MEMORY LANE
BY R. AUBREY LA FOY
APPLES
Apples and fall seem to go together. The ripe apples are a joy to eat especially if one had some dip to enhance the taste. A favorite dessert at our house is apple crisp. The recipe used is one handed down in the family. It is most often served with ice cream but rich cream will also enhance the flavor. In the fall of the year apples are abundant so it follows that we have a lot of different ways of serving and eating apples. Remember the old saying, “An apple a day will keep the doctor away.” Other proverbs are:
“Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.
Whoever has bitten a sour apple will enjoy a sweet one all the more.
The ripe apple falls off itself.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and
One rotten apple spoils the others.” Apples have been around forever as even Eve persuaded Adam to eat an apple.
Apple trees are great for climbing, as the branches are low. What kid, upon seeing an apple tree, doesn’t start to climb? It is a perfect and natural inclination for kids to climb, climb and climb that tree. In the spring of the year apple tree blossoms have such a fragrance it is a temptation to bring a bouquet into the house.
Many a mother has been surprised and delighted when her child presented her with apple blossoms. But Mother also knows that when the twigs with the blossoms are picked there will be no apples, but what the heck, it is the thought that counts. Many stayed away from the blossoming apple trees as the bees also like them and more than one youngster has been stung.
People who plant apple trees have their eyes to the future and hopefully get to harvest delicious treats year after year. Many of you can remember the story of “Johnny Appleseed” going through the countryside planting apple seeds.
One of the most difficult things about growing up with apple trees on your farm or lot is to not pick them too early. Many of us heard the warning when we were young that if we ate green apples “they will give you a bellyache.” It was always tempting to try eating one but after one bite of that bitter green apple that was enough. It is always important to inspect apples before eating because it takes the joy out of the operation if after biting into the apple you discover half a worm.
Peeling apples is an art. One fellow of my acquaintance loved to take out his jack knife and peel the apple to get just one long continuous peel. One of the few early machines found on farms and homes years ago was a mechanical apple peeler. Remember you stuck the apple on the prongs and turned the handle and the knife blade did the job. It was fun for awhile but many a kid got more of that than they wanted especially when Mother was going to can some apples or make apple butter.
If you had chickens they loved those apple peels. Sometimes when a gadget removed the core of the apple the pigs got those leavings. Baked apples covered with brown sugar and cinnamon are tasty but for some reason or other not served very often, especially in the “fast food” operations. Let’s not forget those great apple pies that cooks took particular pride in producing lattice arrangements with the crusts.
Apples are prepared in many different ways besides just eating them. Apple jelly or apple butter is great on toast. Many people love apple cider to start their day. The old timers could make apple jack which we understand had quite a kick being almost 100% alcohol. Canned apples and applesauce in the winter are great. People used to wrap nice ripe apples in newspaper or tissue paper and store them in the fruit cellar. The tissue paper was saved from the lug boxes of canning pears and peaches. A nice apple was great eating on a cold snowy day in January. Many apples were stored in barrels and that is where the old proverb comes from that “a spoiled apple will ruin the lot.”
Probably there are several things about apple trees that are not so good. We remember one prolific tree in our yard that produced and produced. At that time we were living in town and one has only so many friends and neighbors to give apples to before that avenue ceases to exist in getting rid of the surplus. We of course had apple crisp, apple pie, and applesauce, baked apples and apples to eat. If the surplus apples were not picked up as they fell off the tree the area became a great place for flies to gather and other unwanted pests. Not only that but we had a neighbor across the street who had a walnut tree. Our home was on the path of many pupils going to and from school and there were many days upon arriving home our yard was devoid of apples but full of walnuts and our neighbor across the street had apples but no walnuts. If one lived on a farm that was not a problem. Picking up fallen apples is a time consuming task but the livestock loved them.
As a youngster it was fun watching apples grow from the blossoms to the fully-grown item. Sometimes it seemed that apples took forever to develop but eventually after school started in the fall and maybe after the first frost they were ready to eat.
Apples figure in many of our conversations in many different ways. Many parents look at their offspring and say; “He (or she) is the apple of my eye.” Today there are so many more varieties of apples and all for the good. Sinking your teeth into a good apple is one of life’s pleasures.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The 1950s
MEMORY LANE
50s
BY R. AUBREY LA FOY
My teaching career began in 1950 in Greeley, Colorado at Meeker Junior High School. I was assigned to teach three classes of American History and two classes of Geography. The average class held 32 students and to be honest about it I was scared. The principal showed me my classroom, books to use and showed my class schedule. Later that first day we had a faculty meeting and I met my fellow teachers. Two of the faculty members were long time history and geography teachers and I am indebted to this day because they took me under their wings and showed me and helped me learn to teach.
In 1950, men teachers were expected to dress appropriately, meaning white shirt, necktie and a suit. I was fortunate because I had two white shirts, six neckties and two suits. One of the suits was my wedding suit that was double-breasted and the other a special from Moroney’s Men’s Clothing Store at Spencer. My shoes were great as I bought them at the Odd Lot Shoe Store in Greeley. Connie was teaching at an elementary school in Greeley and we lived in rented apartments. The pay wasn’t that great but it was a job and married couples could teach in that school system. If you recall it had not been many years before this that when a female teacher got married she had to quit teaching. We also had to live in the community we taught in at that time and prior to securing my position in Colorado beginning teachers had to pass a penmanship test. I was always glad that rule had been abandoned as I would have probably flunked.
In 1949 we had purchased 1942 Mercury and used it to pull a home- made trailer from Iowa to Colorado. There were no U-Haul Trailers at that time and when we left Greeley in 1953 we rented a truck to pack our furniture and haul it to Mason City, Iowa. Again we had no Budget Truck Rentals. The truck we rented had just returned from the Black Hill hauling horses so we were glad to drive through rain on the way out and wash the truck. In 1950 we bought a new Mercury car. It had “white wall tires” and “fender skirts.” Remember them? Soon after we bought the Mercury we also installed some “curb feelers.” Bet you haven’t heard of them for a few years. I had a “steering knob” (AKA) suicide knob as some called it on my 1936 Terriplane, my first car.
Speaking about cars my mind naturally went in that direction. Any kids today will have to find some old geezer to explain some of the terms we knew back in the 1950s. Remember “Continental kits?” They were bumper extenders and spare tire covers that were supposed to make any car as cool as a Lincoln Continental. I also miss the old “emergency brake” and at what point did it become the “parking brake.” I recall that old “emergency brake” saved my life when I was driving a 2 ½ ton GMC in the mountains of China. We were training replacements to drive our trucks and my “student” came over a hill was supposed to shift to lower gear and missed. I grabbed the “emergency brake” and prayed it would stop the truck from going over an embankment, it did. I’m sad, too, that almost all the old geezers are gone who would call the accelerator the “foot-feed.”
I observed a pick-up truck or whatever you call it today that had put on a “running board.” Kids today don’t know how much fun it was to grab onto the open windows and ride on the “running board.” I recall that when John Dillinger robbed the First National Bank at Mason City, Iowa he forced some bystanders and tellers to ride the “running boards” on his get-away car until they were safely out of town. He also threw handfuls of shingle nails out the windows to puncture the cop’s car’s tires.
