Washington Beats Mid-Prairie - Tuesday, February 28, 1961

Well, Washington beat Mid-Prairie. We sure wanted to beat them (first game of district) and almost did until we fell behind in the last quarter. I think we gave them a scare though. They won by six points. High school games are no more. I recall WCHS's basketball becoming history a year ago at this time. Of all the papers I've edited, this is the first time we missed the deadline stated on the masthead. February's a short month!

Donkey Basketball - Monday, February 27, 1961

We all went up to the donkey basketball games sponsored by the Lions Club. The cute little burrows (and a few big wild "half horses") are from Oklahoma. They had a lot of stunts and races and a girls' game and a men's game. Daddy rode a donkey in the men's game. Nancy and I stayed after school to help with the paper and then got left by two minutes. Grr! I knew that was coming sooner or later. Sheryl didn't tell Larry to wait. Mrs. Statler came and got us.

Park College Financial Statement - Sunday, February 26, 1961

Oh, these fast weekends! Cuddebacks were here tonight, but I spent the whole time doing chemistry except for the time Janet spent in telling me about Swiss Family Robinson. This afternoon I did the lettering on my poster. It looks real nice. I guess I won't use my long year timeline after all. There's no good way to make a clear display of it. I'll have to use small month calendars instead. We're working on my financial statement for Park. It's sort of hard to do being in our particular position--farming.

Italian Renaissance - Saturday, February 25, 1961

I babysat for Jeanie and Becky while the rest of them went to Swiss Family Robinson. We saw the preview of it Sunday, and it's a real nice show. What with going to town this afternoon, babysitting, and sleeping most of the morning, I still have a stack of homework to do. I renewed my library card and got some books for my English report on Theater of the Italian Renaissance.

Man, the Late Arrival - Friday, February 24, 1961

Tonight I did the lettering for my "Man, the Late Arrival" poster--now to buy some white ink to do the letters in. This afternoon Mary Ellen, Fred Miller and I judged a sixth grade class debate on "Should We Study the Three R's and Spelling Only?" The negative side was best, as we figured they'd have to be. Phyllis is at the sophomore party tonight. That will mean another trip to Wellman for Daddy. It's colder today after so many April-like days.

Chorus Line -Thursday, February 23, 1961

I spent all day and night at school with the exception of time off for supper. Mary Ellen wanted me to stay after school since she had a yearbook meeting and I had a newspaper meeting tonight. Mrs. Fordyce and I spent our time trying to get the paper lined up--there are nine pages (three sports and then some) plus "more coming"!?! We watched the 12-girl chorus line rehearsing for the mixed chorus's minstrel March 10. 

Skip Day Plans - Wednesday, February 22, 1961

I'm exhausted. I don't know if we'll ever get the school paper out or not. I layed it out tonight. I think it's going to be eight pages, if they ever get them typed. I goofed off this morning and didn't get my economics read very good, so I really goofed up another test. Mrs. Kephart sounds like it's going to be English and "English only" this semester. We had a class meeting third period. The seniors plan to spend an "organized skip day" at Lake MacBride with supper at Amana.

Girls Basketball Tournament - Tuesday, February 21, 1961

We played Marengo at Kalona tonight. I took the sophomore girls and Ann. They looked like they were going to skunk us, but we were only eight points behind at the end. They had a 6'8 1/2" center and two 6'4" forwards. Coming home the kids said they saw a man coming toward our car when we were down by Timmins' crossroads. Mr. Evans had a meeting with the seniors to try to decide some commencement plans. Thank heavens he didn't wait till May!

Declam Comments - Monday, February 20, 1961

The least I could have done tonight since I hardly did any studying was go to bed. I had fast better be catching up on one or the other, preferably both. We had a fire drill today while we were making up our (awful) English test. I still have an economics test to make up. My declam comments didn't sound too favorable this time, but they didn't say so much about my voice like they used to. I sure look stupid in some of those recent yearbook pictures.

Ben-Hur - Sunday, February 19, 1961

Mom, Virginia, Ann and I saw Ben-Hur this afternoon. Phyllis saw it yesterday with Linda Timmins. It was a wonderful show, but we decided it was a good thing Daddy didn't see it as it would have been too bloody for him. I got my Pride and Prejudice book review done, but that's all. I've gotten to the place where I dread chemistry--and here I'm one of the few seniors in with all those juniors.

