1943

The next 5 years of entries are contained in 1 book, covering the years 1943-1947, World War II years. Information on the inside of Lester's 5-year diary: He lived at 835 Drackert in Hammond, Indiana and worked in East Chicago. He was 5'5" tall and weighed 150 pounds. His hair was brown/gray and his eyes brown.

1943

January 1943

            1 – New Years began with snow flurries, Temp. 35. Took inventory at plant. Ate dinner at home. 5% Victory Tax goes in effect today.

Lester worked for Anaconda Lead in East Chicago, Indiana

            2 – Went to office. Got haircut. Went shopping and got car greased at 23540 miles. Temp. about 36. Got film from Wayne of Christmas movies. Good picture. Meat & groceries hard to get.

            3 – Went to Church and Sunday School. Guest speaker. Dr. Smith on preaching mission. Ice & sleet today. Eva stayed home with sore throat. Temp. about 25. Ate dinner at home. Harbert's over for lunch.

            4 – Sleet, ice & colder. Temp about 20. Spent the evening at home.

            5 – Temp. about 5 above.

            6 – Several inches of snow fell today on top of the ice. Warmer, just below freezing. Eva has sore throat - not feeling good.

            7 – Staying home these winter nights, no gas & no place to go.

            8 – Temp about 25 above.

            9 – Went to office. Snowing again today and warmer. Went shopping in p.m. & came home. Dr. Lawson called. Wants me to talk to Student nurses Tuesday.

            10 – Nice Sun. Went to church. Fair crowd and good sermon. Went to Fischers for dinner. Dick and Ruth there. Showed movies.

            11 – Getting warmer. Thawed some. Russia pushing the Germans back in Caucasus. Nearing Rostov. Looks like they lost the Russian oil.

            12 – Had to go to Gary to address the Student Nurses at Methodist Hosp. Temp near zero. Dr. Lawson OK. Spoke about a train.

            13 – Went to Woodmar with Mr. Johnson & Hines for lunch. Temp. zero this morning. Snowing again tonight. Sunday School board meeting tonight.

            14 – Went over to Bob & Marg. tonight. Temp above 25.

            15 – Snowed again today. Victory tax of 5% started today.

            16 – Went to Office. Typed S.S. reports. Got drivers license. Had battery charged at 23700 miles, second time in over 2 yrs. Snowing again tonight.

            17 – Went to Church as usual. Good sermon, nice crowd. Ate dinner at home and stayed home all day. Fairly warm.

            18 – Snowed again in night & drifted. Temp. about 20.

            19 – Snowed again in night. Temp. dropped to zero. Nearly got stuck in alley. Most snow in three years. Stayed home, temp. down to 7 below. Bake dropped in. [Bake is Lester's nephew, Albert Baker, son of deceased sister Katherine (sibling #6)& Charles Baker, who later married Minnie. Katherine & Charles also had a daughter, Marjorie or Marge.]

            20 – Temp. down to about 12 below. Lower in places. Clear & sunshine. Went to Chicago to WPB meeting [WPB = War Production Board?]. Temp. raising tonight, about 9 above at 7:30.

            21 – Warmer today. 20 year Club had dinner at Woodmar. 20 members & 3 new members present. Hurless, Laymon, Clark. Mr. Johnson new President.

            22 – Thawing today. Temp. nearly 40. Spent evening at home. Got word Nancy & David were coming tomorrow [Wayne, Nancy & David were living in West Virginia while Wayne worked for Standard Oil on a war project. Eventually returned to Hammond]. Rained in night, melting more snow.

            23 – Went to Office. Clear & warmer. Nancy & David arrived. Nancy's Grandfather died [Lin H. Griffith died 1-22-1943]. Harbert's here for lunch. Went shopping & stayed home.

            24 – Went to church. Ate dinner at home. Went to Young Peoples Pot Luck at Church. Had moving picture.

            25 – Colder again. About 8 above tonight. Kathryn Turvey Gastan reviewed "The Robe". Capacity audience with people standing.

            26 – Zero this morning, but clear. Went to P.B. class party at Church, chili supper. Had movies.

            27 – Still about 8 above in morning, but warmer during day about 20 tonight. Nancy & David came back from Danville. Stayed here all night. Showed movies.

            28 – Played with David tonight.

            29 – Dick & Ruth came over to see Nancy & David.

            30 – Went to Office. Took Nancy up town & to Doctor. Went to see Marj. & Bob a minute.

            31 – Went to early Church service. Communion later. We all went. Harbert's here for dinner. Nancy went back with them to stay. Eva washed tonight.

February 1943

            2 – Nancy & David went home, Eva went with them on Penn 12:07 from Gary. Stayed home & went to bed early.

            4 – Went up town. Got shirt & tie at Foxes. (King glo) Came home & went to bed. Also got Flannel shirt at Goldblatts.

            5 – Weather nice today. Sunshine, snow & ice nearly gone. Went to show, Now Voyagers with Bette Davis.

            6 – Another birthday again. Snow & blizzard all day. Colder. Went to show. Was at Office today.

