On Wednesday, March 31, 1943, “Oklahoma!,” the first musical play by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, opened on Broadway (above). Just 12 years later, it was the spring musical production by the Muscatine High School chorus.
 In Muscatine on Tuesday, March 30, 1954, Dale wrote, “Worked 4 hours. Took Helen to dentist & to pick out new spring coat. Went to high school at night for supper & to listen to high school music groups sing.” One of the music groups was the boy’s quartet, above. Left to right: me, Larry Misel, John Evans, and Jerry Hufford; seated is our accompanist Judy Smith. We were very fashionable in charcoal and pink!
 In Iowa City on Wednesday, March 29, 1967, Dale wrote, “Took Helen to the hospital to be with Harley. I drove to Muscatine. Spent the afternoon around the alcohol plant. Drove back to Iowa City, had supper at the motel and back to visit Harley a little while in the evening. High about 70°.” Above: it was only 36 miles from Iowa City to Muscatine.
 On Tuesday, March 28, 1967, Dale wrote, “Helen and I drove from Minneapolis to Iowa City and went to see Harley. Eva and her son Mike were there too. Beautiful day in Iowa City, probably 75°. Nice motel, Best Western.” Harley was one of Helen’s brothers and Eva was Harley’s daughter. Above: a young Harley.
 In Muscatine on Friday, March 27, 1953, Dale wrote, “Walked downtown & back in forenoon. Warm. Sent for Stanley’s watch & letter to Mother. Wilma called at 2:30 P.M. to tell us China is coming to stay all night.” Wilma was Helen’s sister and ‘China’ was the nickname for Helen’s brother Pearl, above at a younger age.
 In Minneapolis on Sunday, March 26, 1967, after visiting in Osceola, Dale wrote, “Helen and I left Osceola early, stopped at Gerald and Ressia’s a short time. Drove all the way home in the rain against the wind. Helen made a reservation on an Ozark plane for Tuesday to Cedar Rapids, she is going to see Harley in the Iowa City hospital. Talked to Dalene in the evening, she gets 24 mpg on her new VW.” Gerald and Harley were two of Helen’s brothers. The next day, Dale decided to take her to Iowa City, so he took the rest of the week off and they canceled the reservation. Above: Osceola to Latimer, Iowa, about 130 miles, where Gerald and his wife Ressia lived.
On Saturday, March 25, 1967, visiting from Minneapolis in Osceola with Helen, Dale wrote, “Helen and I rode around town, just looking. Helen and Wilma went out to Eva’s to visit. I stayed at Marie’s. Dinner at Ruth and Louie’s. Supper at Wilma’s. High about 60° and cloudy and light showers in the evening. At Mother’s in the evening.” Wilma was Helen’s sister, Eva was Helen’s niece, Marie was Dale’s sister, Louie (wife Ruth) was Helen’s brother. I think they were mentally preparing for their move to Osceola after Dale’s 1968 retirement. Above: Osceola is about 295 miles south of Minneapolis.
In Muscatine on Monday, March 24, 1952, Dale wrote “Worked 8 to 4:30. Cold & windy. 33° above. Filled 8 trucks today. Letter from Lela & Wilma. Steak for supper. Saw film of Davenport beat Keokuk at night on TV.” Lela and Wilma were Helen’s sisters.
In Muscatine on Friday, March 23, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Rain, snow, & sleet today. No school today. Took family to library & store in evening. Smiths here at night to watch TV. Boxing & wrestling & etc.” The Smith family lived several houses up the street from us.
In Minneapolis on Sunday, March 22, 1959, Dale wrote, “Quiet day. I finished pruning the lilac hedge. Dalene went to Diana Michelson’s confirmation. She also went to a concert at Northrop Auditorium in the afternoon. Very windy. High about 42°.” Diana was a friend. Northrop Auditorium, above, is on the main campus of the University of Minnesota.
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