Science Fair, Science Project - Friday, March 31, 1961

Well, even though we didn't have school today, I spent  almost the entire day on my science project. I finished cutting out letters this morning and set it up in the kitchen for effect. This afternoon I drove to Wellman, and it seemed to take hours to get the letters up. Phyl went with me. We got home just in time for chores. They're not taking quite as long now because Daddy sold four cows. We came home to eat supper, and Mom, Phyl and I got over to the science fair just as the program ended. (We didn't care about seeing it.) I was the only girl in the physical science division. Mine looked pretty good.

Quill and Scroll Initiation - Thursday, March 30, 1961

I've about got it made now, I guess. We now have Shirley Bush, Junean Goschke, Tom Bauer, Curt Cox and Bob Wetrich initiated into Quill and Scroll. Everyone admitted that they were physically and mentally exhausted, so I guess I'm not alone. Now that I take time to think about it, the overall quality of the Gold Feather is really good. Lucky Washington gets all next week off and they still get out of school about when we do. Oh, I'm Hank in the play. And I wanted to be Beanie.

Grandpa's Overalls - Wednesday, March 29, 1961

I thank my lucky stars that tomorrow is the last day of school this week except for the science fair on Friday. I stayed after school to practice for the Quill and Scroll initiation tomorrow night. I'll be doing good to hold my eyes open by then. I had Marvin let me off the bus at Grandma's, but since I didn't have my chores clothes I didn't do anything but pack eggs. I did have Grandpa's overalls on but decided I looked like a tramp. We had choir practice and youth fellowship tonight. The paper staff stapled the papers second period.  

Chattanoogie Humor - Tuesday, March 28, 1961

The band concert was tonight. I about split a gut all through Chattanoogie when Donna Graf, one of the ninth graders, who plays baritone with me, dropped the music under the platform. I felt like a fool, but just the same I had a hard time controlling the laughter. I have just finished typing my conversational essay on The World Turns. Phyllis and I did chores till time to leave and Virginia and Ann finished up. We dressed out at Grandma's. The school paper is done. Hurrah!

The World Turns - Monday, March 27, 1961

The week has started. The world turns. And I go with it. My essay for English class is going to be on that subject. After school I helped Mrs. Fordyce with the school paper. I went downtown with Helen Birkey for supper, and we had band practice from 5:30 to 7:30. Mrs. Fordyce seems to give Shirley more credit for the school paper. I am getting more tired by the minute.

A Hectic Week - Sunday, March 26, 1961

I'm afraid this might prove to be a hectic week. The chores take so long without Grandpa. Daddy spent almost all day doing them today, with time out for church and to eat. We plan to go out in the morning from 6:00 to 7:30, some of us. Then I have things on in Wellman every night this week. I'm going to be pretty glad when the school year's over, but I have got to start enjoying life. We had communion in church today.

Research Paper and Science Project - Saturday, March 25, 1961

I worked in the yard a while this moning. Phyllis did, too, and Mom did all afternoon. This afternoon I typed on my research paper, but it seems to be a long, boring process. Maybe I'm about to get my science project finished up. Everyone but me went out to help with chores. I stayed here and got supper but the beans burned and there wasn't enough hash, so Mom fixed sausage and pancakes. I'd like to try out for Beanie, an eleven-year-old-tomboy, in the play.

Books from Iowa State Traveling Library - Friday, March 24, 1961

I'm going to go to bed with intent to read our class play, The Birds and the Boys, and pick a part to try out for. I would have gone to bed sooner but I decided to wash my hair tonight rather than tomorrow. Browns built a fire right across the road from Grandma's house. That sure wasn't good, with them gone. I already got two criminology books from the State Traveling Library. I just sent the letter Wednesday. Boy, I've got to get busy, busy, busy, busy, busy.

Central and South America Slides - Thursday, March 23, 1961

Janet had her appendix out today. She is just about the age Virginia was. Tonight was family night at church. Dr. Paul Smith of Des Moines showed slides of Central and South America. Esteps had seen him last summer and he had a picture with Bill and Merl in it. Grandma and Grandpa are leaving for Kansas and Texas in the morning. I have to be in charge of Quill and Scroll initiation a week from tonight. As a matter of fact, we were never initiated ourselves. Mrs. Kephart didn't give any A's this nine weeks. I don't know if it makes me feel better or worse.

A List of "Shoulds" - Wednesday, March 22, 1961

We stayed after school tonight for band practice. I was about to starve. Phyllis and I were able to come home with Peters at 4:30 rather than wait till 5:30. We had choir practice for a half hour tonight. On my third nine weeks report card I got: English, B+, French, A, chemistry, B-, and economics, B. I shall improve. Gee, I should be doing better. It just now dawned on me, I'm studying two "languages."  I'm determined that I could get straight A's if I would regulate my time better--study good the first time, sleep when I am in bed, think when I do chores, and really have fun, too, when I should.

