Honor Society Alumni Banquet - Friday, May 31, 1963

The Mid-Prairie Honor Society alumni banquet was tonight at the Kolonial Town House in Kalona. It was very nice. Judy, Linda, and the two Shirleys were there from our class. I gave the alumni response. Mr. Vander Voort spoke on "Let There Be No Night." They are leaving the district after this year for Illinois. There was a nice bunch of local news items again today and another possible lead for a feature story. Maybe if I can work this one in next week, I can also talk to Mr. Carris about his old musical instruments some time. Brad Kiesey took the two Lindas, Phyllis and me tonight.

Saw Flag Raising and Parade Around Square - Thursday, May 30, 1963

It was nice to see a Washington Memorial Day celebration. They were raising the flag at the post office just as I got to the Journal office, so I stood and watched during the bugle call, raising, and returning to half mast. Then at 10:00 I went out with Dorothy and Olive to watch the parade around the square. The Journal went to press at 11:30 so I had the afternoon off. I started sewing my green and blue print dress. Phyllis and Virginia went with the band kids to Lake McBride this afternoon after they had marched at the cemeteries.

Helped Portray "A Day at School" - Wednesday, May 29, 1963

Mom, Dad and I went to the West Chester School's reception for Kepharts tonight. I had to be on the program. Two teams of five each took part in "a day at school" with arithmetic, reading, spelling and history classes. We had a lot of fun and it was a really nice reception. I got to talk to several of the kids I haven't seen in a while including Rosemary. Even though she's a typesetter and I hang all my news on her hook, I never have much chance to really talk to her. I helped do chores tonight. I gave Phyl a jacket with hood (white with red gingham) for her birthday.

We Saw Virginia in All-School Play - Tuesday, May 28, 1963

We went to Wellman tonight to see Virginia in the all-school play, "The Birds and the Boys," the one we were going to do as seniors but then dropped when we didn't have time. Virginia was one of the photographers, no speaking and only in about the last five minutes. Mary Dunbar was "Beanie," the part that I was going to have. Well, I'm glad that play finally got presented! I talked to Nancy Statler tonight. She sounds as if she'd rather work than go to college. Working is fun, but I wouldn't give up college. The West Chester fifth grade toured the Journal office this afternoon.

Interviewed U.S. High School Band Member - Monday, May 27, 1963

This afternoon I went out to Roland's house on the east edge of Washington to get information from Judy who will be a member of the United States of America High School Band this summer and travel throughout the southern United States. She'll be a junior next year and plays alto sax. My article about Don Marek in Haiti was used on the front page along with another article on Haiti. Grandma and Grandpa left for Virginia today. Mom and Dad went to the Amanas tonight for a school supper for Vander Voorts and Kepharts. Phyllis and Virginia are at yearbook staff and play practice.

Finished Typing Phyllis's Physics Paper - Sunday, May 26, 1963

This afternoon all of us except Daddy went to the church for the WRC Memorial Day program. Virginia and Phyllis played in the band, which playing they helped to get organized after we got home from church, as no one seemed to know much about who was going to do what until Carmen called Mr. Eddy. I finished typing Phyllis's physics research paper for her. I had the closing mission study for Sunday School since Rosemary wasn't able to be there.

Went on a Shopping Spree - Saturday, May 25, 1963

I treated myself to a shopping spree this afternoon. I got a tan, yellow and blue striped dress with straw belt, tan pleated skirt and tan print blouse, four Advance patterns that Penney's was selling for one-fourth price, a gold belt to replace the one I ruined from my aqua dress, flowers for a basket purse. The nice thing of it was, my check for the yearbook work came today so I made an even exchange, including the fact that Mom gave me my allowance this morning. I went out to Grandma's to get some gas for the lawnmower and some other "business." I mowed with our new mower tonight, Daddy with the old.  

Charles and Bob Have Fun Joking - Friday, May 24, 1963

This was pay day again. It only amounts to $41.39 a week by the time taxes are deducted from my $50 total. Charles and Bob are forever joking around. Today after a lady brought in the First Presbyterian Church notice, Mr. Morris said, "If the First Presbyterians are as slow getting to the pearly gates as they are bringing in their church news, they'll never make it!" Well, I certainly will have a lot of locals for a Saturday tomorrow. I've had quite a few all week. There were three more engagement pictures and announcements today, one announcement without a picture - three on Wednesday, too.

