In Muscatine on Sunday, January 6, 1952, Dale wrote, “Quiet day. Slept & laid around. Had chicken for dinner. Stanley went over to Mike Collier’s awhile. Not too cold. 27°. Watched TV.”
Sunday Dinner
Routine Day
In Muscatine on Saturday, January 5, 1952, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Routine day. Took Helen to the library after work. Stan went to a show at night with Ellison Kuhn. TV at night & to bed to read.”
High School Friends
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In Muscatine on Friday, January 4, 1952, Dale wrote, “Stanley went to Sunny’s and Mickey’s at night.” Sunny and Mickey were my high school classmates Ellison Kuhn and Mike Collier. Above are their senior pictures in our yearbook.
Cousin Roswell Visits
In Muscatine on Thursday, January 3, 1952, Dale’s cousin Roswell Gardner visited at night and had oyster stew with the family, and watched television. Above is Roswell several years later.
B-r-r-r-r
In Muscatine on Wednesday, January 2, 1952, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Olsgaard dropped in a minute, has a new TV set. Cold today; 6° above in morning.”
Rose Bowl
1952 – In Muscatine on Tuesday, January 1, 1952, Dale’s co-worker Rod Mead and his wife Kay came to the house to watch the Pasadena Rose Parade on TV, then to watch Illinois beat Stanford 40 to 7 in the Rose Bowl. Helen’s sisters Wilma and Lela called from Ames, Iowa.
For Auld Lang Syne
In Muscatine on Monday, December 31, 1951, Dale wrote, “Up early to give Arms keys to office. I took a ride to riverfront & Weed Park. Paid rent $50 & $10 on furniture. Dalene & Mary went to a show in afternoon. Helen & I washed. Stayed up to watch old year out on TV.”
Yellow Stuff
In Muscatine on Sunday, December 30, 1951, Dale wrote, “Marie & Susan left before noon. Nice bright day. Disconnected left front shock absorber. King brought oleo margarine. Good TV today. To bed at 10:30 P.M.” Above: a 1951 ad for oleomargarine.
Marie And Susan Visit
In Muscatine on Friday, December 29, 1951, Dale’s sister Marie and her daughter Susan arrived in mid-afternoon from Osceola to spend the night. They left the next morning, but the diary does not say where they were going.
Tired Car
In Muscatine on Friday, December 28, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. I was sick at 2 A.M. but went to work, late. My car wouldn’t start after work, Bushery pushed me. Package from George & Wilma. To bed at 11 P.M.” Helen’s sister Wilma was married to George Casey.
Shop At Batterson’s
In Muscatine on Thursday, December 27, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Picked Mead up at M&T. Bought topcoat $20 and gloves $1.69 at Batterson’s. Had checkup at Dr. Swayze in afternoon (OK). Burned out light socket with toaster at night. Brought 6 darts home to kids.”
Darts
In Muscatine on Wednesday, December 26, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Loaded 3 tank cars today. Talked to St. Paul about alternate operations. Brought 2 dart boards home to Stan & Dalene. TV at night. Zero weather.”
Roast Duck Dinner
In Muscatine on Tuesday, December 25, 1951, Dale wrote, “Christmas in Muscatine at 505 East 7th Street. We had a nice Christmas & roast duck for dinner. Watched TV in afternoon & evening. Kids had fun with dart game.” Merry Christmas!
Christmas Eve
In Muscatine on Monday, December 24, 1951, Dale wrote, “Non-work day. Kids & I went shopping in the morning. I took a long nap in the afternoon. Good Christmas programs on TV today & tonight. Put out presents at midnight.”
Before Super Bowls
In Muscatine on Sunday, December 23, 1951, Dale wrote, “Watched Rams beat Browns for pro football championship.” The Super Bowl won’t be created until the NFL – AFL merger in 1966.
Christmas Shopping
In Muscatine on Saturday, December 22, 1951, Dale wrote, “Non-work day. Pay checks finally arrived. Whole family went downtown Christmas shopping. Dalene & Mary S. went to a show in the afternoon. Mailed Christmas cards back to Cheerful Card Co. Mead picked up his fruit cake.”
O Christmas Tree
In Muscatine on Friday, December 21, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Very cold, around zero. Helen got permanent from Martha. No pay checks yet. Got Christmas present from Marie. Put Christmas tree up at night. Home all evening watching TV.” Marie was Dale’s sister.
We Love Naps
In Muscatine on Thursday, December 20, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 1:30. 3 hours annual leave. Wing called Fisher regarding checks. More snow today. Took a long nap in the afternoon. Stanley went to a show at night with the boys. TV all evening.”
Spirits
In Muscatine on Wednesday, December 19, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Talked to Heublein in Hartford, Conn. twice about their run. Our checks are going to be late, lost between Minneapolis & St. Paul. Took Helen & Dalene to library after work. Roswell here in evening for TV.” Above: Peter Lawford in a vintage Heublein ad.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
In Muscatine on Tuesday, December 18, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Olsgaard back again. Trouble with vodka – proof too high. Stanley went to high school at night for chorus party. Near zero weather & lots of snow.”