            7 – Went to Church & Sunday School. Was invited out to Bake's for dinner. Had chicken, etc. Went to League in evening.

            8 – Went to Marcus tonight to work on books.

            9 – Eva came home from West Virginia today on 6:19 Penn. Met her at Gary. Marj. came over for films. Wayne & Nancy leaving tomorrow for Birmingham, Alabama.

            10 – Went back to Marcus to finish up their Income Taxes. Getting colder. Bought 3 flannel sport shirts $2.95 ea. Donna saw Life with Father.

            11 – Temp. down to 3 above again this morning. Got Wayne another sport shirt for his birthday.

            12 – Lincoln's Birthday. Stayed at home this evening.

            13 – Went to office. Came home, got groceries & went shopping. Went to show Gentleman Jim & Omaha Trail. Very cold & windy outside. Around zero. Snow flurries.

            14 – Went to church. Dinner at home. Bishop Lowe here for meeting preceeding Race Relations meeting. Took him to train at 63^rd St. 3 below zero this morning. Cold all day. Supper at Fishers.

            15 – Exactly zero this morning. Rose to about 10 above at noon. Wayne's arrived in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday. About 5 above tonight.

            16 – Still cold, but getting warmer.

            17 – Delivered O.C.D. pumps tonight. Mr. Bruhn, Tom Haney & kept one for myself.

            18 – Temp over 20 today. Went in to Chicago Office. Managers Association. Nice evening. Got home about 10 o'clock.

            19 – Like spring today, temp nearly 60 above. Oscar Miller came over this evening.

            20 – Temp about 50. Warm & bright. Went to office. Got hair cut. Went shopping. Went to Masonic Party at LeVeints. Heard a Major Ditton. Large crowd.

            21 – Sunny & warm. Big crowd at church. Dedicated the "Sheares Singing Tower." Went to League at night also.

            22 – Fourth sunny day in a row. Not quite so warm. Mother [Eva] dried clothes outside.

            23 – A little colder today.

            25 – Quite a lot of snow this morn. Man hit my car on Wallace Rd. quite a lot of damage. Eva & I went in to see "Life with Father." Went on South Shore. Good show. Rather cold. Hammond High lost first game to Roosevelt 35 – 29 [basketball sectionals].

            26 – Lucy & Beverly had their tonsils out today. Getting along ok. Tech, Clark & Roosevelt all won.

            27 – Went to Office. Got auto license today. Clark beat Roosevelt 32-30. Tech beat Portage 52-29 in Semi finals. Clark won first sectional tonight by beating Tech 33-29.

            28 – Went to church & Sunday School. Ate dinner at home. Went to help serve the Youth Fellowship. Stayed for evening program.

March 1943

            1 – Had Farewell Party at Woodmar on Mr. Call. Over 60 there. Fine dinner. Went out alone. Was asked to give the blessing.

            2 – Getting colder again. About zero. Have had more subzero weather than in many years.

            3 – It was about 4 below this morning and stayed zero until noon. Was up to about 14 by night. Went to Calumet.

            4 – Stayed home this evening. Marj. & Bob came home from Florida.

            6 – Snowing & blizzard all day. Must be a foot deep. Shoveled walks three times. Went to Office & stayed home rest of day. Michigan City beat Remington 37-34. Wallace beat Clark 33-29. Wallace beat Michigan City 46-33 for regional winner.

            7 – Lots of snow and below zero. Small crowd at church. Ate dinner at home.

            8 – About 7 or 8 below. Coldest March 8^th in 70 years.

            9 – Moderating some, but still zero. Looks like winter will never end.

            10 – Still cold.

            12 – Kids came in at midnight from Birmingham, left Thursday eve. Wayne was away 5 months. Eva & I went to hear "Wings Over Jordan," colored choir.

            13 – Thawing & warm. Lebanon beat Rochester 49-34, L. Wallace beat Peru 37-25. Lebanon won semi-finals 48-32. Kids over this evening. Got hair cut today.

            14 – Really first nice Sunday for some time. Regular Easter crowd at church. Had kids birthday dinner at home [Lester's children, Wayne & Donna, were born on March 15, six years apart]. Went to League at night.

            15 – Rained and lightening today all day. Left car at Biekers to get fender rolled out. At Wayne's for supper. Rode to work with Stolde. Donna gave us big picture of herself.

            16 – Cooler today. Car not done yet. Went to Calumet to see A Yank at Eton & Forest Rangers [movies]. Won $3.00 playing Hilo.

            18 – Went to Office Managers Club. Came home on bus. Snowing & blowing again. Wayne got new light for projector, this is 3^rd one.

            19 – Car finished. Had tune up, new points, carb overhauled. 24,440 miles. $15.55, plus $32.05 for fender repair.

            20 – Went to Office. Had car washed at Brush's. Lebanon beat Bedford 36-35, Ft. Wayne beat Batesville. Ft. Wayne won state by beating Lebanon 40-28.

            21 – Went to Church. Dr. Smith not well, but preached good sermon.

            24 – Went to Clarks for supper & to Sunday School Board meeting at night.