Went With Mom to Teachers' Picnic - Thursday, May 23, 1963

I went with Mom to a teachers' picnic down at Miksch's tonight. We took Miss Asby along. We went out to their pond for a wiener roast. I enjoyed talking to Mrs. Kephart and Mrs. Leary was also glad to see me again. I talked with Mrs. Carris at the Selective Service office about interviewing Mr. Carris for a feature about his old musical instruments. Mr. Morris suggested I could interview Judy Roland who is a member of the United States High School Band. Her mother works at the Y but I wasn't able to contact her this afternoon.

Helped Stuff Advertising Inserts - Wednesday, May 22, 1963

Today I helped stuff Journal inserts. The advertising sections have to be put in by hand every Wednesday. Just like stuffing inside pages for six-page Styluses. This was a busier morning again. Yesterday there was hardly anything. I called Oneita tonight to see if she had any ideas for some feature stories. She suggested any interesting hobbies. (I'd already thought of Mrs. Bauer's cruets and Mr. Griffith's shells.) She mentioned a man's old musical instruments and another man's museum. We had choir practice tonight.

We Saw "To Kill a Mocking Bird" - Tuesday, May 21, 1963

We all went in to see "To Kill a Mocking Bird" tonight. It was good. Gregory Peck got the Best Actor Academy Award for it. The three little kids did well with their parts, too. I finally got a letter written to Nancy. Have some others to write, too! I've been out of school a month now. At least my job is keeping me occupied, but lately I haven't been getting much else done.

Charles and Dave Liked My Feature Story - Monday, May 20, 1963

Virginia cut my hair for me tonight. I wrote to the business office to notify them of my acceptance of the financial aid the college is giving me for next year - $500 ($200 grant-in-aid and $300 student employment) and to ask them about the money I never got for my 18 hours of yearbook work. Charles and Dave both said they liked my feature story. Now to think of some other ones to do. I have the nicest job. I'm lucky to have it. Charley was asking me today if I'd had a quiet weekend and saying if I had he and Bob would take off for a few days and let me take over.

Marilyn Has a Red MG Convertible - Sunday, May 19, 1963

By the time I left at 3:10, I doubt if Marilyn got much more done than if she'd come up here. Hope she gets her tests studied for and papers written. She's changed her major from biology to elementary education. We went to the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church this morning. I drove and Marilyn's nice roommate Sue Brown and another girl went along. Marilyn's folks probably won't let her come back up here to school next year. But they bought her a red MG convertible with spoke wheels! It must be the life!

Spent Night at Iowa Wesleyan - Saturday, May 18, 1963

I drove down to Iowa Wesleyan after work to visit Marilyn. It took an hour to get to Mt. Pleasant. They're on daylight time. Marilyn thought she better not take the time to come up to our house, so I'm staying down here for the night. Tonight a nice blind date, Tom Morrasen and I, Marilyn and her present boyfriend, and another couple tripled. We took Tom's car to Fairfield for pizza. Iowa Wesleyan kids are quite a lot like Park's. In some respects they're different. They have marvelous Saturday night suppers - steaks! (Delicious ones, too!) It feels good to be back in college life! My feature article was on the Journal front page.

West Chester's 1961 Mid-Prairie Graduates - Friday, May 17, 1963

I called Marilyn at Iowa Wesleyan tonight. I'm going to drive down after work tomorrow and either bring her back for Saturday night and part of Sunday or stay down there, whichever works out. Journal work went fine today. I should have a nice Saturday review page this week. Jim Young was at the root beer stand today so we were talking some. (He's married to Phyllis Crone.) Mrs. Stewart saw me in Bridges and wanted me to make a list tonight of all the West Chester kids who graduated from Mid-Prairie in 1961. I guess they want to invite us to the alumni banquet, though I'm not that keen on going. Marion probably heard me say something about "If I'd just graduated from West Chester I could be going to the alumni banquet," one time.

