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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.

Letter About Use of Newsprint - Sunday, June 30, 1963

We are going to be able to remember this summer as a hot one. Betty was here again to play "You Don't Say." We girls played badminton tonight. Mom and Dad sat on the new folding lawn chairs and watched. I took my measurements to send to Vivien for my bridesmaid's dress, but I didn't get a letter written. I wrote to the Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company at Kenora, Ontario (the Journal gets newsprint from them) to see if they might have any "run of the mill" information for a possible feature story on "the newspaper from start to finish." We didn't know the logs we saw last summer were potential Journals.

A Baseball Game in Kalona - Saturday, June 29, 1963

I went with Phyllis, Virginia, Linda, Betty and Mary to the baseball game at Kalona this afternoon. Mid-Prairie lost to North Scott 11-3. I got suntanned legs sitting on the bleachers in the sun. I got all the weekend's weddings written on the job this week so didn't have to bring any home. Margaret Patterson, Joyce Plecker, and Bob Brower, who went to school here some time ago, are all getting married this weekend. We ran a Catholic wedding that was at 10:00 this morning, in today's paper.

50th Anniversaries for Two Sisters - Friday, June 28, 1963

It was pay day again today. I've earned $312.51, of which $226.03 is still in the bank. I have spent quite a little bit for clothes this summer. Today I got a pair of black wool slacks and an orange and cream print shift dress, both on sale. Charles had another feature about the sports car races. I wrote the article and Bob took a picture for a story about Mr. Jarvis's mother and her sister having 50th anniversaries on the same day, next September 17. They had a pre-anniversary celebration yesterday. We've done well with features this week. Four boys drowned yesterday in a pond near Riverside.

Saw Movie, "Roman Holiday" - Thursday, June 27, 1963

Phyllis, Linda Jane and I went t the movie, "Roman Holiday," with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck tonight. It was good. We were going to take Betty, but she wasn't ready after Phyllis's twenty minute notice, so we finally just went without her after she told us to. My feature on Carol was in this evening. Now to get another one going.

Saw Municipal Band Concert - Wednesday, June 26, 1963

We girls and Betty and Mary went swimming tonight while Mr. Peters went to the meeting he thought was last night. We watched part of the municipal band concert afterwards. Three people have given me things while I have been out getting news - Mr. Kline gave me an ice cream bar, Mr. Schoonover a stick of gum, and now today, David Vanderbilt, a piece of spearmint candy. He's the new McLellan's manager and is very nice. Charlie wrote a nice social event for me - about the Y's Men "Hawaiian" night.

Went With Ruth Ann to Root Beer Stand - Tuesday, June 25, 1963

Tonight Betty, Mary, Virginia, Phyllis and I took Washington up on one of their newer entertainment features - miniature golfing. We meant to go all last summer but never got there. I won't mention my score, but it was lots of fun. I finally got a letter written to Margie. I went with Ruth Ann Wulf, who's working at the Extension Office this week while the secretary has the week off, to the root beer stand for lunch. Iris is also gone - to a home economics convention in Kansas City.

Interviewed Carol About Girls Track - Monday, June 24, 1963

Carol Whetstine came in this afternoon and I interviewed her about girls track. Bob took some pictures of her and some of the trophies she and the girls have won. She brought Linda Timmins along. I also went to the swimming pool on my way home and asked Cheryl Anderson about Girls State. I wrote the story about Carol tonight. I got a letter from Vivien. She wants to know my measurements for the bridesmaid's dress.

Saw "On the Beach" on TV - Sunday, June 23, 1963

These fast weekends. I got the weddings written, but no letters - maybe someday. I had to take time out tonight to watch most of "On the Beach" on television again. Peters were here for dinner. We girls played croquet after dinner, and then we had fun playing "You Don't Say" - using clues to guess names of people.

Eggs, Onions and Flowers From Grandma's - Saturday, June 22, 1963

I didn't do much this afternoon - lazy me. The kids went swimming with Timminses, but I didn't have that much ambition on my only free afternoon of the week. Mom and I went out to Grandma's this evening to get eggs, onions and flowers. My flowers from Mrs. Cowan are doing very nicely. These weeks are going so fast I can't believe it. 

Have Saved by Making Dresses - Friday, June 21, 1963

I left the Journal office at 4:15 today and came on home. Then Mom, the girls and I drove down to Fairfield since Peggy had called us earlier this week about a fabric sale at their fabric shop. I got three nice pieces, one dark pink for a dress and some orange for a slim dress and orange and pink stripe for a jacket to go with it. In Spurgeon's I found an off-white dress of nice material that I couldn't resist buying for $5.00. I'll have made quite a saving on the dresses I make since I got the patterns so cheap, too. I ate at the State Café again. I had to wait for a second lunch - the waitress dropped mine!