            27 – Went to Office. Had muffler put on car $2.00, plus cost $3.98. Went to see Flying Fortress and the Glass Key.

            28 – Went to Sunday School & Church. Dr. Smith sick, Rev. Day preached. Went to kids for dinner. League at night.

            29 – Went to see "My Sister Eileen" at Calumet. Getting warmer.

            30 – Went to see neighbor at Woodmar about lot. Eva went to committee meeting. I visited with Bob. Over 60 today. Warmest March 30 in years.

            31 – Warm today. Rain tonight. Wayne's over for supper. Marj. over for awhile. Highest temp 76.

April 1943

            1 – Went up town. Got some fresh salmon.

            2 – Burned grass off lot tonight. Cold. [Lot on Olcott Ave. in Hammond's Woodmar. Later built a home on the lot and lived there before moving to Valparaiso and then to Birch Lake.]

            3 – Went to office. Got hair cut. Went shopping & stayed home in p.m. Went to see Ralph & Hester at Marg. at night. They just returned from Florida.

            4 – Went to Church. Rained early this morning. Dr. Smith back. Bob Sister[?] Married today. Went to Wayne's this evening. Harbert's there also.

            5 – Cool today. Cut willows off lot. Eva on Committee at Class Party.

            8 – Went out to Shipman, near Badelias, with bunch of kids. Lovely day. Visited Uncle Dock's. Went to Bible Study class on 41.

            10 – Went to office. Grandma Kesler surprised us today. Came up with Ralph's. Visited Marj. & Bob tonight. Painted Donna's closet.

            11 – Went to Church & Sunday School. Went to Wayne's for dinner. Grandma went home this p.m. I went to Baptist church to Black Campaign.

            12 – Went to Baptist Church supper & out calling with Clark. Got good results. Bell & Howell camera came back from factory oiled & cleaned.

            13 – Snowed today and turned cold. Went to supper again. Clark & I went calling. Good calls but no results. Went to Woodmar for luncheon with Johnson, Stoles, Bowman & Gurless.

            14 – Temp. dropped to about 20 above. Ground froze about 2 inches. Went to supper again. Les & I went calling. Got 3 decisions out of 4 prospects.

            15 – Still cool. Went to supper. Mr. Reed & I made two calls in evening. Mother cleaning house. Last day of Campaign.

            16 – Still cool. Wayne's over for supper tonight. Feel cold coming on.

            17 – Went to office. Went shopping. Mother got Blue Coat $34.75 at Minas. Picked out wallpaper.

            18 – Went to Sunday School & Church. Capacity crowd. Palm Sunday. Have first cold of season. Feel miserable. Stayed home all evening.

            19 – Still feel bad, but went to work. Raining. Mother starting to wash woodwork.

            20 – Bob put a patch on bedroom tonight. Gave him color film. Eva has cold also.

            21 – Paperhangers started today. Are to paper Living Room, Dining Room, Front Big Room & Donna's room ($78 for job).

            22 – Still cleaning & papering.

            23 – Good Friday. Cloudy. Closing office at noon. Went to 3 hr. Services. Big crowd. Came home & scrubbed living room & dining room floors, waxed and put furniture back. Eva still feels tough & all in. Finished papering.

            24 – Went to office. Went shopping & helped straighten up rooms. Cleaned furniture & rugs. Got a hair cut.

            25 – Easter Sunday. Went to Sunrise Service (7 a.m.) at Civic Center. Eva & Donna. Rained. Rev. Whooten preached. Big service at our church. Overflow crowd. Lots of new members. Raining hard. Wayne's here for dinner. Went to see their rented house.

            28 – Wayne's moved on Van Buren St. today. House was sure dirty. Went out to see farmer about plowing lot. Promised to plow in day or so. Stopped at Wayne's.

            29 – Went to Office Managers Seminar for Luncheon & Dinner. Mostly about manpower problems.

            30 – Went to Chicago again today.

May 1943

            1 – Went to office. Went out to help Wayne paint their living room. Eva cleaned woodwork.

            2 – Went to Church. Wayne's over for dinner. Mr. Harbert helped them paint today.

            3 – Went out to see Wayne's. Bake was over. Mr. Harbert & Nancy painted Dining Room.

            4 – Went to hear Mabel Poroky Harper give a reading at Church. Nice crowd.

            5 – Kids anniversary. We were there for supper. Temp. about 86.6 today. Warmest day of spring. Went out to see farmer, he promised to plow lot on Friday.

            6 – Went to Lodge at Indiana Harbor with Mr. Stolte. Capt. of Salvation Army initiated. Saw Leroy Bevan.

            7 – Got new waterproof watch today. (Racine) 15 jewel $33.00, semi wholesale. Went to Calumet Theatre, raining. Road to Morocco.

            8 – Went to office. Rained today. Went shopping.

            9 – Went to Sunday School & Church. Dr. Lawson there. Mothers Day. Went to Wayne's for dinner. Harberts there too. Stopped at Marj. & Bob's in evening.

            10 – Raining all day & all night. We went with Wayne's to Nichols to show movies. Bob & Margaret there.