The tires today are something else and there are few if any “white wall” tires. I recall that one year when I replaced my black tires the only ones I could buy were “white wall” tires. “White wall” tires were not in fashion and he sold me some at reduced price but had to put the “white wall” on the inside. Our present van has a senor that informs us when the tire is low on air. Years ago we had many a “blow-out” when our tires gave out plus air was “free.” Last month we had to pay 50 cents to get air for our tires in California but thankfully most service stations still give “free air.” We old geezers still miss gas station attendants who come out to “pump” gas, check the oil and water and wash the windows. Why do we still call them gas “pumps?” Some of you are old enough to remember really pumping the gas with a handle and seeing the gas in the upper part of the pump and as you fueled the car seeing the gas come down.
The really one great improvement that I appreciate in vehicles are the windshield wipers. Old geezers can recall the wipers in the 1950s had one speed and no washer. What a snap it is today with the alternate speed wipers and the spray to clean the windows. Vehicles now have buttons to raise and lower your side windows. One push of the button and up or down goes your window. In the “good old days” we had to crank the windows up and down. I still like that because if the car engine isn’t operating you can’t “crank” down the windows. Where did the small side windows go? Remember them? I suppose they also disappeared along with the vent in front of the windshield on the hood that you could open and get cool air on your feet. Do we still have “dimmer” switches? Remember the little button on the left side you depressed to go from bright to dim? Today they are activated with a twist or a push on a gadget sticking out below the steering wheel. Can you find where to activate you horn? It was used a lot more in the 1950s than today but our cars are so sound proof you can’t hear them anyway.
This is a quiz for you old geezers. Remember when you took your driving test? If you wanted to turn right how did you extend your left arm? Turn left? Stop? Isn’t it much easier with a “turn signal?” How do you know when your “stop” light is working? My how convenient our new vehicles are and old geezers can recall the first radio we had installed in our car as well as the heaters and window defrosters. Many of us suffered many of miles in the 1950s during the hot summer months because we didn’t have air conditioning. What a bummer! Many of us can recall that our left arm was tanner or sunburned than our right arm laying it on the open window sill. Who invented the bucket seats? The wide front seat in the 1950 cars was great for getting your girlfriend next to you but somebody spoiled that with bucket seats. Connie recalled that her Mother was impressed with our Lincoln Continental. She said, “It is like sitting in the big soft chair in the front room going down the road.” (1993) Do you have a “front room?” Now we even have “his” and “hers” adjustable heat and cold buttons. In the “olden” days we had an adjustment: hot or not so hot.
Our vehicles are a great deal safer than in the 1950s but the gas mileage sure hasn’t changed much and how do you like the spare tires we have today? Tires they aren’t and most of us can’t change a flat as we don’t know where the spare is or the tire jack. Is it still called a tire jack and if you used it be sure to get out your “manual.” Seat belts and air cushions are great but “seat belts” were not included in our 1950s vehicles. When will they insist on “helmets?” We loved our 1950 Mercury but times change, cars change and so must we to have safer vehicles.
MEMORY LANE
50s
BY R. AUBREY LA FOY
My teaching career began in 1950 in Greeley, Colorado at Meeker Junior High School. I was assigned to teach three classes of American History and two classes of Geography. The average class held 32 students and to be honest about it I was scared. The principal showed me my classroom, books to use and showed my class schedule. Later that first day we had a faculty meeting and I met my fellow teachers. Two of the faculty members were long time history and geography teachers and I am indebted to this day because they took me under their wings and showed me and helped me learn to teach.
In 1950, men teachers were expected to dress appropriately, meaning white shirt, necktie and a suit. I was fortunate because I had two white shirts, six neckties and two suits. One of the suits was my wedding suit that was double-breasted and the other a special from Moroney’s Men’s Clothing Store at Spencer. My shoes were great as I bought them at the Odd Lot Shoe Store in Greeley. Connie was teaching at an elementary school in Greeley and we lived in rented apartments. The pay wasn’t that great but it was a job and married couples could teach in that school system. If you recall it had not been many years before this that when a female teacher got married she had to quit teaching. We also had to live in the community we taught in at that time and prior to securing my position in Colorado beginning teachers had to pass a penmanship test. I was always glad that rule had been abandoned as I would have probably flunked.
In 1949 we had purchased 1942 Mercury and used it to pull a home- made trailer from Iowa to Colorado. There were no U-Haul Trailers at that time and when we left Greeley in 1953 we rented a truck to pack our furniture and haul it to Mason City, Iowa. Again we had no Budget Truck Rentals. The truck we rented had just returned from the Black Hill hauling horses so we were glad to drive through rain on the way out and wash the truck. In 1950 we bought a new Mercury car. It had “white wall tires” and “fender skirts.” Remember them? Soon after we bought the Mercury we also installed some “curb feelers.” Bet you haven’t heard of them for a few years. I had a “steering knob” (AKA) suicide knob as some called it on my 1936 Terriplane, my first car.
Speaking about cars my mind naturally went in that direction. Any kids today will have to find some old geezer to explain some of the terms we knew back in the 1950s. Remember “Continental kits?” They were bumper extenders and spare tire covers that were supposed to make any car as cool as a Lincoln Continental. I also miss the old “emergency brake” and at what point did it become the “parking brake.” I recall that old “emergency brake” saved my life when I was driving a 2 ½ ton GMC in the mountains of China. We were training replacements to drive our trucks and my “student” came over a hill was supposed to shift to lower gear and missed. I grabbed the “emergency brake” and prayed it would stop the truck from going over an embankment, it did. I’m sad, too, that almost all the old geezers are gone who would call the accelerator the “foot-feed.”
I observed a pick-up truck or whatever you call it today that had put on a “running board.” Kids today don’t know how much fun it was to grab onto the open windows and ride on the “running board.” I recall that when John Dillinger robbed the First National Bank at Mason City, Iowa he forced some bystanders and tellers to ride the “running boards” on his get-away car until they were safely out of town. He also threw handfuls of shingle nails out the windows to puncture the cop’s car’s tires.
The tires today are something else and there are few if any “white wall” tires. I recall that one year when I replaced my black tires the only ones I could buy were “white wall” tires. “White wall” tires were not in fashion and he sold me some at reduced price but had to put the “white wall” on the inside. Our present van has a senor that informs us when the tire is low on air. Years ago we had many a “blow-out” when our tires gave out plus air was “free.” Last month we had to pay 50 cents to get air for our tires in California but thankfully most service stations still give “free air.” We old geezers still miss gas station attendants who come out to “pump” gas, check the oil and water and wash the windows. Why do we still call them gas “pumps?” Some of you are old enough to remember really pumping the gas with a handle and seeing the gas in the upper part of the pump and as you fueled the car seeing the gas come down.
The really one great improvement that I appreciate in vehicles are the windshield wipers. Old geezers can recall the wipers in the 1950s had one speed and no washer. What a snap it is today with the alternate speed wipers and the spray to clean the windows. Vehicles now have buttons to raise and lower your side windows. One push of the button and up or down goes your window. In the “good old days” we had to crank the windows up and down. I still like that because if the car engine isn’t operating you can’t “crank” down the windows. Where did the small side windows go? Remember them? I suppose they also disappeared along with the vent in front of the windshield on the hood that you could open and get cool air on your feet. Do we still have “dimmer” switches? Remember the little button on the left side you depressed to go from bright to dim? Today they are activated with a twist or a push on a gadget sticking out below the steering wheel. Can you find where to activate you horn? It was used a lot more in the 1950s than today but our cars are so sound proof you can’t hear them anyway.
