About the diary writer

My photo
Kansas City, Missouri, Alexandria, Virginia, United States
~ About: A 1961-65 Park College Diary ~ As a high school girl and then a college coed in the first half of the 1960s, I wrote nightly entries on the pages of one-year diaries. In January 2010 I began transcribing the entries into a blog and gave each one a title. I grew up on three farms within 30 miles of Iowa City and the University of Iowa with its Iowa Writers' Workshop. As the oldest of four daughters, in my diaries I sometimes referred to my sisters as "the kids" or "the girls." We helped our parents, but we also had good, wholesome fun - a characteristic I took with me to Park. Park is 300 miles southwest of West Chester, Iowa, in Parkville, Missouri, on the Missouri River 10 miles northwest of Kansas City, Missouri, and across the river from Kansas City, Kansas. In 2000 Park College became Park University. Today Park's flagship campus is in Parkville and there are an additional 41 campus centers across the nation. Park was one of the first educational institutions in the United States to offer online learning. My last post was on May 22, 2018. I may be followed on Twitter @BarbaraMcDWhitt.

We Visited "Little Town on the Prairie" - Tuesday, July 31, 1962

Tonight we're in a motel in Spencer. It even has a swimming pool so we just finished having a dip. We saw Huron College this morning and then we came through DeSmet that Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about as "Little Town on the Prairie" in her last "Little House" book. It was so wonderful - we saw the false front stores, then drove out of town toward where we thought they might have lived. We drove through a little country cemetery and there were Ma and Pa's graves, Mary's, Carrie's, and Laura's baby son's. We found a marker for their home site on the prairie south of town then, and the cottonwood trees Pa planted! Then we came through Volga, I called and saw Dick Peeke and found Jim at the Brookings swimming pool life guarding. We saw one of Daddy's college farm men near Worthington, Minnesota.

We Saw a Wide Expanse of Land - Monday, July 30, 1962

Oh, what a nice trip we're having! We're in Aberdeen, South Dakota tonight. We had a nice drive south of Winnipeg on the widest expanse of flat land I've ever seen. We crossed back into the United States at a little country port of entry place in North Dakota. We stopped at the Ft. Totten Indian Reservation near Devils Lake and looked over the Jamestown campus. It's nice. I like, like, like this beautiful northern scenery. We plan to go through, among other places, none other than Volga, South Dakota.

We Went in to Canada at International Falls - Sunday, July 29, 1962

For the first time in my life I'm going to sleep on foreign soil. We're in Winnipeg tonight after crossing into Canada at International Falls and Ft. Francis. We drove up to Kenora and then on over here by way of the Trans-Canada Highway. This is such beautiful country. We drove out in the country and saw some colony farming and young people in their costumes, and were given a night watchman's tour of a modern race track.

Saw Lake Superior and Hibbing Iron Ore Mine - Saturday, July 28, 1962

We're just about at the top of the United States - near International Falls in Minnesota. After we crossed into Duluth this morning we drove along the North Shore of Lake Superior as far as Two Harbors. Then we went west 80 miles to visit the two Laddehoff families and Crawfords who moved up here from West Chester. Coming on up through north central Minnesota we saw birch trees and iron ore, pine trees and lakes. At Hibbing we stopped to see the world's largest open pit iron ore mine, three miles long and a mile wide. Something! It's so pretty up here.

We Saw Effigy Mounds National Monument - Friday, July 27, 1962

We are in northwest Wisconsin tonight. We had a nice drive up through northeast Iowa and into Wisconsin. We stopped at Pike's Peak near McGregor, a gorgeous view of the Mississippi, similar to Alfalfa Point, and Effigy Mounds National Monument. We didn't know Iowa had a national monument. The place is fixed up real nice with a trail winding a bluff up to the Indian mounds. Northeast Iowa is really picturesque.

Volunteered to Drive the Tractor - Thursday, July 26, 1962

We're leaving on our trip in the morning. I'm still trying to think of things to take. I drove the tractor here today for unloading straw. It didn't seem like a bad job today. I even volunteered my services. Mom gave me a permanent this afternoon. The state broke 1911 records for coolness - the 40's today.

