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Show Sunday. February 24. 1980 THE HERALD Betty Spencer, A Prolific, Vigorous, And Talented Writer "People who think they in New York or Hollywood V DON'T JUST GO TO A 'DRUG STORE ' CO M TO PROVO PHARMAC Y to live There are interesting Q I v..r lgw5f BETTY SPENCER She never knew day to day where she would be "at the Governor's office, the state legislature, Attorney 3 t N. OUR BUSINESS BEGINS WITH FILLING PRESCRIPTIONS General's office, or wherever." g. well "Writing against deadlines is a good way to develop discipline. Every writer needs mat. If you're doing journalism you know that you have to assemble facts in an interesting and realistic way in a short period of time. "Journalism helps you to have a more inquisitive mind because you're not content with a pat answer. Your reporter's logic tells you what you see on the surface is not all there is," she states. The Daily Herald, American Fork correspondent for 10 years, she also worked for the American Fork Citizen for eight years where she wrote most of the editorials and a humorous column, in addition to her duties as reporter and photographs'. Her column's "slice-of-life- " topics won her three national awards through the National Federation of Press Women, with whom she is currently National Historian. "I aimed my column at the middle class, small town housewife. But I was shocked to discover that high school students and men were also reading it," she says. "A personal column is a great way to express how you feel about anything." She enjoyed her years as a correspondent. "I felt there was a pulse of activity and I knew everything that was going on. Every time a fire engine pulled out I was supposed to make some acceptable inquiry as to why it happened. I think you see people at their very best and very worst," she states. "You put so much of yourself into your job." Her change of jobs to the Utah State Training School as the Information Training Officer, came at an appropriate time. With the announcement of her first grandchild, her son proclaimed, "Mother, now that you're a grandmother, would you plase stop chasing fire engines and ambulances and get a respectable job?" Not certain that her new job was more respectable than the last, she nevertheless did change. l'tah-- Pa V to find something to write about are wrong things all around." So states Betty Spencer, a prolific writer who says she has trad every type of writing except "skin flicks and cereal boxes." Taking familiar situations and personalities, she writes, and more important, publishes, her works. The winner of 17 national awards. Mrs. Spencer has published short stories in IDS Church magazines, both light and serious verse, and magazine and trade journal articles. She has worked as a news correspondent, wrote the Utah Pageant of the Arts script since its beginning, and even wrote a televised documentary. "I think the most challenging work I ever got into was writing the script for the Pageant," she says. Mrs. Spencer was one of six original committee members who started the Pageant She wrote the script, handled the public relations and helped choose the art works to be shown. "1 think that it's important to have a blending of familiar and new pieces. Yon need to have something familiar so the patrons who do not nave an extensive art background can find something to identify with. This stepping off point to build art awareness is one of the keys to the Pageant's success, she says. nesearch for the art pieces is extensive and Finding that books are not always sufficient, Mrs. Spencer often writes to the galleries where the art pieces are displayed and to the artist himself if he is still living. Responsible for public relations, she wrote all news releases and designed the programs, posters and print advertising. journalism has been an important base for Mrs. Spencer's writings. "1 think journalism is the best training that you will ever get if you want to go into any other type of writing. It's a background that serves any writer Prove . "I was fortnnate to have a superintendent who thought I could do anything and I worked myself to the bone for six years trying not to let him find out that I really couldn't," she jokes. Handling all new releases and photos for the Training School, Mrs. Spencer also edited two publications, prepared presentations for the legislature and parents' organisations, created sound slides and movies and wrote a half-hodocumentary. Her documentary entitled "That Far Away Prize," woo fourth place at the American Film Festival in New York City and has been seen on television many times. Out of 1600 entries, the film won first place in 1975 from National Press Women. Magazine writing has also been a success for the writer. She finds trade journals the easiest to be published in. Discovering the magazine, "Dry Cleaning World," she began writing articles for the company. A local dry cleaner's sales technique, called a Flub Stub, provided an interesting article for her. "If the cleaners failed to sew on a button or missed a seam, they would clean the next garment brought in for free. I made quite a story of it. I sold about 14 articles to that magazine and was called the Darling of the Dry Cleaning World," she says. Always observant and questioning, she noticed a color change in the University of Utah Hospital's linens. Inquiring, she found the laundry g the linens to manager was make it mure efficient. Finding this to be "absolutely unique," she published her find in "Institutional Laundry." "The most exciting thing was when I sold an article on the birth of one of my children to Reader's Digest in the spring of 1962. Even in the olden days, I got 67 cents a word, even for "a" and "and,"," she says. Never lacking for a topic to write about, her problem is having enough time. For a period, her many interests created a rigorous schedule. "I kept thinking I could do e everything. I was working a arduous job at the Training School, had my own part-tim- e public relations firm with three major accounts, worked part-tim- e at the Pageant, and was still writing a column and editorials for the Citizen. I kept cutting down the hours of sleep I thought my body required. I worked on the premise mere wasn't anything a hot shower and a couple of aspirins wouldn't heal." What is Mrs. Spencer's advice to the beginning writer? Persistence. "No one is a good writer until they can cover one wall with rejection slips. You've got to accept that every word that flows out of your typewriter is not a pearl. "You have to care about what you write, have confidence in it, and then present it professionally." mini p & DIME ;- BEROTSEH 'rlZ. Owners &-f- - l Diane Mike color-codin- six-ye- ar full-tim- As new owners, we are dedicated to the prompt ser vicing of your prescription needs as well as other pharmacy products. Experience has taught us to be genuinely concerned about you, our customer, because you depend on us for accurate, complete service... and we're here to do just that.. We have a fine staff of qualified personnel who will endeavor to meet your needs in the best way possible. Come in and visit our store. We think you'll find an atmosphere that will be to your liking. It's our goal to serve you with thorough professional and accurate pharmacy procedures." "CHARTS SAY PROVO PHARMACY IS TOPS WITH CUSTOMERS " m town. ,l v ' , t ' - " 1 omBawver. NORMAN ROCKWELL'S Tom Sawyer postage stamp was one of Utah Pageant of the Art's 1979 pieces. Betty Spencer researched this work along with the other art pieces to write the script for the program. Customers who know the difference between a 'drug store' and Provo Pharmacy, will never go to a 'drug store' again! That makes us at Provo Pharmacy feel professional, and that's our main goal. You are the most valuable asset we have, and our protection of that asset is vital to the success of our business. At the same time, we are able to offer you a service that is important to your good health: Family medical records, blood pressure monitoring, Sr. Citizen discount and more! ! We have a full line of products to meet your needs with a staff who really cares about the "quality of service you receive. Let us fill your next prescription or meet your next pharmacy related need. We're proud of what we do and strive to do the best possible job because we want you to know that we do care! Come see us soon. feaks jbiited States 8c MOT) -PHABG3ACV 104 W. CENTES firs. Mon.-Sa- t. PROVO 9 a.m.-- 7 373-26- p.m. 72 1. 3 ViSfi'tt. flo Ml t |