Ohio State - Saturday, February 18, 1961

We just saw Iowa lose an "Ohio State will never be luckier than it was tonight" game to Ohio. Iowa had four of their first five gone because of grades and led until the final two minutes, then lost by a point in the last 18 seconds. Ohio, winner of 29 straight, had never trailed all year. I slept til noon, and then I didn't believe it was 12:00 when the kids called me. I've started some of my science project.

Saltwater Taffy for 65 Cents - Friday, February 17, 1961

I shall never see the state speech contest. I got three II's today. That's worse than last year when I got one I. Everyone else from Mid-Prairie got II's except Shirley in dramatic. She hadn't given her extemperaneous when we left. I went with Hesses and Mrs. Corpman. Phyllis and I have decided we'd hate to ask anyone to buy the saltwater taffy the FHA is selling. It definitely isn't worth 65 cents--and we're supposed to sell six boxes each. Ha! This is the World Day of Prayer.

No Hot Lunch - Thursday, February 16, 1961

We had school today, but there was no hot lunch, so everybody got a big charge out of eating sack lunches. First time I've seen the whole school do that since first grade. They have to do it again tomorrow, but I won't be there. This has been a nice week, school wise. I'll feel differently about Monday. Grandma and Grandpa gave away two of Puddles' pups including cute little Patch-Eye. I've got to get to bed, should be there now.

"Ben-Hur" - Wednesday, February 15, 1961

Grandma and Grandpa invited Phyllis and me to go to the "Ben-Hur" matinee with them. We considered all angles and debated all morning before we decided to stay home and work. I washed three sweaters, my hair and the dishes. I attempted writing a poem for the state contest, but today was the last day and I didn't get it done. We had choir practice tonight. I only looked at chemistry, and that was the extent of my studying. I did finish the year-long timeline part of my science project and selected a title and outline - criminology - for my research paper.

Drain Problems - Tuesday, February 14, 1961

I babysat for Fudges but Craig wasn't there. I found out that there's no school tomorrow because they didn't get the drain fixed. (What next with that poor building?) I'm not setting my hair, so they had better not change their minds. The girls lost their first game of the sectional to Olds. And we had such high hopes for them! I wish I would have a few more books home, but I probably wouldn't get them looked at anyway.

Mom's Thesis - Monday, February 13, 1961

I was ready to go to the Honor Society meeting tonight, but Sheryl never came. I forgot to say anything about it to her after school. As it was I had neither time nor energy to get my chemistry done. I sure should have washed my hair, I know that. I shudder to think of all the work that must be done, some of which I've only put off too long. Mom will be going to houses around here this week having pre-school children do her counting test for her thesis.

Pastoral Prayer - Sunday, February 12, 1961

I pulled myself awake in time to write the pastoral prayer which I said in church this morning for Youth Sunday. This afternoon I did my chemistry. I wasn't doing so bad on the quiz he didn't grade Friday after all. I wrote on several more pictures--that awful task!--and ordered 25 for $1.00 more. I played an 18-18 basketball game with the kids. Virginia got hurt on the tying basket of a "play for 20 points" game. This has been a real spring like weekend.

Sophomore Swirl - Saturday, February 11, 1961

I took the usual sophomore crew to the Sophomore Swirl tonight and then spent the whole night in the kitchen getting refreshments ready, and cleaning up. Then [one of the seniors] made the girls (Betty, Martha, Phyllis and two Lindas) stay to clean up the gym. Grr! I slept all morning (gosh it is Saturday and gone again already). The only thing I got done was vacuuming my room. We went to town this afternoon. Betty went along. I went out to Van Winkles for about half an hour and took Marilyn a senior picture. 

Senior Pictures - Friday, February 10, 1961

Baby sitting again tonight. Mrs. Fudge went to the last girls home game (we beat Lone Tree) and Mr. Fudge went somewhere to referee. I came home when Daddy came to get Virginia and Phyllis after the game. Phyl and I figured up that I have 23 more senior pictures to ask for and I should have them all. I'd hate to count how many I must give away. I wish I could feel as relaxed on week nights as I do on Friday nights.

