Sunday Night - May 25
Dear Diary,
Spent most of last night in my Grandpa Clark's storm cellar, and so did most of the neighbors. I ran down and got Claudia before it started thundering and raining. Her parents said they would set the storm out under the kitchen table if need be. Claudia doesn't take to storms too well so we sat at the very back of the cellar. Mrs. Potts, the town gossip, sat on an old bench next to my mom. The gossipy gray-haired woman entertained us all with the goings on in town. No need for a newspaper with her around! She talked non-stop most of the time and we ignored her, but then Claudia's and my ears perked up when she started talking about the strange newcomer to town, Madame Sophia. "Why, she's a fortune teller," she told us all, "and she's setting up shop in the building behind Martha Jo's Beauty Shop." Boy, did she love telling that bit of juicy gossip. Everyone talked about what a terrible thing that was and they all vowed to never go to her. I know Claudia and I can't wait to go!
After the storm passed Grandpa Clark opened the cellar door, looked out and told us all nothing had happened. I saw my mom sigh with relief. Grandpa said, "I sat here in this old hard chair half the night and I could have been listening to the Grand Ole Opry with Minnie Pearl and Eddy Arnold." Grandma gave him a dirty look.
I hoped we would forget church, but no such luck. My mom said, "No church, no Sunday afternoon movie!"
At church, the minister told us he was surprised at how few people were there, considering how lucky we were that the storm by-passed us Saturday night.
After church, us girls, Claudia, Marqueita and Sue went to see "The Greatest Show on Earth." The scene where Cornel Wilde fell from the high wire with no net below just to impress Betty Hutton had us all on the edges of our seats. I hope some fella loves me that much some day!
Tomorrow is Monday. Not my favorite day, but we only have five more days of school. Thank goodness!
Monday - May 26
Dear Diary,
I thought today was going to be real DULLSVILLE. Was I ever wrong! Mrs. Martin, our algebra teacher, is never separated from her grade book. But, today she was called out of algebra class and left her grade book on the desk. We all gathered around for a look at our grades. When we heard her coming down the hall, Tim hid the grade book behind the radiator. She just about exploded when she found her grade book missing. Luckily, the bell rang and we escaped. We all made a pact, no one knows anything! Tomorrow won't be very pleasant. The fact that she and The Warden are best friends isn't going to help. Only four more days of school left!
Tuesday - May 27
Dear Diary,
Algebra class couldn't have been worse. Mrs. Martin told us we didn't need to look so innocent. We were all guilty and were all getting an "F." Then she had Principal Webster come in and she told him the whole story. Before he could say anything, Tim points to the radiator and says, "What is that? I see something behind there." Mr. Webster walks over, gets the book and hands it to Mrs. Martin and says, "You must have dropped this," and walks out of the room. Of course, she still had to tell us how awful we were and how we would all come to a bad end! She told us she was sure she'd open up the newspaper someday and our names would be in the headlines. And it wouldn't be good! Can't understand why she thinks we were so bad. We were just having fun. Hope we get some new teachers next year! Only three more days as a sophomore!
Wednesday - May 28
Dear Diary
School is finally out! That's the good news! The bad news is we got our report cards. I knew I didn't do well in world history. I don't care though, just so I passed. (And I did with a C+.) I was so happy until I saw Nancy Randall crying over her B-. After class, Mrs. Fields, the history teacher, asked me why Nancy was crying. I told her the B- ruined her chance for a scholarship to college in two years. Mrs. Fields felt bad that she didn't give Nancy more help. I asked if there wasn't something my friends and I could do. She said no and then said she was surprised I asked. She said she thought all I ever worried about was a date for Saturday night. Imagine that! It made me feel kind of bad about myself. I think I'll be nicer to Nancy and help her next year, but doesn't Mrs. Fields realize a date for Saturday night is VERY important!
Thursday - May 27
Dear Diary
Graduation is over! The seniors have gone to the state capitol for their senior trip. Just two more years and it will be our turn! I hope we go somewhere more exciting. Who cares about an old capitol building! I am really sad, though. Billy Maples is leaving Westwood High.
