Month: May 2014

School Picnics

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On Tuesday, May 31, 1955, Dale wrote that Dalene went to a school picnic at Muscatine’s Weed Park, and Stan went to a school picnic at Wild Cat Den State Park.

In The Back Yard

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In Muscatine on Friday, May 30, 1952, Dale wrote, “Stan and Dalene mowed the yard.  Kids went to a show in the afternoon.”  Above: Dalene had long hair then.

New Carpet

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In Minneapolis on Friday, May 29, 1959, Dale took the day off work and wrote, “Helen and I laid carpets in the dining and living rooms, wall to wall.  Stan helped.  Dalene washed the Olds.  Dining and living rooms are beautiful.”  There they are above with the new carpet.

Oklahoma!

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On Saturday, May 28, 1955, I was in the Muscatine High School spring musical, Oklahoma!.  I played the role of Will Parker, who was engaged to Ado Annie and sang “I Got to Kansas City on a Friday” among other songs.  Above: the program.

Good Time Saturday Night

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Visiting with his family at Williams and Jettie’s farm near Osceola on Saturday, May 27, 1950, Dale wrote, “To town in the morning and down to Harley’s awhile.  Lloyds and Marie here for big dinner.  To town at night, regular Saturday night.  Kids had a good time on rides.”  There must have been a carnival in town.  Harley was a brother of Helen’s; Lloyd and Marie were Dale’s brother and sister.

Seven Wonders

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In Minneapolis on Sunday, May 26, 1957, Dale wrote, “Dalene and I went to see ‘The Seven Wonders of the World’ at Cinerama.”

Stan Dating Esther

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In Muscatine on Monday, May 25, 1953, Dale wrote, “H.O.T. 90° in the shade and humid.  Stan and Esther Frost went on a picnic in the evening.”  Here we are a year later; left to right, Esther, Dick Herlein, me, and Judy Dittman, taking a Coke break at the Junior-Senior Prom.

Early Start To Muscatine

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In Minneapolis on Thursday, May 24, 1956, Dale wrote, “Stan left for Muscatine at 5 a.m.  Marie and Susie drove up from Osceola, got here at 8:30 p.m.”  Marie was Dale’s sister; Susan her daughter.  Before Interstate 35, it was about 320 miles to Muscatine and took nearly six hours.

Want A Dodge?

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In Minneapolis on Friday, May 23, 1958, Dale wrote, “Beautiful day, high about 72°.  Dalene went to a club meeting after supper and Stan went to a concert.  Louie Schaffer called to ask if I wanted his 1953 Dodge.  He traded it in on a new Plymouth.”

1962 Emmy Awards

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In Minneapolis on Tuesday, May 22, 1962, Dale wrote, “High 76° and thunder-showers in the evening.  Stan and Judy and children arrived at 5 p.m. from L.A.  Had a nice evening, watched the Emmy awards on TV.”  The 14th Emmy Awards were hosted by Bob Newhart, seen here with Diana Millay of ‘Dark Shadows.’

Prescription Drugs

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In Minneapolis on Tuesday, May 21, 1957, Dale wrote, “Two tornadoes in Minnesota today, around Rush City.  Very windy and short hard rain about 6:45 p.m.  Helen went to the doctor again and I got a prescription filled for her.”

Visiting Reseda

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On Thursday, May 18, 1961, Dale wrote, “Annual leave.  In Reseda.  Up late.  High 73° and cloudy until noon.  Bought some film.  Dalene called after supper.”  Dale and Helen were visiting Judy and me in California from Minneapolis.  The map shows where Reseda is in relation to the greater Los Angeles area.

Downtown Shopping

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In Minneapolis on Saturday, May 17, 1958, Dale wrote, “Rain, we need it.  Took Mother downtown to some stores.  I bought 6 pair of socks.  Stan got his Chevy tuned up.”  Above: 1958 postcard of downtown, Nicollet Avenue (Donaldson’s department store at left).

Buying Groceries

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In Minneapolis on Friday, May 16, 1958, Dale wrote, “Beautiful day, high 85°.  Mother and I went to the grocery store.”  Dale’s mother Jettie was visiting from Osceola.

What’s A WAC?

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On Friday, May 15, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law an auxiliary unit of the United States Army, the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC).  It was converted to full status as the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1943.  Its members were known as WACs.

Drive By The Beach

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Visiting in Reseda on Saturday, May 13, 1961, Dale wrote, “Helen and I took a ride to Ventura, Malibu, and Santa Monica – by the Pacific Ocean.  Stan worked all day at SDC.  High 77° and sunny.”  Above: the view from Palisades Park, Santa Monica.

No Transfer

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In Muscatine on Tuesday, May 12, 1953, Dale had received an announcement from the St. Paul office about an opening in Texas.  He wrote, “I called to say I am interested in the transfer to Texas.”  A co-worker brought them a Houston, Texas, newspaper that evening after work, but they were notified a week later that he was not selected.

Visiting In Reseda

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On Thursday, May 11, 1961, Dale wrote, “Annual leave at Reseda.  Up early and took a walk to a café and had breakfast.  Helen and I put the stove together in Stan’s garage in the afternoon.  Bought a thermometer.  High today 73°.”  They had brought their Magic Chef, disassembled, in their car with them from Minneapolis.  On the map: our house was on Tampa Avenue, in Reseda, a Los Angeles suburb in the San Fernando Valley.

Broken Glass

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In Minneapolis on Saturday, May 10, 1958, Dale wrote, “High today was 88°.  Beautiful.  Stan and I put screens on the apartment.  Stan dropped one storm window and broke both glasses out of it.  Took Dalene and a friend to play tennis.  Stan went to a show at night.  Dalene babysat at night.”

Stan Has Two Left Feet

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In Minneapolis on Friday, May 9, 1958, Dale wrote, “Beautiful day, high 78°.  Took Helen to the library after supper, Dalene to her club meeting.  Stan went to Arthur Murray’s for a dance lesson.”  Arthur and Kathryn Murray, above, franchised dance studios around the country.
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