Shows
The Homes (Life at the Homes)Season 2: June of 1930Welcome to June of 1930! Iowa is celebrating its national champion but June at the Homes means only one thing ... the annual Orphans Day celebration. The weather limits attendance in the morning but the afternoon was a success. Andy shows his range of hosting abilities in this episode -- he recites his great-grandfather's Orphans Day sermon from 1939, does his best "Ben Stein" to summarize the Smoot-Hawley tariff bill, and even gives voice to a famous Muscatine dog who starred in a local play -- making Karen laugh out loud. We tip our hats to the Muscatine Journal in this episode...2025-05-3056 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Season 2: May of 1930Welcome 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...2025-05-3040 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Season 2: April of 1930Welcome to April of 1930! While the first day of the month is full of light-hearted pranks, the mood turns more serious as President Hoover's first term is evaluated and the 1930 census kicks off. The world is changing -- whether it's demographics as revealed by the information collected by the census enumerators or public opinions about those in need -- the Homes is impacted by an ever-evolving society. We dig deeper into the question we've been asked so often: why was there a need for orphanages during this time in our history? We'll also hear about Confirmation festivities and Holy...2025-04-0148 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Season 2: March of 1930Welcome to March of 1930! March came in like a lion for the citizens of Muscatine and there was certainly a lot happening including news of the death of Mira Hershey. Ms. Hershey, daughter of lumber baron Benjamin Hershey, had generously donated her father's home on Burlington Road following his death to Rev. Reinemund so that he could start the orphanage. Learn how she left Muscatine and made her mark in Hollywood! You'll also hear about how a friend of the Homes, Mr. Liebbe, donated his services to assist with the annual slaughter of the hogs and cattle.2025-02-1048 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Guest in the Homes: Rev. Larry StummeJoin us for Guest in the Homes as we interview Rev. Larry Stumme, son of former Homes' superintendent Rev. Lawrence Stumme. Larry was 5 years old when his father accepted the call to the Homes and he shares his recollections and what made the Homes such a special place. He also shares incredible stories of his experience and involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.2025-02-101h 00The Homes (Life at the Homes)Season 2: January of 1930We're back for Season 2 and we're excited to share what life was like at the Homes in 1930. At midnight on January 1st, Muscatine rang in the new year with church bells and a parade. On Burlington Road, the Homes were caring for 60 children and 39 elderly residents and financial pressures were mounting. We share more information about what brought the Kleins to the Homes in 1921. A special treat in this episode is that after Season 1, we found audio interviews on cassette tapes from 1981 where one of the Klein's grandsons interviewed the Klein children and their spouses about their time in...2024-11-3029 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Season 2: February of 1930Welcome to February of 1930! Wedding bells are ringing as the Klein's oldest son Herb gets married. The orphans celebrate Valentine's Day and receive special treats from a teacher and her class in Kansas and a friend of the Homes who made his Valentine's contributions an annual tradition. The "orphan patriots" also celebrate the birthdays of Presidents Washington and Lincoln. We pay special tribute to Rev. W.F. Hertel, the editor of the Messenger, the Homes' monthly newsletter. His work has been invaluable to our research and it's interesting to learn more about him.2024-11-3032 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Guest in the Homes: Ron KleinIn a special episode of Guest in the Homes, we interview the Klein's grandson Ron Klein. Ron is a Professor Emeritus at Columbus State University in Georgia. His father was Rev. and Mrs. Klein's oldest son Herb. Ron shares his recollections of his grandparents, his family, and also of his time living at the Homes for one year in 1939. Fair warning: this episode was recorded in a broom closet at a family funeral using only a tiny microphone and an iPhone (We’re not joking about that ...) so the audio was a bit of a challenge for our amazing ed...2024-11-3039 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 13 - December of 1929Welcome 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...2022-01-1336 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 12 - November of 1929Welcome 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. 2021-12-2832 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Guest in the Homes - Barbara FritschelBarbara 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. 2021-12-2825 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Guest in the Homes - Rev. William ThalackerRev. 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. 