What Time is it in Iowa?

Sundial at the state capitol grounds, Des Moines, Iowa

M*A*S*H's Father Francis Mulcahy once asked, "what time is it in Iowa?"

"1882," replied Major Charles Emerson Winchester III without missing a beat.

While this exchange was funny in its context of a sophisticated Winchester from affluent Boston, MA versus a rural Radar O'Reilly from Ottumwa, Iowa the punchline sometimes still sticks to Hawkeye state - or so it would seem to the left and right coasts.

Presently the State received two presidential visits within the past month or so. What's the deal? Turns out that Iowa is just months away from hosting yet another round of presidential candidates for the first in the nation caucus in 2012. With the 2010 elections just six months away, the state is already receiving visits from various personnel wishing to govern the nation.

So what time is it in Iowa? Time to listen to and question the latest group of presidential wannabes. This time Iowa citizens will more thoroughly perform due diligence than they did during the 2008 election. The mainstream media didn't do its job and shows no sign of changing course. Know that.

A Means of Access

Six conduits - all facing the same direction, all starting and ending about the same place but each with a little different perspective. Blog communication provides a conduit of information from one to many. Recent traffic stats for this site have peaked for one certain subject - Palo's 13 Stairs Cemetery. Who knew that this place of reported paranormal activity continues to be the most interesting subject on 42N's exhaustive site of knowledge? Perhaps I should set up a 13 Stairs blog. Hmm. Know that.

A Wow POWWOW

The 17th annual University of Iowa POWWOW was held on April 10th and 11th in Iowa City. The event was hosted by the American Indian Student Association. The dance floor was ringed by drummers from different tribes who played and sang songs in either Northern or Southern styles.

Several types of dance (men's and women's traditional, men's and women's fancy, grass dance and jingle) were performed by dancers of all ages. Dancer outfits were especially colorful and laced with symbolism including the the silvery jingles which were fashioned out of tobacco chew container tops.

Two highlight presentations stood out. The first was the Grand Entry which began with a color guard bringing in national and tribal flags. The flag holders, attired in traditional military service themes, marched in the typical manner (as seen during sports events) but added a style that blended cultures. The flag holders were followed by all dancers in a precise order.

The second dance highlight was the Snake Dance. Consisting of all dancers the performers traced a pattern resembling a snake. Then they coiled the formation and finally stretched out much like a...snake. Very colorful and fascinating to watch.

Outside the ring of dancers were vendors and information kiosks. One booth offered wooden pens carved in the shape of animals. I purchased black bear and buffalo pens. Also offered were jewelry, clothing, paperweights and original artwork. Know that.

There's Nothing in the World that Can Compare to a Hamburger Juicy and Rare

"I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." J. Wellington Wimpy, classic mooch and friend of Popeye the Sailor.

In the Minnesota Northwood’s town of Park Rapids there is cafe known as Wimpy’s. The place has been around for years boasting among other things - great hamburgers - go figure.

From the iconic outdoor sign seen on Main Street to the cartoonish menu cover, the identification with hamburger aficionado, J. Wellington Wimpy or just Wimpy is readily identifiable with legions of hungry Park Rapidians and vacationers.

Current generations may ask “who?” and should be directed to YouTube clips of the hamburger chomper.

Meanwhile in Chester, Illinois there is an annual Popeye Picnic that celebrates the originator of the cast of characters in Popeye's world. There you can meet Wimpys, Popeyes, Blutos and Jeeps, and can enjoy juicy hamburgers - but you'll have to pay at the time of order. Know that.

Venus and Mercury are Alright Tonight

Low in the 42N western sky at twilight are the planets Venus and Mercury in apparent close proximity to each other. With each successive night the Earth, Venus and Mercury configuration will drift further apart. Also note that NASA's MESSENGER probe is on its way to Mercury now after a series of flybys. In March 2011 it will become the first spacecraft to orbit the planet and begin extensive imaging activities. For now here is your chance to see three planets without leaving your backyard. Hint: you are standing on one of the three planets. Know that.

Rustic Setting for Historic Potter's Mill

Potter's Mill is a fixture of 42N country's Bellevue, Iowa (latitude 42.26N, longitude 90.43W). Built in 1843 the mill produced flour for years, was a well known restaurant and serves lately as a Bed & Breakfast. The structure is the focus of many photographers for its uniqueness, vibrant condition and location. Budding Ansel Adams' may consider the time of day and season when photographing the mill. If possible get on the bluff side of the stream to capture the sunlight side of the mill. Bring a wide angle lens for some of the work. Know that.