This is a quiz for you old geezers. Remember when you took your driving test? If you wanted to turn right how did you extend your left arm? Turn left? Stop? Isn’t it much easier with a “turn signal?” How do you know when your “stop” light is working? My how convenient our new vehicles are and old geezers can recall the first radio we had installed in our car as well as the heaters and window defrosters. Many of us suffered many of miles in the 1950s during the hot summer months because we didn’t have air conditioning. What a bummer! Many of us can recall that our left arm was tanner or sunburned than our right arm laying it on the open window sill. Who invented the bucket seats? The wide front seat in the 1950 cars was great for getting your girlfriend next to you but somebody spoiled that with bucket seats. Connie recalled that her Mother was impressed with our Lincoln Continental. She said, “It is like sitting in the big soft chair in the front room going down the road.” (1993) Do you have a “front room?” Now we even have “his” and “hers” adjustable heat and cold buttons. In the “olden” days we had an adjustment: hot or not so hot.
Our vehicles are a great deal safer than in the 1950s but the gas mileage sure hasn’t changed much and how do you like the spare tires we have today? Tires they aren’t and most of us can’t change a flat as we don’t know where the spare is or the tire jack. Is it still called a tire jack and if you used it be sure to get out your “manual.” Seat belts and air cushions are great but “seat belts” were not included in our 1950s vehicles. When will they insist on “helmets?” We loved our 1950 Mercury but times change, cars change and so must we to have safer vehicles.
50s
BY R. AUBREY LA FOY
My teaching career began in 1950 in Greeley, Colorado at Meeker Junior High School. I was assigned to teach three classes of American History and two classes of Geography. The average class held 32 students and to be honest about it I was scared. The principal showed me my classroom, books to use and showed my class schedule. Later that first day we had a faculty meeting and I met my fellow teachers. Two of the faculty members were long time history and geography teachers and I am indebted to this day because they took me under their wings and showed me and helped me learn to teach.
In 1950, men teachers were expected to dress appropriately, meaning white shirt, necktie and a suit. I was fortunate because I had two white shirts, six neckties and two suits. One of the suits was my wedding suit that was double-breasted and the other a special from Moroney’s Men’s Clothing Store at Spencer. My shoes were great as I bought them at the Odd Lot Shoe Store in Greeley. Connie was teaching at an elementary school in Greeley and we lived in rented apartments. The pay wasn’t that great but it was a job and married couples could teach in that school system. If you recall it had not been many years before this that when a female teacher got married she had to quit teaching. We also had to live in the community we taught in at that time and prior to securing my position in Colorado beginning teachers had to pass a penmanship test. I was always glad that rule had been abandoned as I would have probably flunked.
In 1949 we had purchased 1942 Mercury and used it to pull a home- made trailer from Iowa to Colorado. There were no U-Haul Trailers at that time and when we left Greeley in 1953 we rented a truck to pack our furniture and haul it to Mason City, Iowa. Again we had no Budget Truck Rentals. The truck we rented had just returned from the Black Hill hauling horses so we were glad to drive through rain on the way out and wash the truck. In 1950 we bought a new Mercury car. It had “white wall tires” and “fender skirts.” Remember them? Soon after we bought the Mercury we also installed some “curb feelers.” Bet you haven’t heard of them for a few years. I had a “steering knob” (AKA) suicide knob as some called it on my 1936 Terriplane, my first car.
Speaking about cars my mind naturally went in that direction. Any kids today will have to find some old geezer to explain some of the terms we knew back in the 1950s. Remember “Continental kits?” They were bumper extenders and spare tire covers that were supposed to make any car as cool as a Lincoln Continental. I also miss the old “emergency brake” and at what point did it become the “parking brake.” I recall that old “emergency brake” saved my life when I was driving a 2 ½ ton GMC in the mountains of China. We were training replacements to drive our trucks and my “student” came over a hill was supposed to shift to lower gear and missed. I grabbed the “emergency brake” and prayed it would stop the truck from going over an embankment, it did. I’m sad, too, that almost all the old geezers are gone who would call the accelerator the “foot-feed.”
I observed a pick-up truck or whatever you call it today that had put on a “running board.” Kids today don’t know how much fun it was to grab onto the open windows and ride on the “running board.” I recall that when John Dillinger robbed the First National Bank at Mason City, Iowa he forced some bystanders and tellers to ride the “running boards” on his get-away car until they were safely out of town. He also threw handfuls of shingle nails out the windows to puncture the cop’s car’s tires.
The tires today are something else and there are few if any “white wall” tires. I recall that one year when I replaced my black tires the only ones I could buy were “white wall” tires. “White wall” tires were not in fashion and he sold me some at reduced price but had to put the “white wall” on the inside. Our present van has a senor that informs us when the tire is low on air. Years ago we had many a “blow-out” when our tires gave out plus air was “free.” Last month we had to pay 50 cents to get air for our tires in California but thankfully most service stations still give “free air.” We old geezers still miss gas station attendants who come out to “pump” gas, check the oil and water and wash the windows. Why do we still call them gas “pumps?” Some of you are old enough to remember really pumping the gas with a handle and seeing the gas in the upper part of the pump and as you fueled the car seeing the gas come down.
The really one great improvement that I appreciate in vehicles are the windshield wipers. Old geezers can recall the wipers in the 1950s had one speed and no washer. What a snap it is today with the alternate speed wipers and the spray to clean the windows. Vehicles now have buttons to raise and lower your side windows. One push of the button and up or down goes your window. In the “good old days” we had to crank the windows up and down. I still like that because if the car engine isn’t operating you can’t “crank” down the windows. Where did the small side windows go? Remember them? I suppose they also disappeared along with the vent in front of the windshield on the hood that you could open and get cool air on your feet. Do we still have “dimmer” switches? Remember the little button on the left side you depressed to go from bright to dim? Today they are activated with a twist or a push on a gadget sticking out below the steering wheel. Can you find where to activate you horn? It was used a lot more in the 1950s than today but our cars are so sound proof you can’t hear them anyway.
This is a quiz for you old geezers. Remember when you took your driving test? If you wanted to turn right how did you extend your left arm? Turn left? Stop? Isn’t it much easier with a “turn signal?” How do you know when your “stop” light is working? My how convenient our new vehicles are and old geezers can recall the first radio we had installed in our car as well as the heaters and window defrosters. Many of us suffered many of miles in the 1950s during the hot summer months because we didn’t have air conditioning. What a bummer! Many of us can recall that our left arm was tanner or sunburned than our right arm laying it on the open window sill. Who invented the bucket seats? The wide front seat in the 1950 cars was great for getting your girlfriend next to you but somebody spoiled that with bucket seats. Connie recalled that her Mother was impressed with our Lincoln Continental. She said, “It is like sitting in the big soft chair in the front room going down the road.” (1993) Do you have a “front room?” Now we even have “his” and “hers” adjustable heat and cold buttons. In the “olden” days we had an adjustment: hot or not so hot.
