Month: July 2013

Surprise Visitors

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In St. Paul on Friday, July 11, 1941, Dale and Helen went to a midnight show and when they got home, Ethel and Don Matheny (Elsie Gardner’s son, so Dale’s first cousin) were there from Eatonville, Washington.  They stayed the night.

Weenie Roast

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On Tuesday, July 10, 1951, still vacationing in Osceola from Muscatine with his family, Dale wrote, “Went to George and Wilma Casey’s farm at night for a wiener roast.  We stayed with her till 1 a.m. while George and Larry went to a barn sale.”  Larry was Wilma (Helen’s sister) and George’s son.

Visiting Omaha’s Alcohol Plant

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On Monday, July 9, 1951, vacationing from Muscatine in Osceola with his family, Dale wrote, “Went to Omaha with Louie, Jack, and Biscuits Bailey.  Louie sold 20 head of steers at $425 each.  I went to the alcohol plant for two hours and visited.”  Louie was Helen’s brother and Jack was Louie’s son-in-law.  I don’t know who Biscuits Bailey was, but he had a great nickname.  Above is the Omaha Alcohol Plant in 1947, to the immediate right of a long white building (part of the city power plant).

Boeing Stratoliner

On Monday, July 8, 1940, the first commercial flight using a pressurized cabin took place on a Boeing 307 Stratoliner, flying at an altitude of 20,000 feet from New York to Burbank, California.  Pressurization is essential over 10,000 feet above sea level to protect crew and passengers from the risk of a number of physiological problems caused by the low outside air pressure above that altitude; it also serves to generally increase passenger comfort.  For passenger comfort, cabin pressure is changed to match the destination altitude as the flight descends for landing.  Above: one of only ten Boeing 307s manufactured – later, Boeing built the bigger and better Stratocruiser.

Uptown Saturday Night

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On Saturday, July 7, 1951, vacationing in Osceola from Muscatine with his family, Dale and Helen went uptown at night and parked the car on the square in keeping with tradition, to visit with friends and relatives.  That’s the east side of the square above, looking south.

Looking At New Chevys

On Saturday, July 6, 1957, on vacation in Osceola from Minneapolis, Dale wrote, “Spent the day at George and Wilma’s.  George and I drove to Humeston to look at new Chevys.  Supper at Don and Opal’s.  HOT today and humid.  Cooled off in Mother’s yard.  Ate too much today.”  Wilma Casey was Helen’s sister and Don Schaffer was Helen’s nephew.

Good Dinner

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On Wednesday, July 5, 1950, vacationing from Muscatine in Osceola with his family, Dale wrote, “I plowed corn today.  Had fried chicken for dinner at folks.  Went to Don Schaffer’s for supper, pitched horseshoes.  Geralds were there too.”  Don Schaffer was Helen’s nephew and Gerald was her brother.

Ozzie And Harriet

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In Washington, DC, on Saturday, July 4, 1936, Helen and Dale went to a show and saw Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Hilliard (above, before she married Ozzie).  They watched fireworks at night at monument grounds.

Dale Rides A Ferris Wheel

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Vacationing in Osceola from Muscatine with his family on Tuesday, July 3, 1951, Dale wrote, “Mother got a permanent.  Nice day. Rode on the Ferris wheel with the kids.  Visited with Aunt Sarah.”  That was Sarah Gardner Talbott, sister of Isaac Newton Gardner (Dale’s grandfather, known as ‘Newt’).

Getting A Haircut

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On Monday, July 2, 1951, vacationing from Muscatine in Osceola with his family, Dale wrote, “Took Mother to Lloyd’s.  Stan and I got haircuts at Devore’s.  Went to Ruth and Louie’s farm in the afternoon and stayed for supper.  Back to Mother’s at 9 p.m.”  Lloyd was Dale’s brother, Louie was Helen’s brother.  Barber John Devore was considered family since his daughter Beverly married Roswell Gardner’s son Raymond.

Dale Has A Flat Tire

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On Saturday, July 1, 1950, Dale wrote that he drove Helen, Stanley, and Dalene from Muscatine to Osceola.  Near Indianola, they had a flat tire, so they arrived at Williams and Jettie’s farm late.
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