Pixy PinUps from Penneys

These cute pictures of little Scotty weren't unfamiliar to me ... I'd seen them before, and they are saved in Dropbox (1964). While going through the "kid boxes" from the folk's house, I stumbled upon the originals. They were still stored in the initial envelope, which added some interesting information ...

Pixy Pin-ups! I did a Google search of Dunbar-Stanley Studios to see what was available about them, and found some unusual results. There were several lawsuits listed, although they all seemed to be the same one (Dunbar-Stanley Studios vs Alabama) dealing with licensing and taxes. There was another article on an antiques/collectables blog that gave some additional information on the company (Portraits by the Pound) indicating a gimmick for sales, where they would weigh the child, and that was the basis of the cost! Looking at the envelope holding Scotty's pictures, it looks like here in 1964 at this location they had switched to a flat rate for said photos. 

Dunbar-Stanley Studios were the exclusive photography studio of the J.C. Penney department store franchise. Some larger stores may have had a full-time photo studio, but the smaller stores made appointments with Dunbar-Stanley to send out a photographer for a few days at a time, several times a year. J.C. Penney actually made the sale, sharing a portion of the profit with Dunbar-Stanley Studios, and all the film was shipped off to North Carolina for processing.

According to an interview in the Victoria Advocate (TX)  in 1960, the business was tightly controlled to make baby photography as effective as possible. 

 The company would only employ “…young and unmarried women, many of whom are recruited from airline hostess schools”, and their training went beyond just clicking a shutter. Training included child psychology, and by the end of their training, whether literally or figuratively, the employees are “required to dismantle and reassemble the camera with her eyes closed.” 

A 1966 “Help Wanted: Female” listing from Eugene, Oregon, listed requirements as “Single and over 18; High school graduate; Have good character references.”

The ad outlines the benefits as well: salary during training, a company car with all expenses paid, and after 3 years a free trip to Europe to employees with ‘satisfactory service’. This army of young ladies, high-tech camera in hand, cruised the backroads of America from J.C. Penney to J.C. Penney, trying to get kids to smile. They were certainly successful with young Scotty!

The ‘Pixy’ name remained well into the 1990s, but the current J.C. Penney portrait studios aren’t run by Dunbar-Stanley anymore. Still, when I Googled "Where can I get portraits taken" today... JC Penneys was the first option to come up!

1964 Summary

What were the big news stories in 1964? Well, in the world, the Vietnam War was going on, there were race riots in many big cities, the Beatles topped the charts, there was a huge earthquake in Alaska, the U.S. Surgeon General reported that smoking may lead to lung cancer, and the Boston Strangler was apprehended. A little closer to home ...  LaMar turned 27 in May, Margie turned 22 in November and Scotty was experiencing his first year of life. The Westra family was living in Richland Village, 2031 Rainier.

From Dad/Lamar's notes:  Easter Sunday was 29 March 1964. Vacation trip to Utah, 22 May to 7 June 1964. The trip to Salt Lake took two days. We stayed at a motel in Ontario, Oregon. The trip back to Richland took two days. We stayed at a motel in Mountain Home, Idaho.  We purchased a freezer, 28 Aug 1964, GE, $225. We still had that freezer until 2010 or so. Bought a Christmas Tree 14 Dec. $1.50 Margie was teaching primary.  Bowling on Tuesdays.

It looks like they got a lot of family visits in during the Utah trip. Pictures with Grandpa Joe and Grandma Lucille (and Cousin Mauri), four generation shots ... Scotty, Margie, her dad Rex and his dad Herbert.  Scotty, Margie, her mom Zada, and her mom Hannah. Apparently the guys (Lamar, Arnold and Rex) had success fishing too! Back home to Washington where Scotty learned to crawl and walk and talk (check out the "When Scott Was Small" blog post for details). 

More Scott pictures from 1964 ...

The Blue Sweater

Uncovering old photographs, this picture of Mom/Margie and baby Scott surfaced. This would have been early 1964. Fun to see Dad/Lamar's shadow taking the picture too. But it was the blue sweater that sparked some memories and conversation.

