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.
Eyelets and Button Holes - Saturday, July 23, 1960
I got a post card from Marilyn. They're south of Daytona Beach. I don't suppose they'll bump in to the Holeceks (in the Everglades). I was going to send the belt I made to Aunt Patty to have her put the eyelets in, but Grandma has a kit. I'm ready for the button holes. Virginia and Ann went swimming with Denise. It rained as we were finishing chores. Daddy had to quit combining.
Dress Hemming - Friday, July 22, 1960
I hemmed up my dress and also put the hem up in a print dress Mom gave me. She never wore it because it's too near like another one she has. I finished writing the information about the colleges. I must decide where to go. I finally got a letter from Patty Holecek--she's in Florida. She sure wants to see me this summer!
Combining Oats - Thursday, July 21, 1960
It is still hot. They started combining oats. This afternoon Mom helped serve refreshments at social circle. Virginia and Ann went along. I began writing down the accreditations, enrollment and work programs of all the colleges. I've heard from all of them now. I have the zipper in my dress.
Chocolate Rabbit is Melting - Wednesday, July 20, 1960
For the first time, the chocolate rabbit that I've had on my desk since Easter has started to melt! And I'm not supposed to eat chocolate! We went swimming and Mom washed. I was going to have Marilyn stay all night, but according to the neighbor boy, they left for Florida Friday. I rode Duke again with Phyllis.
One of the Hottest Days - Tuesday, July 19, 1960
I got quite a little bit accomplished on my dress. This was one of the hottest days we've had. I had a band lesson, but Linda had to go play in a pep band to welcome the Mississippi 4-H'ers. He wants me to play my cornet in college--"It might even help you financially." What's he want me to do--charge for solos or something? Vince came for remedial reading again.
Riding Duke - Monday, July 18, 1960
Grandma and Grandpa surprised us tonight by bringing Uncle Ellis from Dalton over. He's here till tomorrow noon. I finished up the ironing except Daddy's three shirts which Mom did. I rode Duke and I think he nearly killed me! I sewed a little. It seems as if these summer days go too fast.
Hot Upstairs Again - Sunday, July 17, 1960
It's hot upstairs again. Maybe the floor of Viginia's room won't be too bad for sleeping. We went down to look at the Cuddebacks' farm that they got this spring. Then we drove around through Tallyrand and home. Virginia went swimming in Iowa City with Julie Hobbs. She said Carmen was up there. I started Thunderstruck that goes along with Green Grass of Wyoming.
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