A Western Auto Store Block Ad - Thursday, June 20, 1963

The kids helped make hay we got from Stoutners today, and I drove the tractor tonight for putting two loads of it up. I may not get many locals some days, but today I got an "idea for an editorial," - not my editorial - "the bandstand needs new lights," and yesterday I took the Western Auto store thank you note back to the Journal - it was in a block ad tonight. I called Carol Whetstine this evening. She's going to come in Monday so I can talk to her about her girls track performances.

Phyllis, Ann, Mom Came to Journal Office - Wednesday, June 19, 1963

Time is going so fast. I was reading sort of a clever article about that in Family Circle tonight. Phyllis and Ann stopped in at the Journal office this morning to tell me they had asked about typewriters at the bookstore and a little while later Mom came past to say they got the slides - things I was supposed to see about. Virginia is taking driver training for two weeks - classes, then she'll drive the last of July. I finished my dress. I saw several of the girls who were there last night in town today.

Baby was Born in the Country - Tuesday, June 18, 1963

After horseback riding and swimming, I'm sore in the seat. Phyllis, Betty and I went in to Bob Day's tonight for a YW Whizzers wiener roast. It was a lot of fun. Several of the kids I've seen around the stores were there, about 20 altogether. Betty and I took advantage of their pool. Mrs. Day had invited me yesterday when she brought the announcement to the Journal. Dennis Day was at the Journal office this morning watching us work. I had an interesting "assignment" but couldn't find the person necessary to carry it through, so Charles got it - a baby born out in the country.

Horseback Riding on the Bottom Land - Monday, June 17, 1963

Ann, Virginia, Daddy and I went out to Grandma's to ride the horses on the bottom land tonight. Phyllis would have gone, but Linda Timmins was coming in. I guess I have never really gone "riding" like they do. Duke gave me a nice ride. I got the button holes in my dress but then remembered I still have the belt to do. The weddings looked nice - five again, and one for tomorrow - twenty in the last three weeks! I must write some letters again. It's no wonder I don't get many. But I imagine everyone else is as busy as I am.

Harpsichordist for New York Wedding - Sunday, June 16, 1963

Well, I seem to have spent sort of a lazy weekend. We took Grandpa a box of candy bars tonight for Father's Day. I gave Daddy the card I bought a while back and let the kids sign it, too. I wrote up the two weddings - Mrs. Luckey at Riverside wrote two of the ones for this weekend. Charlotte Berry's wedding in New York sounded very nice - she had a harpsichordist play - Bach, Haydn, etc.

Plumber Who Wrote Column Died - Saturday, June 15, 1963

I almost have my dress finished now - just the buttons, which I have to get, buttonholes and belt. I didn't do much else with my afternoon. This was a busier Saturday morning again - church circle meetings to edit and type. Keith Norton, who had the plumbing business in Washington, died suddenly last night. He was 40. He always wrote a weekly column for their ad, Scribbled and Scooped by Keith Norton. They went ahead and published this week's column.

Took the Ford to the MYF Car Wash - Friday, June 14, 1963

The MYF was having a car wash this evening so Virginia and I took the Ford over to have them do it. It needed it, and I take it to town every day. This evening I played croquet and rode bikes with Ann and Virginia. Phyllis is babysitting for Stouts. My life is fairly routine these days. Like the clerks in the stores who always say "No news is good news," or "Don't know anything."

Took Food to Hay Balers - Thursday, June 13, 1963

Seiferts was having a sale today so I bought two $12.00 skirt and blouse sets for $4.00 each, one orange plaid and one blue. The kids helped make hay today with Daddy and Gilbert. Mom and I went out after I got home to take them some food. I drove the tractor to unload three loads. Yesterday was cool but it got warm again today. Virginia plays the piano so well. She was really impressed with Ronnie Bombei playing by ear when she heard him over the phone while she talked to Bonnie.

Award Winners' Pictures Were in Journal - Wednesday, June 12, 1963

I sewed some more on my dress tonight. I have one sleeve in. Phyllis, Linda, Nancy, Linda and Gary's pictures were in the paper tonight for their awards. Charles and Bob were saying something about it, and Bob's mother graduating "with honors" after he had "just graduated." The high school summer baseball coach was in the office this afternoon. We were all having a good time. They invited me to umpire at their game! I went on another shopping spree - two long sleeved white blouses, three pairs of shorts, and a platter and cream and sugar set to match the dishes I got last summer - Osincups was closing out the stock.

Daddy Tried to See Park College Man - Tuesday, June 11, 1963

I'm having an awful time keeping track of what day (or even month) it is the last few days! I guess June is going too fast, yet my summer is farther along than it ordinarily would for the length of time I've been out of school, and I don't know what all! Daddy stopped to talk to Blattners today - just Mrs. Blattner was there. He's the one who called me about Park. He just went there his senior year, but it must have impressed him. I sewed some on my dress tonight. The girls have been mowing different people's lawns in town.