Margie: Dad(Lamar) had a sweater like that. He can't remember if he got it in Europe someplace (he didn't go to Norway during his post-mission tour) or through his friend Jim Peterson (who went to Norway on his mission) after Dad got home. Soon after we got married, Dad got a contact through Jim, and had a Norwegian lady copy Dad's sweater and make a matching one for me.

Jen: I totally remember that blue sweater - although I didn't know there were two of them, I just assumed you were wearing Dads!

Margie: It hasn't fit me for many many years, so I am not sure what happened to either of them or if they are around here somewhere. Dad's probably fits well since he weighs about 15 lbs. less than he did back then!

 

A Letter from "Scotty"

While the Westra's have had these classic photos of baby Scotty typing away ... until now, it was unknown what exactly he was writing up. That mystery has been solved as this letter was uncovered!

 

I *think* Daddy may have helped with the writing of this letter ... although in future years, we'd see some fun writing from Scott (check out Covid-Free world, Covid Limmericks, 2020 Father'sDay Invitation and Dad's Moles and his new verses to "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"). While many things are recorded in journals and baby books (see "When Scott was Small" for tidbits from his baby book), a little letter like this includes some of the day-to-day things that could easily be forgotten. It's a fun peek at the past! 

Here's a transcription if the typed copy is too hard to read ...

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

This is your little grandson Scottie writing you a letter. I just learned how to type last week so you’ll have to pardon any of my mistakes. My daddy just took a picture of me typing this letter and he said to tell you he’ll be sending it as soon as he finishes the roll.

This has been quite a hectic week for me. My first tooth is still coming in and is bothering me quite a bit. I’m quite restless at night and this cuts into my sleepy time; my folks have been missing a little sleep too. I really enjoy our new air conditioner; it keeps me cool man, cool.

My daddy has a holiday today so he’s been home working in the garden. I’ve been out supervising and helping once in a while. I took my shirt off and have been getting a nice sun tan. Lots of my little friends came to see me while I was outside, and some of us went for a little walk together.

Tonight Vaunn and Laurie next door and I are going to have a barbeque. We’re letting our folks come too, of course.

I like my walker better now; and, boy, can I ever scoot around fast!

We got a jug of root beer yesterday, and it sure is yummy. I didn’t know what I was missing all this time!

We went water skiing today, but my mommy and I were too chicken to try it. My daddy went up twice and got dunked once. My daddy and I both got sunburns. We went with Jeff and Craig Downs, and they brought their folks to help put in the boat.

I got up at 4:00 this morning and made my daddy get up and play with me. He and I typed up some genealogy information for Uncle John and we are enclosing it with this letter. Since I got up so early this morning I’m pretty tired so I’ll hit the crib early tonight. Be sure and return my letter and tell me all the news from Salt Lake.

Love you all,

Scottie

Check out more of what was going on the year this was written

... pictures and recaps in the 1964 Summary.

1963 - Move to Richland and Welcome Baby Scottie

1963 is called "the year that changed the world" by some. There was the historic March on Washington, Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech, and the early involvement of the U.S. in the Vietnam War. Beatlemania had started up. Then, on Nov. 22, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. On a more "Westra" note ... 1963 was the year the young Westra couple left Utah for Washington, and added their first baby to the family! LaMar turned 26 on May 28, 1963. Margie turned 21 on Nov. 7, 1963. Scott was born on Monday, Dec. 16, 1963.

In the Spring, Dad/Lamar was interviewing for a new job. 

Here's memories from both Dad and Mom:

From Dad: I started interviewing different companies for a job. There were three main possibilities: IBM in SLC, 14 March. Shell Oil in San Francisco, and Marathon Oil in Denver. In the summer of 1963, I went on two interview trips. One was by myself, flying to Denver, Colorado to interview Marathon Oil, and then Margie and I drove to San Francisco to interview Shell Oil Company. Then we accepted a job offer from General Electric in Richland, Washington, one of the three cities making up the Tri Cities. We moved to Richland, Washington on our first anniversary: 29 June 1963. We moved into a little house in Richland Village, 2031 Rainier. The house was on the corner. It had two bedrooms and a basement and a detached garage. We paid $79 a month for rent. 

