Colleen Moore's Doll House - Wednesday, July 31, 1963

Ruth and Bob and Shirley stopped for a minute this evening. They're leaving tomorrow. I finally got a letter written to Terry Seelye and one to Barbara Page. I sent along the WRA minutes I finally got typed to see if she could duplicate some copies and file them. I got the information about Colleen Moore's doll house. It didn't give too much specific information about the glass part, so I still don't know for sure what Mr. Melville part was.

Grandma and Grandpa's Anniversary - Tuesday, July 30, 1963

We had Lorahs and Shirley here for supper. Then Grandma and Grandpa, Leets and Cuddebacks came for ice cream and cake for Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary. We kids played soccer for a while - thus I have a bruised leg. We showed some slides later this evening to Ruth and Bob. There were certainly a lot of local news items today, and a couple more I could have had but saved for tomorrow. Kathy Amayo, my "little sister," wrote to me. I'm sorry I didn't see more of her last year, but she was able to take care of herself so well.

Fourth Place in Miss Iowa Contest - Monday, July 29, 1963

Peggy McKinstry was third runner-up in the Miss Iowa contest. I heard on the news last night that she was one of the five finalists and found out at the Journal this morning that she was fourth, after we heard she wasn't one of the top three. I just had a feeling she could be among the finalists. Miss Davenport won (from Illinois), followed by Ames (from Minnesota), Burlington, Washington County, and Manona. Leets, Shirley - the girl Lorahs brought to Iowa with them - Betty Peters and we girls went miniature golfing tonight.

Leet-McDowell Reunion Had 50 There - Sunday, July 28, 1963

We had a Leet-McDowell reunion at Grandma's today. There were about 50 people there this time compared to over 70 two years ago. Quite a few of us were out there for supper, too. Well, I didn't get my letters written again. Some I really must get off. I played softball with Jim, John and Arney, and Phyllis joined us for badminton foursomes. Donnie Bishop had Carol Jungbluth, the girl he's engaged to, there. A year ago tonight we were in wondrous Winnipeg.

State Traveling Library Information - Saturday, July 27, 1963

This seemed to be another one of my lazy afternoons off, as I don't believe I accomplished much this afternoon. I finished up my article on Mr. Melville. It seems like I'm so often coming out with four and one half page feature articles. I think I'll wait for the State Traveling Library to send information on Colleen Moore's doll house for which he designed some pieces. They went ahead and used my story on the girls 4-H fair preparations. Iris and I were hoping we could get a picture to go with it.

The Oldest of All First Cousins - Friday, July 26, 1963

We went down to Parcells for a buffet supper. There seem to be a lot of little boy cousins again. It's sort of nice to be the oldest of all my first cousins. I bought a green corduroy car coat with red, white and green pile lining today at Wards. I finally decided on it after comparing all the town had to offer, including those at the new Spurgeon store. Charles was in a pretty good mood today and seemed pretty tolerant of my ideas - not that he usually doesn't - it's just that he has to have the upper hand.

Interviewed a Herman Melville Descendant - Thursday, July 25, 1963

I love Evelyn. She finally wrote just when I did (as I figured would be the way). We wrote about and asked about practically paragraph for paragraph, the very same things. We are a lot alike. This afternoon I went out to interview Ralph Melville, a glassblower who lives in Washington. He's quite the person - educated at the University of Leibniz in Germany, lectured at Stockholm, taught at the University of Washington, been on the Ed Sullivan Show, and is a descendant of Herman Melville. He gave me a tiny orange vase he had made. Mrs. Hahn came tonight so we girls could order some Avon products. Varners and Lorahs are at Grandma's now.

Mom is at a Tupperware Party - Wednesday, July 24, 1963

Betty is staying here tonight. Mom is at a Tupperware party at Karen Baker Speas'. Phyl and I and Daddy went to the Lions Club ice cream supper. I saw Uncle Walter in Osincup's. I wasn't at the Journal office when he stopped in. Of course, I had to drag myself away, he likes to talk so. Well, they finally used my feature article on Mrs. Bauer's cruets. Charles cut up my pictures from the Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company. He didn't know they wanted them back.

