The first 100 years : an illustrated history of the Boys' and Girls' Brigade of Neenah-Menasha, Wisconsin, U.S.A.

183 Pages·1999·32.904 MB·English

by  James Keating, Jr., William Mattes, Jack Casper

Serving youth for 100 years
j-fJJtmy
The Boys' & Girls' Brigade
Neenah-Menasha, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
.
...
AUG 2 2 2005 o
03 03 0283332 9
Y
Ae:
g:irJf 10 0 ~arJ
• • •
AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE
BOYS' AND GIRLS' BRIGADE
OF NEENAH-MENASHA,
WISCONSIN, U.S.A.
W RITTEN:
1998-99 in Neenah, Wisconsin
EDITORS:
James Keating, Jr., William Mattes, Jack Casper
COPYRIGHT & PuBLISHED:
November, 19 9 9
ELISHA 0. SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY
MENASHA, WISCONSIN
The story of the Boys' and Girls' Brigade's first century is a story of success, certainly, but also a story of
change: adapting and evolving.from a military "boys' army" to a balanced seven year program to develop
the best in today's boys and girls. The process of adapting and responding to the ever-changing needs of
youth is a theme running throughout this book. We hope you enjoy these pages and photos as much as we
enjoyed putting them together.
Principal editor: James Keating, Jr.
Assistant editor: William J. Mattes
Assistant editor: Jack C. Casper
Centennial book committee chairman: Jack Neubauer
Writers: Howard Angermeyer Brigade staff:
Jack Casper Jill Ahles
James Keating, Jr. Glen Allen
William Mattes Laura Anderson
Jack Neubauer Dan Donovan
Nate Wauda Tom Hoare
Don Weber Jane Wells
Photo research & appendices: Russ Carpenter Assisted by:
Jack Casper Bill Casper
Jack Neubauer Dan Donovan
Don Weber
Illustrations & Cover: Don Weber
Testimonial selection: Jack Casper, James Keating, Jr., Jack Neubauer, Don Weber
Typing: Marigen and Russ Carpenter, first drafts
Jean Evans, subsequent and final drafts
Proof reader: Gerrie Casper
Sources used: Brigade records and archives
Brigade Board and O.C.A. minutes
1945 Brigade Songbook
1964 Brigade Songbook
Newspaper articles
Onaway Camp books
Videos of captains and leaders
Interviews and first-person essays
Correspondence
Production: AmeriPrint Graphics Inc., Neenah, Wisconsin
Wayne Nemecek, President
Editor's note: Every effort was made to accurately identify those people pictured, and to make
sure the lists in the appendix section are complete. We apologize for any errors or
omissions.
~re:wvrd
Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time."
of of
One hundred years. .. the sands time! Many footprints, thousands them. Men and
Women ... boys and girls moving to maturity in body and soul... a multitude.
of of
Forever engraved upon the scroll history. .. a special group adults and youth causing
of
an incomparable state virtue and goodness.
of
A man! Role model superior in all walks life he was. He made the fandamental
of
quality character so very important. .. and he inspired those who fallowed his guidance
to make the world a better place.
of of
We celebrate what he did in this historic summary a century
of
worthiness. .. unequaled and sublime, the product his unselfish committed spirit.
of
You willf ind him in the pages this book. You will know him as we knew him ... and
remember him always with praise and thanksgiving. .. M r. S. F Shattuck.
.. . by Nate Wauda
S.F. Shattuck 1960 photo
The Boys' and Girls' Brigade of Neenah-Menasha is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
We reflect on its past and chronicle the events of those 100 years. This history will
highlight many changes that occured since 1900. However, it is important to relate
what has not changed.
In an earlier history written by S.F Shattuck, he discusses as a part of the "Basic
Policies" of the Brigade:
• '51. community becomes a better place in which to live where boys ... have
of
the maximum constructive and enjoyable common experience during
their growing years. "
• "To create a setting, through varied programs, in which ... fellowship
of
and. friendship may develop; far it is out such an atmosphere that life
direction comes. "
of
• "The close-knit .. . fellowship, characteristic the Brigade organization
of
encourages a sense partnership and ... leadership responsibility. "
In 1993, the Mission of the Brigade stated:
of
• The mission the Boys' and Girls' Brigade Association is to improve the
of
quality life in the community.