 From Mom: Around the time of our first wedding anniversary, we moved to Richland, Washington. LaMar had 3 job offers, one in California, one in Denver, and the one in Richland. He visited Denver to interview, we both made the trip to California to interview----then accepted the Richland job offer from General Electric without even visiting there. I was 3 months pregnant with Scott. It was difficult to find a place to rent. Apartment complexes didn’t want people with children or expecting one. We finally found an old house to rent on Rainier Street. LaMar had to start work, so I had to spend the days in the empty house, waiting for the moving truck to arrive. I had morning sickness and ate barbecue-flavor potato chips while waiting at the house----I haven’t been able to stand them for the next 50 years! We had some nice young couples as neighbors and enjoyed life there. LaMar was a stake missionary and took classes a couple times a week, so I got tired of being alone a lot. I joined a ladies bowling league as I needed to get out of the house. Bowling Tuesdays.

The house (taken a few years later/Chris in the window)

It's always interesting to see how the different write-ups compare *Ü* What details are written down. Here's a little more from Mom and Dad, and more about Scott's birth:

From Dad: 22 Nov 1963 – President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I was working in the plant, and everyone was in shock. Scott Edward Westra was born: on Monday, Dec. 16, 1963, 12:50 AM. Scottie was born in Kadlec Memorial Hospital, which had been built years before by the government. Margie and Scottie came home from the hospital, Friday, 20 Dec. Christmas 1963 We bought a Christmas Tree, 11 Dec, $4.

From Mom: Scott was born on Monday, Dec. 16, 1963, just before midnight, at the Kadlec Methodist Hospital. It was an old military hospital, all on one floor, with many wings. 3 women in a room. You had to get out of bed and go to the bottom of the bed and use a crank to raise or lower the bed. They didn't do epidurals in Washington--they were behind the times. The husbands couldn't even be in the labor or delivery rooms! I hated being alone in labor and in pain. I remember when the doctor told me "It won't get any worse than this" at one point. He lied! It was a fast labor and delivery. They had to wake LaMar up in the waiting room to tell him he had a son! I remember the ride home from the hospital, feeling scared that this little helpless baby was up to me to care for. My parents came up for a visit after he was born. After they returned to Salt Lake, I developed a fever and weakness on my left side and was re-hospitalized. They did a spinal tap, etc. to check for meningitis, etc. Our pediatrician arranged for baby Scott to be admitted also, so I could nurse him, and so LaMar didn’t have to care for him. The doctor put the bump on Scott’s ear as the reason for the hospital admittance. I had a couple more episodes of the fever and weakness over the next few months and my doctor had me go to a neurologist in Seattle. I was never really diagnosed—just “an inflammation of the brain.” It hasn't reoccurred but has left me with a slight weakness on my left side.

Mom wrote that "Christmas was just a blur for me in 1963, having a baby and all and going back to the hospital." Years later, Jen would have a similar situation with a December baby (Colton) and rehospitalization a week later (but it was baby Colton being admitted ... no excuse needed to let Mom stay, and Dad/Gray was in charge of taking care of four little boys at home!)

Adding to this post with a few finds from the baby book ...

Mom/Margie had mentioned in her memory that Scott was born just before midnight, but in the baby book, 12:50 am is listed as the time. Weight was recorded as 7 pounds 1½ ounces, but noted that it dropped to 6 pounds 14 ounces while in the hospital, and was 7 pounds 3 ounces at discharge. Length was 19½ inches and head circumference was 13½ inches. Not much hair. The baby book kept a very good history of weight and height over the coming years. There will be more to come in another post showcasing Scott!

Mom/Margie ... Model or Scientist?

Scanning old documents, this newspaper article featuring Marjorie Westra was discovered. After high school, Mom/Margie received a full-tuition scholarship to Henager’s Business College. She was voted by her classmates at graduation as “The Secretary most likely to Succeed.”  She graduated, got married, and started working as a secretary for the doctors (about eight of them) at the Cancer Research Department at the University of Utah. This article would have been published in the last half of 1962 or first half of 1963. Mom remembers ...

Since the doctors were doing research with radioactive things, one of my duties was to go around and collect their film badges each week and give them new ones---to track if the doctors and workers got accidentally exposed to radiation. One of the doctors tested me in this whole-body counter, seen in the background of the photo. It was like going into an MRI testing tube, but without open ends. Locked in. Scary! That's when I realized I was claustrophobic! 

