Diary

California Dreamin’

by Editorial Team
Vacationing from Minneapolis on Tuesday, May 9, 1961, Dale wrote, “Helen and I drove from Peach Springs, Arizona, to Reseda, California, to Stan’s house.  2,350 miles from home.  Called Dalene at night.”  Above: Stan and Judy’s house in the San Fernando Valley suburb of Reseda.
Diary

Three Bedroom Trailer

by Editorial Team
In Minneapolis on Thursday, May 8, 1958, Dale wrote, “Nice day, high 67°.  Looked at trailer homes after supper.  50 feet long, 10 feet wide, 3 bedroom for $5,000.  Took Dalene’s friends home after a style show.”  That trailer would cost over $40,850 today.
Diary

Royal Gorge

by Editorial Team
On Sunday, May 7, 1961, Dale wrote, “Helen and I drove from Norton, Kansas, to Del Norte, Colorado – 520 miles.  Saw the Royal Gorge and lots more beautiful scenery.  Got a nice motel.”  This was the third day on their way from Minneapolis to California.
Diary

Larry & Irene To Wed

by Editorial Team
In Minneapolis on Wednesday, May 6, 1959, Dale wrote, “More welcome rain.  High 53°, low 42°.  Cooled off considerable.  Letter from Wilma, Larry is getting married again.  Helen and I went to Dalene’s high school choir concert at night.”  George and Wilma’s son Larry Casey was to marry Irene Vanderlinden.  Wilma was Helen’s sister.
Diary

Staying At Yates’s

by Editorial Team
On Friday, May 5, 1961, Dale wrote, “Helen and I left Minneapolis after work and drove to Estherville, Iowa, to Gene and Lela’s to stay all night.  Rain about half the way and rain all night.”  Lela was Helens’ sister, married to Gene Yates.  This was 165 miles via U.S. 169, the first leg of their vacation trip to California.
Diary

Got A Trailer Itch

by Editorial Team
In Minneapolis on Sunday, May 4, 1958, Dale wrote, “Nice day.  Raked and mowed the back yard.  Seeded along the front curb and by the front porch.  Looked at some house trailers.”  Trailers again, as in the 1958 ad above.
Diary

Get A Job!

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Saturday, May 3, 1952, Dale wrote that I got my first job, as a carry-out / stockboy at Otto’s Grocery Store, at 206 East Second Street, for 35¢ per hour.  They recycled empty grocery boxes for customers to take their purchases home, and I had to learn how to select the smallest box that would hold the goods, and to pack with the lightest items on top to prevent crushing.  I worked each Saturday and was paid in cash in a small brown envelope with gross and net pay written on the front – my first Social Security earnings.
Diary

Helen’s New Charge

by Editorial Team
In Minneapolis on Wednesday, May 2, 1962, Dale wrote, “High 75° and nice.  Teri here awhile in the afternoon.  I took some movies of her.  Put new awnings up at the kitchen and dining room windows.  Letter from Mother.”  Helen babysat Teri Lee Roath for several years.  Above: Dalene with Teri in 1962.
Diary

Hello, Target

by Editorial Team
On Tuesday, May 1, 1962, the first Target discount store opened in the St. Paul suburb of Roseville, Minnesota.  The parent company was founded in 1902 in Minneapolis as the Dayton Dry Goods Company.  The Target division became the largest division of Dayton Hudson Corporation, and the company was renamed as Target Corporation in August 2000.
Diary

‘The Hasty Heart’

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Sunday, April 30, 1950, Dale wrote, “Stan and Dalene went to Sunday school, Stan to church, too.  Took kids to a show in the afternoon.  I went to the Palace theatre and saw ‘Hasty Heart.’  We all went to bed early.  Cool and rainy.”
Diary

One Fine Day

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Sunday, April 29, 1951, Dale wrote, “Dalene, Ringer and I walked down to the river in the morning.  Levee broke on Illinois side.  Fine day.  Dalene and Smith kids to show in afternoon.  Chicken for dinner.  TV at night and to bed early.”  Ringer was our dog, and the Smith family lived a couple houses uphill from us.  Above: Dalene and Dale in 1951.
Diary

Life Insurance

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Friday, April 28, 1950, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Filled 300 drums today.  Rain and snow today.  Bought gloves.  Got new F.P.E.A. insurance policy for $5,000.  Stanley and I went to a show at night.”  I think the F.P.E.A. stood for Federal Price Economic Adjustment life insurance contract; that $5,000 would be $48,000 today.
Diary

Shopping At Batterson’s

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Friday, April 27, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Bought new brown summer suit at Batterson’s for $20.  Also new belt, 4 glass trays and cups.  Card from Mother.  Arth here at night for TV.”  Arth was a co-worker.  Above: Batterson’s department store.
Diary

Singin’ Up A Storm

by Editorial Team
On Tuesday, April 26, the Tri-Festival Chorus was held in the Washington High School auditorium, with Washington, Galesburg IL, and Muscatine high school vocal music groups participating.  The program included Muscatine’s chorus directed by Max Collins performing Almighty God of Our Fathers, Soon Ah Will Be Done, and Too Dum Day, plus the Muscatine Boys’ Quartet (left-to-right above: me, Larry Misel, John Evans, and Jerry Hufford, with our accompanist Judy Smith) singing Desert Caravans and Res’ My Shoes.  All three high school choruses combined to sing Brother James’ Air, Lord, to Thee Our Hearts Are Raised, Salvation Is Created, The Pines of Home, The Night Will Never Stay, Ain’a That Good News, Black Is The Color Of My True Love’s Hair, My Heart’s Desire, Once In Love With Amy, and Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Diary

What’s On Tonight?

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Wednesday, April 25, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  River higher, 20.5 feet.  Cavanaugh, Arth, Arms and I working.  Warm & cloudy.  Pay day.  Arth and Cavanaugh here in evening for television.”  Those were co-workers.  Above: television stations would show a ‘test pattern’ when not broadcasting programs – this was black and white TV.
Diary

Dalene Feels Poorly

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Thursday, April 24, 1952, Dale wrote “Worked 8 to 1:30.  River at 20.5 feet.  Clear & warmer.  Roswell here to say hello.  I took 3 hours annual leave in the afternoon & worked on right front wheel brake.  Dalene home, sick with tooth.  Stan & I went to a show at night.”  Roswell Gardner was Dale’s cousin.
Diary

Studying

by Editorial Team
In Minneapolis on Tuesday, April 23, 1957, Dale wrote, “Stan and Sue Timm went to the University to study, took me to work and brought me home.  Two Internal Revenue Service Inspectors at the plant today.”  Sue was visiting from Muscatine; and yes, she had red hair.
Diary

Return To Muscatine

by Editorial Team
Starting his new Post of Duty in Omaha on Wednesday, April 22, 1953, Dale wrote, “Got sick at 2:30 p.m. and Helen talked with Welch and Mast.  I’m to work at the Muscatine plant for awhile.  Supper at Chasteen’s.  17 years in Civil Service.”  Dale later thought he had a nervous breakdown, but eventually recovered.
Diary

It Must Be Spring

by Editorial Team
In Minneapolis on Sunday, April 21, 1957, Dale wrote, “Beautiful day, high 70°.  Helped Helen wash.  Put our new hammock up on the front porch.  Watered the new seeding on the parking strip.”
Diary

Old Man River Is Up

by Editorial Team
In Muscatine on Sunday, April 20, 1952, Dale wrote that he got passes from the flood committee to drive from our home to his office in South Muscatine (where flooding was most likely).  The river was up to 18.5 feet.  Above: a more recent flood at Muscatine.
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