Our vehicles are a great deal safer than in the 1950s but the gas mileage sure hasn’t changed much and how do you like the spare tires we have today? Tires they aren’t and most of us can’t change a flat as we don’t know where the spare is or the tire jack. Is it still called a tire jack and if you used it be sure to get out your “manual.” Seat belts and air cushions are great but “seat belts” were not included in our 1950s vehicles. When will they insist on “helmets?” We loved our 1950 Mercury but times change, cars change and so must we to have safer vehicles.
MEMORY LANE
50s
BY R. AUBREY LA FOY
My teaching career began in 1950 in Greeley, Colorado at Meeker Junior High School. I was assigned to teach three classes of American History and two classes of Geography. The average class held 32 students and to be honest about it I was scared. The principal showed me my classroom, books to use and showed my class schedule. Later that first day we had a faculty meeting and I met my fellow teachers. Two of the faculty members were long time history and geography teachers and I am indebted to this day because they took me under their wings and showed me and helped me learn to teach.
In 1950, men teachers were expected to dress appropriately, meaning white shirt, necktie and a suit. I was fortunate because I had two white shirts, six neckties and two suits. One of the suits was my wedding suit that was double-breasted and the other a special from Moroney’s Men’s Clothing Store at Spencer. My shoes were great as I bought them at the Odd Lot Shoe Store in Greeley. Connie was teaching at an elementary school in Greeley and we lived in rented apartments. The pay wasn’t that great but it was a job and married couples could teach in that school system. If you recall it had not been many years before this that when a female teacher got married she had to quit teaching. We also had to live in the community we taught in at that time and prior to securing my position in Colorado beginning teachers had to pass a penmanship test. I was always glad that rule had been abandoned as I would have probably flunked.
In 1949 we had purchased 1942 Mercury and used it to pull a home- made trailer from Iowa to Colorado. There were no U-Haul Trailers at that time and when we left Greeley in 1953 we rented a truck to pack our furniture and haul it to Mason City, Iowa. Again we had no Budget Truck Rentals. The truck we rented had just returned from the Black Hill hauling horses so we were glad to drive through rain on the way out and wash the truck. In 1950 we bought a new Mercury car. It had “white wall tires” and “fender skirts.” Remember them? Soon after we bought the Mercury we also installed some “curb feelers.” Bet you haven’t heard of them for a few years. I had a “steering knob” (AKA) suicide knob as some called it on my 1936 Terriplane, my first car.
Speaking about cars my mind naturally went in that direction. Any kids today will have to find some old geezer to explain some of the terms we knew back in the 1950s. Remember “Continental kits?” They were bumper extenders and spare tire covers that were supposed to make any car as cool as a Lincoln Continental. I also miss the old “emergency brake” and at what point did it become the “parking brake.” I recall that old “emergency brake” saved my life when I was driving a 2 ½ ton GMC in the mountains of China. We were training replacements to drive our trucks and my “student” came over a hill was supposed to shift to lower gear and missed. I grabbed the “emergency brake” and prayed it would stop the truck from going over an embankment, it did. I’m sad, too, that almost all the old geezers are gone who would call the accelerator the “foot-feed.”
I observed a pick-up truck or whatever you call it today that had put on a “running board.” Kids today don’t know how much fun it was to grab onto the open windows and ride on the “running board.” I recall that when John Dillinger robbed the First National Bank at Mason City, Iowa he forced some bystanders and tellers to ride the “running boards” on his get-away car until they were safely out of town. He also threw handfuls of shingle nails out the windows to puncture the cop’s car’s tires.
The tires today are something else and there are few if any “white wall” tires. I recall that one year when I replaced my black tires the only ones I could buy were “white wall” tires. “White wall” tires were not in fashion and he sold me some at reduced price but had to put the “white wall” on the inside. Our present van has a senor that informs us when the tire is low on air. Years ago we had many a “blow-out” when our tires gave out plus air was “free.” Last month we had to pay 50 cents to get air for our tires in California but thankfully most service stations still give “free air.” We old geezers still miss gas station attendants who come out to “pump” gas, check the oil and water and wash the windows. Why do we still call them gas “pumps?” Some of you are old enough to remember really pumping the gas with a handle and seeing the gas in the upper part of the pump and as you fueled the car seeing the gas come down.
The really one great improvement that I appreciate in vehicles are the windshield wipers. Old geezers can recall the wipers in the 1950s had one speed and no washer. What a snap it is today with the alternate speed wipers and the spray to clean the windows. Vehicles now have buttons to raise and lower your side windows. One push of the button and up or down goes your window. In the “good old days” we had to crank the windows up and down. I still like that because if the car engine isn’t operating you can’t “crank” down the windows. Where did the small side windows go? Remember them? I suppose they also disappeared along with the vent in front of the windshield on the hood that you could open and get cool air on your feet. Do we still have “dimmer” switches? Remember the little button on the left side you depressed to go from bright to dim? Today they are activated with a twist or a push on a gadget sticking out below the steering wheel. Can you find where to activate you horn? It was used a lot more in the 1950s than today but our cars are so sound proof you can’t hear them anyway.
This is a quiz for you old geezers. Remember when you took your driving test? If you wanted to turn right how did you extend your left arm? Turn left? Stop? Isn’t it much easier with a “turn signal?” How do you know when your “stop” light is working? My how convenient our new vehicles are and old geezers can recall the first radio we had installed in our car as well as the heaters and window defrosters. Many of us suffered many of miles in the 1950s during the hot summer months because we didn’t have air conditioning. What a bummer! Many of us can recall that our left arm was tanner or sunburned than our right arm laying it on the open window sill. Who invented the bucket seats? The wide front seat in the 1950 cars was great for getting your girlfriend next to you but somebody spoiled that with bucket seats. Connie recalled that her Mother was impressed with our Lincoln Continental. She said, “It is like sitting in the big soft chair in the front room going down the road.” (1993) Do you have a “front room?” Now we even have “his” and “hers” adjustable heat and cold buttons. In the “olden” days we had an adjustment: hot or not so hot.
Our vehicles are a great deal safer than in the 1950s but the gas mileage sure hasn’t changed much and how do you like the spare tires we have today? Tires they aren’t and most of us can’t change a flat as we don’t know where the spare is or the tire jack. Is it still called a tire jack and if you used it be sure to get out your “manual.” Seat belts and air cushions are great but “seat belts” were not included in our 1950s vehicles. When will they insist on “helmets?” We loved our 1950 Mercury but times change, cars change and so must we to have safer vehicles.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
BATHING
BATHING
When growing up in a small town in Iowa, taking a bath at our house was a real ordeal. Early in the “Depression” years, the hot water system at our house broke down, and we couldn’t afford to get it repaired. The system consisted merely of some pipes traveling through the furnace, so in the summer even if it were fixed it would be of little use.
The bathtub in our house was the smallest tub I have ever seen then and now. It was 4 ½ feet long and had claws on the feet. It didn’t take a great deal of hot water, which was a good thing because we had to heat the water in a teakettle on the stove. We would heat two teakettles full of water boiling, take them into the bathroom, pour the water into the tub, and then cool the water down. This would give one enough water for a tub bath.
Our family had to space out the taking of baths because it took time to heat the water but that was really not much of a problem as wee took baths only on Saturdays. I can still remember my father in that tub with his knees around his chin as he was six feet tall and the bathtub was a bit small for him.
