The Homes (Life at the Homes)

Season 2: July of 1930

Welcome to July of 1930! It's summertime at the Homes and that means a 4th of July celebration and lots of visitors. You'll learn about a book that was used to plan outdoor activities and about the children's participation in a promotion from the Eastman-Kodak company. Even in the midst of all the fun, young and old are canning garden produce for the long winter. On a somber note, Muscatine is on the verge of a rabies outbreak and in a few months will be described by an official as "rotten with rabies." Dogs like Adolph (from our June of 1930 episode) will no longer be free to roam the streets of the city.

Season 2: June of 1930

Welcome 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. A sincere thanks for the wonderful coverage of the city, the state, and the world almost 100 years ago.

Season 2: May of 1930

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.

Season 2: April of 1930

Welcome 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 Week.

Guest in the Homes: Rev. Larry Stumme

Join 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.