Month: December 2016

For Auld Lang Syne

In Muscatine on Monday, December 31, 1951, Dale wrote, “Up early to give Arms keys to office.  I took a ride to riverfront & Weed Park.  Paid rent $50 & $10 on furniture.  Dalene & Mary went to a show in afternoon.  Helen & I washed.  Stayed up to watch old year out on TV.”

Yellow Stuff

In Muscatine on Sunday, December 30, 1951, Dale wrote, “Marie & Susan left before noon.  Nice bright day.  Disconnected left front shock absorber.  King brought oleo margarine.  Good TV today.  To bed at 10:30 P.M.”  Above: a 1951 ad for oleomargarine.

Marie And Susan Visit

In Muscatine on Friday, December 29, 1951, Dale’s sister Marie and her daughter Susan arrived in mid-afternoon from Osceola to spend the night.  They left the next morning, but the diary does not say where they were going.

Tired Car

In Muscatine on Friday, December 28, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30.  I was sick at 2 A.M. but went to work, late.  My car wouldn’t start after work, Bushery pushed me.  Package from George & Wilma.  To bed at 11 P.M.”  Helen’s sister Wilma was married to George Casey.

Shop At Batterson’s

In Muscatine on Thursday, December 27, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30.  Picked Mead up at M&T.  Bought topcoat $20 and gloves $1.69 at Batterson’s.  Had checkup at Dr. Swayze in afternoon (OK).  Burned out light socket with toaster at night.  Brought 6 darts home to kids.”

Darts

In Muscatine on Wednesday, December 26, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30.  Loaded 3 tank cars today.  Talked to St. Paul about alternate operations.  Brought 2 dart boards home to Stan & Dalene.  TV at night.  Zero weather.”

Roast Duck Dinner

In Muscatine on Tuesday, December 25, 1951, Dale wrote, “Christmas in Muscatine at 505 East 7th Street.  We had a nice Christmas & roast duck for dinner.  Watched TV in afternoon & evening.  Kids had fun with dart game.”  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

In Muscatine on Monday, December 24, 1951, Dale wrote, “Non-work day.  Kids & I went shopping in the morning.  I took a long nap in the afternoon.  Good Christmas programs on TV today & tonight.  Put out presents at midnight.”

Before Super Bowls

In Muscatine on Sunday, December 23, 1951, Dale wrote, “Watched Rams beat Browns for pro football championship.”  The Super Bowl won’t be created until the NFL – AFL merger in 1966.

Christmas Shopping

In Muscatine on Saturday, December 22, 1951, Dale wrote, “Non-work day.  Pay checks finally arrived.  Whole family went downtown Christmas shopping.  Dalene & Mary S. went to a show in the afternoon.  Mailed Christmas cards back to Cheerful Card Co.  Mead picked up his fruit cake.”

O Christmas Tree

In Muscatine on Friday, December 21, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30.  Very cold, around zero.  Helen got permanent from Martha.  No pay checks yet.  Got Christmas present from Marie.  Put Christmas tree up at night.  Home all evening watching TV.”  Marie was Dale’s sister.

We Love Naps

In Muscatine on Thursday, December 20, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 1:30.  3 hours annual leave.  Wing called Fisher regarding checks.  More snow today.  Took a long nap in the afternoon.  Stanley went to a show at night with the boys.  TV all evening.”

Spirits

In Muscatine on Wednesday, December 19, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30.  Talked to Heublein in Hartford, Conn. twice about their run.  Our checks are going to be late, lost between Minneapolis & St. Paul.  Took Helen & Dalene to library after work.  Roswell here in evening for TV.”  Above: Peter Lawford in a vintage Heublein ad.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

In Muscatine on Tuesday, December 18, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30.  Olsgaard back again.  Trouble with vodka – proof too high.  Stanley went to high school at night for chorus party.  Near zero weather & lots of snow.”

‘Tis The Season

In Muscatine on Monday, December 17, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30.  Heavy snow.  Busy at plant & short of help.  Olsgaard on vodka inspection.”

Singing Handel’s ‘Messiah’

In Muscatine on Sunday, December 16, 1951, Dale wrote, “4° below zero this morning.  Stanley sang in ‘Messiah’ at the high school.  Watched Cardinals beat Bears in afternoon.  Good TV afternoon & evening.”  The high school chorus performed Handel’s ‘Messiah’ each year during the Christmas season.  In addition to adult soloists, we were accompanied by organ, played by Charles Shook (above). 
He was also an English Literature teacher at our high school.

Late, Late Movie

In Muscatine on Saturday, December 15, 1951, Dale wrote, “Up at 9 A.M.  Mead called me down to the plant to see his letter regarding changes by Durkin.  Took kids to a show in the afternoon.  Stan & I & Bushery went to a midnight show.  12° below zero.”

Dale Drives In A Blizzard

In Muscatine on Friday, December 14, 1951, Dale wrote, “Blizzard most all day and near zero weather.”  He had to drive to the West Liberty train station to pick up a co-worker and didn’t get home until 3:00 a.m. Saturday, as the train was late due to the storm.  From West Liberty to Muscatine is 19 miles.

A Lot Of Money

In Muscatine on Thursday, December 13, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Pure Food & Drug man here at plant today.  Rod Mead moved in to 101 Park Drive.  Cost him $528.21 to move here from Omaha.”  That 300-mile move would cost new co-worker Mead nearly $5,000 today.

Smokes

In Muscatine on Wednesday, December 12, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30.  Cold today, 10° above in morning.  Bought cigars & cigarettes on way home.  Rod & Kay Mead here at night to watch TV.  To bed at 10:30 P.M.  Letter from Marie.”  Marie was his sister.
Back To Top