We were able to take showers when we got to junior high school and took physical education. After running or whatever we did in class we would “have” to take a shower. I know for a fact that shower was the only bath or shower the class took all week. Of course, we could always go swimming at the lake or river in the warm weather.
I remember that the two barbershops in our community were equipped with bathing facilities. Each barbershop had a little room separated from the rest of the shop that contained the bathing facilities. Farmers and townsmen would come in on Saturday afternoon and evening, get a bath, and then a shave. Remember the old song: “Shave and a haircut, two bits?” (25 cents) The price was probably a little higher but it was still the same program. The barber would heat a towel; place it on the patron’s face and after the whiskers were soft, lather the face with soap; and then shave with a straight edge razor. The patron had to trust the barber putting that razor on his neck. If I remember correctly, a shave cost 25 cents.
Now I prefer showers to tub baths because I was in the service in World War II and that was all we ever had. It was a real pleasure to go in off the parade ground and shower, especially in California in August. The military was always very good about provided bathing facilities for the troops. If there was any kind of a permanent base we usually found a shower. It was only when we were away from bases that we had to look for bodies of water to bathe.
There were bathing facilities provided on troopships but the water was from the ocean. If you have ever taken a shower with seawater you will not do it often, as the result is not a clean feeling. The best we could do would be to fill our metal helmets with some of our rationed water and take a sponge bath. That was after we had brushed our teeth and shaved with the water. Even after that we used the remaining water to wash out our socks and underwear. We didn’t waste any of that water, because we got only two or three canteens of water a day.
While stationed in China in World War II most bases had bathing facilities that usually consisted of Chinese heating water in large barrels and then pouring it into an arrangement with holes that simulated a shower, crude but effective. The Chinese had public bathhouses, but we didn’t use them.
We observed while stationed in India in World War II that the Indian people are very clean. Whenever we saw a body of water or a public hydrant they were scooping up water in jugs and pouring the water over their heads. The problem was that they didn’t use soap as they were under the impression that soap contained animal fat which was forbid by their religious beliefs. The Indians just rinsed off the dirt and grime. The Indians would frequently go into the rivers for a cleansing ritual that was associated with their religion.
An interesting point for young people to note is that deodorant didn’t show up until about World War II. The first deodorant that I recall was called Mum. It came in a little jar and was a white salve. Perfume was great for the ladies, but about all the fellows had to use was talcum power. It was okay but didn’t last very long. Because of not laundering clothing very often, bathing once a week and having no deodorant, it was not uncommon to find lots of people with BO.
People who lived in the country had a more difficult time bathing that we did in the towns. There was always the reservoir in the old cook stove for hot water but very few farm houses had running water or sewer. That meant that a big washtub was the bathtub. Although that was okay for the kids, the adults had a more difficult time fitting into the washtub for a bath. That was the reason why many of the menfolk went to the barbershops for a bath. Women used the washtub because they were smaller, or they could scrub well with a washcloth.
When I look back to my days in high school I remember we avoided some of the kids who didn’t have good bathing facilities. We should have been ashamed of ourselves, but at that age it isn’t so easy to realize the circumstances that existed. I distinctly remember one fellow who had to do a lot of farm chores before he came to school. When it was winter and we were stuck in the classrooms with no windows open, it was a real pain to sit by him. He couldn’t help it, but we did make fun of him. Shame on us!
My family used to do a great deal of camping out when our boys were young. We would camp out so many days in tents and then rent a motel room to shower and clean up. Today I love to “rough it” if I have clean sheets, a warm room and hot and cold running water! Above all, I want to have a shower.
When growing up in a small town in Iowa, taking a bath at our house was a real ordeal. Early in the “Depression” years, the hot water system at our house broke down, and we couldn’t afford to get it repaired. The system consisted merely of some pipes traveling through the furnace, so in the summer even if it were fixed it would be of little use.
The bathtub in our house was the smallest tub I have ever seen then and now. It was 4 ½ feet long and had claws on the feet. It didn’t take a great deal of hot water, which was a good thing because we had to heat the water in a teakettle on the stove. We would heat two teakettles full of water boiling, take them into the bathroom, pour the water into the tub, and then cool the water down. This would give one enough water for a tub bath.
Our family had to space out the taking of baths because it took time to heat the water but that was really not much of a problem as wee took baths only on Saturdays. I can still remember my father in that tub with his knees around his chin as he was six feet tall and the bathtub was a bit small for him.
We were able to take showers when we got to junior high school and took physical education. After running or whatever we did in class we would “have” to take a shower. I know for a fact that shower was the only bath or shower the class took all week. Of course, we could always go swimming at the lake or river in the warm weather.
I remember that the two barbershops in our community were equipped with bathing facilities. Each barbershop had a little room separated from the rest of the shop that contained the bathing facilities. Farmers and townsmen would come in on Saturday afternoon and evening, get a bath, and then a shave. Remember the old song: “Shave and a haircut, two bits?” (25 cents) The price was probably a little higher but it was still the same program. The barber would heat a towel; place it on the patron’s face and after the whiskers were soft, lather the face with soap; and then shave with a straight edge razor. The patron had to trust the barber putting that razor on his neck. If I remember correctly, a shave cost 25 cents.
Now I prefer showers to tub baths because I was in the service in World War II and that was all we ever had. It was a real pleasure to go in off the parade ground and shower, especially in California in August. The military was always very good about provided bathing facilities for the troops. If there was any kind of a permanent base we usually found a shower. It was only when we were away from bases that we had to look for bodies of water to bathe.
There were bathing facilities provided on troopships but the water was from the ocean. If you have ever taken a shower with seawater you will not do it often, as the result is not a clean feeling. The best we could do would be to fill our metal helmets with some of our rationed water and take a sponge bath. That was after we had brushed our teeth and shaved with the water. Even after that we used the remaining water to wash out our socks and underwear. We didn’t waste any of that water, because we got only two or three canteens of water a day.
While stationed in China in World War II most bases had bathing facilities that usually consisted of Chinese heating water in large barrels and then pouring it into an arrangement with holes that simulated a shower, crude but effective. The Chinese had public bathhouses, but we didn’t use them.
We observed while stationed in India in World War II that the Indian people are very clean. Whenever we saw a body of water or a public hydrant they were scooping up water in jugs and pouring the water over their heads. The problem was that they didn’t use soap as they were under the impression that soap contained animal fat which was forbid by their religious beliefs. The Indians just rinsed off the dirt and grime. The Indians would frequently go into the rivers for a cleansing ritual that was associated with their religion.
An interesting point for young people to note is that deodorant didn’t show up until about World War II. The first deodorant that I recall was called Mum. It came in a little jar and was a white salve. Perfume was great for the ladies, but about all the fellows had to use was talcum power. It was okay but didn’t last very long. Because of not laundering clothing very often, bathing once a week and having no deodorant, it was not uncommon to find lots of people with BO.
People who lived in the country had a more difficult time bathing that we did in the towns. There was always the reservoir in the old cook stove for hot water but very few farm houses had running water or sewer. That meant that a big washtub was the bathtub. Although that was okay for the kids, the adults had a more difficult time fitting into the washtub for a bath. That was the reason why many of the menfolk went to the barbershops for a bath. Women used the washtub because they were smaller, or they could scrub well with a washcloth.