• The Brigade staff, volunteers, and parents in partnership with local
business, industry, schools and churches accomplish this mission by
developing, updating and providing organized programs and activities far
youth (grade 6-12).
• These programs and activities teach responsibility and leadership, enhance
of
living and social skills, strengthen character, instill a sense purpose and
of
self-esteem and benefit both youth and adults as members the Brigade
family.
Building character and instilling youth with wholesome values was the goal of the first
leaders in 1900 and remains unchanged in 2000. We expect that those who update
this history in 50, 100 or 200 years from now will find that developing the positive
potential of youth is still the foundation and primary purpose of the Brigade.
1:J
~clicativ
Ji
For 100 years the work has been done. Since January 22, 1900 the very existence
of the Boys' and Girls' Brigade has been made possible by volunteer leadership.
Through the years countless numbers of men and women have given freely of
their time and talents. Their efforts have been successful and play a major part
in making today's organization vibrant and alive.
In behalf of all past, present and future Brigaders this book is dedicated to all
volunteers, who in their own way have contributed to this glorious history. Their
dedication and devotion to the advancement of Christ's Kingdom among girls
and boys makes possible the writing of this history.
History Book Committee
1st row (I. to r.) Jack Casper, Howie Angermeyer, Nate Wauda. 2nd row: Russ Carpenter, Jack
Neubauer, Pere Keating, Bill Mattes, Don Weber
I -The Early Years . .... . ........................... .. .... . . .. 1
A Challenge, An Opportunity, and a 100 Year Tradition is Born ...... 1
Rev. John E. Chapin and Brigade Church Affiliations . ...... . .... .. 2
Mr. S.F. Shattuck. ... 6 Months Becomes 75 Years ..... . . ... . . ...... 4
Weekly Meetings, Activities ........ ........ .... .......... . .. 5
Brigade Anniversaries ....................... . .......... . ... 6
Meeting Places and the First Brigade Building ... ........ ...... .. 7
Brigade Leaders and Old Boys, World War I ..... . ...... ... .. ... . 7
Training and Outdoor Activities, 1900-1907 . . .. ... . ............. 8
The Magic Begins - Discovery of Onaway Island ........... . ..... 9
The Name - Onaway ................. . . ..... .. ....... .. ... 10
The Corporate Structure .................... . . ....... .. .. .. 11
Onaway Facilities .. ... . .. . .. . ......... . . . . .. . .... . ... . . .. 11
Onaway Cooks . . .......... . .... . .... . ..... . . .. . .... .. .. . 13
Onaway Programs ....... . .. . ... .. ... .. .... . ... . ... .. ..... 14
Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Banquet .................... . ...... 14
II -The Second Qyarter Century .......................... . .... 17
After the Great War: The Second 01iarter Brigade Century . . ..... .. 17
Brigade Growth Continues .................... . ... . .... . .. . 18
Facilities Developments of the 20's and 30's ....... . ... . .... .. .. . 18
A Formal Organization Structure ....................... . .... 19
Meetings and Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
1932-33 Program ............... . ...... . . ... . . ........... 22
Captains - Pre-World War II . . . .. . ..... . ... . ............. . .. 23
Captains, 1941-1952 .. ......................... . ......... . 24
40th Anniversary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
The Brigade Goes to War ... Again .. ........ . ...... ... ...... 26
Peace at Last, The War Ends .. . ........ . ...... . ... . ...... ... 28
Summary of Brigade Activities - 1948-1949 . . ................. . 29
Hobby Clubs and Interest Groups Begin ... . ........... .. ..... . 30
Finances and Benefactors .............. .. .. . . ............ . .. 32
Camp0naway:1926-1950 .......... ........ . . .. . .......... 33
1937: The Beginning of the Tribal System at Onaway ........ . ... . 33
Marie "Ma" Dick ................. .. .. . ....... .... ........ 34
Paid Kitchen Staff - Chore Boys ............... . . ....... .... . 35
Facilities .......... ... ....... ... .. ........ .............. 36
Onaway Hosts Non-Brigade Groups .......................... 40
Support for Onaway ....................... . .............. 40
50th Anniversary, January-May 1950 ......... .. ... .. .......... 41
~------
III -The 1951-1975Years ..................................... 46
The Third Oliarter Century . ... ............................. 46
Jack Casper Enters the Picture ............................... 47