            11 – Went to Calumet. Saw George Washington Slept Here & War Against Mrs. Hadley. Rained all morning until noon. Cool.

            12 – Wayne's here for supper. Went to OCD meeting [OCD is Office of Civilian Defense during WWII]. Still cool. Furnace has been running every day. Put on new baffle box on smoke pipe.

            13 – Still cool. Probably frost tonight. Lot not plowed yet.

            14 – Rained all day today. Went to Wayne's tonight.

            15 – Went to office. Wayne took us all out to Mothers [Mary Kesler lived outside Akron, Indiana]. Drove in 3 hrs. 15 min. Rained most all day & in night. Farms all flooding, no plowing done.

            16 – Nice day but terrific wind. Chris's, Earl's & Estus there for dinner. We had 6 chickens to eat. Devoy's & Ralph's came over. Left for home early. Had a nice time. First trip home since October. [Chris's refers to Eva's oldest sister Mabel, her husband Chris North, and their daughter Milly who later married Eldon Crackel. Devoy's refers to Eva's cousin – son of Uncle Dock (Joseph Kesler) & Aunt Orah (Orah was Mary Kesler's sister) and Devoy's wife Lulu & their 4 children (Joe is the only 1 I'm sure of). Ralph's refers to Hester (Devoy's sister, Eva's cousin) & her husband Ralph. Don't know her last name or of any children.]

            17 – Rained all day.

            18 – Still raining. Floods rising all over middle west.

            19 – Still raining. Wayne's here for supper. Went to OCD meeting. Scared David with helmet. He sure looked comical.

            20 – Still raining. Got hair cut tonight.

            21 – Went to Wayne's to help him move new dining room set. Quit raining today.

            22 – Went to office. Real warm today & sunshiny. Spaded garden & cleaned pool. Went to see "In Which We Serve."

            23 – Went to Sunday School & Church. Ate dinner at home. Rained all afternoon & evening. Went to League to hear Senora Rosa from Mexico.

            24 – Rained again. Stolte went to St. Louis [I believe Stolte is Lester's boss]. Went to Chicago to OD2 office. Rain today ends record for May since 1883, 6.59 inches.

            25 – No rain today but cool. We had wage & Horn inspection at office. Everything in order. Went to Wayne's for supper. Donna had Sunday School Class party tonight.

            26 – Cut lawn tonight.

            27 – Mr. Johnson took 20 year Club to Kupholn. Smorgasboard dinner & show. Nice evening, 22 present. Rode with Bice Hines. First time I did not drive my own car.

            28 – At Wayne's for supper. Went to see farmer about lot. Promised to plow it tomorrow. Stopped at Bake's.

            29 – Had lot plowed, disced & harrowed today, cost $4.00. Eva went out home with Marge. First Sat. away from office since October. Bought linen hat $2.50 at Fox. Planted Dahlias and Glads today.

            30 – Went to Church. Gave flowers for Mother [Milne] & Dad Kesler. Planted some peas, onions, radishes & lettuce. Raining, had to quit. Mother came home early.

            31 – Office closed today. Worked in garden all morn. Planted 1 row early red potatoes, 2 rows corn, 2 doz. cabbage & tomatoes. Also beets, carrots & spinach Took storm windows down & put up rest of screens. Wayne's here for supper.

June 1943

            1 – Donna was installed as President of her Sunday School class. I gave a short talk to the group. Rained this evening & warm. Got china Clock back today from the repair shop. Running good. 'Cost $10.20.

            2 – We went to see Random Harvest with Greer Garson & Ronald Coleman. Temp over 80. Grandma came up with Hester. Was at Wayne's with Donna.

            3 – Grandma went home early. Still warm. Cut lawn tonight & planted row of sweet onions in garden. Radishes & peas up. Trimmed around edges of lawn. Rained hard in night.

            4 – Bought groceries & went to see Desert Victory & Hello Frisco. Still warm. Ate supper in basement first time.

            5 – Went to office. Came home early. Chris & Eldon came up. Eldon home on furlough. Cool today. Eldon & Milly went to Crete for dinner. All here for supper, including Wayne's. Corn, beets, etc. up.

            6 – Went to Church & to Wayne's for dinner. Broke fan belt. Raining most all evening. Donna went to Gary.

            7 – Wayne & I planted row of green & wax beans, also row of cabbage, peppers & radishes, also row & half of cucumbers.

            8 – Wayne & I planted row of muskmelons & row of onions.

            9 – Donna was installing Chaplain at Gary Jobs [Job's Daughters]. Went to OCD meeting & got our Black out cards.

            10 – Jackie Jones married. I went to a banquet at Harry Lunds church in S. Chicago. Hammond also had Test blackout. It was successful.

            11 – Had dinner at Woodmar on J. Slovenks who is entering service.

            12 – Went to Office. Hottest day of year, temp. reached 92.2º at 5 p.m. I worked in garden in evening, cultivated all crop. Planted row of muskmelons. Hearts of Gold & more cucumbers.