Four Weddings Were Run Tonight - Monday, June 10, 1963

They ran four weddings tonight, just two with pictures. Barbara Shannon Shalla is working in advertising at the Journal now. I went with her and Dorothy for a coffee break this afternoon. We'll have to do that more often. I don't get around to taking coffee breaks too often. I hear a little lamb baaing. Thrapps, our neighbors to the southwest, have some. It's not so different from living on the farm here. We have a field on three sides of us.

Had a Dinner For Graduation, Birthdays - Sunday, June 9, 1963

We had a family dinner for Phyllis's graduation and her and Daddy's birthdays. Shawn is such a cute little boy. Rikki, Larry, Jim, Phyllis, Virginia and I went out to the creek to go fishing. I had absolutely no luck. Jim caught a small one, Phyl four that got away. Jim lost his sunglasses out of his pocket and into the creek from the bridge. I saw a snake. I wrote up some of the weddings. We're holding an Ainsworth one till Tuesday.

Went to West Chester Alumni Banquet - Saturday, June 8, 1963

It's still so hot. Phyllis, Betty and I went to the alumni banquet tonight since they invited the Mid-Prairie graduates from West Chester starting this year. There weren't very many there. I procrastinated this afternoon except for finishing a letter and starting another. Well, I guess I'd better look at my Sunday School lesson. Virginia went to town this morning to shop.

Received a Byline for Article About Judy - Friday, June 7, 1963

A breeze is blowing such as to put a person at peace with the world after a terribly hot day. I guess I'll try to type up a few more weddings - Rosemary would like to get a head start on them before Monday's rush. The article about Judy Roland looked really nice and they even gave me a byline on it this time. I goofed - I said Mrs Theodore Brown was admitted to the hospital. It was Mr - she's been dead several years! I got Daddy some barbeque skewers, sort of from all of us, for his birthday. I took Nancy Statler to the root beer stand today. Yesterday I took Iris Saltan, the new girl at the county extension office, and the secretary.

Phyllis's Commencement Speaker was Also Ours - Thursday, June 6, 1963

Commencement tonight was very nice. They had the same speaker as we had for ours, Dale Welch of the First of Iowa Corporation. This time he spoke on the theme, "have fun while you're getting there." Today was Ridiculous Day in Washington. What a madhouse! I was out for the same length of time I usually take for news gathering, but I didn't even attempt that today! Phyllis and Linda Timmins were in town and I went with them for Cokes. I watched the parade with Judy Roland. She leaves tomorrow for Mississippi. Too bad the Journal hasn't gotten the article in yet.

Went to Lions Club Ice Cream Supper - Wednesday, June 5, 1963

All of us went to the Lions Club family night ice cream supper except Virginia who is babysitting for Joyce Martin's two little girls. She's their regular babysitter. John Orr, Tom Bauer and I talked "college and high school." We all agreed that Mid-Prairie's academic program is one of the best. Lois Slemmons was there to eat. It has really been hot the last two days, especially when it comes to inserting Journal ad pages. A Richland 19 year old boy died of the heat yesterday while he was shoveling grain. It's nice to be the sister of a salutatorian. I'm proud of Phyllis. Grandma and Grandpa got back from Ohio and Virginia. John was valedictorian.

Phyllis and Nancy Tied for Salutatorian - Tuesday, June 4, 1963

Tonight was senior awards night. Phyllis and Nancy Lewis tied for salutatorian. Linda Pence is valedictorian. Linda Timmins and Gary Swain got the Danforth awards. It was a nice program. This was a hot day. A girl who graduated from Iowa State this year, Iris Soutan, is working at the county extension office this summer. She's very nice.

Five Wedding Write-Ups in Journal - Monday, June 3, 1963

Well, the weddings turned out alright in the paper - all five of them. There are supposed to be even more - as many as nine or ten for next weekend!! I guess that was enough for one day, as it seems as though I didn't get much done at home here tonight. I knew of people in each of the weddings. The girl Doug Kiesey married didn't turn in much information so I couldn't give her a very big write-up. It was a simple chapel wedding with a reception at home though. I hate to sound conceited, but they should be (and I think they are) pleased with my work for the Journal.

Baccalaureate Was Tonight with 46 Seniors - Sunday, June 2, 1963

Baccalaureate was tonight. There are 46 seniors, twelve of whom had brothers or sisters graduate with our class. Phyllis looked really nice. The new gym and stage are so nice. Mr. Peters had the baccalaureate sermon. We started early church services this morning. We had a chicken barbeque outdoors for dinner. I lay out in the back yard for a while this afternoon to see if I could get some suntan - haven't done that since a little over a year ago at Park.

Took Twins' Portrait to Novotny's Studio - Saturday, June 1, 1963

It was a nice first day of June. I took the Sobaski twins' bridal photo to Novotny's to find out which one was which. No one had put which name belonged with which girl or anything - I had fears of something like that coming up. So far I have three weddings for this weekend written. The Novotnys have been to so many weddings they really had some funny (and some not so funny) experiences to tell me! Everything from fainting grooms to an "I have to go potty" (and he did!) ring bearer! I mowed grass this afternoon and this evening.