A calendar of the triumphs, defeats and contortions of the human spirit during 1959:

JANUARY

And Not Abominable. In Raleigh, N.C., News and Observer Columnist Charles Craven discussed a city recreation department snowman contest, said there would be "two divisions--one for white children and one for colored," but "the snow men in both divisions will be white!"

FEBRUARY

Crocks of Granite. In Detroit, while fire blazed in the kitchen of Frank Collins' Bar, while the building filled with smoke, while firemen dragged hoses through the barroom and water sloshed on the floor, seven steady customers refused to budge from their bar stools.

MARCH

Net Gain. In Effingham, Ill., Mayor Paul Taylor (salary: $800 a year) advised future office seekers to "start at the top and run for dog catcher" (1958 earnings: $1,200).

APRIL

Bell's Kitchen. In Carolina Beach, N.C., police ordered a vacationer to remove his stored food and cooking equipment and stop cooking his meals in a phone booth.

MAY

Fired? In Salt Lake City, Mayor Adiel F. Stewart abruptly halted a flowery speech observing the retirement of Fire Chief J. K. Piercey when the chief nudged him, said: "There's some mistake. I'm not retiring."

JUNE

Out on a Limb. In Cologne, Germany, arrested for sitting in a tree in the rain and peeking at a girl through her window, a man explained that he intended to propose to someone but wanted to be sure she was a good housekeeper.

JULY

Following the Plot. In McClusky, N. Dak., two farm hands were caught stealing grain to raise enough money to see the movie The Ten Commandments.

AUGUST

Privileged Class. In Milwaukee, before Detective Charles Littnan arrested a 19-year-old he was chasing on suspicion of burglary, the boy shouted back: "You can't shoot me. I'm a teen-ager."

SEPTEMBER

Heads or Tails. In Los Angeles, at a predivorce hearing, Mary Lieblich received custody of the family dachshund but her husband was granted visitation rights.

OCTOBER

Leaves Canceled. In Buffalo, U.S.O. Director Mrs. Odessa Shipley thought she knew just how to entertain 230 visiting sailors from H.M.S. Scarborough, was terribly surprised when 1,000 tea bags went untouched.

NOVEMBER

Locked Out. In Columbia, S.C., About Face Editor James Bradley was invited to a Greater Columbia United Fund dinner, regretfully declined because of previous commitments, explained that his weekly is published by state penitentiary convicts.

DECEMBER

Bristling. In Memphis, Brush Salesman Stanley Brown was fined $153 for trying to force a housewife into her bathtub so that he could demonstrate a back-scrubbing brush.

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