            13 – Went to Sunday School & Church. Had Students Day program. Wayne's here for dinner. Wayne left for Birmingham. We took him to Chicago to 10 o'clock train. Cooler today.

            14 – Warm again today. Temp. about 92. Flag Day. Went to Civic Center to hear Col. Romulo. Good program.

            15 – Worked in garden some. Beans up 2 inches. Potatoes all up. Went to see "Cat People" and "Pittsburg" at Calumet. Cooler.

            16 – Nancy & David here for supper. Got her gifts to send Wayne. Went by garden in taking her home. Cooler.

            17 – Worked in garden until dark. Went to the show at Calumet. Saw Yankee Doodle Dandy. Cooler.

            18 – Cooler. Cleaned up in garden again. Getting ready to plant potatoes. Eva & Donna went to Violet's recital.

            19 – Didn't go to office. Went to garden, worked all morn. Planted 2 rows potatoes, 2 rows corn, Kentucky Wonder beans, watermelon, squash & cleaned up whole garden. Temp. reached about 94. Nancy & David here this p.m.

            20 – To Church & Sunday School. Had thunder storm and good rain this morn. Ate dinner at home. Nancy & David here. Went to League & Choir Concert tonight.

            21 – Out to garden. Cultivated & fertilized peas, onion, radishes, beets & carrots. Planted row of Limas, row of beets, chard, spinach, carrots & radishes. Brought home first onions & radishes. Good.

            22 – Went to Gary with Calumet Union. Took bus to City Church. Hyde Park put on a play.

            23 – Took Nancy to hospital about 6:30, Diane was born at 8:12, weight 9 lbs. 10 ozs. Mother & I saw her, she is round & fat as a butterball. Nancy got along fine. Sent Wayne a telegram.

            24 – Warm today. Went to see Nancy at hospital. Took gifts to her & Henrietta. She had a baby boy same age as Diane.

            25 – Nancy came home from hospital. Mother stayed with her. Warm today, about 95. Went to see "Happy go lucky."

            26 – Went to office. Temp. to 96 today. Worked in garden. Wayne came home from Alabama for weekend.

            27 – Went to Church. Plenty hot. Temp. reached 99 at one time then dipped after rains around us.

            28 – Heavy rainstorm this morning about 5 o'clock. Needed badly. Getting cooler. Gave first blood to bank at Chicago. Went to hospital to see Alma. Very sick. Bought tropical worsted (cocoa) $27.50 at Goldblatts.

            29 – Cooler today. Set out 42 more Marglobe tomatoes tonight, making about 60 in all. Went to see Mom & Nancy. They are fine. Mr. Fristoe came yesterday from New York for inventory Alma has brain tumor.

            30 – Temp. dropped to 45 this morning, cool all day, high 68. Mr. Knowles came today. Went to Beach Party with Choir at Wells. Donna went with me.

July 1943

            1 – Temp. about 50 this morn. High 73. Took inventory at Plant. Ate at Harters tonight. Weeded garden & went to see Mom & Nancy. Everybody fine.

            2 – Temp. low 55, high about 80. Climbing a little each day. Went to see "The Moon is Down."

            3 – Went to office. Went shopping for Nancy. Doris Mary & Dal stayed with Nancy & Eva & I went to a show. Quite warm this p.m. about 95. Show (Air Force). Alma operated on today.

            4 – Alma Hathaway died at about 5:30 a.m. at Passavant Hospital. Went to Church & ate dinner at Nancy's. Warm, but cooled in evening. Had lettuce out of garden.

            5 – No work today, so worked 4 ½ hrs. in garden. Planted 2 rows corn, one row red atlantis string beans. At Nancy's for lunch. Rained some in p.m. Dan & Tena came out. Went to see Alma.

            6 – Temp. dropped today. Big thunderstorm & heaviest rain of year for so short a period (4 inches in 2 hours). Eva & I took Diane to Dr. but he wasn’t' in. Went to see Ruth Brusch at hospital.

            7 – Took Diane back to Dr's. tonight. She is doing fine, and was so good. Cooler. Was a pallbearer at Alma Hathaway's funeral along with Cox, Asher, Hoos, Stacie & Huth.

            8 – 20 year dinner at Cape Cod. Jordan in as President. Johnson out. Had 23 there, including 5 candidates. Went to see Ravaged Earth after. Mother stayed all night at Nancy's.

            9 – Went to Nancy's for supper & hoed in garden in evening. Cool.

            10 – Went to office. Went to garden. Cultivated whole patch. Brought home first peas & spinach, also radishes & onions. Warm this p.m., about 85.

            11 – Went to church. Drizzled most all day. To Nancy's for dinner. Had fried chicken. Stayed all afternoon & evening. Cool today.

            13 – Jake Fischer died today about 3:30 at Augustan H. Had heart attack. We were at Nancy's this evening.

            14 – Went to Chapel tonight. Mr. Fischer looks fine.

            15 – Went to Jake's funeral. Eva stayed at the home after services & got supper for them.

            16 – Had a good hard rain today. Mother got caught in it at Beauty Shop.