Three Quarter Century Club Postcards - Tuesday, July 23, 1963

We took Linda Timmins and went in to play miniature golf with John, Betty, Linda, Jim, Larry and Janet. I just couldn't get with it tonight. I think I had a seven on half the holes. Better late than never, but I only just now got around to typing up the minutes for the April 2nd and 4th WRA meetings! I think I'll send them to Barbara Page and see if she can "process" them. I took the Three Quarter Century Club post cards to Mrs. Luckenbill and visited with her for a few minutes.

Still Hope for the LLCs - Monday, July 22, 1963

I've been writing to Flo to see what we can do to get the LLCs moving. Maybe there's still hope. The Journal was an hour late going to press today, and on the day that Charles complained that there wasn't anything of news value. He even ran the Rubio grocery store closing (for good) on the front page. Ann has gone to  Martie Berendts' for several days. I mowed grass this evening. The kids had to go to mow the two Anderson yards.

Leets Are Here From Virginia - Sunday, July 21, 1963

Leets got to Grandma's this afternoon. Parcells came to get Rikki and Sonja who had been out here for a week, so we all had supper there, except Cuddebacks weren't there. I wrote to Evelyn. I think one or the other of our letters must have gotten lost. I last heard from her on May 25! I haven't gotten a letter from Mrs. Cowan for quite a while either. I hope to get a letter off to Flo about LLC business.

Bought $90.00 Worth of Pendleton - Saturday, July 20, 1963

This has been a day, to say the least. I bought almost $90.00 worth of Pendleton clothing at Seiferts - a walking suit and sweater in heather brown and a brown plaid jumper to match. I will be able to get a lot of good out of them for years. This afternoon we watched an eclipse of the sun - 75 percent here, total from Alaska to Maine. We used a pin hole viewer like you were supposed to, since people were cautioned not to look directly at the sun. Then the fire truck came past - Hough's baler caught fire. Phyl and I went back to town - I got a $10.00 pair of new black heels and returned to Seiferts to say I'd take the things we decided on. Tonight "Miss Brazil" became "Miss Universe."

Ten-Year-Old's "Jerry Mahoney" Act - Friday, July 19, 1963

Barb and I were still being asked about our "boy friends" at Winga's. This morning I went down to a new little house on West Main to talk to Mrs. Matson and her little girl about a ten-year-old ventriloquist who entertained some neighborhood kids. Then I went to Dr. Stutsman's to talk to their grandson from New York and his "Jerry Mahoney." They may finally be getting around to using the story about Mrs. Bauer and her cruets, or at least I saw a proof of the picture today. I bought a pretty new orange swimming suit with white belt in Wards today ($13.00 on sale for $8.00). It looks like a life jacket. 

Wrote About Judy's U.S.A. Band Tour - Thursday, July 18, 1963

I spent two hours talking with Judy Roland about the United States of America High School Band. Of course, I had quite a time reducing it to what I felt should be a short article this time. Barb Shalla and I went to Winga's this afternoon after we thought the members of the Monroe, Wisconsin coffee club had more or less "cleared out." They came down to sign a truce with our coffee club (founder of the idea) after a feud was raised when Monroe claimed to be the first. Anyway, we got in on plenty of excitement and entertained two men, one of whom may have had more to drink than coffee!

Iced Tea and Lemonade at Winga's - Wednesday, July 17, 1963

I helped Mom mow grass tonight. Nancy Avard sent me the pictures of our LLC float after I wrote to ask her about them. Some of the Journal days are almost "days nothing happened." It must have been that for me today - I can't think of anything to say. I've been going to Winga's with Barb Shalla for my lemonade and her iced tea - she's taking Dorothy Marsten's place now. I almost didn't get a single item around town today - finally got two.

Y-Whizzerrs Chivareed on Old 92 - Tuesday, July 16, 1963

I've made myself dizzy playing a fast game of basketball tonight at Y-Whizzers. Phyllis and I stood four of the guys. Ron Zager helped us out a little bit. We went swimming, too. Dave didn't come, but maybe it was just as well - he might not have been too well impressed or fit in the best with the group there. We chivareed the Dawsons on Old 92 Highway, then Phyllis and I came on home. I wish they'd get around to using one of my feature articles.

