Diary of Alfred E. Potter June, 1956

01.  Friday: Mother and me to church at 7 this morning.  It’s rather cold out temperature at 45° at 6⁴⁵.  Joe Drexler is laid to rest this morning.  Paid last respects to Walter Patri’s mother at Konrad’s.  Walter is there.  Sacred Heart School leaves out for summer vacations. 

Com.  Don and Family – Mary Ann

02.  Saturday: Al Shekey passed away this morning at Wood Wis.  Born April 10 – 1896.  Brother to Ruben Shekey and Margaret Olson.  Al used to do our photo finishing in the 1920’s.  He bought out Harry Turner who did our work before that.

03.   Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass.  Father Milbauer.  John Gams 1208 – 6th St. passed away last night 9.45 at Mercy.  Born in Austria September 14 – 1883.  Lived near the Weisheipls on 6th St. 

Com.  Joe Drexler

04.  Monday: [M 3 M] Norm Brown is with us this noon.  We learn that Susie graduated from St. Mary Springs Academy.  Graduation exercises yesterday.  Oshkosh City Council voted 14 to 1 this evening to annex Nordheim to our city.  This will add 44 Acres of land and about 400 people to our population.  Luther B. Davis died unexpectedly at Mercy today at 12.40 A.M.  Born March 31 – 1899 operated the (Ho Ho / Who Who) Club for many years.  The last time I saw him when Joe Weisheipl was still living and Luther was out to visit him.

05.  Tuesday: [M 3 M] I missed another Kiwanis luncheon, this is three in a row, hoping to get back soon, but Thres –Mary Ann and me did go with Kiwanis to see the “Brooklyn Dodgers beat our Milwaukee Braves 6 to 1.  Eddie Mathews made a home run in the first inning and that was all.  Braves used 4 pitchers – Spahn – Jolly –Murff – Johnson.

06.  Wednesday: Have an appointment with Dr. Kleinschmit this afternoon.  Took impressions, was there 1 ½ HRS.

June 7, 1956 

07.  Thursday: Pauline Kersche widow of Albert passed away at 2.15 this morning at Mrs. Kraetschman’s 242 Parkway.  Married Al June 1903.  She was a sister to Art Mueller’s mother Daughter to Albert Voelz, sister to Ed Voelz –Mrs. Gust Pausig Born Nov. 7 – 1863.

08.  Friday: Up at 6 A.M.  To St. Mary’s by 6.54 confession.  Serra Club attends Holy Mass and receives Communion in a body at the 7¹⁵ Mass offered by Bishop Grellinger.  We breakfast at the Athearn Hotel.  Our table Pete Beck – George Haverty – Bill McDonald – Myself.  Ten oclock back at Dr. Kleinschmits office for a fitting.  Dentures in wax prove very satisfactory, hope the real ones will be that way.  One thirty meeting with Father Sladek and Jim Sitter in regard to paid up Insurance Policies assigned to the Apostolate.  It is my wish now, the same as the original intent when the policies were taken out in 1947 that the amount, that is the principal sum, be put into a trust fund and only the proceeds in interest be used by the Apostolate.  Also met with Francis Lamb in regard to my 1954 State Return. 

Com.  Petition to Sacred Heart for vocations.

09.  Saturday: [88° today] Well, I got another Ford Station Wagon this morning.  Its about the same in color as my other one, also has a radio.  Donald is out to the cottage early today to cut grass.  The kiddies Debbie and Donnie are with us.  Temperature 88° today.  President Eisenhower is operated for Ielitis, intestinal

10.  Sunday: [88° today] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass with Holy Name.  Father Schorn speaks on the 5th Commandment as it concerns wars and self defense.  Don and family leave at 9 A.M. on their vacation.  Weather is ideal.  To Mercy Hospital at 9.15 to see Sister Irene and bid her goodbye.  Leaving for Milwaukee and from there to Estherville Iowa where she will supervise an 80 bed hospital.  Joe Rieger and wife take her to Milwaukee.  Sister Romana is 80 today.  I visited with the sisters this morning.  Sister is looking very good. 