Saturday - May 31
Dear Diary
We all went to the drive-in movie to celebrate our being juniors! Three car loads went. Some of the boys hid in the trunk. The manager came around and said we were making too much noise. We weren't the only ones celebrating the end of school, so he finally gave up and left us alone. The movie was "Duel in the Sun" with Gregory Peck and Jennifer Jones. Gregory was so cute, but he was so mean!
Sunday
THE WEEK OF MAY 18-24, 1952 - BANQUET AND PROM
Monday - May 19
Dear Diary,
The juniors started decorating the gym today for the banquet and prom. Gladys had to stick her nose in, as usual, even though she is not a junior, only a lowly (so they think) sophomore. She really is good at that sort of thing.
We had to go to the study hall during PE period because of the decorating in the gym. Mrs. Ward, the study hall teacher, was very unhappy. We call her the Warden. She called the principal in because some of the senior boys were talking out loud and wandering around the room. She told them just because they had a winning basketball team and school was almost out, didn’t mean they would graduate. No one would ever graduate or even go home at the end of the day if she had her way.
....So long for now. I have Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe to memorize for English Literature. Only two more weeks of school!
Thursday - May 22
Dear Diary,
Tomorrow night is the big night! Prissy Gladys has been going up and down the halls telling everyone about her part in the entertainment. They couldn’t find a junior who would play the part of Carmen Miranda with a bowl of fruit on her head, so Gladys volunteered and they accepted. Boy, do I ever want to see that! It should really be something. Just got my skirt, blouse and sash all ready for the big event. We girls got red ballerina slippers to wear with out outfits. Are we ever going to look swell! Luckily, since working in the café, I know how to serve, but Claudia is nervous. She sure doesn’t want to spill anything on Mrs. Ward! Need to hurry off to bed to be fresh for tomorrow!
Saturday - May 24
Dear Diary,
The grand night is over! And what a night.!! Mrs. Harrison shocked us all, but I’ll get to that in a minute.
Billy Maples was there with the Prom Queen, Melba Underwood. I was so jealous. We did a good job serving, even Mrs. Brown said so. We served Mexican food with fresh fruit salad for dessert. Then we got to stay for the prom and serve punch and coffee.
The entertainment was terrific! The band was dreamy. Billy and Melba started off dancing to "The Loveliest Night of the Year" by Mario Lanza. Gladys did a grand job as Carmen Miranda singing and dancing to Rum and Coca-Cola, and with the fruit on her head, she even looked like her. Everyone loved it, except THE WARDEN and she will never get over it!
All the girls looked so lovely and grown up in their prom dresses as they swirled around on the dance floor. I could have listened to the music all night. There were so many dreamy songs, like, "Because of You" by Tony Bennet, "Too Young" by Nat King Cole, and "Tenderly" by Rosemary Clooney. It all seemed so magical.
Of course the bad part was, the teachers were all there. Naturally, Mrs. Ward kept her eagle eyes on everyone. When she told Mr. Williams, the junior sponsor, that Tequila was there, we thought she meant a girl was there that shouldn’t be. Later when we learned it was a liquor she said had been put in the punch bowl, we felt kind of dumb. We had heard of beer and whiskey, but never tequila. Claudia thought tequila was a relative of Marquita’s because they both have funny names. Of course, there was no Tequila. I think The Warden just wanted to catch someone doing something wrong!
Sue, Claudia and I decided right then there would be NO teachers at our junior prom next year. But then, when the band played "My Adobe Hacienda" and the principal and his wife started dancing, we thought they looked so sweet and cute. A few more teachers joined the juniors and seniors when they played "Across the Alley From the Alamo."
That was a great surprise, but what was really surprising and shocking was prime and proper Mrs. Harrison dancing to "The Pennslyvania Polka" by the Andrew Sisters. In the song, when they say pick a partner, she grabbed Richie and we all gasped. Surely she didn’t expect "The Runt" to dance. But did he ever!! He was terrific! The boys were jealous and the girls all fell in love. When the song was over, everyone applauded and Principal Webster said, "Meet the new Gene Kelly. I heard some of the boys say they had a whole new respect for him. And of course Claudia thinks she likes him now. She said if Alan Ladd can be a famous movie star and he’s only 5 ft. four, maybe Richie can be famous some day too.
