Month: February 2016

Under The Knife

On Wednesday, February 28, 1951, I had surgery at Muscatine’s Hershey Hospital to have a tumor removed from my chest.  The tumor was the size of a checker, but we found out later that it was not malignant.  That was a relief.

No More 3-Peet

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

TV Not So Good

In Muscatine on Monday, February 26, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8:30 to 5.  Talked to Radke about another Gauger & also wrote him a report.  Jim & Martha Smith came down at night to watch TV.  Not a very good night on TV.”  The Smiths lived a couple houses up the street; Dalene and I used to play with their children Janet and Jimmy.

Keith Schaffer Visits

In Muscatine on Sunday, February 25, 1951, Dale wrote, “Up late, had breakfast at 10 A.M.  Kids went to a show in the afternoon.  Helen & I washed.  I took a nap in the afternoon.  Keith Schaffer here for supper & stayed all night.  TV at night.  Good.  60° today but damp.”  Keith (above) was the son of Helen’s brother Harley Schaffer.

I Win!

In Muscatine on Saturday, February 24, 1951, Dale wrote, “Up late.  Helen, Dalene & I went downtown to the library & to see a household goods sale out by Weed Park.  I went to the sale later.  Stan was in a play at the high school, won 6th prize.  TV at night at home.”

Vintage TV

In Muscatine on Friday, February 23, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Took Stanley to Dr. Swayze; has tumor on chest.  To have it cut out next Wednesday.  Bought milk & groceries after work.  TV at night.  Ed Weis bought a Sears TV.”

Happy Birthday, George!

In Muscatine on Thursday, February 22, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Holiday pay.  Kids didn’t go to school.  Stan went to a show in the afternoon.  We had fried chicken for supper.  Watched TV at night.”  Happy birthday, George Washington!.

Fixin’ To Move

On Wednesday, February 21, 1951, Dale drove his mother Jettie from Muscatine to the Burlington train station for her return trip to Osceola.  She was ready to move to her house in town (above) from her farm house four miles east of Osceola on U.S. Highway 34, where her husband, Williams Gardner, had died a little over two months earlier.

Was Milton Berle On Tuesday?

In Muscatine on Tuesday, February 20, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  35° today.  Bushery & I cap sealed on 4th floor all forenoon.  Watched TV at night.”

Nearly New

In Muscatine on Monday, February 19, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 7 to 3:30.  The still was down all day.  Foggy in the morning, clear in the afternoon.  Bought Helen a new nightgown & housecoat, Dalene a dress, at used clothing shop.  TV at night.”

Jettie Takes A Train

On Sunday, February 18, 1951, Dale’s mother Jettie called to ask to be picked up at the Burlington train station, coming from Osceola.  Dale and Helen did so and brought her to Muscatine for a few days to visit.

Got Milk?

In Muscatine on Saturday, February 17, 1951, Dale wrote, “Warm; 45°.  Thawing all day.  Kids went to a show in the afternoon.  Bought 11 quarts skim milk, 93¢ at Pure Milk Dairy.  Helped Helen wash.  TV at night.”

Skating Away

In Muscatine on Friday, February 16, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Helen called Mother to see if she wanted to come over.  Not yet.  Took Helen to library after work.  36° today.  Stanley went skating at night.  TV all evening.”

Keep Watching Port City

In Muscatine on Thursday, February 15, 1951, Dale wrote, “Stan talked on radio station KWPC about Junior High.”  I’m sure I could see a light at the end of my eighth grade tunnel.

Vintage Tablecloth

In Muscatine on Wednesday, February 14, 1951, Dale wrote, “Bought Valentines for Helen, Stan, and Dalene.  Put them under tablecloth at supper.  Sugar Ray Robinson beat Jake LaMotta on TV at night.”  Do you remember oilcloth (above)?  That’s what we used as our tablecloth.

Worse Weather

In Muscatine on Tuesday, February 13, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Colder again today.  Light blizzard, windy.  Streets very slick with ice.  Bought 11 quarts skim milk & 1 quart homogenized.  TV at night.  To bed at 11 P.M.”

Nasty Weather

In Muscatine on Monday, February 12, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Fisher locked the keys in the scale house.  Rain in the afternoon & sleet at night.  Watched TV at night.  Wrote Mother a card.”

Good Supper

In Muscatine on Sunday, February 11, 1951, Dale wrote, “Warm day.  55° at 5 P.M.  What a relief.  Kids went to a show in the afternoon.  Had fried chicken for supper.  Watched TV at night.  Good picture, good programs.”

Way Before Cable

In Muscatine on Saturday, February 10, 1951, Dale wrote, “Slept to 9:30 A.M.  I helped Bushery move his TV antenna to his new house.  Watched Yale beat Army in the afternoon on TV.  Took family to Bushery’s in the evening & went to the store.  Bought 2 gallons of skim milk.”
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