Cooper's Splashdown Was Flawless - Thursday, May 16, 1963

Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper's splashdown in the Pacific at 5:20 a.m., 115 miles southeast of Midway Island was perfectly flawless following his 22 orbits of the earth. There was some concern when the automatic re-entry device was lost on the last orbit, but he brought it in manually "right on the money," as John Glenn said. It was a wonderful climax. This afternoon at 4:00 I went out to North 5th to interview Henry Kiene, a retired farmer, who made three "mosaic" pictures entirely from different kinds of seeds. Two of them are on display at Gevock's. Bob had already taken a picture of one of them.

Astronaut Cooper's Liftoff Was Perfect - Wednesday, May 15, 1963

Cooper's liftoff at 7:00 this morning was perfect. He's supposed to "sleep" in space tonight. No wonder some people would never think of keeping a diary. It can be rather hard to think of anything different to write when you do practically the same thing every day - I suppose some people's lives are that way - they never "do" anything. It's interesting to have the experience of spending entire days doing only one thing. Until this time, nearly every day I ever spent was more "varied," rather than "concentrated."

Gordon Cooper's Space Trip Postponed - Tuesday, May 14, 1963

Gordon Cooper's one and a half day space trip was postponed this morning. They had a T-60 minutes hold when they couldn't get the gantry moved away from the space capsule (because of water in the fuel line!). The final postponement came with a radar failure in Bermuda. They'll try again tomorrow. I finally got my dress finished. Work went about as usual. Of course, I made the usual number of mistakes, but I'm learning from them, too. Mom had a PTA meeting tonight. Linda Pence was here while her folks were at a church meeting.

Karla's Wedding Write-Up Looked Nice - Monday, May 13, 1963

Karla's wedding write-up looked real nice tonight. They practically stopped the press for Sonja when they had her name spelled Sonka, but they corrected several other mistakes at the same time. The rest of my "society" news looked nice, too. There were a lot of locals because of Mother's Day visits and dinners, and I have quite a few more for tomorrow, too. I got a letter off to Evelyn, and some grass mowed. Mom re-measured my skirt hem. It's so big around I didn't tackle hemming it at 9:00 p.m. If I had thought about it in time I wouldn't have put in all the material the pattern called for.

Helped Celebrate Mother's Day - Sunday, May 12, 1963

I finished Karla's wedding write-up so I won't have it to do tomorrow and re-copied it. But I didn't get the letters written or dress hemmed. I gave Mom some Tussy iced cologne for Mother's Day. We all gave her a red carnation corsage that I had ordered. We went out to take Grandma a present at chore time and Mom called Grandma Kay on the phone. It was a cold rainy day, not very pleasant for a special occasion.

Parcells Came Past After Wedding - Saturday, May 11, 1963

Peggy and Keith, Sonja and Shari were here tonight for a few minutes to see our house after they had been to Karla's wedding. Sonja was the flower girl. Rikki and Shawn had gone home with Grandpa and Grandma. I just worked half a day today. It sort of rushes things when they go to press at noon. I went shopping and bought a blue slim skirt and brown and white print dress with brown wood buttons and gathered sleeves. I finished the one I'm making except for the hem. Tomorrow I should get it hemmed (on Sunday!), write at least three letters, and finish Karla's wedding write-up.

Learned About Club News From Mr. Morris - Friday, May 10, 1963

Well, I guess I'll be making up for not having any Saturday classes all year by having to get up to work on Saturdays (mornings only). Today Mr. Morris gave me an evaluation of my club news. I'm glad, because now I know more what is wanted. Most of the things he suggested I should leave out, I haven't been too impressed with putting in anyway, but then those dear old ladies and their clubs. It's a whirlwind affair taking all their reports over the phone. Today I had a mistake - I had the Women of the Moose meeting at the OES Hall rather than the IOOF! Phyllis and Virginia are at a school dance.

Society Page Looked Good - Thursday, May 9, 1963

I got along splendidly for my first day on my own. The society page looked good tonight, too. I had a lot of club news today. I was busy all morning taking phone calls. Karla Parcell brought her wedding information sheet in today. She has a lovely wedding portrait. It will be nice to have hers as my first wedding write-up. It's fun going around to all the stores and asking for news items. My social security number came today. They had the West Chester kindergarten round-up at school. Last night Phyllis helped with Mid-Prairie's initiation service for English Valley honor society members.