Had Iris Come for Supper - Monday, July 15, 1963

I had Iris here for supper tonight after she had been at the Methodist Church for the Cinderella [4-H club] achievement show. I didn't get off work as soon as I might have, so by the time I got home Iris had made herself at home here and was reading her paper by the outside of the house since there was no one else home. Mom and Ann had been helping make straw. We fixed the supper Mom had ready and then everyone else got home in time to eat. Iris, Phyllis, Virginia and I went to the show, "Tammy and the Doctor," which was really cute. We went out to the Dog 'N Suds, the new root beer stand.

Virginia and Phyllis Detasseled Corn - Sunday, July 14, 1963

This has been a good weekend. I have added to my appearance by getting a hair cut and a suntan, got my feature article written, and am looking forward to the coming week. I always do, of course, but I'm thinking more specifically of Monday and Tuesday night , for a change. There were only fifteen people in church today and twelve for Sunday School. There weren't any kids downstairs except Isabelle "taught" Ann. Virginia and Phyllis detasseled corn. They had the day off yesterday since it was too wet. Mom and Dad went down to Bishops but they had a lot of company.

Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company - Saturday, July 13, 1963

I got the information I sent for from the Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company in Kenora. They forwarded my letter to the Minneapolis office. They also sent seven nice photographs, so I should be able to do a real nice feature article on "The Evening Journal from Start to Finish." I also heard from Flo. She has a nice job this summer, too, at Parke-Davis in Detroit. She wants me to be thinking of plans for rush and seeing about getting some favors. Ann wanted me to get some buttons for her, so I went to McLellans, and the manager himself waited on me. We had an awful time with mistakes and changes in a wedding. The groom came in an hour before the ceremony to change around a groomsman and an usher. Then I had to call the Journal after I got home - I'd forgotten to tell them that it was to be sent to the Fairfield Ledger.

Looked at Our Slides - Friday, July 12, 1963

We looked at our slides of Park and Tarkio, Phyl's graduation and our trip to Canada tonight. We got our own screen and projector last spring. This was Virginia and Phyllis's second day of detasseling corn with the two Lindas, Betty and Mary. They are on a crew so get to ride a machine. Some of the Wellman girls work in the same fields, over by Prairie Flower. I wrote a letter to Carolyn Reed (to find out what's going on at Park) and finished one to Margie. Terry Seelye sent me and a picture she took of Margie and me a year ago February but just now got developed.

Met New Manager of Dime Stoore - Thursday, July 11, 1963

We had the club ice cream supper tonight. Connie Bombei, Phyllis and I (along with various others) played badminton and looked at my scrapbook, photograph album and yearbook from Park. I finally saw David Vanderbilt and got a chance to ask him about his trip to the Grand Prix auto races in Garnett, Kansas last weekend. He was at some plays at KU, the Liberty Memorial, and the Country Club Plaza. He's the new dime store manager - real nice - used to work at the store in Kansas City, Kansas. I didn't have much luck getting local news items today. I've got a new feature promised - a glass blower. 

Took Nancy and Sherion to Dog 'N Suds - Wednesday, July 10, 1963

It seemed like July 10 has some significance. What happened on July 10? I had gone to the State Café for lunch today but it was too crowded, and then Nancy and Sherion were coming along, so I took them out to the new Dog 'N Suds stand to eat. This was the day to stuff Journal inserts again. I had a lot of local news items for a Wednesday it seemed like - they always manage to come from somewhere. This turned out to be one of my busiest mornings, though it began on the slow side, sort of, anyway.

Record Number of Local News Items - Tuesday, July 9, 1963

I had a record number of locals today - 31. A year ago today - I was looking at last summer's Journals last week - Barbara Glassburner had 28. Stewarts left this morning at 7:00. I mowed the last of the grass this evening after the kids had done most of it. I've been looking at the Narva. Wish we had this year's. To look through a yearbook carefully a while later brings back such nice memories.

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Sparked Interest in Park - Monday, July 8, 1963

Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Stewart of Texico, Illinois are staying here tonight. They're on their way home from visiting in South Dakota and Nebraska. Prof Stewart was one of Daddy's college professors and they're the ones who got me interested in Park. Virginia had to go babysit at Joyce's tonight. This was a good day for local news items - I spent most of the morning writing them, and got quite a lot for tomorrow's Journal. I wonder what a lady thought when she saw her "wedding write-up" [wedding was on June 27 in Sigourney, 30 miles northwest of Washington] that we made into a local news item.

