Muscatine Tours Podcast

Dan Clark and Shirley Calvert welcome New England native Barbara Woodstra for a conversation about Puritans who came to Iowa plus the meaning of Thanksgiving. They discuss family values and customs for the practice of gratitude. Reminder to listeners: There is a new holiday the day after Thanksgiving. Learn more at http://www.nationaldayoflistening.org/.

Dan Clark talks historic preservation--again. Which old Muscatine buildings are most important to fix up and save before it's too late? And how can we afford saving "eyesore" buildings in a time of no money for frills? And just when is "too late" anyway? Dan reads e-mail about the City's acquisition (and possible upcoming demolition) of the 1900 Henry Jayne House next door to the Art Center, and he takes calls from listeners. Learn more at http://muscatinepreservation.org and http://www.muscatinejournal.com/articles/2008/11/18/news/doc4922e607839c8083487003.txt.

Jeff Shay joins Dan Clark in conversation with Bob Nagler, retired chemistry professor and World War II conscientious objector. When Bob was a boy in Iowa City, his father Floyd A. Nagler taught hydraulic engineering at the university, and Bob recalls his father's "best graduate student" visiting their home. That student was Max Stanley, later of Muscatine. Floyd Nagler's detailed surveys of Iowa rivers and streams are important historical benchmarks, and his collection of mill relics went to the UI hydraulics laboratory now named for Stanley. Floyd was also a World War I veteran whose "thorough disgust with war" moved him to promote the Oxford Peace Pledge, and he was his son's hero. Three months before Floyd died in 1933, 10-year-old Bob signed the pledge himself--a pledge not to fight in any war. Read more of the Nagler story at http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/11/11/5149.

Dave Casstevens and Dave Metz join Dan Clark for an update from Friends of the Old Barn. The historic 1926 "Lowden Barn" would have been been demolished but for John Haskins' single-handed initiative nearly three years ago that led to creation of the preservation organization. Hear John at http://muscatinetours.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=399731 (Jan. 17, 2006).

Pastor Paul Ostrem tells Dan Clark and Shirley Calvert about challenges that faced local German-speaking immigrants during World War I. They discuss "Loyalty Days," a chapter in Paul's book Dennoch about Zion Lutheran Church and its longtime Pastor John Haefner. Read "Loyalty Days" at http://archive.elca.org/ScriptLib/dcs/jle/article.asp?aid=540 .

Dan's guests are the candidates for Iowa House District 80, incumbent Rep. Nathan Reichert ( http://www.nathanreichert.com ) and challenger Bob Howard, a Muscatine City Council member ( http://www.robertehoward.us ). Their conversation reveals agreement on supporting local "heritage tourism" and transportation infrastructure. Differences emerge as Nathan answers a radio-ad charge--not authorized by Bob--that he spent tax dollars for a "Train to Nowhere."

Downtown developer Tom Meeker tells about the sidewheeler paddleboat "Pearl Button" he's bringing to Muscatine, and Don Bekker recalls riverboats from times past. Read about Tom's project at http://www.muscatinejournal.com/articles/2008/09/26/news/doc48dcf29a10a0d341692712.txt .

Wes Bender, superintendent of operations for the Midwest Electric Railway, tells about history and growth of the streetcar system that moves thousands of visitors at Old Threshers in Mt. Pleasant. With MERA volunteer Walter Henkel and Dan Clark and a caller who remembers Muscatine streetcars. More at http://www.oldthreshers.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.midwestElectricRailway.

Dan Clark and Shirley Calvert talk about Muscatine's early Congregationalists, described as "notorious abolitionists." Dan reads "Pioneer Preacher" from Little Known Stories of Muscatine by William D. Randall, Shirley's father. More of the story at http://iagenweb.org/muscatine/biographies1911/congregationalchurch.htm .

Dan Clark asks, "What would it take to put a real streetcar on the streets of Muscatine?" He reads from a federal study (http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/transportation/transit.html) and reports conversations with others who share the passion. Conclusion: "We have the brains here in Muscatine; we have the interest and enthusiasm; we even have some of the big bucks if we knew how to harness them."

Dan Clark and Tom Hanifan, president of Friends of the Pine Creek Grist Mill. Tom tells about the upcoming Heritage Day at the restored 1848 mill, the oldest operating grist mill on its original site between the Mississippi River and the Rockies (pinecreekgristmill.com).

Dan Clark and Frank Yoder discuss history and customs of the Amish community. A resident of the Kalona area, Frank grew up among the Amish and is an adjunct professor of history at the University of Iowa.

Dan Clark asks, "What became of the Party of Lincoln?" and callers comment. Charles Potter reads from his ancestor's Civil War diary.

Riding an open car of the Midwest Electric Railway at the 59th Old Threshers Reunion at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Dan Clark and Shirley Calvert. Shirley reads her two new essays, "Shingles" and "The Project." Dan talks up the Old Threshers Reunion and invites listeners to join him in riding the trolleys there.

Dan Clark and local world-affairs blogger Keith Porter (usforeignpolicy.about.com) discuss conflict in Georgia and the Caucasus region near Muscatine's sister city Kislovodsk, Russia.

Dan Clark and Jeff Boldt, co-owner of a toy store (aplanetswild.com), discuss retail shops of downtown Muscatine, then and now.

Dan Clark speaks with Lorie Burton and Kayleen Teed about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (so-called Mormons) in this area. They describe their Muscatine group and tell about the historical program and pioneer activities of the pageant held every summer at Nauvoo, Illinois. Learn more at http://www.historicnauvoo.net/pageant_details.cfm .

Dan Clark and Shirley Calvert with Dan's grandson Jacob and callers. They discuss Great River Days, the Zoo Garden, Japanese visitors, flood detours, brick streets, Weed Park history (reading from William D. Randall), and more.

Dan Clark interviews Dave Metz about Muscatine's technology history. Dave's wizardry has helped bring old machines to life at the Pine Creek Grist Mill in Wild Cat Den State Park, and he is active in Friends of the Old Barn and other local history projects. See http://www.pinecreekgristmill.com/restoration.htm .