**nightly entries written by a coming-of-age girl who became a woman from Washington County Iowa**
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.
Band Day in Town - Saturday, October 1, 1960
This afternoon was Band Day in town. Boy, what a life. Phyllis and I are going to owe Virginia and Ann about a trillion nights for chores. Shirley Bush helped me get the float "all planned." I guess we'll spray paint newspaper. Mom went to Saturday classes this morning. I did some ironing but sure didn't get the house cleaned or the grass mowed.
42-0 Football Victory - Friday, September 30, 1960
We went on the bus to the HLV Victor reserve game at Wellman. We won 42-0. I feel as though I should have stayed at home and studied, but I wonder if I would have. Thank heavens for this three-day weekend. The school paper came out this morning and is pretty good for the first issue. Mr. Evans was rather sore since I called a class meeting without his permission, but I couldn't find him.
Poor Senior Float - Thursday, September 29, 1960
At least I got my chemistry workbook assignment done tonight. I came home very discouraged over the condition of the poor senior float. Pray tell if we ever have one. I skipped two good paragraphs in my speech to convince. Bob Parcell all but preached on "Religion Can Be Interesting and Exciting." Our poor school paper--the kids are doing the stencils too heavy and too light! Result: what a mess!
'D Must Mean Racing" - Wednesday, September 28, 1960
Here I am a day gone by, and it feels like ten (or maybe none!). What will I wear tomorrow? Seems like I just said that (about what to wear today). I spent the whole time they were choring debating about my speech to convince, finally chose "D Must Mean Racing" about driving too fast. They began the stencils in the office practice class, so I didn't have to stay after school. We had a class meeting instead of chemistry. That float!?! My room looks like ten tornadoes.
Right to Wrong on Tests - Tuesday, September 27, 1960
Phyllis and I just got back from an FHA meeting at Wellman. Only four of us went on the student bus. The program sounds good, but I hope it isn't too much of a waste of time. I'm ready to crack up. I keep changing right to wrong on tests. I'm going to have to lay the paper out tonight!?!
Presidential TV Debate - Monday, September 26, 1960
Here comes the age-old drudgery of getting out a school paper. We have to have a copy for each child in the district (1,200). At least my complaint against selling them "won out." We had our first float committee meeting. I stayed after school to help with the paper. I took notes on the history making hour-long presidential t.v. debate. We have a unit chemistry test tomorrow. I got an A on my government test!
Maps for Sunday School - Sunday, September 25, 1960
This afternoon we went down to Cuddebacks. We played football a while but spent most of the time scrapping and decided we better quit. Hobbses want one of Bernard's puppies. We passed them as we came home from chores, so I imagine there is one less dog out there. I set up the maps at church that the Sunday School ordered. Phyllis was in a cute play about Rally Day. I'm still learning symbols.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)