Yearbook Assignment - Wednesday, November 30, 1960

The school paper was real good this time in spite of all our troubles. (Yesterday I had to "correct" all of the right hand margins that someone didn't justify.) Mary Ellen gave me the job of writing about all of the department  sections for the Knowledge part of the yearbook. I got the English and science parts done tonight. I've got to get back to my college application, but there's so much school work. The wind finally stopped.

This Poor House - Tuesday, November 29, 1960

The wind is still blowing.When I came up to my room after school, one of my windows (already cracked) had broken out and the curtain was flapping like it was outdoors! This poor house! I don't think I slept half the night last night, so tonight I'm sleeping with Phyllis. We two stayed home tonight while the rest of them went to Kalona--Virginia played in the junior high band concert. I got another A on the government test, unusual for me in social studies! 

Livestock Exposition - Monday, November 28, 1960

It has really gotten cold. There's lots of snow north and west (Colorado, Scottsbluff, etc.). I stayed after school to work on the school paper--Gold Feather in case I've never mentioned it. I spent all my time typing, correcting, suggesting, answering questions, as usual. An Iowa girl had the grand champion calf again at the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago.

Park College Application - Sunday, November 27, 1960

Vacation's end. There are still millions of things I could have done but didn't. I have most of my Park application filled out now. A lot's going to happen in the next year! I finally got my chemistry workbook caught up to where I should be, but I'll have to do the present assignment shortly or I'll still be behind. We had the Thanksgiving service in church. Well, school work, here I come!

Senior Proofs - Saturday, Noveber 26, 1960

After raising a big fuss this morning when my proofs didn't show up in the mail, I finally decided to go over and get them this afternoon. Phyllis went along. Everyone agrees on the one I'm going to get. We went to town this morning. I got my checkup for Park. (I guess I'm going there after all.) I managed to vacuum my room and do some chemistry. Rita Mae is staying here a while tonight. They're going to move to Iowa City.

Basketball Wears Me Down - Friday, November 25, 1960

Phyllis and I went to the two boys' basketball games with Comanche mainly because she wanted to. The Mid-Prairie school spirit of the basketball games has died! I'm going to have to quit going to basketball games. They're what wear me out, I think. Mom washed and waxed the car, put on the plastic storm windows, and took our Christmas card pictures (with the horses). I wrote down some things for my research paper.

Park or Sterling - Thursday, November 24, 1960

Great changes and questioning as to college choices came about on this Thanksgiving Day.Will it be Park, or Sterling after all, or what? I guess you can't work your way through Park after all and it costs more than Sterling. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Aunt Bertha's--Schroeders, Van Nostrands, Grandma and Grandpa and us. I had intended to start my extension of suffrage paper--and my science project on color. Thank goodness there are three days yet.

Band Pictures Retaken - Wednesday, November 23, 1960

We had youth fellowship and choir both tonight which took all evening. It's going to be a good rest for everyone to have Thanksgiving vacation. Some of us had to take our band suits today so they could retake the last four annual pictures that turned out blank. I hope I didn't overdo my smile or anything!?! We had a government test--bah! Poor Iowa, even though they tied, Minnesota got invited to the Rose Bowl.

On the Baritone - Tuesday, November 22, 1960

Mom, Dad and Phyllis went to the open house and choral concert tonight. Poor Mom is so tired she can hardly see straight. That's about like I felt like after trying out on the baritone this morning - sort of dizzy. I guess I'm going to play it for a while. I must quit worrying about the school paper. It doesn't come out for over a week, and besides, I'm only co-editor. Oh me.

Footprints on the Ceiling - Monday, November 21, 1960

I stayed after school tonight to work on the school paper. I typed three big articles up for the dummy copy--that's all but it was enough! And I managed to catch the activity bus on time. They were passing a note around today that said "Look at the footprints on the ceiling!" One quick way of jerking a head up! I started some of my "should-have-been-done-a-month-ago" chemistry workbook.

