tail this noon.  I’ll be looking like a lobster if this keeps on.  Well three times is out, thats enough crustacean for me for some time.

24.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass – Father Schorn.  Father speaks on Catholic Press Week.  Our congregation was ahead on subscriptions for the register, but still less than 1/3 congregation subscribing.  Temperature is up today a balmy day – 51°- this afternoon.

25.  Monday: Carl Hanson from Wautoma is in today.  Just flew in from Anna Maria.  Another warm day temperature 46°.  Could stand some sunshine.  It would help to dry the roads. 

26.  Tuesday: Turned in my Charmin Paper Stock to Dick White today. To Kiwanis luncheon. Paul Whyte talks to us about the need for money for the Oshkosh Swimming Pool Fund. Paul states money is needed very urgently as we have to date about 28000 dollars to match Mr. Pollacks 50000. Our key sales people have a meeting at Lowell Robbins. Gale Robertshaw is in charge. Its about our Super Plenamins Drive in March and April. We are matched with Toller Drug Co. Sioux City Iowa. Present at the meeting: Donald, Eddie Weisheipl, Ginny Abrams, Marge Haverty, Fred Baumgartner, Norbert Mueller, Diane Nichols, Adeline Steinhilber, Edna Bathke, Gale and myself.

27.  Wednesday: Father Sladek phoned about a meeting at the Apostolate at 4⁰⁰ this afternoon.  Present Bill Ganther – Chuck Fiss – Jim Sitter –Pat Faust – myself.  We have been served notice to vacate the room used as Thrift Shop by “Jansen and Wallace” owner of the Bldg. also a raise in rent for the office rooms.  We intend to look for new quarters, possibly a home.  Thres plays cards at Helen Drexlers with Rose Stiefvater and Thres Polier.  Thres comments Helen has a very nice home.  Joan Mauritz spends the evening with Mary Ann.  I do some work in the cellar.  Bill comes in to spend an hour.

28.  Thursday: Saw Dick Hill in the back of the post office.  Looks as he might be working there.