On TDY in Omaha from Muscatine on Thursday, October 18, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30 at Omaha plant. Cooler & rainy. Hayes came this morning. Called Helen at night. She sounded good. To bed about 10 P.M.”
Dale Call Home
Books Are Good
On TDY in Omaha from Muscatine on Wednesday, October 17, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30 at Omaha plant helping Whitney. Got my check cashed at Zale’s. Went to a show before 6 P.M. then to room to read awhile.”
From Osceola To Omaha
On Tuesday, October 16, 1951, Dale drove from Osceola to Omaha for temporary duty at the alcohol plant there. He found a room to rent on Poppleton Avenue for $1 per day. Above: the 136-mile drive from Osceola, Iowa, to Omaha, Nebraska, mostly on U.S. Highway 34.
Hit The Road, Dale
In Muscatine on Monday, October 15, 1951, Dale was told to go to Omaha for a week or two on per diem. After work, he drove to Osceola to spend the night at his mother Jettie’s house, and visited his sister Marie a little while.
Nice Day
In Muscatine on Sunday, October 14, 1951, Dale wrote, “Sat in the sun in backyard in the morning & talked to Margaret Sinnott. Had chicken dinner. Stan went nutting with Smiths. Dalene went to a show with Sonja Sopher. TV at night, nice evening.” Above: Helen in our backyard.
Another Matinee
In Muscatine on Saturday, October 13, 1951, Dale wrote, “Helen & I washed in the morning. Changed the oil & greased the car in afternoon. Kids went to a show in the afternoon. Dalene & I went to the library before supper. TV at night. Beautiful day, & warm.”
Good Football Game
In Muscatine on Friday, October 12, 1951, Dale wrote, “Stan and I went to a high school football game at night, Muscatine 28 – Mt. Pleasant 12. Good game.” Muscatine cheerleaders wore longer skirts back then.
Unload That Alcohol
In Muscatine on Thursday, October 11, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Got new regulator free on car. Had to unload a tank car. Warm day. Helen watched high school parade. To bed at 10:30.”
World Series Game 6
On Wednesday, October 10, 1951, Dale listened to the last World Series game, Yankees 4 – Giants 3. Dale’s cousin Roswell Gardner (above) was in Muscatine, and had supper with Helen and Dale.
World Series Game 5
In Muscatine on Tuesday, October 9, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Yanks beat Giants 13-1. Helen cleaned the house. Margaret Sinnott here for short visit before supper. Good night on TV. To bed at 11 P.M. Warmer.” Yankees’ Gil McDougald (above) and Phil Rizzuto both had home runs this game; Giants had none.
World Series Game 4
In Muscatine on Monday, October 8, 1951, Dale wrote, “34° this morning. 2 hours annual leave in afternoon to watch Yankees beat Giants 6-2. Took Del Snyder after his car after work. Bob Rath & Mike Collier here at night with Stan.” This was game 4 of a 6-game series won by the Yankees; the last World Series for Joe DiMaggio.
Finally, Some Football
In Muscatine on Sunday, October 7, 1951, Dale wrote, “Washed all mirrors & double doors. Rainy & cool. Had fried chicken dinner. Kids went to a show in afternoon. Watched Cardinals beat Bears 28-14. Cleaned the basement. TV at night.”
Go To A Show
In Muscatine on Saturday, October 6, 1951, Dale wrote, “Non-work day. Went to store & library in morning. Put up medicine cabinets in kitchen & pantry. Kids went to a show in the afternoon. Rain most all day. Cooler at night, 46°. Watched World Series & football on TV.” Dalene and I often went to a Saturday matinee movie.
Processed Words
In Muscatine on Friday October 5, 1951, Dale wrote, “Wrote several reports. Called St. Paul regarding tank truck with one seal missing. Cooler today. No mail. Kids went roller skating at night. Watched TV all evening.”
Listen Up
In Muscatine on Thursday, October 4, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked on 105% distillery efficiency most all day. Very warm today, too warm. Listened to the World Series at the office. TV at night was good.”
Helen Got Shot
In Muscatine on Wednesday October 3, 1951, Dale wrote, “Took Helen to the doctor for a shot. Went to school with Dalene in afternoon to talk to teachers about 3rd grader hitting her. TV at night. Stanley went roller skating, Dalene & Mary played in the kitchen.” Mary was a friend of Dalene’s.
Da Bums Won
In Muscatine on Tuesday, October 2, 1951, Dale wrote, “4 hours annual leave in the afternoon to watch Giants versus Dodgers, 0-10. Stanley sold some music tickets. Rain in the evening.” The Brooklyn Dodgers were winners that day.
Paying Attention?
In Muscatine on Sunday, September 30, 1951, Dale wrote, “Paid Mr. Lease $50 rent + $10 on furniture, balance due on furniture $74. Warm day. Dalene & Sonnie went to a show in afternoon. Stanley went to Mike’s in afternoon for supper. TV at night.” Sonnie was a neighbor friend of Dalene’s, and Mike was a classmate of mine.
Yum!
In Muscatine on Saturday, September 29, 1951, Dale wrote, “Non-work day. Fixed washing machine. Fixed TV aerial, too. Watched Yale 7 – Navy 7 on TV. Letter from Wilma. Kids went to a show in afternoon. I made chili for supper. Warm fall day.” Wilma was a sister of Helen’s.
No More Shoveling Coal
In Muscatine on Friday, September 28, 1951, Dale wrote, “Cool, 34° this morning. Gas furnace is wonderful.” He was happy about not having to shovel coal any more with a coal shovel like the one above.