Feeling Sad and Worrying - Sunday, November 20, 1960

This afternoon I finished up all of the school paper layout I could do and worked on my autobiography. Ann moved upstairs to Virginia's room. I've been "sad" about something all weekend. I guess it's worry about staying tomorrow night for the paper--I can just see her saying "You don't have to stay" when it's too late to catch the bus. Worry bird! I guess I'll try to finish the United Presbyterian order blank, set my hair, try to read government....

Park College Autobiography - Saturday, November 19, 1960

I spent the morning in Iowa City at the University General Library looking up books for extension of suffrage--that I decided to write on for my next government research paper--and got some information on Joan of Arc in English literature. Phyllis went to the math library for her geometry research paper. This afternoon Mom and the kids went to town and I worked on layout for the school paper. I began writing my autobiography for my Park College application.   

Four One-Act Plays - Friday, November 18, 1960

Phyllis and I went over to Wellman tonight to the four one-act plays. They were good. I about died laughing at the last two, Ladies of the Mop and Why I am a Bachelor. When Esteps were down in South America Merl was the bachelor in that. We wanted to be in them, but it would have meant so much extra time and work. They took class pictures today. I  have to give an oral report on Joan of Arc Monday--among other things.

A Name Left Off Honor Roll - Thursday, November 17, 1960

I'm going to bed early again in hopes of catching up on sleep now rather than Satuday morning. I guess I'll go to Iowa City "to finish up my Christmas shopping." Early for once. The "worst" has happened! The Wellman Advance left Linda Severt's name off the honor roll. I was just talking about that last night. I'm glad I didn't have anything to do with it.

Yearbook Pictures - Wednesday, November 16, 1960

This afternoon I was sure I was going to have to sue the cooks for food poisoning! I really felt awful. It was evidently from the butter sandwich I ate--the butter tasted ten years old! They took yearbook pictures. In one of the FHA pictures I was waving my hand back and forth! And in a band picture Fred Miller had his horn "in front of" my face. They'll fire me as a student--or the yearbook staff will!

School Paper - Tuesday, November 15, 1960

I spent all my time on stuff for the school paper and then remembered that I probably won't have much time tomorrow because of the yearbook pictures. I just have English to do, but it's kind of hard. On second thought, maybe we'll miss English class! Rikki is out at Grandma's. He went along when they took Peggy home but came back. Peggy has been in Iowa City to find out if there's anything wrong with her besides the fact that she's expecting. She's okay.

FHA Potluck Supper - Monday, November 14, 1960

Tonight Mom, Phyllis and I went to the FHA potluck supper at Wellman. Mr. and Mrs. Bontrager showed slides of their two month trip to Europe. They were real interesting, but I must admit that our FHA potluck supper and entertainment were better--even if I was chairman of the entertainment committee! (Last year.) I've got to get my college application sent in to Park.

Spiegels Christmas Order - Sunday, November 13, 1960

We have been making out a Christmas order from Spiegels. Mom's making it out, so we can all order. I got presents for everyone but Mom plus a charm bracelet for Karen Yoder, my FHA secret sister. The Cuddeback kids were here a while. I played Jimmy a basketball game and got hit in the nose. I think he threw the ball right at me! As if I could catch it that fast! Mom got me some brush rollers so I can keep setting my hair that way.

FHA District Meeting - Saturday, November 12, 1960

Phyllis and I spent the day at the FHA district meeting at New London. I'm about ready to drop. At least Sheryl and I got some chemical symbols, formulas and valences studied. I fear we'll have a rough chemisty quiz Monday. The FHA meeting was real good, 100 percent better than last year at Kalona.

Banks Closed - Friday, November 11, 1960

They said the banks would close three days after Election Day. (It was Veterans Day!) Phyllis, Virginia, Jimmy and I went up to the girls' games with English Valley at West Chester. The first team won, but the second team lost by  three points. Only one Wellman girl played--all the rest were from West Chester.

