In Muscatine on Sunday, May 31, 1953, Dale wrote, “Stanley worked two hours in the morning. Helen and I went to the West Liberty depot at 11:30 p.m. for Margaret Sinnott.” Mrs. Sinnott was our neighbor on East Seventh Street. My work was early-morning packing and dropping off Sunday paper bundles around town for Cohn’s News Agency at 209 East Third Street, in a panel truck like the one above.
Wrapping Up An Osceola Trip
On Friday, May 30, 1941, on vacation in Iowa, Dale and family drove from the Williams and Jettie Gardner farm near Thayer to the George and Wilma Casey farm near Osceola, where they spent the night. Gene and Lela Yates were there, too. Dale, Helen, and Stanley drove back to St. Paul the next day. Wilma and Lela were Helen’s sisters. On the above map, the pushpin locates Thayer. The Casey farm was a couple miles north of Osceola on highway 69.
Still Visiting In Osceola
Another Osceola Visit
On Sunday, May 28, 1950, visiting with his family at Williams and Jettie’s in Osceola, Dale wrote, “Went with Louies to see Gene in the hospital at Perry. Saw Louise and Uncle Pearls too.” Louie Schaffer was Helen’s brother, Gene Yates was the husband of Helen’s sister Lela, Pearl Yates was Dale’s uncle and Gene’s father, and Louise was Gene’s sister. Above: Dalene posed on Grandpa Williams Gardner’s tractor.
Far From Any Madding Crowd
On Tuesday, May 27, 1941, on vacation in Iowa from St. Paul, Dale and family left the Casey farm north of Osceola and drove back to Dale’s parents’ farm near Thayer, where they stayed the next three nights. Williams was ill, so Dale did the chores. Above: Grandpa Williams Gardner took me for a ride on his tractor.
Looking At Ponies
Prince Of Peace
Working At Otto’s Grocery
Dalene Goes Roller Skating
In Muscatine on Saturday, May 23, 1953, Dale wrote, “Got up early and painted the car maroon. Stan worked. Dalene went roller skating in the afternoon. Dot and her nephew were here at night for coffee, on their way to Des Moines.” Dot was the wife of Helen’s brother Harley Schaffer. Above: Skateland was at the corner of East Seventh and Orange Streets, a half-block from our house on East Seventh Street.
Visiting In California
On Monday, May 22, 1961, Dale wrote, “Annual leave, in Reseda. High 80° in the sun, about 70° in the shade. Packed the car, bought some gas, cashed some travelers checks. Met Charles Matheny Jr. in Canoga Park.” Helen and Dale had been visiting my family in the San Fernando Valley, getting ready to leave for Minneapolis the next day. Charles Matheny was a cousin of Dale’s. Above: Helen in front of our house.
My Flexy Racer
Postwar Alcohol Production
Ice Cream Sodas
Taking Jettie For A Ride
Going To The Library
High School Musical
In Muscatine on Friday, May 16, 1952, Dale wrote, “Helen, Dalene, Judy Fisher and I went to the high school at night; Stan was in a musical comedy.” Judy was a neighbor. Signatures in my 1952 yearbook hint that I was a soldier in this spring chorus production when I was a freshman, so I may be in the photo above. Thanks to classmate Jim Davis, who remembered the show was Auntie’s Musket – an original operetta with music by Max Collins and lyrics by Keith Larson. Max was our vocal music director, and his friend Keith taught at Muscatine Junior College.
Birth Of ‘Mickey D’
On Wednesday, May 15, 1940, brothers Richard and Maurice “Mac” McDonald opened the first McDonald’s restaurant in San Bernardino, California, as a barbecue restaurant. In 1948 they reorganized their business as a hamburger stand, using production-line principles. Businessman Ray Kroc joined the company as a franchise agent in 1955. He subsequently purchased the chain from the McDonald brothers and oversaw its worldwide growth. Above: the original McDonald’s hamburger restaurant.