            17 – Went to office. Eva, David & I went to Grandma's, drove Wayne's car 220 miles on about 9 gallons. Mother was fine. Weather was cool. Rained, but missed us.

            18 – Chris came home this morning. We left about 3, got home at 6. David was a good boy all the time.

            20 – Went out to see Nancy & babes. They are fine.

            21 – Took Diane to Dr. Four weeks old, she weighed 10 lbs. 4 ozs. & is doing fine. David went with us.

            22 – Cool today, temps about 64 in morning. Went to Nancy's for supper. Worked in garden. Picked 1^st mess of beans, 4^th mess of peas, some radishes & lettuce.

            23 – Temp. went to about 95 today. Went to see "Pride of the Yankees," story of Lou Gehrig.

            24 – Went to office. Worked 3 hrs. in garden. Planted turnips, 4^th planting of radishes, also some lettuce. Brought 2^nd mess of beans, 1^st mess of beets.

            25 – Went to Church. At Nancy's. Got word Wayne was coming home. Mother & I went to meet him. Took David. He was fine & glad to be home. Not so warm.

            26 – Went to Chicago with Wayne to get his luggage.

            27 – Went to garden. Cultivated & sprayed corn. Had a good rain this morning at 4 o'clock.

            28 – Took Tootes & Charles Burke to garden. Brought home vegetables.

            29 – Wayne's here for supper. First time since Nancy was in hospital. Diane was so cute.

            30 – Went to show.

            31 – Went to office. Wayne & I planted late winter radishes, carrots, beets, spinach & lettuce. Warm & dry. Counted 65 tomatoes on large vine.

August 1943

            1 – Went to Church. Dr. Lawson preached in Smith's absence. Really warm all p.m. about 94. Hottest Aug. 1^st in years. Went to Wayne's in evening.

            2 – At Wayne's for supper. We kept kiddies while they went to Dr. A big electrical storm with an abundance of rain all evening & thru night. Went to garden. Picked 2 cucumbers.

            3 – Rained off & on today. Went to see "Prelude to War" also Tarzan Triumphs. Bro't home 2 cabbages, first.

            4 – Cool today. Went to Chicago to WH Board. Wayne & Nancy over for supper. Bro't home beans, beets & second batch of cucumbers.

            5 – Cleaned car cushions with vacuum. Cut lawn. Cool.

            6 – Went to Wayne's and garden. Picked cucumbers, beans, beets & chard. Had car waxed today at Livers, $5.00.

            7 – Went to office. Had brakes adjusted today ($1.60). Went to garden, cultivated & sowed fertilizer on corn, tomatoes & potatoes. Planted last beans. Went to show this eve. Hot today.

            8 – Went to Church. Chas. Smith preached. Was to Wayne's for dinner.

            12 – Called Board Meeting. No one showed up. Postponed. Wayne picked garden & bro't us vegetables. Rained today.

            13 – Rained today in morning. Eva & I went to Mishawaka to start our vacation. Mother came up also. Stayed at Chris's.

            14 – Went shopping & drove to Birch Lake in time for lunch. Warm. Went swimming.

            15 – All ate dinner at cottage, had fried chicken. Mother went home with Chris's. Had rain storms in night. Went to Estus's. Went swimming in evening.

This is the cottage on Birch Lake owned by Chris & Mabel North (Eva's sister). Milly Crackel, Chris & Mabel's only child, is shown at left with her mother, Mabel. Milly inherited the cottage and when Milly & her husband Eldon decided to sell the cottage in the early 1950s, Milly approached my dad (Wayne Milne) in hopes that he would buy it. He told her he was sure he couldn't afford it. Milly said, "$3,000 total price. You pay $300 a year, no interest." My dad said he couldn't refuse those terms. So my 5 siblings and I benefitted from Milly's  generous offer with many years of wonderful memories. What made the location even finer was that our Grandpa Lester & Grandma Eva's permanent home was right next door.

            16 – Cooler today. Waxed car & cleaned cushions with vacuum. Looks good. Got case of eggs 50 cents dozen. Temp. dropped to 50.

            17 – North wind blowing all day, real cool, dropped below 50 in night. Couldn't go swimming. Wrote letters, etc.

            18 – Went to Tubby's for groceries. Marie went too. Ate supper at her house. Warmer. They drove into South Bend this evening. Went swimming.

            19 – Marie came home, but Estus stayed at Benton Harbor.

            20 – Estus brought Mother out from Mishawaka. Getting warmer. Went fishing & swimming. No fish. Showed movies at Estus's.

            21 – Wayne & family came up, brought Donna. Arrived 5:30 in time to go swimming. Some warmer. We went over to see Minnie, took Mother.

            22 – All at cottage for dinner. Mary & Jack came over with Chris's. Real hot today. Went swimming twice. Came home late. Paid Milly $15.00 for cottage.

            23 – Back to work. Rained today. Picked garden tonight, got cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, squash, radishes, etc. Warm & sultry today.

            24 – Raining again.

            25 – Took Stolte to Hammond Kiwanis to hear Roberta De La Rosa.

September 1943

            3 – Went to garden to get stuff for week end.