Muddy Tracks At Abbe Creek

Were these tracks made by a velociraptor chasing proto-marsupials who strayed into 42N country eons ago? Chances are these prints can be attributed to a Canada goose and perhaps a single raccoon. Hardened mud becomes preserved by layering dry matter, which in turn can protect tracks for years. Maybe these Abbe Creek (41.94N, 91.45W) mud tracks will be uncovered in a zillion years. Discoverers might trace the footprints to also find muddy shoe impressions cropped just outside this photo. The conclusion reached will be that the animals were scared off by a Bigfoot or Yeti. Know that.

Tama, Iowa's Lincoln Highway Bridge: Then and Now

The Lincoln Highway bridge located in 42N country's Tama, Iowa (41.96N, 92.57W) is almost as old as the highway itself. The unique bridge with the words, LINCOLN HIGHWAY built in the side walls was constructed in 1915, just two years after the idea of the highway hatched. It is believed to be the oldest surviving bridge along the original highway.

Above is a photo believed to be from 1915. Looking east over the bridge is the mud filled highway featuring a horse drawn wagon. The bottom photo was taken 95 years later on March 21, 2010 looking in the same direction. Note how much construction is located along the highway.

In 2010 the Highway 30 (Lincoln Highway) Tama by-pass project is under construction to the left of these photos. The new speedway skirts around this area and will greatly reduce the traffic near the bridge. Once completed travellers on the new Highway 30 will not readily see the bridge or the King Tower Cafe without making a special side journey. The restaurant opened in 1937 as a one-stop filling station, garage, wrecker service, café, and featured 18 cabins. It is located along the original Lincoln Highway just about a half mile east from this bridge (on the left.)Join the 3rd Annual Iowa Lincoln Highway Motor Tour across Iowa from August 26-29, 2010 with a stop in Tama. For more information contact Jeff LaFollette at 563-349-3047 or email at jefflaf@peoplepc.com. Know that.

Passing of Fess Parker: Both "King of the Wild Frontier" and "What a Dream-Come-er-True-er Was He"

Fess Parker passed away on Thursday, March 18th. The actor was best known for playing Disney's version of American frontiersman, Davy Crockett during the mid-1950s. Later, Parker played another bigger-than-life frontiersman, Daniel Boone on the NBC television network from 1964 to 1970.

Parker became an instant icon in the early days of television and was associated with the mega-merchandising of anything coonskin, long rifle and musically related to the Crockett series. Today that first wave of mass marketing via the young TV generation defines the emergence of the modern consumer market. Crockett was gold.

While 42N's exposure to Fess Parker initially came through watching the Daniel Boone TV show, reruns of the Crockett series on Sunday night's Wonderful World of Disney introduced the popular actor to the next generation of impressionable skulls of mush.

For the Boone series, the standout episode for 42N was the first season's The Choosing (air date 10-29-1964) where Daniel accidentally cuts his leg with an axe in the wilderness while travelling with his daughter Jemima (played by Veronica Cartwright.) She patches him up and guides him through hostile territory, gets kidnapped and finally find their way back home.

42N's video tribute to Fess Parker is shown below - in full 78 rpm glory. This recording features Fess singing the theme song known as the Ballad of Davy Crockett.

Fess Parker will forever be the King of the Wild Frontier. What a dream-come-er-true-er was he. Know that.

Bald Eagle Sightings Along Upper Mississippi River

Melting ice along 42N's Mississippi River areas means one thing this time of year - the gathering of the American Bald Eagles. Nestled in a quiet cove just south of East Dubuque, Illinois is a spot where these birds assemble for more than just resting.

At this particular location eight Bald Eagles and hundreds of sea gulls watch over a rapidly melting area of ice. Upon sighting their targets the eagles unleash themselves from the branches and soar overhead, catching the warm winds of nearly 60 degrees today.

Their mission is to catch a meal by selecting a few of the hundreds of dead fish floating just under thin ice. Birds waited for the fish to roll to the surface or in some cases pecked through the ice to grab a crappie, perch or small catfish.