Com.  Ven Sister Irene

11.  Monday: A bolt of lightning hit either our T.V. Antenna or a high power line next to our house at 4.40 this morning.  We realized it was close but were surprized to find we had a fire in the cellar.  Tried to phone Fire Dept. but no phone –Jackish next door same luck, Arno Stroschine see’s the fire through our cellar window and phones the department.  Fast service saved us from a good sized fire.  Lights out – T.V. Out – Freezer Out – Telephone out.  Thres has plenty of company: Father Milbauer –Rose Stiefvater – Pat Faust –Mrs. Jackish -Mrs. Luebke – Francis Kriz. 

Com.  Serra (Error) should be 6/12/56

12.  Tuesday: [M 9 M TG] To 6⁴⁵ Requiem for Eleanor Are Father Milbauer.  At 8⁰⁰ oclock at Dr. Norman Kleinschmits for my dentures.  They don’t feel too bad, a little painful, but it is to be expected.  Mercury is up to 90° today, the first nine the meeting this year.  My weight is now 146 pounds. 

Com.  Serra also Thanksgiving

13.  Wednesday: [M] And other clear hot day.  Temperature hit 95.3° in Milwaukee yesterday.  Had a call from Mrs. Walter Wilde in regard to tax assessment at Hi Point.

14.  Thursday: [M 9 M] Marge Haverty has a bad cold these days.  Her resistance must be low.  Don takes his family to Milwaukee today to visit the Zoo.  It’s a great day for all of them.

15.  Friday: Well I hit the new low on weight today, 145 pounds.  This would be perfect for my height, but I think my weight will be going up as soon as I am able to chew properly.  Mother and Emma Lemke are at the cottage cleaning up our play room.  I join me in the evening.  It is my first attempt at sheephead for a long time, at least 6 months or more.  Thres lost 3 games straight.

16.  Saturday: Chancellor Konrad Adenauer of West Germany, was in Milwaukee yesterday where he received an honorary degree “Doctor of Laws” at Marquette University.  Charley Grimm resigns as manager of the Milwaukee Braves.  Fred Haney is chosen to replace him.

17.  Sunday: [5 hrs.] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass Father Milbauer.  After a few bouquets for Father –he reads a letter from Bishop Bona about the Negro and Indian Missions.  We are very busy at the South Store –I helped to wait on trade from 9 to 12.30.  When Mary Ann and I came home at 12.45 Don – Arline and the Kiddies are here with presents.  Cocktails followed for some time, sat down to dinner at 2³⁰.  The Milwaukee Braves honor their new manager by winning a doubleheader from Brooklyn 5-4 and 3-1.

Com.  Hon. God the Father of all things

Stanislaus Jarosch

18.  Monday: [10 hours] Jimmie Kirsch begins working at the South Store, helping Ray Schmidt in the basement.  Fred – Joe – Art and I have our regular weekly meeting.  Norm Brown is with us this noon.  Tells me I look good with Dentures.  To Norm Kleinschmits this afternoon for adjustments.  He made a few.  To the cottage tonite with Thres.  Our pump still is not working.  Marge Haverty is taking her vacation this week.  Milwaukee Braves win from Pittsburgh 3-2.

19.  Tuesday: [7 hours] Attended Kiwanis luncheon the first since May 15th.  Former City Attorney Harry Meyer is our speaker.  The Braves win again from Pittsburgh 5-3.

20.  Wednesday: [9 ½ hours] Whats going on the Braves win again from Pittsburgh 7-3.  Air Plane Disaster: A Venezuelan Super Constellation crashed and disappeared into the Atlantic Ocean today, killing 74 Persons 20 of them Americans.  Location of the disaster 35 miles east of Asbury Park N. J. and 40 miles south of New York.  The Airliner was of only 200 miles from New York when the pilot radioed No. 2 Engine running wild and he was returning to Idlewild Airport.

