Diary

Visiting Omaha’s Alcohol Plant

by Editorial Team
On Monday, July 9, 1951, vacationing from Muscatine in Osceola with his family, Dale wrote, “Went to Omaha with Louie, Jack, and Biscuits Bailey.  Louie sold 20 head of steers at $425 each.  I went to the alcohol plant for two hours and visited.”  Louie was Helen’s brother and Jack was Louie’s son-in-law.  I don’t know who Biscuits Bailey was, but he had a great nickname.  Above is the Omaha Alcohol Plant four years earlier, to the immediate right of a long white building (part of the city power plant).
Diary

A Ride In The Country

by Editorial Team
Vacationing from Muscatine with his family in Osceola on Sunday, July 8, 1951, Dale wrote, “Cut a door into Mother’s bathroom, took all day & didn’t quite finish.  Took a ride in the evening.  Uncle Joes here at night.  Hard rain about 6 P.M.  Stopped at Lloyd’s a few minutes.”  Joe Garwood was married to Dale’s aunt Sarah Gardner; Lloyd was Dale’s brother.
Diary

Uptown Saturday Night

by Editorial Team
On Saturday, July 7, 1951, vacationing in Osceola from Muscatine with his family, Dale and Helen went uptown at night and parked the car on the town square in keeping with tradition, to visit with friends and relatives.  That’s the east side of the square above, looking south.
Diary

Where Is Medora?

by Editorial Team
With his family in Osceola on vacation from Muscatine on Friday, July 6, 1951, Dale wrote, “Took Mother’s washer motor to Bill Herron & traded for another one.  Hunted for front spring & found one west of Medora.  To George’s for afternoon & supper.  Still cool.  To bed at 10:30.”  Medora is on Highway US 69 16 miles northeast of Osceola.  George Casey was married to Helen’s sister Wilma.
Diary

Fun Rides

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Vacationing in Osceola from Muscatine with his family on July 5, 1951, Dale wrote, “Went to Ruth and Louie’s farm after lunch and put two new shock absorbers in front.  Had supper there.  Cool.  Kids rode merry-go-round and Ferris wheel once each.  Brought Mother home from Marie’s store.”  Ruth was married to Helen’s brother Louie.  The carnival rides were still at the town square.  Dale’s sister Marie owned a small store where Jettie worked part-time.
Diary

Osceola Parade

by Editorial Team
On Wednesday, July 4, 1951, vacationing in Osceola with his family, Dale wrote, “Fourth of July in Osceola.  Cool, only got to 78° all day.  Saw the parade and everything.  Kids had a good time.  Home late.  Fire in the stove at Mother’s.”
Diary

On The Ferris Wheel

by Editorial Team
Vacationing in Osceola from Muscatine with his family on Tuesday, July 3, 1951, Dale wrote, “Mother got a permanent.  Nice day. Rode on the Ferris wheel with the kids.  Visited with Aunt Sarah.”  That was Sarah Gardner Talbott, sister of Isaac Newton Gardner (Dale’s grandfather, known as ‘Newt’).
Diary

Getting A Haircut

by Editorial Team
On Monday, July 2, 1951, vacationing from Muscatine in Osceola with his family, Dale wrote, “Took Mother to Lloyd’s.  Stan and I got haircuts at Devore’s.  Went to Ruth and Louie’s farm in the afternoon and stayed for supper.  Back to Mother’s at 9 p.m.”  Lloyd was Dale’s brother, Louie was Helen’s brother.  Barber John Devore was considered family since his daughter Beverly married Roswell Gardner’s son Raymond.
Diary

Chicken & Noodles

by Editorial Team
Vacationing from Muscatine in Osceola on Sunday, July 1, 1951, Dale wrote, “Up late.  Mother went to Sunday school & church.  Chicken noodles for dinner.  Helen & I took a ride in the country in afternoon.  Kids went to a show.  Went to Lloyd’s in the evening.”
Diary

In Osceola For The Fourth

by Editorial Team
On Saturday, June 30, Dale and family drove from Muscatine to Osceola.  Dale wrote, “Got to Mother’s at 5 p.m.  Went uptown at night.  Kids went to a show at night.”  Above: Dalene (with long hair) and Dale (with cigar) in 1951.
Diary

Osceola, Here We Come

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Friday, June 29, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Radke here all day.  Settled the government office deal.  Arth’s mother-in-law died.  Got 3 more books for Stanley.  Helen all packed for 3 weeks vacation.”  They were ready to go to Osceola (where I was visiting my grandmother) for the Fourth of July.
Diary

Cohn’s

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In Muscatine on Thursday, June 28, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30.  Cool & rainy.  I picked Dalene & friends up at Cohn’s news agency after the show they went to.  Went to store.  Stayed home in evening & watched TV.”  I was a part-time stock boy at Cohn’s News Agency while in high school.  They had a lunch counter as well as selling books, magazines, newspapers, etc.
Diary

Stormy Night

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Wednesday, June 27, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30.  Rainy & sunny.  Unloaded a tank truck.  Letter from Mother & Stanley.  Electrical storm at night.  Dalene went to a show with Mrs. Hazen.  She came home early; I went after her.”  Mrs. Hazen lived next door to us; I was visiting my grandmother in Osceola.
Diary

Eureka!

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In Muscatine on Tuesday, June 26, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  No shipments today.  Bought new Eureka tank type cleaner, $1 down & $5 per month, total $49.95 at Stein’s.”  That would cost over $455 in today’s dollars.
Diary

Old Friends

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In Muscatine on Monday, June 25, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30.  Took Arth to work & back today.  Olsgaard dropped in a little while.  Rain in evening.  Watched TV at night.”  Dale and Helen were friends with the Olsgaards when they all lived in Washington, DC.
Diary

Grand Dinner

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In Muscatine on Sunday, June 24, 1951, Dale wrote, “Up & got my own breakfast.  Relined the Mercury brakes, took 5 hours.  Had a grand dinner at 6 P.M.  Fried chicken & all the trimmings.”
Diary

A Quiet Day

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Saturday, June 23, 1951, Dale wrote, “Mowed the yard & patched the car muffler.  Helen bought a new pair of shoes.  Went to the store.”
Diary

More Rain

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Friday, June 22, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Hayes left today, been here since May 15th.  Lela called Helen to see if Stanley could go to Osceola, Helen called Marie & it’s OK.  Rainy today.  Baumgardner made me a muffler patch.  TV at night.”  I was visiting Gene and Lela (Helen’s sister) Yates; Marie (Dale’s sister) kept an eye on the health of my grandmother Jettie, who I would visit.
Diary

Rainy Day

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Thursday, June 21, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Talked to St. Paul twice and a Gauger at Lawrenceburg once.  Cavanaugh is transferred to Omaha next Monday.  Rain all day & cool.  TV at night.”
Diary

Joe Louis Wins

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Wednesday, June 20, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30.  Pay day.  Paid grocery bill $45 for 2 weeks.  Cool day.  Helen washed, a big one.  Interference on TV at night.  Saw Louis-Savold bout on TV.  Knockout by Louis.”  Above, left to right: Joe Louis, Lee Savold.
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