College Girl

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In Minneapolis on Monday, September 11, 1961, Dale wrote, “Cooler, high around 60° and cloudy.  Helen and I went to the grocery store after work, and ate at A&W.  Dalene registered at the U of Minnesota for an evening class in psychology.”

Moving Next Door

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In Muscatine on Monday, September 10, 1951, Dale wrote, “Moved today.  Put up TV aerial on chimney.  Moved from 507 to 505 East 7th Street.  Bought a used refrigerator $40.  TIRED, boy.”  Above: 505 (left) and 507 (right) East 7th Street.  They faced an increase in rent, so rented the house next door and moved there to avoid the cost.  Remember TV aerials?

Yummmmm

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In Minneapolis on Sunday, September 9, 1956, Dale wrote, “Painted the dining room table and 6 chairs black.  Put a storm door on the front door.  Dalene went on a picnic with the Winchesters.  We had fried chicken for supper.”

Widescreen Movies

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In Minneapolis on Sunday, September 8, 1957, Dale wrote, “Varnished a dresser for the basement room and finished the clothes closet.  Mother and Clarence went to Cinerama in the afternoon.  Beautiful day, high 76°.”  Jettie and Clarence left the next day.

My First Car

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In Muscatine on Wednesday, September 7, 1955, Dale wrote that he and Helen sold my 1946 Chevy Club Coupe (similar to above) for $100, since I no longer had summer income for upkeep.  Bought on May 29 for $95, I only had it for three months, so the folks made $5 on their investment.  The gearshift lever was on the steering column, and it would unpredictably jump out of gear at random times, which only endeared it to me.

A Sonic Boom

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In Minneapolis on Wednesday, September 6, 1961, Dale wrote, “Perfect day.  High 75°.  I went to Wards after work and bought 2 rolls of roofing for the garage.  Heard our first sonic boom at 6:05 p.m. today.”

Stan Starts Junior High

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On Tuesday, September 5, 1950, the first day of school – Dale wrote that Stanley started eighth grade at Muscatine Junior High School (above), and Dalene started third grade at Jefferson Elementary School.

Ten Commandments

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In Minneapolis on Wednesday, September 4, 1957, Dale wrote, “Beautiful day, high 67°.  Dinny and I took a ride in Stan’s car after work.  Stan and Helen went to a show ‘Ten Commandments’ at night.”

Nice To Be Appreciated

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In Muscatine on Saturday, September 3, 1955, Dale received a letter of commendation for notifying officials on August 20th regarding an illegal still.  He wrote, “Nice letter signed by Heflinger” (one of those officials).

Fixin’ To Paint

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In Minneapolis on Wednesday, September 2, 1959, Dale wrote, “On vacation.  Mowed the lawn in the morning and washed the car.  Dalene and I went to Wards and bought 3 gallons green shingle paint.  Rented space in the basement to two carpenters, beginning next Monday.  High was 68° and clear.”

Remember ‘Monkey Wards’?

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After work in Minneapolis on Thursday, September 1, 1966, Dale bought four gallons of forest green paint and eight gallons of white paint, all latex, at Montgomery Wards for $3.99 per gallon on sale.  He was preparing to paint the house.

Minnesota State Fair

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In Minneapolis on Sunday, August 31, 1958, Dale wrote, “I went to the Fair at 7:30 a.m. and stayed until 5:30 p.m.  Saw lots of exhibits and the auto races.  Cool and cloudy, high only 57°.  Had fried chicken for supper.  Helen and Dalene stayed home all day.  Stan is in Muscatine for the week-end.”  Above: the arena at the state fair.

Iowa State Fair

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In Muscatine on Saturday, August 30, 1952, Dale wrote, “Rode to Des Moines to the State Fair with Roswell Gardner.  Spent the day at the Fair, races, etc.  Rode home with Mr. and Mrs. Jim Chasteen, got home at midnight.”  Roswell was Dale’s cousin and Jim Chasteen was a co-worker.

Sleeping Porch

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On Friday, August 29, 1952, Dale’s cousin Roswell Gardner spent the night in Muscatine.  It was hot, and he slept on the screened-in front porch (above, with Dalene and Helen in front).

Marie Was In Vermont

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In Minneapolis on Friday, August 28, 1964, Dale wrote, “High 78° and nice.  Card from Ralph and Marie in Vermont.  Roofers here today to put a new roof on the house.”  They finished the new roof September 1, and Dale wrote, “Looks fine.”  Dale’s sister Marie was married to Ralph Kimmel.

Going Out For Supper

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In Minneapolis on Saturday, August 27, 1966, Dale wrote, “High 90° but low humidity.  Gene and Lela Yates came about 5:30 p.m.  We all (Stans too) went to Sweden House for supper.”  Helen’s sister Lela and husband Gene left late the next morning to go home to Estherville, Iowa.

Gene And Lela Visit

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In Minneapolis on Saturday, August 26, 1967, Dale wrote, “Helen and I went to Wards at Apache to look for some pillows, wound up buying a beautiful green davenport at Sears.  Stan hauled it home in his station wagon.  Bought some foam rubber for our other davenport and chair, too, at Graves Interiors.  Gene and Lela came about 4:30 p.m.”  Above: Helen’s sister Lela and her husband Gene Yates.

Minnesota State Fair

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In Minneapolis on Sunday, August 25, 1957, Dale wrote, “Dalene, Bonnie, Sharon, and I went to the Minnesota State Fair.  Me to the auto races and the girls to the rest of it.  Helen stayed home.  Perfect day.”  Bonne and Sharon were Dalene’s friends.

Marie Was In Mexico

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In Minneapolis on Thursday, August 24, 1961, Dale wrote, “Perfect day, high about 75°.  Helen and Dinny went to the library in the evening.  I watched sports on TV.  Card from Marie from Mexico.”  Marie was his sister.

I Like Ike

In Minneapolis on Thursday, August 23, 1956, Dale wrote, “Beautiful day.  High around 75°.  Watched Ike and Nixon accept the Republican nomination on TV.”  For you youngsters, that was Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard M. Nixon.  ‘I Like Ike’ was a campaign slogan.
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