21.  Thursday: Braves take the series from Pittsburgh winning 7-2.  Father Sylvester Dowling If when to Harry and Agnes Kujawa in Berlin was ordained to the priesthood 60 years ago today.

June 23, 1956

22.  Friday: Serra Club have their luncheon at the Jesuit Novitiate.  About 25 of us attended.  Father Agnes gave us a history of the Jesuits in America and especially the Green Bay Diocese.  Costs about 2 dollars a day to support a student at the Novitiate.  The Braves are still winning this time the New York Giants 3-1.

23.  Saturday: Donald is out to the cottage this morning cutting grass.  Eddie Weisheipl is gone for today and tomorrow to Twin Lakes.  The Braves did it again Milwaukee 2 Giants 1.  Had a letter from the Rothbauers in Germany.  Resi reports that her oldest brother passed away last month.  Mother and I met him when we visited in Germany.

24.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ High Mass – Father Schorn.  There will be no high masses on Sundays during July and August.  This is a day of many events.  Sentinel Marathon boat races from Fond du Lac to Freemont and back.  South Side Business Mens Club have their outing and boat ride, about 30 people attended.  Dana & Worm Drug Company have their picnic at Green Lake.  This is getting uncanny the Braves take double header in a series from the Giants 6-2 and 7-1. 

Com.  Father Theodore Roemer

25.  Monday: Norm Brown is with us at luncheon.  He and Sybelle attended Dana Worm’s Outing yesterday.  Marge Haverty is back on the job, feeling somewhat better.  She’s been having a bad cold.  With ten straight wins to their credit the Braves invade Philadelphia and what do you think, another win 8-5.  

June 25, 1956

June 26, 1956

26.  Tuesday: A severe electrical storm kept us off until 2 Oclock this morning.  Mary Ann slept with mother.  To Kiwanis luncheon.  Clarence Westphal is there with his 4 H speech winners.  Some of the talks are very good.  Alvin Allen’s daughter ___ was especially good.  The Milwaukee Braves winning streak is finally stopped by Robin Roberts of the Phillies.  Philadelphia 4 Braves 2.

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29.  Friday: Busy getting things in order before I leave for a few days.  Paul Jansen picked me up at 1 P.M.  With us Harry Schmitt Greg Sitter from Milwaukee.  Stopped for meal at Kopp’s Restaurant Green Bay.  Drove to Ephraim to see ___ Johnson not home, visited with Mrs. Fitzgerald next door.  Arrived at Fish Creek about 5¹⁵ P.M.  Our boat the “Quo Vadis” left about 5³⁰ a 9 mile ride across the bay to “Chambers Island”, our Retreat House, was ready for us.  About 6 of us stayed at the White Cottage about ½ mile from the Retreat House.  Supper at 7⁰⁰ and get acquainted with most of the fellows some from Neenah, Menasha – Sister Bay – Oshkosh.  8¹⁵ Conference –Retreat begins Silence till after breakfast.  9³⁰ Night Prayers in Bed at 10¹⁵.  Up occasionally, not used are going to bed so early.

30.  Saturday: Up at 6³⁰ really woke up about 2 and at 4 A.M.  Not accustomed to getting too bad so early.  Over to Retreat House by 7.15.  Morning prayers 7.25 Holy Mass – Sermonette at 7³⁰.  Breakfast 8¹⁵ Still silence until 8⁴⁵.  Recreation until 9³⁰ then conference and more silence until after supper.  10.00 Private Spiritual Reading.  I started the book “The Lily of Israel.” Very interesting the life of the Blessed Virgin and Holy Family in story form.  Dinner at 12⁰⁰ and Reading.  Rosary 12.40 – Stations of the Cross (Outside) 2⁰⁰ 2.45 Confessions 415 Conference 615 Supper 7⁰⁰ Recreation 8⁰⁰ Conference.