When I look back to my days in high school I remember we avoided some of the kids who didn’t have good bathing facilities. We should have been ashamed of ourselves, but at that age it isn’t so easy to realize the circumstances that existed. I distinctly remember one fellow who had to do a lot of farm chores before he came to school. When it was winter and we were stuck in the classrooms with no windows open, it was a real pain to sit by him. He couldn’t help it, but we did make fun of him. Shame on us!
My family used to do a great deal of camping out when our boys were young. We would camp out so many days in tents and then rent a motel room to shower and clean up. Today I love to “rough it” if I have clean sheets, a warm room and hot and cold running water! Above all, I want to have a shower.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Summer at Okoboji
I have lived here in the Iowa Great Lakes most of my 85 years and when people ask me what changes I have observed I always mention the “wall-to-wall hoists along our shore lines. But I suppose we get used to them along with the ugly power poles and lines strung all over the place. Our eyes don’t even see them, nor do they? Sometimes we solve one problem only to create another but the boats get larger and so do the hoists. Most people did not own a power boat until about the 1970s. I recall that prior to World War II some of us who lived in the area were employed either driving speedboats or selling tickets. People who did not have access to the lake took “speedboat” rides or journeyed around Lake West Okoboji on the Queen. For several summers Hank Nelson employed me to sell speedboat tickets at the State Pier in Arnolds Park. Hank had three speedboats and operated on the left dock jetting out from the pier. Frank Spotts operated from the right dock and also had a ticket booth. Hank gave me a “Course 101” on selling speedboat tickets (All of three minutes), strapped a money changer around my waist, handed me a roll of tickets and said, “Go out and sell.”
I may have been a bit bashful when I first started by slowly I caught on how to sell speedboat tickets. Hank must have likes what I did as I worked for him for two summers. I soon learned that there were three classes of people:
1. Those who wouldn’t pay a dime for a solid gold brick and “no sale.”
2. Those who took little effort on my part to buy a speedboat ticket.
3. The great “middle” group that need some salesmanship or reason for them to buy a speedboat ticket.
It was a great experience and even to this day I reflect on the huge crowds that came to the lakes on weekends in the summer months. Many times the road through the Amusement Park was closed to vehicle traffic and the streets would be crowded with pedestrians. The State Pier would be packed with spectators fence to fence because they were nearer or almost on the lake.
In those days most of the men wore Panama hats, dark trousers, white shirts and neckties. The ladies wore long dresses, always a hat and sometimes gloves. In those days people didn’t have much money, so spent a great deal of time just “looking” and watching. Popcorn was five cents and most of the rides in the Park were ten cents. A great hamburger with the “works” at Rick’s (Next to the Majestic Roller Skating Rink) was ten cents. It was great fun to just watch the people. The noise at the Park was a mixture of many things. The roller-coasters climbing to the “Point of No Return” and then plunging down and around and up and down the tracks, the Bingo stand calling numbers-B-14, etc., the snap and crack of the rifles in the shooting galleries, music from the merry-go-round, the clang of the bell when some fellow using the heavy maul pushed the weight high enough to ring the it, distant music from the Roof Garden, the Queen’s whistle and the constant babble of the pedestrians. It was always exciting at the Park in the summer. There was always something to watch like the Dodgen’s, the bowling alley, knock the bottles down, Skitball and skaters at both rinks. We were never ready to go home.
The contrast was our home town. Summer was always too short but the evenings were lazy and great. The atmosphere was really laid back. The neighborhood kids would gather at one of our houses and we would play “kick the can” or “hide and seek.” The adults would sit on their porches and visit, knit or sew while the kids were in sight. Nobody played loud music on their radio or records. Occasionally a vehicle would drive by and stir up the dust. The street roads were all gravel and maintained by the town and by August were dusty.
Saturday night was looked forward to by all. It was the night most of the farmers and their families came to town. The ladies brought their eggs to the grocery stores and exchanged for groceries. The kids might go to the movie or just roam the streets. On a calm wonderful Saturday night the sidewalks would be overflowing with pedestrians and cars were parked parallel next to the sidewalks. Many town people parked their car early so they could sit in the seats and watch the people. It was a chore to walk those two blocks and not bump into somebody. The poolhall was doing a good business as were the clothing and hardware stores. The restaurants had people in the booths drinking Coca-Cola and ordering hamburgers. For many years there was a popcorn wagon on one of the corners in the middle of town... The small towns were alive and strong but alas times and people change and Saturday nights aren’t what they used to be.
In those days we waited for summer and the Park to provide us with great many opportunities for recreation. People came from all over and we had only to drive four miles north. What a deal!
I may have been a bit bashful when I first started by slowly I caught on how to sell speedboat tickets. Hank must have likes what I did as I worked for him for two summers. I soon learned that there were three classes of people:
1. Those who wouldn’t pay a dime for a solid gold brick and “no sale.”
2. Those who took little effort on my part to buy a speedboat ticket.
3. The great “middle” group that need some salesmanship or reason for them to buy a speedboat ticket.
It was a great experience and even to this day I reflect on the huge crowds that came to the lakes on weekends in the summer months. Many times the road through the Amusement Park was closed to vehicle traffic and the streets would be crowded with pedestrians. The State Pier would be packed with spectators fence to fence because they were nearer or almost on the lake.
In those days most of the men wore Panama hats, dark trousers, white shirts and neckties. The ladies wore long dresses, always a hat and sometimes gloves. In those days people didn’t have much money, so spent a great deal of time just “looking” and watching. Popcorn was five cents and most of the rides in the Park were ten cents. A great hamburger with the “works” at Rick’s (Next to the Majestic Roller Skating Rink) was ten cents. It was great fun to just watch the people. The noise at the Park was a mixture of many things. The roller-coasters climbing to the “Point of No Return” and then plunging down and around and up and down the tracks, the Bingo stand calling numbers-B-14, etc., the snap and crack of the rifles in the shooting galleries, music from the merry-go-round, the clang of the bell when some fellow using the heavy maul pushed the weight high enough to ring the it, distant music from the Roof Garden, the Queen’s whistle and the constant babble of the pedestrians. It was always exciting at the Park in the summer. There was always something to watch like the Dodgen’s, the bowling alley, knock the bottles down, Skitball and skaters at both rinks. We were never ready to go home.
The contrast was our home town. Summer was always too short but the evenings were lazy and great. The atmosphere was really laid back. The neighborhood kids would gather at one of our houses and we would play “kick the can” or “hide and seek.” The adults would sit on their porches and visit, knit or sew while the kids were in sight. Nobody played loud music on their radio or records. Occasionally a vehicle would drive by and stir up the dust. The street roads were all gravel and maintained by the town and by August were dusty.
Saturday night was looked forward to by all. It was the night most of the farmers and their families came to town. The ladies brought their eggs to the grocery stores and exchanged for groceries. The kids might go to the movie or just roam the streets. On a calm wonderful Saturday night the sidewalks would be overflowing with pedestrians and cars were parked parallel next to the sidewalks. Many town people parked their car early so they could sit in the seats and watch the people. It was a chore to walk those two blocks and not bump into somebody. The poolhall was doing a good business as were the clothing and hardware stores. The restaurants had people in the booths drinking Coca-Cola and ordering hamburgers. For many years there was a popcorn wagon on one of the corners in the middle of town... The small towns were alive and strong but alas times and people change and Saturday nights aren’t what they used to be.