Co-Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Space and Other Membership Limitations .. .................. .. 48
1956 Brigade Building and Membership Explosion .......... . .... 49
Dedication of the Building . .. ............ .. ....... ....... .. 50
Membership Explosion ........ ......... . ............ . ..... 51
Accommodating Growth ................................... 53
Population Increase and Membership Limit ..................... 54
Coordinators ............................................ 55
The 1970 Building Addition ................................ 55
The Endowment Fund .................................... 58
Other Fund Sources ........ . .............. . ............. . 58
Staff Help .............. .. .... .. ....... .. ............... 59
Programming ........................................ . .. 60
Hobby Clubs and Interest Groups Expand . .... ... . .... . .. .... .. 61
Rifle Club .. ...... ....... . . ... ......... .. . ... ......... .. 62
Computer Literacy ...................................... . 63
Model Railroad .......................................... 63
Slot Car Racing .............. . ......... .. .. . ............. 63
Lapidary and Jewelry Making . .. ............ .. .............. 63
Stained Glass ......................................... .. 64
Copper Enameling .. .. .... . ...... .. . . ... .. ............... 64
Rainbowe Connection ....................... .............. 64
Drum and Bugle Corps ........ .. ............ . ............. 64
Small Engine Repair ........ .. ........ . .... ............... 65
Archery .................. . ..... . ........... . ........... 65
Photography ............ . ............................. .. 65
Wood Turning .......... .. . ... ......... . .. .. ............. 66
Canoe Club . . ............. . ............................. 66
International Camps and Contacts ........... .. ............. . . 67
World Conference ............. . .......................... 69
Captains ....... .. ................... . ....... . .......... 69
S.F. Shattuck Award .... . .. . . . ............ . ............... 71
Camp Miniwanca .......... . ............ . .... . ........... 72
Camp Onaway 1951-1975 ... . .... . .. ... .................... 73
Onaway Maintenance and Finances . . ............... ... ....... 73
Presbyterian Synod Acquires Onaway . ...... . ....... . ......... 73
Onaway for a Buck ....... . ... . ........ .. ...... .. ......... 75
Rough Craftsmen ... .. . .. ... . .................. . ......... 75
Cub or "Esther Williams" Island ........ . .... . ... . ........... 76
"Miracles" -The New Chapel at Onaway . .... . .. .. ............ 76
Tents Become Cabins .. . ......... . ...... . .. .. ... . ......... 79
Utilities .. ... . ...... .. ...... .. ................ . ......... 79
The New Onaway Drain Field ........ . . . . .. . ..... .. ...... . . 80
Onaway Cooks and Kitchen Help ........ . .. .. ............ . .. 81
Charlie Neubauer ........ . . .. ........... . .... .. ....... . .. 82
First Girls' Camp - 1973 . .... . ............ .. .. . ....... . .... 82
75th Anniversary . . .... . ..... . ................... ..... .... 83
IV - Last Quarter of the Millennium ... .. . . . .... ............. .. . 85
Years 1976-2000 .. .. .... . ............................ . . . . 85
The Girls' Brigade ...... . ..... . . . .......... .. . . ........ . .. 86
Girls' Program ......... . . . .......... .. ....... . ........... 88
Boys' Program .. ... . ... . . . .... . ..... .. ...... . ........... . 89
Character Traits .............. . .... ... ...... .. ........... . 90
Four-Fold Award .... . .. .. ...... . . ... .... . .. . ............. 90
Changing of the Guard .. . ........ .. ............. . ......... 91
Activities for New Brigaders .............. . ...... .. ......... 92
Membership Decline and Recovery ... ..... . .. . ... . ...... ... .. 93
Hobby Clubs and Interest Groups . .. . ........ . ........ .. ..... 93
Camp Miniwanca Affiliation Ends ................... ... ..... 96
Leadership Training Conference ...... .. . ...... . ............. 97
International Camps ...... . ....... .... ...... . ............. 98
International Camp at Onaway ............................. 100
Board of Directors and Committee Structure ................... 100
Endowment Fund Grows . .. ... . . ... ........ .. ... . ......... 102
Patron and Leader S.F. Shattuck Dies ......... .. ..... . . .. .... 102
Captains . . ........... . ..... . .......... . . . ...... . . . .. . . 103
Brigade Award Programs .... . ........ . . ... . ....... .. ...... 104