Completed Scrapbook for First Year of College - Wednesday, July 25, 1962

We went to town this afternoon. I got some new white tennis shoes, nail polish and remover, some tan suiting and matching blouse material and a pattern. I was talking to two guys selling some hope chest or something to working girls. They seemed real nice. They didn't try to sell me any since I wasn't making my own income. (Incidentally, I'm trying to go to the end of September on money I've earned; then I'll have some more.) I'm coming along on my suit. I hope I didn't goof on one of the collar corners. I'll press it out in the morning and see. I fixed up my scrapbook for my first year of college.

Thinking About a Trip North - Tuesday, July 24, 1962

I had an eye appointment this afternoon. Dr. Smith said my nearsightedness is weakening and I didn't need new lenses. If anything, I would get weaker ones. Mom got me two skirt lengths, a green and a gold. My suit is coming along alright. Daddy went up to get the pony tonight but they couldn't get him to go in the truck. We're thinking some about a trip toward the end of this week, or next. North, I guess.

Planning to Get a Brown Horse - Monday, July 23, 1962

Tonight we went up to a place near Sigourney to look at a horse they had. I guess we're going to get it. He's brown and alright except sort of a fat stomach. (That, by the way, is one of my problems!) Then, too, like me, his hair (mane) sort of sticks up! Ann is at Darlene's. Merl and Jim stopped after they finished up their detasseling - for good, they hope. Merl has to leave tomorrow. Roberta Hess stopped with Jerolyn's present to me that I never got for helping with the gifts - a pretty bracelet.

We Had Steaks on Our New Barbecue Grill - Sunday, July 22, 1962

Daddy had a touch of flu or something this morning so didn't go to church. We used our new barbecue grill for steaks for dinner. This afternoon I didn't do much though I made attempts at letter writing and reading Gone With the Wind. We filled out my financial agreement for next year at Park and sent them the 10 cents (at first I thought it was $10) we owe them. Maybe the trimester program won't be too bad. Daddy had a church board meeting tonight.

Helping Merl and Jim Detassel Corn - Saturday, July 21. 1962

This morning Phyllis and I went along with Merl and Jim to help them detassel corn in Cuddebacks' field out past Duvals. They've been doing it for several weeks, but this was the first time we've helped. Merl has to be home for a job Thursday. We've barely seen him. I finished mowing grass this afternoon (although that that I did Monday could stand cutting again). I also started my suit  jacket. Duke got caught in the fence in the grove this afternoon. Lying down, he had us scared for a minute. Tonight I helped Mom pick cucumbers and read my Sunday School lesson.

Phyllis Talked To the Governor - Friday, July 20, 1962

Phyllis got home from the Young Republicans State Convention this evening. She had a real good time and got to talk to the governor and everything. I put the waistband on my skirt. It's finished except for the hemming. I mowed grass. Mom made some dishes and a vase from some little plastic beads melted and shaped. I wrote a letter to Marge.

Phyllis Went to the Republican State Convention - Thursday, July 19, 1962

First I was gone and now Phyllis. She left this afternoon at 1:00 for the Republican State Convention. Mom came up to Iowa City and got me this morning about 9:30. I went to Mary Ellen's German class with her. Familiar 8:00 language classes! I didn't do one good constructive thing all day again - nuts! Maybe I could get so I stop thinking about how fast time is going and think more for the present but without neglecting the future entirely. We were going to play miniature golf tonight since Bonnie was here. The green was closed because of the rain so we went to "Swingin' Along." Funny show, again.

Seeing Mary Ellen's Snail Research - Wednesday, July 18, 1962

This morning Helen walked me across the river and I met Mary Ellen and went to her lit class with her. They were discussing "Oedipus Rex." Their class seemed a lot like ours at Park. This afternoon we went to the Baptist Church with a friend of hers to practice the organ. Then I went to work with her and got to see some of the research for a disease caused by snails in humans in China rice paddies. Walking back to Helen's place I ran into Karen Baker Speas for the first time since her wedding. We went to Helen's hospital ward and met some of the patients. Show and pizza tonight and now I'm in Mary Ellen's room on the other side of the river.