In those days we waited for summer and the Park to provide us with great many opportunities for recreation. People came from all over and we had only to drive four miles north. What a deal!
Roof Garden
Many of you old timers who frequented the Iowa Great Lakes recall, with affection, the Roof Garden. The “Roof” was an institution that has no equal. The Roof Garden was a dance hall that was built on the roof of many stores at Arnolds Park. It actually was a roof. The Roof Garden and the Casino (in Terrace Park) opened the same year. (1923) Many locals doubted the area could support both. It surprised the “nay-sayers” because both not only survived, but prospered. In those years there was a great deal of competition for ballroom dancers because along with those two there was also the Central Ballroom and the Wigwam dance floor at Brooks. Over the years the Roof Garden was under many different managers and owners.
In 1933 the Roof Garden was operated by the Spencer American Legion and Legion Auxiliary. The season opened on May 27. The Carl West Orchestra was featured. Prior to playing at the Roof the Carl West Orchestra played at the Central Ballroom in 1932. When Karl Westenberger and Mr. Becker (owner of the Central) were negotiating it was evident that Westenberger was too long to fit on an advertising bill, so Mr. Becker suggested the name Carl West. Karl Westenberger used that name for many years and Mr. Becker never let Carl forget that it was he who picked that name. Interesting sidelight: the band members and wives in the Carl West Orchestra lived in the lower level of the Central that summer. In 1933 Manny Strand, a popular lakes pianist, also played at the Roof with the Carl West Orchestra.
Many of you will recall that dancing at the Roof could be a very crowded affair. The couples were constantly bumping or trying to avoid bumping into each other to avoid collisions. The Roof was usually fairly cool because it was very open and could catch breezes off Lake West Okoboji. That was not always the case and many times it was “swing and sweat.” On May 30, 1933 single admissions totaled 2,071 and by the end of June over 20,000 admissions had been sold. That is a lot of dancers so no wonder the Roof dance floor was crowded.
The admission price was not so bad, ten cents. When you entered at the top of the steps you were stamped on the back of your hand. Couples would purchase dance tickets at ten cents and this permitted them to one set of musical numbers played by the orchestra. The dance floor would be emptied of people and as you entered the dance floor you surrendered your ticket. The band would play three or four numbers and then the “rope girls” would herd you off the dance floor and this method was repeated again and again. Years later general admission tickets were used and one could dance all night or until the place closed.
Many of us can remember how crowded the dance floor would become with all the couples dancing. I recall one story told by Fran Fitzgibbons of Estherville when he and Evie were dancing at the Roof. The band had played a number and while the band members were getting their next number’s music out the dancers could stop and rest a minute or two. Fran looked at the couple next to them and said to the man, “You look like Phil Harris.” The fellow responded by saying, “I should. I am Phil Harris.” Phil Harris and Alice Faye were frequent visitors to the lake region for several years and Fran never got over that encounter.
I remember that when I was very young my Dad and Mother would load my sister, Jean, and I into the car and drive up to the Park after work and supper. Dad would find a parking space below the Roof and we all went up to the Roof Garden. The climb up those steps sure seemed long and I’ve often wondered if anybody ever counted how many. My folks would take us to the side and plank us in a couple of seats next to the dance floor. After depositing us they would surrender their dance ticket and go out and dance. Many times my folks probably only danced three sets at a cost of ten cents per set. I think my sister and I got in free but my parents had to pay ten cents each to get in and ten cents a dance so all total probably spent only fifty cents. Sometimes Dad would buy us each a sack of popcorn (five cents) to eat while they danced so one dollar went a long ways in those days.
The Palm Garden was directly below the Roof Garden and they served 3.2 beer. Couples could go down after a dance or two, get a beer or go out on the state pier to cool off. If one wanted to really spurge a speedboat ride might be in order. All and all it was pretty laid back sort of an evening and many of us who frequented the Roof and danced to the great swing bands reminisce over and over again. Those were great times and dancing was really “dancing.”
In 1933 the Roof Garden was operated by the Spencer American Legion and Legion Auxiliary. The season opened on May 27. The Carl West Orchestra was featured. Prior to playing at the Roof the Carl West Orchestra played at the Central Ballroom in 1932. When Karl Westenberger and Mr. Becker (owner of the Central) were negotiating it was evident that Westenberger was too long to fit on an advertising bill, so Mr. Becker suggested the name Carl West. Karl Westenberger used that name for many years and Mr. Becker never let Carl forget that it was he who picked that name. Interesting sidelight: the band members and wives in the Carl West Orchestra lived in the lower level of the Central that summer. In 1933 Manny Strand, a popular lakes pianist, also played at the Roof with the Carl West Orchestra.
Many of you will recall that dancing at the Roof could be a very crowded affair. The couples were constantly bumping or trying to avoid bumping into each other to avoid collisions. The Roof was usually fairly cool because it was very open and could catch breezes off Lake West Okoboji. That was not always the case and many times it was “swing and sweat.” On May 30, 1933 single admissions totaled 2,071 and by the end of June over 20,000 admissions had been sold. That is a lot of dancers so no wonder the Roof dance floor was crowded.
The admission price was not so bad, ten cents. When you entered at the top of the steps you were stamped on the back of your hand. Couples would purchase dance tickets at ten cents and this permitted them to one set of musical numbers played by the orchestra. The dance floor would be emptied of people and as you entered the dance floor you surrendered your ticket. The band would play three or four numbers and then the “rope girls” would herd you off the dance floor and this method was repeated again and again. Years later general admission tickets were used and one could dance all night or until the place closed.
Many of us can remember how crowded the dance floor would become with all the couples dancing. I recall one story told by Fran Fitzgibbons of Estherville when he and Evie were dancing at the Roof. The band had played a number and while the band members were getting their next number’s music out the dancers could stop and rest a minute or two. Fran looked at the couple next to them and said to the man, “You look like Phil Harris.” The fellow responded by saying, “I should. I am Phil Harris.” Phil Harris and Alice Faye were frequent visitors to the lake region for several years and Fran never got over that encounter.
I remember that when I was very young my Dad and Mother would load my sister, Jean, and I into the car and drive up to the Park after work and supper. Dad would find a parking space below the Roof and we all went up to the Roof Garden. The climb up those steps sure seemed long and I’ve often wondered if anybody ever counted how many. My folks would take us to the side and plank us in a couple of seats next to the dance floor. After depositing us they would surrender their dance ticket and go out and dance. Many times my folks probably only danced three sets at a cost of ten cents per set. I think my sister and I got in free but my parents had to pay ten cents each to get in and ten cents a dance so all total probably spent only fifty cents. Sometimes Dad would buy us each a sack of popcorn (five cents) to eat while they danced so one dollar went a long ways in those days.
The Palm Garden was directly below the Roof Garden and they served 3.2 beer. Couples could go down after a dance or two, get a beer or go out on the state pier to cool off. If one wanted to really spurge a speedboat ride might be in order. All and all it was pretty laid back sort of an evening and many of us who frequented the Roof and danced to the great swing bands reminisce over and over again. Those were great times and dancing was really “dancing.”