            4 – Went to office, came home early. All went with Wayne's up to Harbert's cottage. Rained all the way and evening. Cool.

            5 – Clear & warmer today. Went swimming in Lake Michigan. Water nice. Took some pictures. Had good time. Came home about 7. [Photo below dated 1941, Lester Milne on left and Walter Harbert on right.]

            6 – Labor Day. Wayne & I took pictures in garden & picked a lot of vegetables. We went to see "My Friend Flicka" this p.m. Picked 3 melons. First of season.

            7 – Had my 2^nd blood donation today. Had special Quarterly Conference at Church, regarding building program. Wayne's here for supper.

            8 – Sunday School board meeting. Good attendance.

            9 – Our 28^th Wedding Anniversary. Was at Bake's for supper. Wayne's & Donna too. Fine dinner. Picked 10 melons in garden.

            10 – Went to garden again, got more melons, totaling 17 in all. Nearly frosted again, temp. 39 in night. Turned on Gas to 60º.

            11 – Went to office. Donna's watch was cleaned, also Nancy's. Got 3 more melons (20). Didn't frost yet. Cool.

            12 – Temp. down again.

            17 – Had just touch of light frost. Nipped melon vines in spots.

            18 – Went to office.

            19 – Aunt Mabel & Kay out for dinner [Mabel DeCoudres is Lester's sister, #9 sibling, and Kay is her son Gordon's wife]. David's birthday party at his home. Fine day. Had first 2 watermelons out of garden. Estus & Marie stopped. Have had about 32 Honey rocks [muskmelon]. Good.

            20 – Wayne started his vacation.

            21 – Stolte left for Cassville, Wisconsin on vacation.

            25 – Went to office. Wayne's here for dinner & supper. Went to garden & over to see Virginia. Louie's birthday, 2 years old.

            26 – Went to Church. To Wayne's for dinner.

            27 – Wayne's went to Harbert Woods for few days.

            28 – Went to garden. Picked corn, melons and some cucumbers. Warm. Stolte back today.

            29 – First Quarterly Conference at Church. Dr. Holmes presiding. Warmer.

            30 – Real warm today. Hit 87º. Went to Wayne's for movie show. Lydia, Dick & Ruth there.

October 1943

            1 – Gas cut to 2 gallons on B & C [tickets for WWII gas rationing]. Turning cooler today. Picked small mess of peas & more corn. Got car tuned up, greased & oil changed 27500 $14.14.

            2 – Went to office. Worked all day on Storeroom Inventory. Miller, Huth, Fallowes, Hoges, Stacie, Biggs, Stoffer, Wands, Margaret, Stolte, Hines & self.

            3 – Homecoming & Rally Day at Church. Bishop Lowe preached. Went to office in p.m. to work on inventory. Old Timers night at League. Wayne & Nancy here for dinner at 4:30. Nice weather.

            5 – Went to garden. Got quite a few tomatoes, ripe & green. Also 3 dozen corn, squash & melons. Frost hasn't killed everything yet. Went to see Du Barry Was a Lady [movie].

            6 – Went to see the kids. Warm.

            7 – Went to class at H.S. "Office Managers Class."

            8 – Warm today. Ate last corn from garden. Stayed home tonight.

            9 – Went to office. Went to garden in p.m. Dug potatoes, got about 1 bushel. Real warm today, about 80º. Bake's moved today to Huron St.

            10 – Went to church. Had roast chicken for dinner. Wayne's went to Starved Rock. Went to League to launching of Stewardship.

            11 – 20 Year Club had dinner at Lundgren's. Mr. Case was special guest. 27 members present. Mr. Case told experience of BMI [Basic Magnesium, Inc.? That's all I can find in 1943, but it's related to metals and Lester worked for Anaconda Lead].

            12 – Went out to Wayne's this evening. Warm enough to go in shirt sleeves.

            14 – Warning of colder weather, so picked a pail of ripe & one of green tomatoes. Went to class, not organized yet.

            15 – Raining all day & getting colder. Went to garden & picked 2 pails of green tomatoes. Did not freeze however.

            16 – Went to office. Rained in morning. Turned nice during day, but cold. Eva washed. Washed windows & storm windows & put them up. Took screens down. Took about 3 hours.

            17 – Went to Sunday School & Church. Diane was baptized. Kids were here for dinner. Temp. around 30 this morn, but warmed during day. Eldon home on furlough today.

            18 – Farewell dinner at Woodmar for Ralph Slade. About 56 there. Nice affair.

            19 – Wayne left today for Birmingham. Nancy & kids stayed home. Donna quit her job at Pullman. Got paid to end of month. Applied at Lever Bros.

            20 – Donna got a job today at United Air Lines. Going to work Monday.

            21 – Eva & Donna went to Mishawaka on bus. I went to Office Managers Club. Had a killing frost today. First heavy frost.

            22 – Went to garden, brought home pail of green tomatoes. Went to Nancy's for supper. Went to see Stage Door Canteen.

            23 – Went to office. Got enough tickets to drive Wayne's car to Mishawaka, took Nancy & kiddies. Warm. Eldon was fine.