Went with Helen to Barbecue Day in Kalona - Tuesday, July 17, 1962

This morning Mom and the kids dropped me off at Barbecue Day in Kalona on their way to Iowa City. Mom went up to have a mole removed from her face. I met Helen and we spent several hours in Kalona. We took the Schroeder kids on the ferris wheel. We went to Birkey's house for supper, then back to Kalona for a little while before coming to Iowa City where I'm spending the night with her at her rooming house.

We Sold Two Horses - Monday, July 16, 1962

We went to the dentist this afternoon. I didn't need anything done. I continued spending my earnings by buying an $11.95 watch at Osincups. (We recently got $25.00 checks from the folks for helping with the hay.) I also bought a black bag so I won't have to carry my bathing suit wrapped up in a towel like the boys do. This evening we drove up to see about a horse at John Klein's near Keota. And we sold the two red ones this morning - to some people from Kalona.

Sorrells are From Middletown, Ohio - Sunday, July 15, 1962

I lost Cashword Cal by a mile but some of their conclusions are really out of it. However, I think I had considered each correct answer at one time or other. I called Helen. We're going to meet at Barbeque Day Tuesday and then I'm going up to Iowa City with her. I'm going to have to check into the matter that both Ed Sorrells that visited Grandma and Gary Sorrell from Park are from Middletown, Ohio. I wasn't aware of the fact till I saw the Journal write-up and then checked Gary's address. I got my freshman year things into but not pasted in my scrapbook.

Saw Miss Argentina Become Miss Universe - Saturday, July 14, 1962

We just saw Miss Argentina become Miss Universe. Our TV set is on the blink but it made it through the pageant. The repairman was here tonight and he was going to take it to town but Daddy made him leave it here for that. I sewed some of the skirt of my suit. It was a cold and rainy July day.

We Went to the Shetland Pony Sale in Oskaloosa - Friday, July 13, 1962

Since it rained today we went to the Shetland pony sale at the fairgrounds in Oskaloosa. Miriam and Miss Collett were there. They sure sold a lot of ponies. We were going to go shopping but we couldn't find a parking place uptown. Then we tried to find the covered bridge over by Delta but never did. (We saw what might have been a sign to it down a mud road.) Tonight we went to the Grace Hill ice cream supper. I cut out my suit.

We Froze Homemade Ice Cream - Thursday, July 12, 1962

Tonight was the club ice cream social at Dusenberrys. It was 11:30 before most of us got around to leaving - that didn't used to seem very late in college. We went out to Grandma's this afternoon to freeze two freezers full of ice cream. I got out and pressed my suit pattern pieces. By he time Mom and Dad went to town late this morning and we got our own lunches, I never "got in gear" today till 2:00.

We Went to See Horses in West Chester - Wednesday, July 11, 1962

We went to town this afternoon to wash. I got a photograph book and scrapbook, three zippers, and a turquoise scarf and Cleopatra bracelet with a turquoise set to dress up my tan suit. It rained so we didn't go swimming. Tonight we went up to see Miss Orr's horses on the back edge of West Chester. I finally heard from Marge (had to send her a post card first.) She sent Virginia some piano music.

We Saw First Pictures, Sound from Telstar - Tuesday, July 10, 1962

The kids got ambitious this afternoon so Mom and I chipped in to help clean behind the garage. We burned some of the old things, gathered some things for the junk pile, and took the old trike, kiddy-kar (mine!), wheelbarrow and scooter over to Marrows' kids. Phyllis got stung on the hand by some wasps that had a nest in a piece of stovepipe. Tonight on television we saw the very first TV pictures and sound ever to be brought back to earth from a satellite. From Andover, Maine, to the Telstar and back.