Christmas Letter ~ 1962

This will be backdated to 1962

In a previous post, a couple of Christmas newsletters from Grandma Lucille were showcased, along with some photos (see that post HERE). Another newsletter has surfaced  ... it's been retyped below for easier reading. 1962 was quite the year! Two weddings (one of those being Lamar&Margie), graduations and a horrible car accident.

On a technical note - this original newsletter has the purple print indicative of a mimeograph machine (lots of the school papers from this time frame have this look). Mimeographs were common for printing small quantities of a document, as in office work, classroom materials, and church bulletins, before photocopies and printers took over years later.

Again, Christmas Season rolls around, and the Westras wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. This has been a very eventful year for us.

February

• February 21, 1962: LaMar became engaged to Marjorie Norman, and presented her with a diamond at the Junior Prom. The wedding set for June 29.

May

• May 15: Lucille went to the hospital with bleeding ulcers. Was in the hospital five days and went home with a strict diet (Gelusil and cream).
• May 27: LaMar graduated from the Institute of Religion at the University of Utah.

June

• June 10 and 11: LaMar graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Chemistry) with honors.
• June 18: Marge graduated from Henager's Business College as a secretary.
• June 22: We bought a beautiful 1960 Pontiac Bonneville, red and white, with power windows, power steering, and power brakes.
• June 25: Marge and LaMar went to the Temple for her endowments.
• June 29: The wedding in the Salt Lake Temple, with President LeGrande Richards officiating. A wedding breakfast at Maxfield Lodge, and a lovely reception at the East Millcreek Stake Center.
• June 30: The newlyweds left for a honeymoon in Las Vegas
• June 30: Kent left for Santa Rosa, where he attended National Cash Register School for 5 weeks.

July

• July 1: The Westras left for the World's Fair in Seattle. Shannon Hopkins, Diane's friend was to share our well planned vacation. We got to Twin Falls, when Diane tried to pass a large truck, hit the soft shoulder, threw the car out of control and we rolled over 3 times, completely demolishing the car. We were all hospitalized. Shannon receiving the most serious injury, a broken back. Joe, a broken hand, wrenched shoulder, and abrasions. Lucille, a mashed face, bruises and abrasions. Steve, multiple cuts which required 18 stitches, and Diane wasn't injured, but was hospitalized for shock. Diane's fiancé, Jon Mauss, drove up to bring her and Steve home. My first airplane ride was flying home from Idaho. Shannon had to stay for 12 days, until her cast was put on, and then was allowed to come home. We were all lucky to be alive.
• Sharon flew down to meet Kent after he finished his schooling, and they vacationed in San Francisco and Disneyland.

August

• Bought a new 62 Ford Galaxie, which we like very much.
• Joe, Steve and Lucille vacationed at Campfire Lodge, West Yellowstone, Montana, and had a wonderful time. Caught lots of beautiful trout. Visited Virginia City, Lava Hot Springs, Logan and the Temple.

September

• Back to school for Steve, a Junior at Highland High.
• Plans for an October wedding for Diane and Jon.

October

• October 1: Back to school for LaMar, who is getting his Masters in Chemistry, and also teaching chemistry under a fellowship.
• October 17: Wedding day for Diane and Jon. A wedding luncheon at Harmons, and a reception at Crestwood Villa. President Lee Nelson of Wilford Stake performed the beautiful ceremony.
• October 21: Diane and Jon Mauss left for Phoenix Arizona, where they will make their home, and where Jon turns pro golfer. We have now lost two deductions.
• Shannon threw her brace away, and is well. This is really something to be thankful for.

November

• Thanksgiving at the Westras. The family was together - Westras, Bensons, Lewises, and Amanns - 17 in all. We missed our little girl and her new husband. Joe has had some heart flare-ups which have worried us. We are still on our ulcer diet (sort of). My face is still lumpy, but we have much to be thankful for.

December

• We love to think of our dear friends, far and near, and hope 1962 has been good to all of you. May 1963 bring you all success and much happiness.

THE WESTRAS

Joe - Lucille - Steve