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.

Rose Bowl - Monday, January 2, 1961

I worked doggedly all my waking hours today. This morning I unhemmed, cut off and rehemmed four skirts. I don't know why I didn't do that in the first place. I'm still typing my research paper. I don't think I'll use my "original" original oratory. I could use about ten more vacation days. Washington beat Minnesota in the Rose Bowl.

1961 Reads the Same Both Ways - Sunday, January 1, 1961

Here it is 1961, one of the few years that can be read upside down. I'll finish "school" and start to college and goodness knows what all else. It seems as if at least half of our New Years we are at Cuddebacks. We were down there with Stouts tonight for ice cream. We had the annual meeting in church today. Phyllis was elected Sunday School secretary to take my place since I'll be leaving. I did some more typing on my research paper.

The Decade of Man in Space - Saturday, December 31, 1960

It's New Year's Eve, and I'm not babysitting, traveling or anything. But I think I'm too tired to stay up. I got a seven page typewritten start on my research paper. I worked on my Sunday School report all morning and took it up to Mr. Peters in the Dodge. It started rolling down the street when I got out. They had the Ford in town. Taking a trip always takes a hunk out of vacation, but who cares! Thus ends 1960, the first year of  "The Decade of Man in Space".

Science Project - Friday, December 30, 1960

I hardly did a thing all day. I forgot that the annual reports should probably be ready for Sunday's meeting, so I'm trying to get mine finished up. I tried doing a little on my science project but with no luck. However, I decided I'm not going to attempt an Otswald color solid. It would take ten years and then be almost meaningless, I think.

Mom and Berea - Thursday, December 29, 1960

We got home about 8:30 tonight. Dale had the lights on, the house just like home, and the mail on the table. I drove some on the turnpike again, this time in Indiana. I started writing my original oratory speech. We stopped at Mom's cousin Ira's in Oberlin, Ohio this morning. He's the one who's responsible for Mom going to Berea. It's good to see things--Christmas tree, room, etc.--just like we left them, as though I thought they'd change!

Short Wave Radio - Wednesday, December 28, 1960

Ruthie and Bob and Mr. Lorah (and the cat--which stayed in the car) stopped to visit at Grandma's at noon time. In the morning Phyllis and I walked to the shopping center. I got post cards and have written several, including one in French to Shirley Bush. We went ice skating again. Rene, next door, gave us a pair of majorette boots. I think I'll be a majorette at Park! Tonight we listened to George's short wave radio. Something about a "female dragged away from phone"!

Mom's High School - Tuesday, December 27, 1960

Tonight I went with my pen pal Patty Holecek to a basketball game at Mom's old high school. Lakewood played West Tech and they were both undefeated in six games. Lakewood led the whole way and then West Tech won by four points. It was sure fun. Phyllis and I walked over to Holeceks this afternoon to take Patty a pillow, but she was working. We visited with Mrs. Holecek. All of us visited with Aunt Nell and Mrs. Clause this morning, and in the afternooon went ice skating on a pond in Westgate. The rest of them drove downtown to see the city Christmas lights, but I was at the game.