2021-12-2824 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Guest in the Homes - Ruth NelsonRuth 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.2021-12-2839 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Guest in the Homes - Rev. Paul OstremPodcast 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 h...2021-12-1635 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Guest in the Homes - Coby BudridgePodcast 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.2021-12-1635 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 11 - October of 1929Welcome 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 t...2021-12-1627 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 10 - September of 1929Welcome to September of 1929! Newspapers around the world are analyzing President Hoover's first 6 months in office and the stock market takes an ominous tumble. On Burlington Road, everyone at the Homes is making final preparations as they build a sufficient food store for winter. Professor Ziegler, the director of the Orphans' Band, shares some of the challenges and joys of this special activity for the children. One of the former band members has a serious health issue that leads to a heartfelt plea in the newsletter. As the school on the hill starts, you'll hear how the Homes became t...2021-12-0625 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 9 - August of 1929Welcome to August of 1929! So much in the world has changed since the children, the elderly, the workers, and the Kleins were living down on Burlington Road as shown by the August newspapers being filled with aviation news and comments by Thomas Edison. Even though the Homes' newsletter gives only a brief mention of the orphans' surprise contact with early Iowa aviation, you'll hear the fascinating background about how it was possible for them to take to the skies. There is also a delightful story of the old men going on a fishing trip. 2021-12-0525 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 6 - May of 1929Welcome to May of 1929! The month starts with news of tariffs and also the reemergence of the 17 year cicadas. The newspaper in May contained an article about one of the elderly residents of the Homes. He had been the Sheriff of Muscatine County in 1893 and we learn about the Saloon Wars and its shocking result. There is also a delightful story of a fun afternoon for the children.2021-11-2329 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 7 - June of 1929Welcome to June of 1929! June bring Orphan's Fest - the largest event of the year at the Homes. Visitors come from far and wide for worship and fellowship and to see the Homes. They need good weather and good publicity to make the event a success. Having as many visitors as possible was especially important this year because they would be dedicating the new building and more visitors meant more donations. Will Orphan's Day be a success?! Listen and find out. 2021-11-2327 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 8 - July of 1929Welcome to July of 1929! In July, President Hoover tasked a committee of experts to study the health and protection of children. He was an orphan himself and the New York Times speculated that "it is not too early to predict that whatever else he does, he will be remembered above all for what he has done for the children of the world." The workers and residents were ready to celebrate the 4th of July. The clubs and organizations of Muscatine were always ready to make sure the children had special moments. In July, we share how the elderly residents...2021-11-2329 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 4 - March of 1929Welcome to March of 1929! The people of Iowa are excited for the inauguration of a new U.S. President. Herbert Hoover was born just up the road in West Branch. Financial troubles continue in March and calls for bigger donations continue. There is also concern about the Messenger newsletter not paying for itself. The newsletter is a vital pipeline to supporters and they ask for cash and also specific donations like phonograph records and Easter eggs. The newspapers of 1929 had lots of contests for readers to participate in. One contest might surprise you but is a reflection of how...2021-11-2028 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 5 - April of 1929Welcome to April of 1929! Muscatine is celebrating April Fool's Day and one of the old folks at the Homes pulls a prank that makes the front page of the newspaper. Who is he and why do we want to know more about him? The April newsletter contains a statement regarding Jewish people and instead of ignoring it we wanted to talk about it. Thank you to our guest Dr. Terry Lindell who shared his expertise with us. April closes with an account of what life was like at the Homes on a typical Sunday. 2021-11-2035 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 3 February of 1929Welcome to February of 1929! Similar to today, February brings talk of the groundhog and people wondering whether he will see his shadow. Unlike today, the Homes' newsletter shares personal information about the children and the old folks. The February episode has the special story of one of the most important people in the Homes history - Miss Louise Wittig. Her life and life's work is recounted and the heartfelt testimonials to her in the newsletter show us how she inspired those around her. Here are two of our favorite quotes about Miss WIttig: "She did not get rich in th...2021-11-2024 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Listen to the trailer for The Homes!Join us as we journey through life at the Homes during the year 1929. 2021-11-0501 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 1 - Welcome to The HomesWelcome to the Homes! In Episode 1, you meet Rev. William Klein, his wife Emma, and their 5 children. In 1921, the Kleins moved from the plains of North Dakota to the bustling river town of Muscatine, Iowa, to take over the leadership of the Homes. For the next 20 years, the Kleins and a small group of workers dedicated their lives to turning an institution into a home for hundreds of children and elderly residents.Mother and son Karen Thalacker and Andrew Newell (the Kleins' great-granddaughter and great-great-grandson) share how and why they started on this journey. Join them as we b...2021-11-0521 minThe Homes (Life at the Homes)Episode 2 - January of 1929Welcome 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 ne...2021-11-0522 min