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.
The Homes (Life at the Homes)
Episode 2 - January of 1929
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Researched and hosted by Andrew Newell and Karen Thalacker. Sound edited by Robert Newell.
Welcome to January of 1929! Rev. and Mrs. Klein and their family have been at the Homes for 7 years. Their youngest daughter Em was just 9 months old when they moved to Muscatine in 1921 and her recollections provide important insight into everyday life.
The monthly newsletter called the Messenger kept individuals and organizations updated on the needs of the Homes. January's newsletter was full of New Year's resolutions -- were people in 1929 any different than the people of today?
As the new year begins, the Homes was feeling the heavy burden of repaying the debt on the new girls' dormitory.