Bits and Pieces for Nov. 14 Nov. 14, 2009 I’ve made it back after missing a Bits & Pieces moment last weekend.
A friend from Wauwatosa got married recently in Mexico, and I was unable to join the gaiety down south. I checked out their pictures from Mexico and, wow, did they have fun.
The young lady married a really nice guy who serves as a firefighter in West Bend. So last Friday we were on the road for the second wedding celebration, this one a reception for those who couldn’t or didn’t make it to Mexico.
It was held at the Washington County Fairgrounds, a massive facility on the south side of West Bend.
I’ve heard about this fairgrounds — it seems it was in financial trouble a number of times and I understand why. It is truly something to see.
It was a perfect place to hold a wedding reception. There was a bar, a port for catering, nice dance floor and areas for dining and visiting. The big room right next to ours was set up for a birthday party scheduled for Saturday.
My friends had a mariachi band as a reminder of the Mexican wedding, and then a rock ’n roll orchestra — and I mean orchestra — with its members as old as the bride and groom’s parents took the stage.
The band members wore sport coats and ties. Can you imagine that?
And they played great music — my kind of rock.
––––––––––––
There were a number of familiar faces since the bride’s mom and dad are from Antigo. I spotted Tom Thrash, a former Antigo firefighter who made the switch to the bigger and brighter city of West Bend.
We had a nice visit and Tom said he eyes the Antigo Daily Journal every so often online. I think he misses us.
————————
I enjoyed speaking at the annual meeting of the Langlade County Historical Society Thursday evening discussing early Antigo newspapering.
I had been asked to offer a few words and pictures by society president, Joe Hermolin.
Over the years I’ve done some public speaking — but it was never really a comfortable situation for me.
In my university speech class I certainly recall my knees rattling when my fellow students were judging my efforts. While those jitters are long gone, I know I’m no orator.
But it was fun and there were certainly kind words from friends and perhaps even a few foes in the crowd.
I discussed the early history of the Berner family and newspapering here well into the 1940s and the request by the society prompted some research and preparation.
In the next few weeks, I will prepare the material for the museum to offer to its patrons.
—————————
I hope you saved the Antigo Daily Journal’s 30th holiday recipe section that came with the Wednesday newspaper. And I really mean that.
If you didn’t, we’ll sell you a replacement for 50 cents each. Stop at the front desk.
It is certainly important to thank the people who offered their recipes to the cause. This was a winner for the Antigo Daily Journal.
I picked out some favorites and there is every honest intent to make at least one of them in my kitchen. I’ll report how it worked.
What fun I’m going to have.
———————
Sometimes this newspaper business can be difficult — at other times delightful.
It is important to have those positives, like the recipe section, the visit with the Historical Society and getting back to my proper place with Bits & Pieces.
Falling into that upbeat category, a few days ago I got a call from a man who I do not know. He was Bud Mielke, a former Antigonian who has lived in Chula Vista, Calif. for a number of years. In fact, quite a number since Bud is now 85 and has worked and raised a family in California.
But he subscribes to and reads the Antigo Daily Journal, despite those years of parting from the woods.
He explained he returns for high school class reunions and still maintains friends here.
The call to me was sparked by an ad for a carrier for newspaper route 13, which runs roughly from the intersection of Superior Street east to the Langlade Road area. It was 70 or 75 years ago that Bud had that route that went just past his family home on Fifth Avenue.
I told him that if he was interested, the route was his.
While I know darned well he won’t be back to fold the Journal or tote one of those orange bags, it did spark memories strong enough to offer a call.
It was quite a visit. He had positive reflections about his days growing up as a youngster living in the shadow of the hospital.
He raised his family in California and still thinks about his roots in Antigo.
He is still one of us. And I love it.
—————————
If you are a Peeps At Our Past reader, this note may have been something that didn’t ring bells. But it should have.
On Friday, the 75 Years Ago column noted that the Fidelity Savings Bank had agreed to lease the Langlade National Bank’s stately new edifice at Fifth Avenue and Superior Street.
The bank was closed by President Roosevelt’s “bank holiday” program in 1933, and never reopened.
The building, which today is Chase, had been hanging around with no real role while the government tried to figure out what to do with the national banks it had closed.
It was a true mess.
The Fidelity, at that point in history, was in the building now serving as the Boys & Girls Club headquarters, and made the big shift under the leadership of Ben Diercks. And what a move it was.
Until its sale, the Fidelity Savings Bank was the leader in financial matters in Antigo, Langlade County and a good piece of northern Wisconsin. Diercks and his successor, Jim Aulik guided it to tremendous success.
We are pleased to have the big bank as one of our neighbors.
——————
One of my Web pals sent me this piece about Packer mathematics. After last week’s game I’m not sure it is so accurate, but still cute.
The Pack meets Dallas on Sunday — it should be interesting.
|
|
|
