About the diary writer

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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.

State Marching Band Contest - Saturday, October 15, 1960

We won last night, 20-6. I bet North English is having a fit! This afternoon the band went down to Mt. Pleasant to watch the state marching band contest. It was a cold and dreary day. We went back to the Wellman golf club for a hamburger supper. I didn't get up till 11:20 this morning, so I haven't had a chance to get much work done. I'm still sleepy.

Happy Birthday, President Eisenhower - Friday, October 14, 1960

I'm sure keeping my fingers crossed that we are beating English Valley tonight. They have a winning streak of 15 and maybe 28 (no one knows for sure) games. Phyllis went but I decided to stay home and study. Daddy has been looking at my college catalogs. I think he likes Sterling, Tarkio and Monmouth but thinks it doesn't make too much difference. Before our group started our discussion in English we stood up with the flag and sang Happy Birthday to President Eisenhower!

Pirates Win World Series - Thursday, October 13, 1960

Last week's homecoming has really gotten me down this week. I'm so sleepy. The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Yankees 10-9 today for the World Series. We got to listen in both government and English classes. It was really a good game. If I could only catch up on sleep, I bet I could make straight A's! Ha. I almost dread to think of all the outside things coming up. I'll be in five towns (not counting football) within the next month.

Youth Fellowship Hay Ride - Wednesday, October 12, 1960

Tonight the McDowells took over  and sponsored a youth fellowship party. Peters are in Pella for a convention. Daddy took us on a hay ride and Mom got the refreshments ready. I talked to Mr. Sawyer about college today. So far it was pretty preliminary. He talked quite a lot about Coe--but I'm going out of state, I think. I got an A- on my government test, missed four. My chemistry is suffering badly.

General Electric Assembly Program - Tuesday, October 11, 1960

Mom is up at some Lodge doings tonight. The Social Circle served the supper. I was supposed to wait tables, but it was my night to do chores. I blew a fuse in the barn. Just trying to feed the dogs! We had an interesting General Electric assembly program this morning. I wish I wasn't tired so that I could do a little homework well. Thank heavens, we don't have a lot!

Phone Conversation in Washington - Monday, October 10,1960

Tonight after school it was Phyllis and my turn to go to town while Mom washed. I bought a $2.00 red skirt length--I decided I needed some more splash and spark among my winter skirts. The government test wsn't too bad--I hope! I got a B+ on my French test, had hoped for better. I did have to give my speech. Ugh! I got a B+ on the last one. I hope this one's good for an A-! I talked to Marilyn on the phone.

Some Teachers Ride Horses - Sunday, October 9, 1960

After church we went out to Dusenberrys for a picnic. Daddy rode out on Duke and took Zig-Zag along. Miss Collett, Miss Asby, Miss Gerling, Miss Orr, Pearl and some other people were there. They took five horses around the mile and we followed up with the tractor and hay rack. We really looked like an expedition! I hope I don't have to give my speech till Tuesday. I also dread our government test.