Honor Society Jewelry - Thursday, February 9, 1961

I wanted to go to the junior class play tonight (though I am tired) but Phyllis didn't want to, and Daddy said there was too much school stuff going on, so we didn't go. Then I end up taking her to ball games! We went to the Young Adult class pancake supper but got there after everyone else was done eating. Our Honor Society jewelry is back. I ordered a gold-fillled pin. I have only a C for the first three weeks of chemistry, but it could be worse!

Tuberculosis Shot - Wednesday, February 8, 1961

I babysat while Mrs. Fudge went to church and I guess Mr. Fudge went to the Lions Club basketball game at Keota. The kids went to youth fellowship, and I went late. We are going to have the service Sunday. We had an FHA meeting first period this morning. I got my birthday present late--a long light green billfold. I did not react to the tuberculosis shot that we got Monday. Four grades and the personnel got them throughout the country.

Park College Acceptance - Tuesday, February 7, 1961

Well, I will be enroute to Park College in September. I received my letter of acceptance today. I will have to fill out the financial form and return it and a $30.00 deposit. I wrote on eleven pictures tonight--an average of twenty lines each. Everyone says I write "books". So many kids want them that I'm going to run out; besides, I can't remember who wants them. Mom took Virginia and Ann in to get their pictures taken at Wards for 99 cents. If Phyllis gets one taken, we might put up the four of us in the last year we were all at home.

Jamestown College - Monday, February 6, 1961

Guess who Barbara McDowell talked to tonight! The director of admissions of Jamestown College called me from somewhere in Iowa. There sure were a bunch of machines clacking in the background. He wondered if I was still interested in Jamestown, etc. I told him to say "Hello" to Verna Thompson for me. Mom and Dad were gone to meetings. I filled out my Farm Bureau scholarship application and spent too much time writing on a few of the hundreds of pictures everyone wants.

Chalk Drawing - Sunday, February 5, 1961

I babysat for Fudges tonight while they went to the Sunset Inn in Muscatine. The rest of the family and Grandma and Grandpa went to the Wellman Baptist Church to see their minister do a chalk drawing. Peters weren't even there and they were the ones that suggested the youth fellowship go and get the picture for having the most there. We were at Grandma's for dinner for the February birthdays. We talked to Leets when they called Grandpa for his birthday.

Senior Pictures - Saturday, February 4, 1961

I've been so tired today. I hardly got a thing accomplished. Mom fixed my picture folders so they aren't so low in the frames, and I got them ready to mail to the relatives. I buzzed through chemistry and started my French story of The Three Little Pigs. I was late getting up again (though my sleep was in snatches due to Ann's continual calling). I got dinner. Mom, Phyl and Virginia were in Iowa City.

Pride and Prejudice - Friday, February 3, 1961

I finally saw Washington again. Mom bought me a pretty brown tweed coat for next year. It was  a $30.00 coat on sale for $20.00. I went to the Farm Bureau office and got "my" part of the scholarship application--I thought something was missing! I also finally spoke again in government class. I'm still suffering the consequences. He'll think I'm scared stiff of him or awfully dumb or something. I'm now going to read Pride and Prejudice, as we have to read a book for English.

Park College Catalog - Thursday, February 2, 1961

Whether or not the groundhog saw his shadow, the weather today looks like winter's here for awhile. We've had a good winter though, and it's hard to believe Groundhog Day is here already. I knew writing that letter to Park would bring their catalog. Sure enough, it was in the mail tonight. I spent all night redoing a "forty minute" chemistry test. That subject! I'm going to flunk out. Virginia just described my hair as "thickly populated India"!?!

Senior Pictures for $19.64 - Wednesday, February 1, 1961

I drove over to Wellman tonight and got my senior pictures. I'm pretty well pleased with them. The oil colored is real nice, but the folders are a little low in the frames, I think. They came to $19.64. I was to keep it under $20.00. Neat, huh? I sent one to Park and also asked for a catalog. Imagine applying to a college without seeing the catalog. We had a short newspaper staff meeting today. I must currently be in an anti-school work rut.