About the diary writer
- Barbara McDowell Whitt
- 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.
"Captain" of the Band Kids - Tuesday, June 28, 1960
I went to Linda Crile's farewell party for Sue tonight. Beth and I were the only other girls there. We had a weiner roast and then sat listening to comedian records. It was fun, but I didn't know the other girls would wear shorts. (I didn't know about the weiner roast.) At my band lesson Mr.Eddy gave me a test. I play at the B- level. He wants me to be "captain" of the West Chester band kids.
More College Letters - Monday, June 27, 1960
Mom painted the back porch a lighter gray this afternoon.We all helped paint the lawn chairs and two telephone cable spools (for picnic tables) white. We are going to paint the bathroom beige. I still have sore legs. I finished the "diary" part of The Works of Anne Frank and started on Kon-Tiki. I'm stilll getting my college letters.
Lake Odessa Boat Ride - Sunday, June 26, 1960
I feel as if I am going to lose my legs! They're really painful from the sunburn I got yesterday. We had planned to go see Bill Martins in Hedrick but found out that Gordons were going there. Daddy suggested that we go down to Lake Odessa near the Mississippi. It was really crowded with one or more of every kind of person. Lo and behold, Van Winkles were down there and we all rode in their new boat. It was fun.
Beet Red From the Sun - Saturday, June 25, 1960
Marilyn and I slept until 10:00 and then went uptown.We took her Aunt Betty a birthday present and played badminton a while in the back yard. In the afternoon we went to the pool for a short swim and then tried to get tans. Marilyn already has a tan. I turned beet red. Mom came and got me around 4:30. I helped hoe the garden some tonight.
Candles Lit for a Wedding - Friday, June 24, 1960
Karen Baker's wedding tonight was very nice and she seems to have married a pretty nice guy (Everett Speas from Kalona). Joan Anderson and I lit the candles. I wore Phyl's blue graduation dress. We spent the afternoon at the church helping get ready. I am staying all night with Marilyn.
The Works of Anne Frank - Thursday, June 23, 1960
Tonight I went up to the church to see what's expected of Joan and me as candle lighters. I didn't stay for the regular rehearsal. I thought that was their concern. I've heard from 14 colleges. Some of them sound pretty good. Phyllis didn't sleep at all last night at the slumber party. Charley Harley died. I am reading The Works of Anne Frank. She was quite a girl.
A Misunderstanding - Wednesday, June 22, 1960
Phyllis went to a slumber party at Roberta Hess's tonight. Mom went to lodge. Daddy, Virginia, Ann and I went to the fairgrounds to see some horse training, but they were going home. They had a frantic time across the road when Effie called and said, "Is Helen there? Did you know Charles passed away?"! Norma thought she meant Charles Ralston. She was about beside herself. Actually it was Charles Harley and as far as we know he had a relapse and didn't die.
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