Month: April 2014

Window Air Conditioner

Picture

In Minneapolis on Monday, April 30, 1962, Dale wrote, “High 60+.  Sprinkle, cleared in the afternoon.  Helen and I went shopping in the evening for air conditioners.”  They bought one on May 4, similar to above.

Second-Story Apartment

Picture

In Minneapolis on Monday, April 29, 1957, Dale took the day off work and wrote, “Beautiful day, high 81°, low 50°.  Took Dalene to school.  Painted screens and took storm windows down on the first floor.  Helen helped me paint.  Shirley came in for coffee and to visit.”  Shirley Staebler rented the upstairs apartment (above: Helen and Jettie on the back stairs to the apartment).

Elks Chanters Sing

Picture

In Muscatine on Tuesday, April 28, 1953, Dale wrote that I went to the high school at night for a performance of the Elks Chanters, a men’s singing group directed by Max Collins (above), who also directed the high school chorus.

Daylight Savings Time

Picture

In Minneapolis on Sunday, April 27, 1958, Dale wrote, “Daylight savings time starts today.  High was 60°.  Dalene and I went over to Columbia Park to hit golf balls.  Had chicken dinner.  Oiled the electric clock, put a mirror on the back of Dalene’s closet door.”

Studying At The U

Picture

In Minneapolis on Thursday, April 25, 1957, Dale wrote, “Leo took me for a ride in his ’54 Olds.  Pretty nice.  Stan and Sue Timm went to the University to study.”  I was a student at the University of Minnesota; Sue was visiting from Muscatine.  I don’t know who Leo was.

Teens At Home

Picture

In Minneapolis on Wednesday, April 24, 1957, Dale wrote, “Nice day, light shower.  Helen and I went to a show together at night.  Stan, Sue Timm, and Dalene stayed home.”  I was dating Sue Timm from Muscatine.

Hank Aaron

Picture

On Friday, April 23, 1954, Henry “Hank” Aaron, of the Milwaukee Braves, made the first of his record 755 major league home runs, this one against pitcher Vic Raschi of the St. Louis Cardinals.  The Braves won that game, 7 to 5.

15 Years And Whaddya Get?

Picture

In Muscatine on Sunday, April 22, 1951, Dale noted fifteen years in the Civil Service.  The Mississippi River was over 20 feet and steadily rising, and Dale wrote, “Levee broke at Port Louise.  No danger to Muscatine yet.”

Omaha House-Hunting

Picture

On Tuesday, April 21, 1953, Dale and Helen drove from Osceola to Omaha for a new Post of Duty and went house-hunting.  They spent the night at the home of Jim Chasteen, a prior co-worker, on Lafayette Avenue (above).

Old Man River Rising

Picture

On Friday, April 20, 1951, South Muscatine residents were advised to move out because of flooding possibility along the Mississippi.  Above: the riverfront in 1951.

Woodburn Train Wreck

Picture

On Sunday, April 19, 1953, visiting in Osceola from Muscatine, Dale wrote, “At Mother’s.  Marie, Susan, and Mother went to see a train wreck west of Woodburn.  I went to Louie’s in the afternoon, helped do chores.  Talked to Helen on phone.”  Woodburn is about 10 miles east of Osceola.  Marie was Dale’s sister and Susan was her daughter; Louie was Helen’s brother.

Dalene Gets Stitches

Picture

In Muscatine on Saturday, April 17, 1954, Dale wrote that Dalene cut her hand on the car ash tray and had five stitches at the hospital.  Grandpa, what’s a car ash tray?

Crown Iron Works

Picture

In Minneapolis on Tuesday, April 16, 1957, Dale wrote, “Helen applied for a switchboard job at Crown Iron Works.”  That’s where I was a shop helper the previous summer, painting steel beams and chipping slag off welds.

TV Doesn’t Work

Picture

In Minneapolis on Wednesday, April 15, 1959, Dale wrote, “High 75°.  Got our TV back but it don’t work.  Man took it back again.  Took Dalene to choir practice after supper.  Stan got a job for a few days.”   During this year at the University of Minnesota, at various times I was a teaching assistant in the mathematics department, a math tutor, and a page in the university library.  And a student.

A Como Park Ride

Picture

In Minneapolis on Sunday, April 14, 1957, Dale wrote, “Nice day.  50°.  Dalene and I took a ride through Como Park.”  Above: the park zoo carousel.

King Of Kings

Picture

In Minneapolis on Friday, April 13, 1962, Dale wrote, “Snow melting, high about 42°.  Helen and I went to a long show, ‘King of Kings’ at the Terrace theatre at night.”  I think he didn’t care for it.

Wings Of Eagles

Picture

In Minneapolis on Friday, April 12, 1957, Dale wrote, “I went to see ‘Wings of Eagles’ at night, John Wayne, very good.”

Maid-Rite Lunch

Picture

On Friday, April 11, 1952, Dale wrote that he drove his family from Muscatine to Osceola, stopping in Sigourney for lunch, and at George and Wilma’s farm to visit, before arriving at Jettie’s house.  Most likely we had lunch (as usual) at a Maid-Rite café in Sigourney.  Helen’s sister Wilma was married to George Casey; their farm was about two miles north of Osceola.
Back To Top