Georgia Dentel and Grinnell Concerts History, 1960-2001

Biography of Georgia Dentel

From the 1965 “Cyclone”, the Grinnell College yearbook. Georgia stands in the middle of top row.

At the start of this project, not much information was readily available about Georgia Dentel’s life. The best source was her obituary, which she actually wrote herself! Listing her various accomplishments and places of work, her obituary served as an amazing jumping off point. The next stop was the digitized archives for towns and institutions where Georgia lived and worked. Locally, the digitized Scarlet and Black, Grinnell College’s student newspaper, was an invaluable resource. This provided insight into her time at Grinnell College as events organizer, from 1960-2001. The digital archives of the Ackley Public Library (the library of Georgia’s hometown) helped fill in details of her childhood and early life. These archives housed scanned issues of the local newspaper, The Ackley World Journal. Other newspapers that were of use included The Daily Iowan of Iowa City and Cedar Valley Times of Vinton, Iowa. These resources not only provided context to Georgia’s life, but insight into the character of the midwestern communities she was a part of.

Here is a timeline of Georgia’s life:

 

Sources

  • “Ackley in a Social Way: The Social Side of Life…Personals.” The Ackley World Journal, May 27, 1937. Ackley Public Library. https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1937&bdd=1930&d=01011937-12311937&m=between&ord=k1&fn=122745402&df=1&dt=6

  • “Ackley Public Schools: Activities of the Week and to Come.” The Ackley World Journal, May 8, 1941. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1941&bdd=1
    940&d=01011941-12311941&m=between&ord=k1&fn=124328321&df=1&dt=4

  • “Ackley School Notes and Events: Second Grade.” The Ackley World Journal, March 29, 1934.
    Ackley Public Library. https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1934&bdd=1930&d=01011934-12311934&m=between&ord=k1&fn=122744688&df=1&dt=10

  • “Ackley Schools: Sixth Grade.” The Ackley World Journal, December 16, 1937. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1937&bdd=1930&d=01011937-12311937&m=between&ord=k1&fn=124327586&df=1&dt=6

  • Aslanian, Sasha and Jones, Dave. “SGA Cabinet Calls for Change in Dentel’s Role.” The Scarlet and Black, May 1, 1987. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-000-1987-0501-0000-000_00001-000.pdf

  • “B.B. King is Scheduled for Darby Gig Tonight.” The Scarlet and Black, September 13, 1969. Grinnell College Libraries. https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-000-1969-0913-0000-000_00002-000.pdf

  • “Briefs of the Morning.” The Ackley World Journal, March 4, 1943. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1943&bdd=1940&d=01011943-12311943&m=between&ord=k1&fn=124328701&df=1&dt=2

  • Cleland, Trena. “Grinnell NOW Chapter Drafts Pro-Dentel Letter.” The Scarlet and Black, November 4, 1977. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-000-1977-1104-0000-000_00006-000.pdf

  • Dentel, Georgia. “Legendary Rock Promoter Graham, Dead at Age 60, Had Connection to Grinnell.” The Scarlet and Black, November 15, 1991. Grinnell College Libraries. https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-000-1991-1115-0000-000_00008-000.pdf

  • Dentel, Georgia. “Georgia Dentel Obituary (1926-2018)” Legacy.Com, The Des Moines Register, October 7, 2018.
    https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/desmoinesregister/name/georgia-dentel-obituary?id=12454276

  • Dentel, Georgia. “Once Upon a Time.” The Ackley World Journal, March 30, 2005. Ackley Public Library. https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=2005&bdd=2000&d=01012005-12312005&m=between&ord=k1&fn=world_journal_usa_iowa_ackley_20050330_english_7&df=1&dt=1

  • Dentel, Georgia. “Tribute to Legendary Actress.” The Scarlet and Black, March 5, 1993. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-00
    0-1993-0305-0000-000_00009-000.pdf

  • “Dentel Honored by Grinnell College.” The Ackley World Journal, December 2, 2009. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=2009&bdd=
    2000&d=01012009-12312009&m=between&ord=k1&fn=world_journal_usa_iowa_ackl
    ey_20091202_english_4&df=1&dt=1

  • “Dentel Signs Contract.” The Scarlet and Black, September 15, 1978. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-000-1978-0915-0000-000_00002-000.pdf

  • “Dentel Writes Book.” The Ackley World Journal, August 30, 2006. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=2006&bdd=2000&d=01012006-12312006&m=between&ord=k1&fn=world_journal_usa_iowa_ackley_20060830_english_12&df=1&dt=3

  • “Drama Club, Ackley H.S.” The Ackley World Journal, March 19, 1942. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&d=01011942-12311943&m=between&ord=k1&fn=122746496&df=1&dt=5

  • Fischer, Neil. “Mimes, Social Heads Argue Time, Money.” The Scarlet and Black, October 27, 1967. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-00
    0-1967-1027-0000-000_00001-000.pdf

  • Fishel, Jim. “Big Acts on a Little Campus: Iowa’s Grinnell College.” Billboard Magazine, March 27, 1976. World Radio History.
    https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1976/1976-03-27-Billboard-Page-0113.pdf

  • “Georgia J. Dentel to Be Advisor at Univ. of Wisconsin.” The Ackley World Journal, June 2, 1955. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1955&bdd=
    1950&d=01011955-12311955&m=between&ord=k1&fn=124330662&df=1&dt=4

  • Gruenewald, Ruth. “Top Social Program Possible Despite Absence of Super-Union, Says Dentel.” The Scarlet and Black, February 10, 1961. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SB-2101961.pdf