Report Card - Thursday, November 10, 1960

Today was Mom's birthday. I gave her some Woodspice bath powder. She got some mints from Virginia, the lint brush Grandma gave me from Ann, and poor Phyllis could give nothing. I am still (was I ever not?) tired. Yesterday on my report card I got English, B+, government A-, French A-, and chemistry, B+. I was very happy. Indeed.

Kennedy Will Be President - Wednesday, November 9, 1960

Boo! Kennedy is the next president. At least he didn't win by a landslide. It hasn't been so close in seventy some years. Kennedy leads by only about 3/10 of a percent in popular votes, and at noon they thought Nixon might end up with the most popular votes! Used to describe Kennedy's win were hair's breadth, photofinish, razor edge. I had my senior picture taken at  Driscoll's in Wellman. He took eight pictures. It's going t be fun to sleep again!

Election Night - Tuesday, November 8, 1960

I am so afraid Nixon is not going to be the next president of the United States. Kennedy is ahead now, with about 25 percent of the votes in. It is interesting to watch them go about it at elecion headquarters. I had a worthwhile time at college and career day, especially career wise. I went to teaching: high school English, foreign language, elementary; journalism; Cornell, Monmouth and Dubuque. I went in with Jerolyn.

President Eisenhower's Farewell Speech - Monday, November 7, 1960

President Eisenhower gave the final political speech of his presidency tonight. This is the last night he'll go to bed without there being a president-elect or a new president. It is my sincere hope that Nixon wins tomorrow, the election day of a presidential election year. I wrote letters to Grandma Kay and Schwrtzes and Mrs.Cowan. I traded Carolyn Hole so that I can have my picture taken Wednesday.

Senior Picture Hair - Sunday, November 6,1960

I slept all last night on my stomach with my head turned sideways to keep from messing my hair up. I've got to keep from worrying about it all the time. If it doesn't look okay Thursday, it doesn't. Anyway it's a nice birthday present and will be nice for career day. I had a birthday dinner today. All afternoon I worked on and finished, thankfully, my research paper. Mom and Dad went to Mrs.Wells' funeral.

ACT Test on Birthday - Saturday, November 5, 1960

I spent the morning of my 18th birthday taking the ACT College Entrance Test. It was "murder". I'm having my scores sent to Park, Sterling and Jamestown. This afternoon I got my hair set and eyebrows arched at Robertsons'. I've had some nice compliments on my (birthday) hair-do. I picked out a new skirt and two sweaters, and Phyllis and Viginia gave me a popular "Binky" doll and Ann gave me some nail clippers for my "long" finger nails.

Major Campaign Issues - Friday, November 4, 1960

I didn't even go to the last home game of my high school days--with Tipton. I'm going to bed so I can at least have a chance to do my best on the ACT College Entrance Test tomorrow, my 18th birthday. Phyllis and Virginia went. I sure wish we wouldn't have lost to Regina! I started typing my paper on presidential candidates' positions on major campaign issues.

School Election - Thursday, November 3, 1960

A year ago this Thursday night we were giving Down to Earth, our junior class play. It would have been about time for our only major "goof". Then I had the class party afterwards. It was my 17th birthday. The government class conducted the school election today. I acted as "judge" third period and gave out ballots.The sun finally shown again today.

$10.00 Missing - Wednesday, November 2, 1960

Tonight we had choir practice so I didn't get much else done. I did take my French along. Phyl's purse was found in the restroom, but the $10.00 was missing. We've always been  told never to take money to school. I keep my purse with me over there. I'm so afraid Kennedy's going to win the election. That would be as bad as losing the football game to Regina.

Purse Is Missing -Tuesday, November 1, 1960

Phyllis and I went to town and did the washing after school. Mom was having teachers' conferences. I came home with some white things pink and some colored things partly bleached. Oh, murder! We get our 60 passenger bus to eliminate over crowding. Now we bring the basketball girls over! Stuffed! Phyllis has lost her purse (including $10.00) at school! I'm supposed to get my senior picture taken at 10:00 next Thursday.