Moon Was Thought to be Missile - Tuesday, March 21, 1961

I think we could have gone to Des Moines today, as do some others. I don't know if we'll get to go or not. We are now studying sociology in Mr. Jones' class. I have to think up three topics that I'd like to have us discuss the last five weeks. Poor Dennis the Menace, Virginia's kitten, got run over. He wa so cute. Virginia went to the show, Where the Boys Are, with Julia. I didn't do much tonight. Last October 5 one of the U.S. foreign missile detectors registered 99.9 percent that one was coming--here it was the moon. Mom was reading in Reader's Digest about it.

A's and an A- on Play Evaluations - Monday, March 20, 1961

We had band practice tonight for our concert next Tuesday. The freshmen are playing with us and it really makes a big difference. The seniors were going to go to Des Moines tomorrow to the legislature, but they decided we can't go because of the weather. Darn! Well, I got A's on three of the plays I wrote about and an A- on Pygmalion. Maybe she decided I deserved it after her harsh treatment of me on the MacBeth test. We took Linda Timmins home after band and I tried to back up in "park." I thought I was stuck.

Cross My Heart - Sunday, March 19, 1961

This afternoon we went out to Grandma's since Parcells were out there. We weren't there too long. We came home and instead of working on my science project or research paper, I read Phyllis's book, Cross My Heart. I should have worked on the paper some, but at least I have a start since I used eleven books yesterday, brought three home, and had already used three. I did work on my project. Tonight we went down to Cuddebacks.

Remembering the West Chester Track Team - Saturday, March 18, 1961

Tonight defending state champion Marshalltown won the tournament again by beating Calumet. It would have been nice if Calumet could have won. We keep forgetting that West Chester won both the Class C indoor and outdoor track meets two years ago. I guess we were the type that took the trophy and left before the reporters came around to make a big to-do about us--that's good old West Chester. I spent the morning in the Iowa City library getting research paper material and 45 minutes this afternoon doing the same in the Washington library.

Mother - Daughter Tea Plans - Friday, March 17, 1961

This was the day for the wearin' of the green. It's surprising how many people did. Tonight Phyllis and Daddy went to the Daddy Date Night. I decided that I wouldn't go. I guess it wasn't too well organized again. If only I had the time to show them something, I could really work up a good FHA mother - daughter tea since the parliamentary committee is in charge. Only time will tell. Class B Calumet (24 boys in high school) is still in the state tournament. There is only one division this year. I started typing my paper.

The Challenge of Chemistry - Thursday, March 16, 1961

I wish I'd get so that if I'm not going to do something I'd at least go to bed. Maybe I could get onto a schedule I considered at the first of the year--always doing my chemistry in my two study halls following chemistry, when it's fresh in my mind, and doing the easier things at home. The boys in baskeball and the cheerleaders were at the state tournament today so we didn't have a lot in the way of classes. I still was too tired to do much.

A Senior Class Play - Wednesday, March 15, 1961

The freshmen, sophomores and juniors had preliminary registration this morning. We discussed the senior play and decided to have an all-senior cast with others helping. That was my original suggestion the other day, rather than an all-school play. I watched the Kindergarten kids outside for half an hour this morning. I began (and barely) my research paper. We had choir rehearsal down at Janaceks. The local science fair specifies a maximum side to side width of 48 inches for the exhibits. The bulletin board I'm using happens to be none less than 49!

Science Project Dilemma - Tuesday, March 14, 1961

It was almost like summer out again. I had considered taking my science project to the Eastern Iowa science fair but I guess I won't. I went down to the science room during home room but all I did was "straddle the fence" on the "it's up to you" issue of it. Mr. Statler probably thinks I'm a nut. I didn't really know and yet I probably wouldn't have wanted to say "yes" or "no" if I did know since I'm not a science club member, etc. Enough! Phyllis and I are doing chores together again. We played badminton some. Dale is working for us again.

Criminology Paper - Monday, March 13, 1961

I made the outline (due Friday) for my criminology paper, but if I don't condense it, the paper will be a year long. I'm going to try write the paper right with the typewriter the first time rather than make a rough draft. I wrote to Mrs. Cowan on an Easter card and got my Park catalog, view book and a bulletin Stewarts sent ready to mail to Grandma Kay. I imagine I flunked a dilly of an English test today. I'm afraid of that lady lately.

Why Worry About School Work - Sunday, March 12, 1961

I got myself up in time to go to church and see the kids I'd last seen just a few hours before. This afternoon I worked on my science project. I don't think I'll ever get everything done. So what, though, if I'm a member of the National Honor Society, have been accepted for college, and haven't got a chance to be valedictorian or salutatorian, why worry now?!? They were tearing down houses yesterday, where we parked the bus, for a future highway interchange.  

