Near Santa Barbara, California, on Monday, February 23, 1942, a Japanese submarine fired 17 shells at an oil refinery, sparking fears of an invasion. See the headline in the San Luis Obispo newspaper above.
WW II Early Days
Dale Gets Holiday Time
In Minneapolis on Friday, February 22, 1957, Dale wrote, “Double time today. Cold. Low 5° below, high 7° above. Took Dalene to work with me in the afternoon, took her to a show at night.” This was Washington’s Birthday, a federal holiday, which is why he got double time and she had no school.
Putting On Chains
In Minneapolis on Thursday, February 21, 1957, Dale wrote, “5 inches of new snow and colder. Put tire chains on after work. Took Dalene to a basketball game. Talked to Stan in Muscatine, on the phone, regarding income tax and tuition.” Some of you will remember snow chains, like those above.
Moving Bill And Leona
In Osceola on Tuesday, February 20, 1934, Dale helped Leona (Dale’s cousin) and Bill Van Sant move with a team and wagon, much like the one above.
A Delicious Dinner
In Minneapolis on Sunday, February 19, 1967, Dale wrote, “Light snow again. I shoveled five inches of new snow off the driveway and sidewalks. Watched basketball in the afternoon. To Stan and Judy’s for dinner, delicious.” My first wife Judy was a good cook. In this photo at my house, Judy and I (holding daughter Virginia) and my sister Dalene are in the back row, Helen and Dale are in the middle row, and my sons Christopher, David, and Jeffrey are in the front row.
Jettie Takes The Train
In Muscatine 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.
Dalene Goes To Stillwater
In Minneapolis on Friday, February 17, 1961, Dale wrote, “High about 27°. I went to the bank before supper. Dalene went to a basketball game at Stillwater.” It’s about 30 miles to the St. Croix River at the border with Wisconsin.
Shoveling Out
In St. Paul on Sunday, February 16, 1941, Dale wrote, “Home all day. Blizzard in the forenoon. Stanley and I shoveled to the mailbox and garage. Mrs. Marshall and Mary Ann came over at night.” They were neighbors.
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. You can listen to KWPC here: http://tunein.com/radio/KWPC-860-s26338/
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.
Dale Visits His Alma Mater
In Osceola overnight on Wednesday, February 13, 1952, Dale wrote, “Took Mother to cemetery. Went to Osceola High School and looked around. Seems small.” He had graduated from there (above) 25 years earlier. He drove back to Muscatine that evening.
Marie Comes To Visit
On Sunday, February 12, 1950, Dale and Dalene drove to the Burlington train station, picked up Dale’s sister Marie Kimmel, and brought her back to Muscatine to stay while Helen had minor surgery. The route, above, was about 50 miles.
Dale Joins The IRS
In Washington, DC, on Thursday, February 11, 1937, Dale took the day off from his Veterans Bureau file clerk job and applied for a position with the Internal Revenue Service. Two weeks later, he was notified to start at Internal Revenue on March 1.
Gonna Move Again
In Washington, DC, on Thursday, February 10, 1938, Dale took a half day off work and rented an apartment at 1259 Holbrook Terrace NE. They moved there the following Wednesday; co-worker Orris Olsgard and his wife Olive moved to the same building with them.
Dale Fells A Tree
In Muscatine on Saturday, February 9, 1952, Dale used the day off of work to chop down a peach tree in the back yard.
Figuring Income Taxes
In Minneapolis on Saturday, February 8, 1958, Dale wrote, “Helen and I went to the library. Stan and Dalene went to a hobby shop. Stan bought a boat to put together, and Dalene a figurine to paint. Helen and I worked on income tax figures at night.”
We Won!
On Tuesday, February 7, 1950, Muscatine High School basketball team beat Fairfield 48-36.
Going To Omaha
In St. Paul on Monday, February 6, 1939, Dale was notified that his next post of duty would be Omaha, Nebraska. He wrote, “Pleased very much. So was Helen. Today was a high spot.” Above: a more recent photo of downtown Omaha.
Fibber McGee And Molly
In Muscatine on Thursday, February 5, 1953, Dale wrote, “In bed all day. Helen called Wing about my staying a Gauger, he said OK. Listened to the radio and read magazines. Legs are still tight.” Mr. Wing was an Alcohol Tax Unit supervisor in the St. Paul office. Above: Fibber McGee and Molly had a popular comedy radio program from 1935 to 1959.
Driver Ed Class
In Muscatine on Wednesday, February 4, 1953, Dale was in bed all day with leg pains, but he wrote that I got to take my first behind-the-wheel drive in Driver Education class at school.