Month: February 2014

DNA Structure

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On Saturday, February 28, 1953, scientists James D. Watson and Francis H. C. Crick announced they had discovered the double-helix structure of DNA.

No More Hand-Cranking

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On Monday, February 27, 1911, inventor Charles F. Kettering demonstrated his electric automobile starter in Detroit by starting a Cadillac’s motor with just the press of a switch, instead of hand-cranking (as in the above photo).

Minnesota Beats Iowa

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In Minneapolis on Monday, February 25, 1957, Dale wrote that he went to see the University of Minnesota beat the University of Iowa 102-81 in basketball.

Stan Tutors

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In Minneapolis on Tuesday, February 24, 1959, Dale wrote, “Annual leave, stayed home to get the busted water pipe fixed.  Helen and I worked all morning cleaning the basement.  Pretty tired tonight.  Stan went to his math tutoring job, Dalene went to Junior Achievement.  High 40°, perfect day weather-wise.”

Income Tax Form Mailed

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In Minneapolis on Saturday, February 23, 1957, Dale wrote, “Bought Dalene a dress pattern and some goods to make a dress.  Letter from Mother.  Sent Federal income tax return in, will get a small refund.”

To Pearl’s Funeral

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On Saturday, February 22, 1958, on his way to Pearl Yates’ funeral, Dale wrote, “I drove Stan’s Chevy from Minneapolis to Estherville and picked up Lela, and drove on to Milo, then to Osceola.  Nice day, high at Osceola 40°.”  Helen’s sister Lela was married to Pearl’s son Gene, and the funeral would be in Milo, Iowa, at the marker in the map.

Putting On Chains

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In Minneapolis on Thursday, February 21, 1957, Dale wrote, “5 inches of new snow and colder.  Put tire chains on after work.  Took Dalene to a basketball game.  Talked to Stan in Muscatine, on the phone, regarding income tax and tuition.”  Some of you will remember tire chains for snow, like those above.

Feeling Poorly

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In Muscatine on Friday, February 20, 1953, Dale wrote, “Dr. Miller came in the morning.  He says to stay in bed, on my back.  It was 16° at 10 p.m. and a blizzard is on the way.  Bad in northwest Iowa.”

Lake Of The Ozarks

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On Wednesday, February 19, 1969, on a short vacation from Osceola to Lake of the Ozarks, Dale wrote, “Helen and I drove 200 miles from Springfield, Missouri, to Waverly, Missouri, over Bagnell Dam and Lake of the Ozarks.  Beautiful, bright day, high 45° and nice drive.  Took some pictures.  Stopped at the Riviera Motel in Waverly.”  They drove home to Osceola the next day.

Doctor’s House Call

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In Muscatine on Monday, February 18, 1952, Dale took the day off and wrote, “Sick with flu.  Took Stan to Dr. Emerson for ear and nose.  I’m in bed most all day.  Dr. Swayze stopped by at 7 p.m. and gave me a shot.”

Aunt Lena Visitation

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On Saturday, February 17, 1968, Dale wrote, “Helen and I drove from Minneapolis to Osceola.  Stopped at Gerald and Ressia’s in Latimer, Iowa, a little while.  Took Mother to supper at the highway café.  All night at Mother’s.  Very windy and sunny.  Saw Aunt Lena at Webster’s funeral home in the evening.”  Gerald was a brother of Helen’s.  Lena, above, widow of Pearl Yates, was a sister of Dale’s father Williams.  She had died February 15.  Dale and Helen drove home the next day.

Working On Shop Class

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In Muscatine on Wednesday, February 16, 1955, Dale wrote, “Took Dalene to the lumber yard after work for boards for her shop class.  I joined the Gauger’s Union.”  The following Saturday, Dale took Dalene to work to saw her boards in the carpenter’s shop.

First NY Times Crossword

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On Sunday, February 15, 1942, the first New York Times crossword puzzle appeared – perhaps to provide an alternative to thinking about World War II.

Charlie Gardner’s 50th Anniversary

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In Minneapolis on Thursday, February 14, 1957, Dale wrote, “Sent Mother a letter with $2 for Aunt Meda and Uncle Charlie Gardner’s 50th wedding anniversary.  Also sent them a card.  I went to a show.  Low 7° above, high 28° above.  Letter from Stan.”  Williams’ brother, Charles Gardner, above, was married to Ida Almeda Robins.

College Boy

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In Minneapolis on Monday, February 13, 1956, Dale wrote, “Stanley came home from Muscatine after midnight.  Mother and Clarence went home through New Ulm to see Lela.”  Jettie was married to neighbor farmer Clarence Liggitt.  Lela Yates was Helen’s sister.  After fall semester at Muscatine Junior College, I was in the middle of my freshman year, now a student at the University of Minnesota.

Osceola Beats Indianola

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On Tuesday, February 12, 1952, Dale left work in Muscatine an hour early to drive to Indianola to see an Osceola basketball game.  He wrote, “Osceola won 48 to 47 in a thriller, on to Osceola to Mother’s to stay all night.”

Stan Does Lincoln

LINCOLN DAY PROGRAM
BEFORE THE JOINT CONVENTION
OF THE
FIFTY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
February 11, 1955

Music – – – – – – Muscatine High School Chorus, Max A. Collins, Director
Judy Smith, Accompanist

Brother James’ Air – – Arranged by Jacobs
No Man Is An Island – – Arranged by Ringwald
My Heart’s Desire – – Sateren
Soon-Ah Will Be Done – – Dawson
Battle Hymn of the Republic – – Arranged by Wilhousky
America – – Arranged by Collins
“The singing of ‘Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory of the Coming of the Lord,’ by a 110-voice chorus from Muscatine High School was later in the morning.  The high school youngsters appeared on the Lincoln Day program.”

“One particularly touching part of the music was the singing of ‘America’ while a 17-year-old Muscatine lad, Stanley Gardner, recited the ‘Gettysburg Address.’  He was dressed like Lincoln.”

– – Muscatine Journal

In Muscatine on Friday, February 11, 1955, Dale wrote, “Stan went with the high school chorus to Des Moines to sing at the state capitol, and he gave the Gettysburg Address before state legislators.”  Above: part of the program and an excerpt from our newspaper.

Making Jeeps

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On Tuesday, February 10, 1942, the last Ford car to be built until 1945 rolled off the assembly line as auto plants geared up for production of tanks, aircraft, and Jeeps for World War II.  The name?  The most widely-held theory is that the military designation GP (for Government Purposes or General Purpose) was slurred into the word Jeep.

Selling Shoes

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On Wednesday, February 9, 1955, I worked after school in Muscatine at the Tradehome shoe store, owned by the father of my classmate Kay Woodward.  He and I would compete to see who could make the most sales.
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