Girls State Basketball Tournament - Saturday, March 11, 1961

I spent the afternoon and evening in Des Moines at the girls state basketball tournament. Mary Ellen and I went to the show, The World of Suzie Wong. It was good. We got in a little shopping and managed to spend most of our money. I bought a white pleated skirt for summer. Valley beat Lost Nation for the championship. Diane Frieden had 60 points--a state tournament record.

Blackface and Music - Friday, March 10, 1961

Tonight was the Blackface and Music minstrel show put on by the mixed chorus. It was real cute. I worked the spotlight (with Mrs. Fordyce's voluntary help). I also put the minstrel black on a few of the "Negroes." We elected FHA officers. Lois Slemmons is the new president.They presented the three of us who hadn't sold any candy with our six boxes. I knew that was coming. I've already gotten rid of four.

Never to Run Again - Thursday, March 9, 1961

We were still more or less snowed in and didn't have school. They did go over at 2:00 for minstrel practice. Our kitchen clock stopped yesterday morning when the electricity was off, "never to run again." I never realized how often I looked at the clock! I just now finished writing about those plays. I know he'll give us a chemitry quiz tomorrow. Mom got me three more criminology books when Ann got her new glasses. I got my pictures back. They're pretty good.

Another Snow Day - Wednesday, March 8, 1961

It was bound to happen and I was even hoping it would, so I could work on the plays. We got a snow and didn't have school, although a lot of us went, only to turn right around and go home. As it was I only got one more play done. Maybe she'll extend the deadline for the benefit of the slower (and me ?!?). I gave Virginia a paint set for her 14th birthday. Ann spent the day with Darlene and will stay all night. This was the only morning all year, I think, that I got up at 6:00--my luck.

It Seems Unfair - Tuesday, March 7, 1961

Boy, I've got to get on the stick. Seeing today's date just now startled me. I forgot to wrap Virginia's birthday present. Will do. I just don't know if I can get three more plays evaluated by Friday or not. I spent all night on one, but then when I think that some are still reading, well--. I could shoot Mrs. Kephart. Jerolyn missed 10 and got a B. I missed 11--and did I get a B-?--no!--a C+. It's coldish again. I can go to the girls' tournaments.

A Scare in the Stairway - Monday, March 6, 1961

Tonight Mom did the wash in Wellman while I went to an Honor Society meeting. I tried to work out plans with Sheryl but she ended up going to Iowa City with Nancy and Lois. What a life! Mom and Virginia went to town after school to pick out Virginia and Ann's proofs at Wards. I gave my speech but practically read it since everyone else did. Phyllis scared me to death last night. She was halfway up the darkened stairs just as I turned the stairway light on.

Play Evaluations - Sunday, March 5, 1961

This afternoon I finished reading The Last Days of Lincoln and read Our Town. Both were good, but now I think I liked Our Town better. Now to write reports on the four of them, get that speech and essay test over with, get on the ball with my research paper and science project, and do page 2 of the school paper ahead of time for once. Ann just got home from Norma's where she had supper. I think I'm forgetting something I was to have done this weekend. Phyl will be staying all week after school for minstrel practice. They have been since Wednesday.

To Iowa City for Research and Shopping - Saturday, March 4, 1961

I went along with Mom to Iowa City this morning and went to the library. I did research for my speech from a book that John H. McDowell helped translate,
 got two criminology books, and a book of three Thornton Wilder plays. We shopped for an hour. I still can't decide whether or not I should have bought a $4.00 spring sweater that I didn't buy. This was Mom's last class for this semester. My speech is 14 note cards long! I cleaned my room, burned trash, and did some hand washing this afternoon.

National Science Foundation - Friday, March 3, 1961

Again this morning in chemistry, as we did on Wednesday, we had a man from the National Science Foundation talk. At least I must be getting chemistry because I understood the demonstrations better than I did the physics ones last year. Mr. Evans said we had a very good school paper this time. It's sort of blustery. I hope March isn't bad, but right now it's "in like a lion." We took our MacBeth test today. I missed 11, Jerolyn 10, Fred 8, Shirley and Linda 2. I suppose I'll get a B.

Memorizing MacBeth - Thursday, March 2, 1961

Mom had a salary committee meeting at Wellman tonight so I went along to the yearbook staff meeting. We senior girls spent our time typing senior activities and trying to memorize a MacBeth passage that has to be learned by tomorrow. I think Mrs. Kephart is determined to flunk us out of English or something. I have two plays to read and four to write reports on in a week.

No Full Moon in February - Wednesday, March 1, 1961

(arrow pointing left)
I thought I'd forgotten to write one night, but then I remembered that page is for Leap Year. The newspaper staff stapled papers during activity period. We had youth fellowship and choir practice. I haven't done any real studying all week. My tests at the end of the week will probably show it. February was only the sixth month in the last two centuries (2400 months) in which there wasn't a full moon.