Warm temperatures also brought scores of people to view the once endangered birds. Now it is quit common to see eagles gathered in number to grab a bite of fish. Know that.

Oil Can What?

Dorothy and the Scarecrow meet the Tin Man (with the help of 42N oil cans.)

Dorothy

Why, it's a man! A man made out of tin!

Scarecrow

What?

Dorothy

Yes, Oh - look!

Tin Man

Oil can! Oil can!

Dorothy

Did you say something?

Tin Man

Oil can!

Dorothy

He said Oil can.

Scarecrow

Oil can what?

Dorothy

Oil can? Oh!

Tin Man

Ahhh!

Dorothy

Here it is! Where do you want oiled first?

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From the 1939 MGM - Wizard of Oz Script

 

42N

Know that.

Frytown, Iowa: A Study of Contrast

42N country's Frytown, Iowa (latitude 41.57N, longitude 91.73W) is a small farming community in eastern Iowa. Located between Iowa City and Kalona the region is home to Amish and Mennonite families. Nearby is a FAA radio beacon used to guide intercontinental air traffic between coasts. On sunny days you can spot scores of jets flying nearly overhead from horizon to horizon going east to west and west to east. Little do the 21st-century air travellers know that 33,000 feet below them is a community that embraces some practices from the 19th-century.

While in Frytown for an auction (photo above from the horse hitch area of the auction house) an Amish farmer showed me how their clothes are pressed by irons made around 1900. The auction featured many local farm tools including the old non-electric irons. In return I showed him and two of his friends how my Blackberry works. They heard of the device but had not seen one demonstrated. The younger guy seemed the most interested and asked several questions including whether it had news of the earthquake in Chile that occurred that morning. His older friend offered a sceptical eye. Know that.

Twenty First Century Searching for the Classic Station Wagon

On-line research is a powerful way to obtain information quickly. Recently I came across this fascinating 8x10 sized photo of a unknown vehicle. I made a digital copy of the print not knowing anything about the car. The shiny black and white image was originally made by a sharp lens camera that left many details resolvable. In this case the year of the Illinois (a 42N state) license plate reads either 1951 or 1961.

Studying the photo reveals that the station wagon included wood paneling along its sides - a so called, Woodie. The search began for Woodie station wagons in Google with initial results showing Ford Woodies of surfing fame in California during the late 1950s and early 1960s - think Beach Boys. More refined Google searches ended the quest with an answer to what model is pictured above.

The auto from the shady countryside is a 1950 or 1951 Pontiac Streamliner 8 Station Wagon. In its day the automobile had Hydra-Matic transmission and 268.2 cubic inch engine with inline 8 cylinders that generated 113 hp. The car weighed a whopping 3,669 pounds - almost two tons! In 1950 Streamliners cost $2,411, that's about 65 cents per wood paneling and chrome plated pound.

Fifty years later a restoration project on another Streamliner is proudly shown below. Note the upside down canoe shaped paneling and side detailing by the wheels matching the black and white photo. While this Woodie is far from the endless summer waves of California, its nice to know that the car is still appreciated today. On-line research often yields results containing more than what is expected. Know that.

Listen To What the Man Said in Frytown, Iowa

To complete the trifecta of recent Beatle-related finds in 42N country is this 1975 single, Listen To What the Man Said from Wings. Found today is this 45 rpm single with its original picture sleeve at an auction in Frytown, Iowa (latitude 41.57N, longitude 91.73W.) While the record is in great condition the sleeve is punctured through the center.

The single is from the group's 1975 album, Venus and Mars, the followup work to the landmark Band on the Run album. On July 19, 1975 Listen To What the Man Said achieved number 1 on the (US) Billboard Hot 100 chart. Also in 1975, Wings begin playing concerts in Australia in anticipation of their upcoming 1976 world tour. That year McCartney played several locations in the US marking his return to American venue concerts since performing at Candlestick Park with the Beatles a decade earlier. Watch Paul and Wings sing Listen To What the Man Said at the Seattle King Dome here.

Sometimes the search for whatever you seek (like a record or ancestral connection or a job) contains long voids. Sometimes your search brings multiple successes and in quick succession. Within the past 48 hours I have found three Beatle-related items, actually four but did not report the fourth (a Mary Wells song sheet) due to condition issues. The wonder of it all. Know that.