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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.

Grandpa Turns First Spade for High School - Wednesday, June 28, 1961

This morning we went over to watch the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new high school and to see Grandpa turn the first spade. The other board members (but Grandpa resigned this spring) turned a shovelful, too. Mr. Driscoll and the [Washington (Iowa) Evening] Journal photographer were there. Virginia and I had piano lessons. That week sure goes fast. Mom shortened my hair some. It's hot again. Still no rain.

A Smith-Corona Typewriter for Graduation - Tuesday, June 27, 1961

I have just discovered that Virginia wrote at the bottom of this page. I used her rollers to set my hair after Mom gave me a permanent. I got my typewriter in Iowa City this morning. It's a Smith-Corona Star-Mist Blue Galaxie. It's sure nice. I bought a new lamp for my room, Magic Mascara, and mom got me some pants for college. I just put a film into my camera. I'm going to try one more film in spite of the dusty lens. It's been a long time since I loaded my camera. I talked with Jerolyn and Mrs. Kleinschmidt in Kresge's.


Movie is Civil War Centennial Edition - Monday, June 26, 1961

We went to see "Gone With the Wind" tonight. Now I've met another of my "life-time goals." They brought it out this year for the Civil War Centennial. It's a good show, but Scarlet O'Hara sure is spoiled. Mom and Dad saw it their first year at Berea. I almost saw it my first year of college. I drove for putting up some hay this morning, but Daddy let us go to town this afternoon. I swam for about an hour, then went uptown to get curtain material and white terry cloth for a house coat. Mary is staying all night with Virginia.

The United Presbyterian Mission Program - Sunday, June 25, 1961

We went to church tonight to hear two Iowa City men explain the United Presbyterian mission program. The U.P. colleges were mentioned some. We've just learned the exciting news that Grandpa gets to turn the first spade of dirt Wednesday in the ground breaking of the new high school. It just occurred to me that I never indent when I start writing in this diary. Great discovery, huh? Scott Calvin's name is no longer Scott Calvin but Shawn Calvin. They changed it before it was recorded.

Baling Hay Where the Pasture Used To Be - Saturday, June 24, 1961

On Monday morning I resolved that I'd clean my room and get three or more pairs of shorts ready for replaced zippers. I never saw a week go faster. I'm still on the last stages of my room cleaning. At least the general idea is neater. We baled hay in the "pasture" (it used to be a pasture but has been a field for quite a while now) field this afternoon. We had a brief shower at noon. They took Darlene home. She was here  48 hours. Phyllis drove to Chester this morning.

Highest Grade on Driver Training Written Test - Friday, June 23, 1961

Phyllis finished the classroom part of driver training today. She thinks she had the highest grade on the major written test - like I did. Van Winkles were here for a little while this afternoon. Marilyn sure has a tan. It was a good opportunity to get some talking done. I haven't seen her alone for a long time. Phyllis and I spent a long time going through my things and I decided what I'd throw away. Mom said I might as well keep some of the things I might like to keep a while longer in a grocery box. Scott Calvin Parcell is our newest cousin.

Mom is in Iowa City All Day - Thursday, June 22, 1961

It doesn't seem possible that it's Thursday again already. I just wrote to Mrs. Cowan but it seems like I'm forgetting something. Daddy and Phyllis skipped dinner and went out to bale. Dale and Grandpa were here. Daddy was afraid it was going to rain within an hour. No such luck. We need rain. I drove for unloading - here, this time. Mom spent the day in Iowa City, seeing Dr. Spitzer, her advisor, etc. I got dinner.