As the night was coming to a close, the band played "South of the Border," then Gladys led the Conga Line as they played Xavier Cugat’s Conga Song and they even let us sophomores join in on the end of the line. What fun! I felt so grown up! I felt like I was in a movie! Then the band played "So Long It’s Been Good to Know You," and I saw Melba crying as she danced with Billy Maples. Maybe he was telling her so long. I hope so!
Dear Diary,
The juniors started decorating the gym today for the banquet and prom. Gladys had to stick her nose in, as usual, even though she is not a junior, only a lowly (so they think) sophomore. She really is good at that sort of thing.
We had to go to the study hall during PE period because of the decorating in the gym. Mrs. Ward, the study hall teacher, was very unhappy. We call her the Warden. She called the principal in because some of the senior boys were talking out loud and wandering around the room. She told them just because they had a winning basketball team and school was almost out, didn’t mean they would graduate. No one would ever graduate or even go home at the end of the day if she had her way.
....So long for now. I have Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe to memorize for English Literature. Only two more weeks of school!
Thursday - May 22
Dear Diary,
Tomorrow night is the big night! Prissy Gladys has been going up and down the halls telling everyone about her part in the entertainment. They couldn’t find a junior who would play the part of Carmen Miranda with a bowl of fruit on her head, so Gladys volunteered and they accepted. Boy, do I ever want to see that! It should really be something. Just got my skirt, blouse and sash all ready for the big event. We girls got red ballerina slippers to wear with out outfits. Are we ever going to look swell! Luckily, since working in the café, I know how to serve, but Claudia is nervous. She sure doesn’t want to spill anything on Mrs. Ward! Need to hurry off to bed to be fresh for tomorrow!
Saturday - May 24
Dear Diary,
The grand night is over! And what a night.!! Mrs. Harrison shocked us all, but I’ll get to that in a minute.
Billy Maples was there with the Prom Queen, Melba Underwood. I was so jealous. We did a good job serving, even Mrs. Brown said so. We served Mexican food with fresh fruit salad for dessert. Then we got to stay for the prom and serve punch and coffee.
The entertainment was terrific! The band was dreamy. Billy and Melba started off dancing to "The Loveliest Night of the Year" by Mario Lanza. Gladys did a grand job as Carmen Miranda singing and dancing to Rum and Coca-Cola, and with the fruit on her head, she even looked like her. Everyone loved it, except THE WARDEN and she will never get over it!
All the girls looked so lovely and grown up in their prom dresses as they swirled around on the dance floor. I could have listened to the music all night. There were so many dreamy songs, like, "Because of You" by Tony Bennet, "Too Young" by Nat King Cole, and "Tenderly" by Rosemary Clooney. It all seemed so magical.
Of course the bad part was, the teachers were all there. Naturally, Mrs. Ward kept her eagle eyes on everyone. When she told Mr. Williams, the junior sponsor, that Tequila was there, we thought she meant a girl was there that shouldn’t be. Later when we learned it was a liquor she said had been put in the punch bowl, we felt kind of dumb. We had heard of beer and whiskey, but never tequila. Claudia thought tequila was a relative of Marquita’s because they both have funny names. Of course, there was no Tequila. I think The Warden just wanted to catch someone doing something wrong!
Sue, Claudia and I decided right then there would be NO teachers at our junior prom next year. But then, when the band played "My Adobe Hacienda" and the principal and his wife started dancing, we thought they looked so sweet and cute. A few more teachers joined the juniors and seniors when they played "Across the Alley From the Alamo."
That was a great surprise, but what was really surprising and shocking was prime and proper Mrs. Harrison dancing to "The Pennslyvania Polka" by the Andrew Sisters. In the song, when they say pick a partner, she grabbed Richie and we all gasped. Surely she didn’t expect "The Runt" to dance. But did he ever!! He was terrific! The boys were jealous and the girls all fell in love. When the song was over, everyone applauded and Principal Webster said, "Meet the new Gene Kelly. I heard some of the boys say they had a whole new respect for him. And of course Claudia thinks she likes him now. She said if Alan Ladd can be a famous movie star and he’s only 5 ft. four, maybe Richie can be famous some day too.
As the night was coming to a close, the band played "South of the Border," then Gladys led the Conga Line as they played Xavier Cugat’s Conga Song and they even let us sophomores join in on the end of the line. What fun! I felt so grown up! I felt like I was in a movie! Then the band played "So Long It’s Been Good to Know You," and I saw Melba crying as she danced with Billy Maples. Maybe he was telling her so long. I hope so!