"Little Sister" from Kansas City, Kansas at Park - Monday, July 9, 1962

We went to town this afternoon because Mom wanted to try out the automatic dry cleaner at the new laundromat. It worked real well. We girls went swimming. Virginia tried dancing to the loud speaker music in the water and it looked quite amusing. I got out early and walked uptown to buy some charcoal suit material and a pattern. Carolyn sent me a new "Little Sister" name and address, Kathy Amayo from Kansas City, Kansas. I sent in what I feel is a pretty good solution to the Cashword Cal puzzle. I think their little drawing had some hidden clues.

We Sisters Had a Gab Fest - Sunday, July 8, 1962

Cuddebacks and Merl came up tonight for ice cream (homemade). This afternoon we girls had a gab fest in Phyllis's and my room as to hair styles, how to dance, and in general just had a good time. I wrote a letter to Mrs. Cowan and I'm trying the Cashword Cal crossword puzzle. I led the opening exercises in Sunday School. It was quite cool today and tonight we had to put on sweatshirts. Yesterday it was so hot we didn't try mowing grass till evening.

Merl Came on Train from Texas - Saturday, July 7, 1962

This afternoon Cuddebacks came and then Merl walked in. My mouth dropped open as did everyone else's. Janet had said they picked up a hitchhiker. They knew about him coming up on the train but kept it a secret to surprise us. I read some from "Gone With the Wind" and mowed a little grass. Last night a car started up out in front, a cat yowled, and one of the dogs barked. Larry said there were peeping Toms in the neighborhood so tonight the three dogs are guarding the house.

"Route 66" Featured Cleveland - Friday, July 6, 1962

This afternoon Phyllis and I went to Iowa City so I could see what they had in the way of formals. I tried on about seven, then decided on a pretty blue $17.00 one marked down to $11.00 in Wards. I looked at patterns and thought maybe I could make one but the fabric shop had closed out. I also got an orange night shirt but didn't have time for any more shopping. Virginia, Ann and Denise went swimming. "Route 66" featured Cleveland tonight. It showed a "Carol Diane" boat cruise and showed the skyline. We saw both in June.

Attempting to Appear More Glamorous - Thursday, July 5, 1962

I went along to town with Mom early this morning to help her do the wash. This afternoon we kids went in to go swimming. Ann met Denise, and Jim and Larry were there with Tracy Janacek. I bought an eyeliner and shadow, a lipstick brush and powder in an attempt to make myself more glamorous. I just haven't done one constructive thing all summer.

We Went to the Circus in Washington - Wednesday, July 4, 1962

We celebrated the Fourth of July by going to the circus in town this afternoon. It was a pretty good circus, even if I went with what I thought was a grown-up if not pessimistic view of what I thought it would probably be like. I don't see how all those trained animals know just what to do next. Tonight we lit our sparklers. It was a foggy and rainy day.

Saw "Rome Adventure" Tonight - Tuesday, July 3, 1962

Phyllis, Virginia and I decided to go to the show, "Rome Adventure," tonight. We took Linda and Abbie with us. Troy Donahue (from "Parrish") was in it. By the time Phyllis and I waited around this afternoon until they had the hay baled (and then they didn't need us to help them unload it after all) the afternoon was gone. We have a little puppy here that someone evidently dropped off beside the road.

Burned Nearly 1000 Letters - Monday, July 2, 1962

Today I continued going through my stuff and this evening spent two hours going through most of it for the last time as I burned old letters and papers. I've had nearly 1000 letters (more than 890 from pen pals) that I'd always kept, but now they are carbon. Ann has Sheryl and Darlene home with her for a going away party for Sheryl who is moving to California.

Throwing Out Pen Pal Letters with Phyllis's Help - Sunday, July 1, 1962

It was a cool and rainy Sunday. This morning I taught the juniors class and will for the rest of the summer. This afternoon Phyllis helped me go through my high school things again and I threw away a lot more - including all of my pen pal letters (finally) except those from Mrs. Cowan. Now to get what I want to into a photograph album and scrapbook. I shouldn't have too much left in the closet that is in Phyllis's way.