Mrs. Luckenbill's Last Day of Work - Wednesday, May 8, 1963

I think I am really going to like working at the Journal office. I got on to the routine of things more today. Of course, I can always expect un-routine things. This was Mrs. Luckenbill's last day, so tomorrow I'm on my own. I finished the "30-40 Years Ago" items today, got all the news that was in typed, and started tomorrow's social calendar items. I met the people on the west side of the square today. Everyone is so friendly. All at the Journal are aware of the fact that I'm the third Barbara - Barbara Shannon and Barbara Glassburner were there before me. We had choir practice tonight.

Getting Acquainted with Journal Job - Tuesday, May 7, 1963

I started to work for the Journal today. It's going to be a really nice job. Mrs. Luckenbill, whose place I am taking for the summer, helped me get acquainted with the job. I wrote a local, did some typing of club news, engagements and took "society" phone calls, went with her around the square (lots of locals can be gotten from the store people) where she introduced me to everybody, and started the "10-20-30-40 Years Ago" column for Saturday's paper. I ate lunch at the root beer stand. Tonight Ann, Mom, Dad and I went out to the bottom land at Grandma's to walk and enjoy the evening while Daddy dug a ditch.

Will Start Work Tomorrow - Monday, May 6, 1963

I called Mr. Morris back this morning like I was supposed to. I'm supposed to go in tomorrow to start work. A little while later the Ross plant called to see if I was still interested in a job in there. I'm glad these offers came in the order they did. To think, I had almost given up hope on both of them. I got a letter from Evelyn. I mowed the rest of the grass this afternoon.

Began Typing Phyllis's Physics Paper - Sunday, May 5, 1963

This afternoon I began typing Phyllis's physics research paper for her. If they're in science club they can write their research papers on their science projects so hers is on "Anemias of Red Blood Cells." She got an honorable mention on it at the science fair. I finished writing to Mrs. MacDonald. I should also write to Marilyn. I should try to see her before she goes back to Florida. I think she's going to school down there next year. We listened to a distant whip-poor-will out the back door tonight.

Can Have the Journal Job - Saturday, May 4, 1963

Ann, Mom and I went in to do the wash this morning since it was sort of rainy out. I guess Mr. Morris called to say I could have the job at the Journal office. I'm supposed to call him back on Monday. Phyllis and Virginia went to the music contest at Williamsburg. The girls chorus got a II, but they don't know what the mixed chorus got. Chateaugay won the Kentucky Derby - not even one of the three favorites, seven behind at the last quarter. I mowed Roy Bauer's lawn this afternoon for him. Virginia mowed Mrs. Ross's mother's last evening. Meanwhile our own grass grows taller - we did cut some this evening.

Planted Mrs. Cowan's Flower Seeds - Friday, May 3, 1963

I sewed some more on my dress. After school Mom and I took a sandwich to Daddy, but Grandma had beat us and gotten one to him before we did. We planted my flower seeds from Mrs. Cowan. I sent a letter to Nancy. I started one to Mrs. MacDonald to "remind her I'm here" and let her know there's another Park graduate in the area.

Mother-Daughter Tea and Program - Thursday, May 2, 1963

The mother-daughter tea was tonight. The program was real cute. I was in charge of the properties and also ended up substituting for Sharon Hough. I read Oneita Fisher's "Mothers" from Kitchen Klatter magazine for the response to mothers. I helped with the Quill and Scroll initiation this morning. It went off really well and we had fun, too. I went shopping in Lewis's before going back to the Wellman Elementary School to wait for Mom to get through with art classes. I got some belt backing, white purse that just matches my heels, gold knit shirt, and $6.00 girdle for half price. I visited with Judy Johnson this morning in the elementary school office.

Court Day for High School Seniors - Wednesday, May 1, 1963

We had practice for the mother-daughter tea tonight. I have to read the "response to mothers" after dinner, but I don't have a part in the program itself. I started sewing my dress this afternoon. Margie got a C in history again, A- in physical education in elementaty schools, C in German and lit, and a D in religion. This was Court Day for the Washington County high school seniors in Washington. Phyllis and Linda Timmins were on the jury.