The Homes (Life at the Homes)

The true stories of life at a Lutheran institution housing orphans and the elderly in rural Iowa on the eve of the Great Depression. Almost lost to the passage of time, these stories of sorrow and joy, compassion and cooperation have been uncovered and can now be shared with you. Join mother and son hosts Karen Thalacker and Andrew Newell as you learn about life at the German Lutheran Orphans and Old Folks Home - or as it was commonly called The Homes. Follow The Homes on Instagram at lifeatthehomes for photographs and additional content.

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The Homes (Life at the Homes)

Season 2: May of 1930

May 30, 2025 • Researched and hosted by Andrew Newell and Karen Thalacker. Sound edited by Robert Newell. • Season 2 • Episode 7

Welcome to May of 1930! As Iowa leads the way in introducing night baseball, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Bill is argued in Washington, DC. On Burlington Road, money is tight but their love of music is always a welcome distraction. Throughout the years, a variety of individuals and music ensembles performed including an opera singer and a traveling troupe of German men who looked like they stepped right out of the Swiss Alps! A special treat was a violin performance from a former resident of the boys' home. You'll hear a wonderfully detailed description of the children's schedules and responsibilities -- we'll even learn about sock darning. The month of May also brings the preliminary rounds of the state spelling bee which included representatives from the Homes.