THE WEEK OF MAY 11-17 --MARQUEITA'S SLUMBER PARTY, ROLLER SKATING
Monday - May 12
Dear Diary,
Claudia and I got in big trouble today in Home Ec class. We were the only two who had not finished our skirts for serving at the banquet. Our teacher, Mrs. Brown, who is always in a bad mood anyway, said Claudia and I were jolly on the spot when something fun was up, but when there was work to be done, we were nowhere to be found. I don’t see anything wrong with that. We have a whole week to finish them.
Wednesday - May 14
Dear Diary,
We finished our skirts after school today. Now we can go to Marqueita’s slumber party without thinking about those skirts. All my friends will be there, even some junior and senior girls. We will make chocolate fudge and pop popcorn and read True Story magazines. We will have to hide them from Marqueita’s father. She is not allowed to read them. He says they are just too trashy! I bet he’s 40 years old and just don’t understand!
Friday - May 16
Dear Diary,
The slumber party was really swell. Never had so much fun. The boys...Wayne, Patrick, Tim, and Bobby drove by in Wally’s convertible. We waved from Marqueita’s bedroom window, but weren’t allowed to go outside. Will be glad when I’m my own boss. Mrs. Kimble, our English teacher, who is our favorite teacher in the whole world, (she is young and beautiful and hasn’t been married very long, really understands us) says, we will never be our own boss. I hate to think that is true!
Can’t wait for tonight. I’m going to the movies with my good friend Tim. The first thing I did when I got home this morning was wash and roll my hair. I love that Lustre-Creme Shampoo. Did my nails, then waited on customers at the café. They had something to say about my hair being up in pin curls. Later, when I was plucking my eye brows, my mom told me it took me all day Saturday to get ready for Saturday night and if I had the time and it wasn’t too much trouble, might I get to the ironing. Which reminded me, I had to iron my yellow blouse. I wanted to wear it with my new brown skirt. I hoped it would set off my black hair and brown eyes. Billy Maples came by the café, got a Coke and candy bar and asked if I was going to the movie tonight. I said I was with Tim. He said maybe I will see you there. I’m so excited!
Saturday - May 17
Dear Diary,
What a fun Saturday night. We were all in Rex’s Drive In. Sue and Bobby, Marqueita and Charles, Claudia and Wally and Tim and I. Billy Maples and some other senior boys came in, walked right over to our booth and suggested we all go to the roller rink. We skated with all the senior boys. I skated with Billy Maples more than once. Wayne Morrison was there. Claudia got to skate with him. She hasn’t come down from the pink cloud yet. Patrick Jamerson was there. I also skated a couple of times with him. We all had a great time. Especially for us girls, maybe not so much for our dates. Of course, Tim didn’t mind. He is like the brother I always wanted. And I guess I am still on a pink cloud myself..
Dear Diary,
Claudia and I got in big trouble today in Home Ec class. We were the only two who had not finished our skirts for serving at the banquet. Our teacher, Mrs. Brown, who is always in a bad mood anyway, said Claudia and I were jolly on the spot when something fun was up, but when there was work to be done, we were nowhere to be found. I don’t see anything wrong with that. We have a whole week to finish them.
Wednesday - May 14
Dear Diary,
We finished our skirts after school today. Now we can go to Marqueita’s slumber party without thinking about those skirts. All my friends will be there, even some junior and senior girls. We will make chocolate fudge and pop popcorn and read True Story magazines. We will have to hide them from Marqueita’s father. She is not allowed to read them. He says they are just too trashy! I bet he’s 40 years old and just don’t understand!
Friday - May 16
Dear Diary,
The slumber party was really swell. Never had so much fun. The boys...Wayne, Patrick, Tim, and Bobby drove by in Wally’s convertible. We waved from Marqueita’s bedroom window, but weren’t allowed to go outside. Will be glad when I’m my own boss. Mrs. Kimble, our English teacher, who is our favorite teacher in the whole world, (she is young and beautiful and hasn’t been married very long, really understands us) says, we will never be our own boss. I hate to think that is true!
Saturday - May 17
Dear Diary,
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