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.”
‘Tis The Season
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.
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.
Jefferson School Open House
In Muscatine on Tuesday, December 11, 1951, Dale, Helen, and Dalene went to an open house at Dalene’s Jefferson Elementary School (above).
Singing
In Muscatine on Monday, December 10, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Olsgaard at plant. Asked Chris to do something about Baumgardner using our phone at noon for personal calls. Got a haircut after work. Stan sang at night at Moore Hall.” In my freshman year, I was a member of the high school madrigal group (above); we sang mostly Renaissance music.
Growing Pains?
In Muscatine on Sunday, December 9, Dale wrote, “Kids went to Sunday school. Helen fixed Stanley’s suit to fit him, he sang at Presbyterian church in the afternoon. Dalene went to a show with Mary Ella. Meads here to watch football in afternoon. 22° at bedtime.”
First Winter Snow
In Muscatine on Saturday, December 8, 1951, Dale wrote, “Up at 7 A.M. & ate alone. Bought 10 yards heavy brown paper & covered back porch screens. Letter from Wilma – Marvins lost their baby. Kids went to a show in the afternoon. Snow today but not cold. TV at night.” Helen’s nephew Marvin Schaffer (son of Louie) was married to Fern Stevens; their daughter Christie died at five weeks old.
Quiet Day At Work
In Muscatine on Friday, December 7, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Lofgren has back ache, Bushery worked for him 11 – 7. Two tank cars today, pretty quiet at plant. Warm & windy. TV at night until 10:45.” This was the tenth anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor that actively involved the U.S. in World War II.
Time To Pay Bills
In Muscatine on Thursday, December 6, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Olsgaard at plant on IAP renewal. Not very busy. Paid Montgomery Ward $19, $15 gas bill, $6.50 phone bill, $40 groceries. TV at night.”
Oyster Stew
In Muscatine on Wednesday, December 5, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Replaced both front spindles, tightened left front shock absorber & adjusted steering for $18+. Stanley home sick with stomach flu. Doctor here in afternoon a few minutes. Paid $6 book, gas & lights & sanitation, etc. Oyster stew for supper.” Those car repairs would cost $170 in 2016 dollars.
Ouch
In Muscatine on Tuesday, December 4, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Deputy Collector Hoffman interviewed Gaugers regarding financial statements. Stan fell in school hall & hurt his knee. Called doctor. Dalene is better but still out of school. Got spindle bolts replaced.”
One Sick Girl
In Muscatine on Monday, December 3, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Rod Mead came to work today, transferred from Omaha. Dalene home from school today, stomach flu. Meads here in evening till 11 P.M. Warm, in 60s.”
Spindle-Fixin’
In Muscatine on Sunday, December 2, Dale wrote, “Got breakfast & Helen & I ate together. Tried to fix spindle on car. Bushery brought pictures. Mrs. Herlein here to see Stanley. Alva & Teresa & friend here a little while. To bed at 10:30.” Above: Spindles are part of the suspension system.
Walloping Army
In Muscatine on Saturday, December 1, 1951, Dale wrote, “Went to store in morning. Watched Navy beat Army 42-7 & Notre Dame beat Southern Cal on TV. Mead called from Des Moines. Went to bed early, family watched Mystery Hour.”
Where The Books Are
In Muscatine on Friday, November 30, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Took Helen & Dalene to the library before supper. Helen & I washed. Stan went to a show with Mike. TV at night & to bed.” Mike Collier was my friend and classmate. Above: Musser Library, the Muscatine public library in early years.
We’re In The Money!
In Muscatine on Thursday, November 29, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Mr. Hayes here today. State men also. Roswell at plant in morning to visit a little while. To drug store & grocery store after work. Got a holiday check for $110.85. TV at night after a good supper.” Roswell was Dale’s cousin; the son of Charley Gardner and Meda Robins. That $110.85 would be $1,032 in 2016.
Madrigal Singing
In Muscatine on Wednesday, November 28, 1951, Dale wrote, “Stanley went with singing group to Lutheran Homes to sing for supper. Dalene went to Ann Hocking’s for birthday party.” That singing group was the madrigal group, above, part of the high school chorus. I’m third from the right in the back row, as marked by my mother.