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.
Yearbook Pictures - Wednesday, November 16, 1960
This afternoon I was sure I was going to have to sue the cooks for food poisoning! I really felt awful. It was evidently from the butter sandwich I ate--the butter tasted ten years old! They took yearbook pictures. In one of the FHA pictures I was waving my hand back and forth! And in a band picture Fred Miller had his horn "in front of" my face. They'll fire me as a student--or the yearbook staff will!
School Paper - Tuesday, November 15, 1960
I spent all my time on stuff for the school paper and then remembered that I probably won't have much time tomorrow because of the yearbook pictures. I just have English to do, but it's kind of hard. On second thought, maybe we'll miss English class! Rikki is out at Grandma's. He went along when they took Peggy home but came back. Peggy has been in Iowa City to find out if there's anything wrong with her besides the fact that she's expecting. She's okay.
FHA Potluck Supper - Monday, November 14, 1960
Tonight Mom, Phyllis and I went to the FHA potluck supper at Wellman. Mr. and Mrs. Bontrager showed slides of their two month trip to Europe. They were real interesting, but I must admit that our FHA potluck supper and entertainment were better--even if I was chairman of the entertainment committee! (Last year.) I've got to get my college application sent in to Park.
Spiegels Christmas Order - Sunday, November 13, 1960
We have been making out a Christmas order from Spiegels. Mom's making it out, so we can all order. I got presents for everyone but Mom plus a charm bracelet for Karen Yoder, my FHA secret sister. The Cuddeback kids were here a while. I played Jimmy a basketball game and got hit in the nose. I think he threw the ball right at me! As if I could catch it that fast! Mom got me some brush rollers so I can keep setting my hair that way.
FHA District Meeting - Saturday, November 12, 1960
Phyllis and I spent the day at the FHA district meeting at New London. I'm about ready to drop. At least Sheryl and I got some chemical symbols, formulas and valences studied. I fear we'll have a rough chemisty quiz Monday. The FHA meeting was real good, 100 percent better than last year at Kalona.
Banks Closed - Friday, November 11, 1960
They said the banks would close three days after Election Day. (It was Veterans Day!) Phyllis, Virginia, Jimmy and I went up to the girls' games with English Valley at West Chester. The first team won, but the second team lost by three points. Only one Wellman girl played--all the rest were from West Chester.
Report Card - Thursday, November 10, 1960
Today was Mom's birthday. I gave her some Woodspice bath powder. She got some mints from Virginia, the lint brush Grandma gave me from Ann, and poor Phyllis could give nothing. I am still (was I ever not?) tired. Yesterday on my report card I got English, B+, government A-, French A-, and chemistry, B+. I was very happy. Indeed.
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