Month: February 2015

Steel Sales Company

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In Minneapolis on Tuesday, February 28, 1956, Dale wrote, “5° below at 7 a.m.  Helen got a job at Steel Sales Corp., 401 Harding Street, Minneapolis.  She starts Thursday at $200 per month.”  The next day, Mom decided not to take that job (location above).  She kept looking for one.

No More 3-Peet

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On Tuesday, February 27, 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, limiting a president to two terms of office, was ratified.

To The Zoo

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In Minneapolis on Sunday, February 26, 1956, Dale wrote, “I got up at 8 and got breakfast at 10 for the family.  Dalene and I took a ride to the zoo, etc.  Cold, 9° above when I got up.”

Greatest Story Ever Told

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In Minneapolis on Friday, February 25, 1966, Dale wrote, “High 35°.  Helen and I went to the bank and library after work.  Brookdale for supper.  We went to the Cooper theatre to see ‘Greatest Story Ever Told.’  Helen liked it.”  I guess he didn’t.

Roast Beef Again

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In Muscatine on Sunday, February 24, 1952, Dale wrote, “Lazy day, resting.  I got a sick leave slip signed by Dr. Swayze in the morning.  Had roast beef dinner.  Dalene played out doors.”  Dale had the flu.

Sad Osceola Visit

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In Osceola on Sunday, February 23, 1958, for Pearl Yates’s funeral, Dale wrote, “Took a walk out in Lloyd’s field.  High 54° and wet underfoot.  I went out to Ruth and Louie’s in the afternoon and to the cemetery.  At Mother’s at night and watched TV.”  Pearl was married to Dale’s aunt Lena; Lloyd was Dale’s brother; Louie (wife Ruth) was Helen’s brother.  Dale drove back to Minneapolis on February 25.  Above: Helen and Dale on a happier day in 1958.

Shop Class Project

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In Muscatine on Friday, February 22, 1952, Dale wrote “Holiday.  Wrote Mother a card.  Took Helen to Dr. Lease for her teeth.  I got a cold shot at Swayze’s new doctor office.  Stan worked all day at high school on a project for shop class.”

Goodbye Uncle Pearl

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In Minneapolis on Friday, February 21, 1958, Dale wrote, “Uncle Pearl died of cancer about 2:30 p.m.  Marie called Helen.”  Pearl Yates was married to Lena Gardner, a sister of Dale’s father Williams Gardner.

G.B.W.W.

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In Minneapolis on Thursday, February 20, 1958, Dale wrote, “Stan bought a set of books for $360.  Crazy.”  The set of books (above) was Great Books of the Western World, which I kept for many years and eventually passed on to my kids.  Dad was right about me being crazy – that would cost nearly $3,000 today.  For books!

On Iwo Jima

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During World War II on Monday, February 19, 1945, some 30,000 U.S. Marines begin landing on Iwo Jima, where they begin a successful month-long battle to seize control of the island from Japanese forces.

Good Basketball Games

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In Muscatine on Friday, February 18, 1955, Dale wrote, “Took Dalene to a basketball game at night, Muscatine High School beat Ottumwa High School.  Muscatine Junior College beat Waldorf Junior College at Webster City in the Junior College tourney.”  Above: Dalene in 1955.

Good Sunday Supper

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In Muscatine on Sunday, February 17, 1952, Dale wrote “Took Stan to Dr. Swayze for a shot.  Dalene and I took a ride to the airport.  15° above at 8 A.M.  40° in the afternoon.  Dalene and Sonja to a show in the afternoon.  I have a sore throat.  Had good roast beef supper.”  Sonja was a friend.

Bush Lake Ski Jump

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In Minneapolis on Sunday, February 16, 1958, Dale wrote, “Stan went to church.  14° below zero and warmed up to 0°.  Dalene and I drove to the Bush Lake ski jump but it cost too much so we didn’t stay.”

Dale Bakes A Cake

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In Muscatine on Tuesday, February 15, 1955, Dale wrote, “I baked my first cake and frosted it.  Dalene ate three big pieces.  It was good too.”

Valentine Party

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In Minneapolis on Saturday, February 14, 1959, Dale wrote, “Stan in Fargo for the weekend.  I washed and cleaned the basement floor.  Watched basketball on TV all afternoon.  Took Dalene to a Valentine party at night, Helen and I stayed home.  High 25°.”

Fargo Trip

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In Minneapolis on Friday, February 13, 1959, Dale wrote, “High 33°, low 11°.  Took Stan to the University at 8 a.m.  He went to Fargo with a school group.  Dalene went to a basketball game at North St. Paul.”  Fargo was about 250 miles northwest via U.S. highway 10.

Working At Woolworth’s

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In Muscatine on Saturday, February 12, 1955, Dale wrote, “Stan worked at Woolworth’s.  Dalene went to a party at Sonja’s.  Helen worked 7 to 3.”  My favorite part-time job was selling hot cashews at the candy counter, like the one above.

Liggitts Visit Twin Cities

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In Minneapolis on Saturday, February 11, 1956, Dale wrote, “We took Mother and Clarence downtown and then for a long ride around Minneapolis and St. Paul.”  Jettie and her new husband Clarence Liggitt were in town for the weekend.  Above are Helen and Jettie on the back porch.

Wildcat Den State Park

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In Muscatine on Sunday, February 10, 1952, Dale wrote, “Took family to Wild Cat Den State Park for awhile.  Bright warm day in 50s.  Stan sick, doctor shot him.”  Makes me sound like a horse with a broken leg.  The park was 12 miles from our house.

An Early Start

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In Minneapolis on Thursday, February 9, 1956, Dale wrote, “Stanley left at 4:30 a.m. for Muscatine in his 1949 Ford.  Mother called in the evening.  They are coming up tomorrow.”  Jettie and Clarence arrived the next day from Osceola.  Did you see my ’49 Ford (above)?  Meanwhile, back in Muscatine, there was this girl….
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