Month: September 2012

Typing For Dollars

In Muscatine on Wednesday, September 30, 1953, Helen started working at City Hall (below), typing for Community Chest.  She would work there in the mornings, and type at home in the afternoons.
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My Three Sons

On Thursday, September 29, 1960, the first episode of My Three Sons aired on ABC, starring Fred MacMurray (watch it below).  It switched networks to CBS in 1965, and to color, with the final episode appearing on August 24, 1972.

No More Shoveling Coal

In Muscatine on Friday, September 28, 1951, Dale wrote, “Cool, 34° this morning.  Gas furnace is wonderful.”  He was happy about not having to shovel coal any more with a coal shovel like this:
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Goin’ On A Hayride

In Muscatine on Sunday, September 27, 1953, Dale wrote, “Dalene went to work with me.  Stan took the car on a hayride.”  I was in my Junior year of high school.
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Ringer’s Birthday Treat

In Muscatine on Friday, September 26, 1952, Dale wrote, “Dalene bought Ringer a football for his birthday.”  Below: Stan and Ringer, our lovable mutt dog.
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Hello, Operator?

In Minneapolis on Monday, September 25, 1961, Dale wrote, “Helen applied for switchboard work at the new Grand Central shopping area.”  Below: a 1961 Bell Telephone ad picturing a contemporary switchboard.
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A Wannabe Draftsman

In Muscatine on Saturday, September 24, 1955, Dale wrote, “Bought Stan a drafting set.”  That was for my engineering drawing class at Muscatine Junior College, which I really enjoyed.
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Workin’ On The Road

In Osceola on Monday, September 23, 1935, Dale started working on a road crew to earn extra money.  That job continued, on and off, until October 4.  Below: Dale ready for work in 1935.
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School Open House

In Minneapolis on Tuesday, September 22, 1964, Dale wrote, “Went to Stan’s to babysit while they went to a school open house.”  That was Hayes Elementary School in Fridley, where some of our boys attended grade school.  The diagram below shows the original round structure of the school.
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Walk Along The River

In Muscatine on Sunday, September 21, 1952, Dale wrote, “Nice day.  Fried chicken dinner.  Dalene and I walked downtown and along the river.”  This was before today’s much nicer riverwalk by the Mississippi, below.
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Dale Goes Bowling

In Muscatine on Wednesday evening, September 20, 1950, Dale went bowling with his team.  He had a 421 series, raising his average to 156.
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Fun Night Dance

In Muscatine on Friday, September 19, 1952, Dale wrote, “Stanley went to a football game with Lofgrens.  He went to Fun Night at the YWCA afterwards.”  Fun Night was a teen dance held most Friday nights at the YWCA.  Early in this, my sophomore year, I mostly stood around and watched, believing I had two left feet.
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FDR Signs Military Draft

On Monday, September 16, 1940, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 (below), which began the first peacetime military draft in the United States, and also established the Selective Service System as an independent agency responsible for identifying and inducting young men into military service.  During World War II, legislation amended the act to require all men from 18 to 65 to register, with those aged 18 to 45 being immediately liable for induction.
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Fetching Tomatoes

In Minneapolis on Monday, September 15, 1958, Dale wrote, “Nice day, high 70°.  Stan and Dinny went to get tomatoes after work at Sharon Lynn’s.”  Sharon was a neighbor and friend of Dalene’s.
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Roast Beef At Home

In Osceola on Sunday, September 14, 1952, for the weekend, Dale and Dalene visited with Jettie and Marie Kimmel in the morning, and drove back to Muscatine.  Dale wrote, “Helen had roast beef for supper.”  Below: Dale’s sister, Marie Kimmel.
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Fried Chicken Birthday Dinner

On Saturday, September 13, 1952, Dale and Dalene drove from Muscatine to Osceola and had a fried chicken dinner at Lloyd’s for his 45th birthday.  Lloyd’s wife, Clarice, made good fried chicken.  They spent the night at Jettie’s.  Below: Dale’s brother, Lloyd Gardner.
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Another Model A

In St. Paul on Thursday, September 12, 1941, Dale took the afternoon off to buy a car, another Ford Model A, for $125.  Here’s one:
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Moving Next Door

In Muscatine on Tuesday, September 11, 1951, Helen and Dale finished moving from 507 to 505 East Seventh Street, except for the contents of the garage and basement.
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