  • Hardwick, Stephen. “Views Differ on Booking Change.” The Scarlet and Black, March 10, 1989. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-000-1989-0310-0000-000_00001-000.pdf

  • “H.H. Society Has a ‘Silver Tea’: Young Women Workers of St. John’s Church Entertain.” The Ackley World Journal, June 20, 1935. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1935&bdd=
    1930&d=01011935-12311935&m=between&ord=k1&fn=122744969&df=1&dt=10

  • “H.S. Commencement Exercises; Ending.” The Ackley World Journal, May 18, 1944. Ackley Public Library. https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1944&bdd=1940&d=01011944-12311944&m=between&ord=k1&fn=124328970&df=1&dt=7

  • Irwin, Pat. “Live Music at Grinnell.” The Scarlet and Black, September 24, 1976. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-00
    0-1976-0924-0000-000_00007-000.pdf

  • “I See By the World Journal.” The Ackley World Journal, April 14, 1955. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1955&bdd=1950&d=01011955-12311955&m=between&ord=k1&fn=124330625&df=1&dt=4

  • “I See By the World Journal.” The Ackley World Journal, August 29, 1957. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1957&bdd=1
    950&d=01011957-12311957&m=between&ord=k1&fn=124331257&df=1&dt=5

  • Karimi, Shifteh. “Social Committee: Coordination.” The Scarlet and Black, December 15, 1972. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-00
    0-1972-1215-0000-000_00002-000.pdf

  • “‘Lady’ is First in Film Series.” The Scarlet and Black, November 10, 1961. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-00
    0-1961-1110-0000-000_00006-000.pdf

  • Lower, Chris. “Administrative Shake-Up Occurs During Summer.” The Scarlet and Black, September 10, 1976. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-00
    0-1976-0910-0000-000_00001-000.pdf

  • “Mingus Plays South Lounge.” The Scarlet and Black, April 16, 1976. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-00
    0-1976-0416-0000-000_00002-000.pdf

  • “New Barber Plaza Dedicated.” The Scarlet and Black, January 12, 1962. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-00
    0-1962-0112-0000-000_00001-000.pdf

  • “O.E.S Lodge Has an Anniversary: Observe Anniversary of Organization – Music and Song.” The Ackley World Journal, January 2, 1936. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1936&bdd=
    1930&d=01011936-12311936&m=between&ord=k1&fn=122745079&df=1&dt=3

  • “117 Students in SUI Bands.” The Daily Iowan, October 13, 1945. University of Iowa Libraries.
    https://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1945/di1945-10-13.pdf

  • “Our Public Schools: Events of Interest to Parent and Pupil.” The Ackley World Journal, May 31, 1934. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1934&bdd=
    1930&d=01011934-12311934&m=between&ord=k1&fn=122744723&df=1&dt=10

  • “Our Public Schools: Events, Related by Pupils and Others.” The Ackley World Journal, January 27, 1938. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1938&bdd=
    1930&d=01011938-12311938&m=between&ord=k1&fn=122745558&df=1&dt=5

  • “Phi Beta Kappa Selects 33 SUI Students.” The Daily Iowan, April 13, 1948. University of Iowa Libraries. https://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1948/di1948-04-13.pdf

  • “Programs at the Churches: St. John’s Sunday School.” The Ackley World Journal, December 20, 1934. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1934&bdd=1930&d=01011934-12311934&m=between&ord=k1&fn=124326927&df=1&dt=10

  • Regenold, Michele. “Rock and Roll and Beyond: Georgia Dentel, the Woman Who Put Grinnell College on the Musical Map.” The Grinnell Magazine, 2015.
    https://magazine.grinnell.edu/news/rock-and-roll-and-beyond

  • “Second Student-Faculty Retreat Slates Survey of Campus Issues.” The Scarlet and Black, September 15, 1961. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-00
    0-1961-0915-0000-000_00012-000.pdf

  • Schultz, Doug and Mattingly, Lucy. “Social Events Planned.” The Scarlet and Black, September 19, 1975. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-00
    0-1975-0919-0000-000_00002-000.pdf

  • “Social Consultant Will Aid Students.” The Scarlet and Black, September 16, 1960. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-00
    0-1960-0916-0000-000_00008-000.pdf

  • “Sound Off!” The Ackley World Journal, May 9, 1985. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1985&bdd=1980&d=01011985-12311985&m=between&ord=k1&fn=122754565&df=1&dt=2

  • “The Social Side of Life.” The Ackley World Journal, July 6, 1939. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1939&bdd=
    1930&d=01011939-12311939&m=between&ord=k1&fn=122745880&df=1&dt=4

  • “The Social Side of Life: Public School Notes.” The Ackley World Journal, March 19, 1942. Ackley Public Library.
    https://ackley.historyarchives.online/viewer?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&by=1942&bdd=
    1940&d=01011942-12311942&m=between&ord=k1&fn=122746466&df=1&dt=3

  • “Vinton’s Faculty of 54 Teachers Largest in History.” Cedar Valley Daily Times, August 29, 1950. The Benton County Community History Archive.
    https://bentoncounty.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=georgia%20dentel&i=f&d
    =01011950-12311969&m=between&ord=k1&fn=cedar_valley_daily_times_usa_iowa_vi
    nton_19500829_english_1&df=1&dt=10

  • Willhoite, Kathy. “Dentel Rejects NOW Aid Initiative on Salary.” The Scarlet and Black, December 2, 1977. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-00
    0-1977-1202-0000-000_00002-000.pdf

  • “Women Deans Select Dentel.” The Scarlet and Black, October 25, 1963. Grinnell College Libraries.
    https://concertshistory.sites.grinnell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usiagrc-scb-000-1963-1025-0000-000_00003-000.pdf