July 2014 – Page 2 – Heartland Diary

Remember Portable TVs?

July 11, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Thursday, July 11, 1957, Dale wrote, “On vacation. Painted the kitchen floor and a cabinet in the apartment. Painted on house trim under the eaves etc. High 97°. Pretty warm. Miller TV picked our TV up for repair. Borrowed a 10 inch portable until it’s fixed.”

Diary

I Like Mamie, Too

July 10, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Muscatine on Thursday, July 10, 1952, Roswell and Tressa visited part of the evening, while Dale and Helen watched more of the Republican convention. Above: Mamie Eisenhower was the first spouse to appear on the podium with her husband.

Diary

I Like Ike

July 9, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Muscatine on Wednesday, July 9, 1952, Dale’s cousin Roswell Gardner and his wife Tressa were there at night to visit. They watched the Republican convention on television all evening. Above, left to right: Richard Nixon, Dwight Eisenhower, and California Governor Earl Warren.

Diary

Uptown Saturday Night

July 8, 2014 by Editorial Team

Vacationing in Osceola on Saturday, July 8, 1950, with his family, Dale followed the Saturday evening tradition of parking on the town square (this time in front of Robinson’s Drug Store) to visit with anyone passing by.

Diary

Get A Horse?

July 7, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Saturday, July 7, 1956, Dale wrote, “Took Stan and Sue Timm to Excelsior Park to get his car fixed, cost him $49.50. Stan and Sue went to Cinerama at night.” Sue was visiting from Muscatine, and my 1949 Ford (like the one above) had broken down at the amusement park the previous day.

Diary

Visiting Relatives

July 6, 2014 by Editorial Team

On vacation from Minneapolis in Osceola on Sunday, July 6, 1958, Dale wrote, “Drove to Lloyd’s pasture where he was cutting thistles in the morning. Out to Wilma’s for dinner, girls went swimming. George and I watched a ball game. Out to Louie’s for supper and pitched horseshoes. Drove Louie’s new Plymouth and Marvin’s Chrysler. Nice day, warm. Home to Mother’s and a TV movie.” Lloyd was Dale’s brother, Helen’s sister Wilma was married to George Casey, Louie was Helen’s brother, married to Ruth, and Marvin their son. Look at the fins on the 1958 Plymouth, above.

Diary

Fun Rides

July 5, 2014 by Editorial Team

Vacationing in Osceola from Muscatine with his family on July 5, 1951, Dale wrote, “Went to Ruth and Louie’s farm after lunch and put two new shock absorbers in front. Had supper there. Cool. Kids rode merry-go-round and Ferris wheel once each. Brought Mother home from Marie’s store.” Ruth was married to Helen’s brother Louie. The carnival rides were still at the town square.

Diary

At The Naval Academy

July 4, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Washington, DC, on Sunday, July 4, 1937, Dale, Helen, Stan, Jettie (visiting) and Helen’s nephew Max Schaffer (visiting) took their lunch and drove to Annapolis. Dale wrote, “Went through the Naval Academy. Back home by dark and had ice cream. Too much traffic.”

Diary

Marie’s North Side Grocery

July 3, 2014 by Editorial Team

After work in Muscatine on Thursday, July 3, 1952, Dale drove the family to Osceola by 10 p.m. He wrote, “Cool but car overheated. Mother was working in Marie’s store, so was Carol.” Marie (Dale’s sister) and Ralph Kimmel’s new store is on the left above, adjacent to their old store. They had the best ice cream in town. Carol was the oldest daughter of Dale’s brother Lloyd.

Diary

Ready For Osceola Fourth

July 2, 2014 by Editorial Team

On Tuesday, July 2, 1957, Dale wrote, “On vacation. Helen, Dalene, and I drove to Osceola. Strong head wind, otherwise a good day. Stopped at George and Wilma Casey’s and at Ralph and Marie’s. Dalene and I mowed most of Clarence’s yard after supper.” George Casey was married to Helen’s sister Wilma; Ralph Kimmel was married to Dale’s sister Marie. Clarence Liggitt had a farm east of Osceola and was married to Dale’s mother Jettie.

Diary

Sunday Steaks

July 1, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Sunday, July 1, 1956, Dale wrote, “Sue Timm came on the train from Muscatine to visit for two weeks. Stan met her at the station at 8 a.m. We all went to Arth’s in the afternoon for a steak fry. Palmers were there too. Nice time. Stan and Sue went downtown to a show at night.” Arth and Palmer were Dad’s co-workers. I was happy to see Sue.