            24 – Had nice visit with all. Saw Mary & Jack, Erma & Russell. Came home early.

            26 – Went to class tonight. Unable to organize yet. Went to see "5 Graves to Cairo" and "Flight for Freedom."

            28 – Sunday School board meeting at Mae Kessings. Mrs. Witham gave talk. Nice meeting.

            29 – Went to see "Diane." Good show.

            30 – Went to office. Out to Nancy's tonight. Halloween kids came. David was dressed up. Looked cute.

            31 – Went to Church. Drove to LaPorte to District Conference. Took Dr. Smith, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Hoppes, Vera Porter & Jack Todd. Fine meeting. Bishop Lowe spoke twice.

November 1943

            1 – Went to Quarterly Conference at Church.

            2 – Went to Nancy's for supper. Had nice supper & evening. Kiddies were so cute.

            3 – Donna had blind date with a Sailor. Went to Purdue. Name Willie Harras. Seems a nice boy.

            4 – Temp. dropped below freezing last night. Collet left for service today. [Larry Collet was Wayne Milne's best friend from boyhood until Larry's death. Larry married Catherine and had 4 children. "Collet" will appear many times in this diary as the Wayne Milne & Larry Collet families were very close.]

            5 – Office Management Class finally got organized at H.S.

            12 – Worked overtime at office tonight on P & L estimates. Missed class tonight.

            13 – Went to office, worked until 12:30 on P & L.

            14 – Went to Church and to Nancy's for dinner.

            15 – Mother-Daughter banquet at Church. Eva & Donna went. I went to see Bake's.

            17 – Wayne came home from Birmingham today. Went out there for Chop Suey.

            19 – Went to Office Management class at H.S.

            20 – Went to office & to town. June Owrey married tonight. Purdue beat Indiana 7-0. Won all 10 games for National Honors. Went to Temple supper.

            21 – Went to Church. Pledged $500 in bonds to Building Fund. No one here for dinner. Having a fine Fall. Not very cold yet. Went to Marj. to see Uncle Dock's.

            24 – Gave 3^rd blood donation to Red Cross.

            25 – Thanksgiving. Home all day, no one here but Donna. Had good dinner. Kids came in the evening.

            26 – Betty F., Lydia & Mary P. was in this evening for root beer.

            27 – Went to office. Went shopping in p.m. Notre Dame got beat by Great Lakes, only game lost. Weather still nice. Ground has scarcely frozen yet.

            28 – Went to church. Nancy & kids over for dinner. Wayne had to work, so came late.

           

December 1943

            4 – Eva & I met Donna at the Studebaker Theatre where we saw Ethel Barrymore in "The Corn is Green". Donna met Willie. We all ate at Henrici's. Had good time.

            5 – Went to Sunday School & Church. Had dinner at home. David & Diane sick with flu.

            8 – Dean [DeCoudres, sister Mabel's 2^nd son] arrived home today by Air. Saw Donna at U.A. Lines.

            9 – We planned to go home this week end but couldn't on account of kids' illness.

            10 – Worked overtime tonight until 8:30. Didn't go to class. Willie came out from Glenview.

            11 – Went to office. Worked on Oxide WPB reports. Fire in warehouse. Went shopping. Worked overtime on Salary roll.

            12 – Wayne drove us to Evanston to see Dean. Nancy & kids couldn't go. Tena & Dan there for dinner. Henry's & Bielby's came in p.m. Donna stayed all night. Nice time had by all.

            13 – Colder today. About 3 above. Coldest day of year. Worked until 9 o'clock.

            14 – Some warmer today. About 10 above.

            15 – Temp. dropped to about 1 below today. Mr. Gulick & Mr. Creehan came to audit today. Went to Marcus tonight.

            16 – Warmer again. Went to Chicago. Done some shopping.

            17 – Went to class today & delivered Sunday School books. Wayne went to Milwaukee on business for Standard Oil.

            18 – Went to office. Put tree up at Church. Tree was donated by Vijacks. Went shopping also.

            19 – Went to Church. Had our Sunday School Christmas program following Church service. Went to Wayne's this p.m. Over 40 above today. Clear.

            20 – Untrimmed tree at Church. Donna & I went shopping.

            21 – Went to Office Managers class tonight.

            22 – Put up Christmas tree tonight. (Tree cost $2.75)

            23 - 3º below zero this morning. Went shopping & wrapped packages tonight. Wayne came home from Milwaukee. They dropped in.

            24 – Closed office at noon. Four above this morning. Getting warmer & clear. Delivering presents today. Spent Christmas eve at home. Donna went out with Farrell. Home on furlough.

            25 – Wayne's came over for breakfast & we had our Christmas. Donna announced her betrothal to Farrell. We were glad. Had dinner at Wayne's. Harbert's there also. Temp. warm & clear.

26 – Went to Church. Wayne's here for dinner. Chas. & Minnie came over with Bake's in p.m. Took some pictures.

            31 – Last day of year. Spent evening at home. Farrell came home. He & Donna went out. Wayne's had house party. Still warm. Took inventory today.