Finished Cruets Story For Journal - Sunday, July 7, 1963

I wrote letters to Nancy Ayres and Nancy Avard - to ask her what became of the LLC colored pictures of the float I had her get reprints of for me. Then I finished the story on cruets - hope Charles likes it alright. I wasn't particularly fond of the last one after I had written it for some reason, but quite a few people said they liked it. Now I hope either Bob or I can get a picture to go along with it. I had a more interesting Sunday School lesson this morning than some of those we've been having when the material was so boring. These lesson plans aren't much better though.

Ann is Home From Camp - Saturday, July 6, 1963

Mom, Daddy and Phyllis went up to get Ann at Camp. Virginia stayed here to babysit this afternoon at Joyce's. I almost could have gone along, as I really didn't do anything after 10:00 anyway. I wrote as much as I could of the cruets feature article without my notes. This afternoon I sewed my orange dress. I finished it all except for the hem, but since it's pretty short I'm going to sew on a facing for the hem.

Interviewed Mrs. Bauer About Cruets - Friday, July 5, 1963

This evening I called Mrs. Roy Bauer, our neighbor, to ask her when I could interview her about her vinegar cruets and she had me go over tonight. She has 193, collected since 1954. Until this summer when one of the clerks in town introduced us, I hadn't even known Mrs. Roy Bauer to see her! And we were even neighbors by then. Mr. Bauer has caned 63 chairs - the one I caned took long enough! It was a profitable hour spent. I also made up for my leaving work about 3:30. There just wasn't any more to do though. Well, we and Washington have finally gotten our rain - even if it did rain on the 4th.

Cub Scouts Rang School Bell - Thursday, July 4, 1963

Well, I enjoyed one of my few days of the summer that I didn't have to get up to go to work or church. We went over to the school this morning to open it up and get some 4th of July cookies and Kool-Aid ready for the Cub Scouts who came to ring the bell as part of the nation-wide bell ringing project. It was very nice. I cut out my orange dress this afternoon. Tonight we went in to the "Let Freedom Ring" pageant of the American Revolution put on by the United Presbyterian Home. Grandpa had a part - a patriotic marcher. It was good - fireworks afterwards. Then we went to Cuddebacks.

News About a Fatal Accident - Wednesday, July 3, 1963

Both Bob and Charles were out this morning when I took a call from Mrs. Meuth, the Brighton correspondent. She gave me what she had on a retired Brighton Methodist minister, Rev. E. E. Voss and his wife being killed in a car-truck accident just outside of Brighton at 8:15 this morning. She didn't call till 10:00. Meanwhile, Bob had already been to the scene and was developing the pictures. But I didn't know anything about it before then, and I don't think many others around the Journal did either. I bought a new pair of tennis shoes. It's really pleasantly cool again.

Two of Us Had a Hole-in-One - Tuesday, July 2, 1963

Phyllis, Virginia and I went miniature golfing tonight. I got a free bottle of pop for a hole-in-one and Virginia won a free pass for a hole-in-one when we were putting our balls away. Another interesting day at the Journal - never a dull moment. I told a woman that we destroyed all wedding pictures - then Charles said - no, that was only with Ken-Rene and Novotny photos, to go ahead and give her the picture! Charles did a nice article on the bell ringing and included the West Chester school bell and Grace Hill church bell - after I informed him they'd be ringing.

First Day of Zip Codes - Monday, July 1, 1963

I got a letter from Margie addressed West Chester, Iowa 52359 on the first day zip codes went into effect, probably one of the first to come to the West Chester post office. But in her letter she said, "I just noticed your return address. What in heaven's name does the number 52359 stand for?" And she tends to think of us as backwoods! Charles "appointed" me as "coordinator of bells" for West Chester - they have a plan formulated for ringing all the bells in the county on July 4. I called Doris Stout, Cub Scout den mother, and Mr. Peters. We should hear the West Chester school bell at noon on he Fourth.