Lakes in Dickenson County, Iowa
MEMEORY LANE
LAKES
BY R. AUBREY LA FOY
The United States consists of 50 states. Each state is then divided into counties except Louisiana which has parishes (64). The counties are then subdivided into townships. In most cases township is 36 square miles or 6 x 6 miles. Several of the counties in Iowa are irregular due to being bordered on either the Mississippi River or the Missouri River and Kossuth County is like two counties such as Clay and Dickinson. Several counties on the northern tier of Iowa are short townships. The plan laid out had each county with16 townships but several, including, Dickinson County has only 12 townships. Not only are we short townships but the northern tier of townships in Dickinson county are not 6 x 6 sections but only 5 x 6 sections. For many years Dickinson County was penalized of not having farmland, as that was the tax base, but had lakes or bodies of water.
Clay County to the south of Dickinson County has a full body of townships and sections with very few bodies of water, hence, they had a larger tax base than Dickinson County and could build a magnificent and stately courthouse. It has only been in recent years that Dickinson County gained in a larger tax base due to the expansion of cottages and businesses skirting and built on the shores of the lakes.
R.A. Smith in History of Dickinson County gives us great insight of our beginnings of county. Mr. Smith informs us that among the first acts of the settlers was naming the different lakes or to familiarize themselves with existing name. “Spirit Lake had been known by the Indians as Minnie Waukon and by the French as Lac d’Esprit. Sometimes attempting to apply English orthography to French words could be amusing. The French wrote that the Ceuoux River passed through Lake Despree. If this had not been corrected Spirit Lake would have gone on to the maps as Lake Depree. Some of the early pioneers attempted to call it Green Lake but were not successful. East Okoboji was called by the Dacotahs ‘Okoboozhy’ and West Okoboji ‘Minnietonka’ signifying Big Water but it was recognized there was a lake in Minnesota by that name so it was called West Okoboji. On e pioneer wanted to call it Lake Harriott in honor of Doctor Harriott and East Okoboji Rice Lake in honor of Senator Henry M. Rice , then senator from Minnesota but early settlers finally settled on the names West and East Okoboji.”
Mr. Smith informs us of other lakes and names. Center Lake was called by the first settlers Snyder’s lake after Bert Snyder who had a claim on the east shore but it was dropped and became Center Lake. Gar Lake was at first designated as Carl Lake in homo of Carl Granger. The outlet was known by the name of Gar Outlet so it became the name of Upper, Middle and Lower Gar. Middle Gar was renamed Minnie Washta in Dacotah synonym for good or nice.
It sure would have fun and interesting to be on the committee to name the townships in Dickinson County. They are Silver Lake, Richland, Okoboji, Milford, Diamond Lake, Excelsior, Lakeville, Lloyd, Westport, Superior, Spirit Lake and Center Grove. The lakes encompass some of the townships. 34% of Spirit Lake Township is water, 13.42% of Lakeville is water and Center Grove Township is 13.19% water. Lloyd and Westport are zero to .03%. The names of the lakes in Dickinson County are: Spirit Lake, West Okoboji, East Okoboji, Minnewashta, Upper Gar, Lower Gar, Sunken Lake, East Hottes Lake, Little Spirit Lake, Marble Lake, Diamond Lake, Silver Lake, Stony Lake, Sylvan Lake, Pratt Lake, Pillsbury Lake, Swan Lake, Welch Lake, Prairie Lake, Pleasant Lake, Lilly Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Grover’s Lake and Mill Lake. And you thought West, East Okoboji and Spirit Lake was all there was? Many of the smaller lakes in Dickinson County are jewels yet to be cleaned up and brought to their brilliance.
LAKES
BY R. AUBREY LA FOY
The United States consists of 50 states. Each state is then divided into counties except Louisiana which has parishes (64). The counties are then subdivided into townships. In most cases township is 36 square miles or 6 x 6 miles. Several of the counties in Iowa are irregular due to being bordered on either the Mississippi River or the Missouri River and Kossuth County is like two counties such as Clay and Dickinson. Several counties on the northern tier of Iowa are short townships. The plan laid out had each county with16 townships but several, including, Dickinson County has only 12 townships. Not only are we short townships but the northern tier of townships in Dickinson county are not 6 x 6 sections but only 5 x 6 sections. For many years Dickinson County was penalized of not having farmland, as that was the tax base, but had lakes or bodies of water.
Clay County to the south of Dickinson County has a full body of townships and sections with very few bodies of water, hence, they had a larger tax base than Dickinson County and could build a magnificent and stately courthouse. It has only been in recent years that Dickinson County gained in a larger tax base due to the expansion of cottages and businesses skirting and built on the shores of the lakes.
R.A. Smith in History of Dickinson County gives us great insight of our beginnings of county. Mr. Smith informs us that among the first acts of the settlers was naming the different lakes or to familiarize themselves with existing name. “Spirit Lake had been known by the Indians as Minnie Waukon and by the French as Lac d’Esprit. Sometimes attempting to apply English orthography to French words could be amusing. The French wrote that the Ceuoux River passed through Lake Despree. If this had not been corrected Spirit Lake would have gone on to the maps as Lake Depree. Some of the early pioneers attempted to call it Green Lake but were not successful. East Okoboji was called by the Dacotahs ‘Okoboozhy’ and West Okoboji ‘Minnietonka’ signifying Big Water but it was recognized there was a lake in Minnesota by that name so it was called West Okoboji. On e pioneer wanted to call it Lake Harriott in honor of Doctor Harriott and East Okoboji Rice Lake in honor of Senator Henry M. Rice , then senator from Minnesota but early settlers finally settled on the names West and East Okoboji.”
Mr. Smith informs us of other lakes and names. Center Lake was called by the first settlers Snyder’s lake after Bert Snyder who had a claim on the east shore but it was dropped and became Center Lake. Gar Lake was at first designated as Carl Lake in homo of Carl Granger. The outlet was known by the name of Gar Outlet so it became the name of Upper, Middle and Lower Gar. Middle Gar was renamed Minnie Washta in Dacotah synonym for good or nice.
It sure would have fun and interesting to be on the committee to name the townships in Dickinson County. They are Silver Lake, Richland, Okoboji, Milford, Diamond Lake, Excelsior, Lakeville, Lloyd, Westport, Superior, Spirit Lake and Center Grove. The lakes encompass some of the townships. 34% of Spirit Lake Township is water, 13.42% of Lakeville is water and Center Grove Township is 13.19% water. Lloyd and Westport are zero to .03%. The names of the lakes in Dickinson County are: Spirit Lake, West Okoboji, East Okoboji, Minnewashta, Upper Gar, Lower Gar, Sunken Lake, East Hottes Lake, Little Spirit Lake, Marble Lake, Diamond Lake, Silver Lake, Stony Lake, Sylvan Lake, Pratt Lake, Pillsbury Lake, Swan Lake, Welch Lake, Prairie Lake, Pleasant Lake, Lilly Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Grover’s Lake and Mill Lake. And you thought West, East Okoboji and Spirit Lake was all there was? Many of the smaller lakes in Dickinson County are jewels yet to be cleaned up and brought to their brilliance.
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