Welcome to December of 1929! Iowans were fascinated by a newspaper's weekly installments of a fictional story about a young woman named Jean Marie. The questions asked and the responses of readers give insight into the controversial topics of the day.  At the Homes, Baby Frieda finds a family and the elderly residents take care of the medical needs of one of their own.  Learn more about the health care of the children - tonsil operations, whooping cough, measles, mumps, scarlet fever - just to name a few and also hear information about their vaccination process. Despite all the distractions of every day life, Christmas was in the air and Rev. Klein was asking for donations, large and small. He appreciated even the smallest donations because, as he wrote,  "As always, the poor are the best friends of the poor because they know how bitter poverty is." The stories of Christmas are wonderful and, at the end of year, we reflect on the New Year's resolutions from January.

Rev. William Thalacker joins us for Guest in the Homes.  He is the son of the Klein's daughter Erna and  was named after his grandfather William Klein. He shares his recollections of his grandparents and his visits to the Homes. He provides insight into what Rev. Klein may have experienced as a German Lutheran pastor.  Rev. Thalacker also shares recollections of his time on the Board of the Homes during the 1960s. 

Ruth Nelson joins us for Guest in the Homes. She is the daughter of the Klein's daughter Erna and  she shares her recollections of her visits to the Homes and also of her grandparents and mother.  She recalls the stories of the Klein's time in North Dakota and also what happened when her grandfather brought home his first (and only) automobile.

Barbara Fritschel joins us for Guest in the Homes. She is the daughter of the Klein's oldest  daughter Sammy and  she and her brother Curt visited their grandparents often when the Kleins lived on the 2nd floor of the Home for the Aged.  Barb and one of the orphan girls became friends and Barb was allowed to spend the night in the girls' dormitory. On one occasion, she also got in a bit of trouble. Listen to find out what happened.  

Welcome to November of 1929!  November begins with a birthday celebration for Mrs. Klein and a little girl from Muscatine. Financial woes continue and the threat of foreclosure hangs over every aspect of life on Burlington Road.  But there are happy times, too, as Thanksgiving is celebrated. We also learn about weddings at the Homes. Do you know what a charavari is? Join us to find out. 

Podcast guest Rev. Paul Ostrem is the former pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Muscatine. Zion's history and the history the Homes have been intertwined since the very beginning. Rev. Ostrem talks about his research involving Pastor John Haefner that culminated in a book entitled "Dennoch!" Pastor Haefner's triumphs and struggles within the Muscatine community provide valuable insight into what it meant to be a U.S. citizen of German descent in the period before and after World War I.  The episode closes with a lovely recollection of a visitor he spoke with in the little cemetery on the hill at the Homes. If you want to purchase a copy of "Dennoch!" you can contact us at lifeatthehomes@gmail.com and we will connect you with Rev. Ostrem.

Podcast guest Coby Budridge talks about her family's journey to the Homes. Her father and aunt were residents of the orphanage as children and learn how Coby uncovered their story and her family's history.

Welcome to October of 1929! As the month begins, aviation advances continue to be made around the the world but, at the Homes, they are welcoming visitors and preparing for a long winter. Money woes continue and in asking for money to pay the debt, the newsletter urged:  "The more debts we pay, the sooner we will be able to banish the wolf of interests which is now unbidden eating the food of the children." A brother and sister who grew up at the Homes come back for a visit and the girls move into the new dormitory. Readers of the Muscatine newspaper are interested in the plight of 2 children who are placed at the Homes after being cared for by an infamous Muscatine resident. The end of the month brings Black Thursday and Black Tuesday but also a Halloween celebration.