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.
Parcells Came Past After Wedding - Saturday, May 11, 1963
Peggy and Keith, Sonja and Shari were here tonight for a few minutes to see our house after they had been to Karla's wedding. Sonja was the flower girl. Rikki and Shawn had gone home with Grandpa and Grandma. I just worked half a day today. It sort of rushes things when they go to press at noon. I went shopping and bought a blue slim skirt and brown and white print dress with brown wood buttons and gathered sleeves. I finished the one I'm making except for the hem. Tomorrow I should get it hemmed (on Sunday!), write at least three letters, and finish Karla's wedding write-up.
Learned About Club News From Mr. Morris - Friday, May 10, 1963
Well, I guess I'll be making up for not having any Saturday classes all year by having to get up to work on Saturdays (mornings only). Today Mr. Morris gave me an evaluation of my club news. I'm glad, because now I know more what is wanted. Most of the things he suggested I should leave out, I haven't been too impressed with putting in anyway, but then those dear old ladies and their clubs. It's a whirlwind affair taking all their reports over the phone. Today I had a mistake - I had the Women of the Moose meeting at the OES Hall rather than the IOOF! Phyllis and Virginia are at a school dance.
Society Page Looked Good - Thursday, May 9, 1963
I got along splendidly for my first day on my own. The society page looked good tonight, too. I had a lot of club news today. I was busy all morning taking phone calls. Karla Parcell brought her wedding information sheet in today. She has a lovely wedding portrait. It will be nice to have hers as my first wedding write-up. It's fun going around to all the stores and asking for news items. My social security number came today. They had the West Chester kindergarten round-up at school. Last night Phyllis helped with Mid-Prairie's initiation service for English Valley honor society members.
Mrs. Luckenbill's Last Day of Work - Wednesday, May 8, 1963
I think I am really going to like working at the Journal office. I got on to the routine of things more today. Of course, I can always expect un-routine things. This was Mrs. Luckenbill's last day, so tomorrow I'm on my own. I finished the "30-40 Years Ago" items today, got all the news that was in typed, and started tomorrow's social calendar items. I met the people on the west side of the square today. Everyone is so friendly. All at the Journal are aware of the fact that I'm the third Barbara - Barbara Shannon and Barbara Glassburner were there before me. We had choir practice tonight.
Getting Acquainted with Journal Job - Tuesday, May 7, 1963
I started to work for the Journal today. It's going to be a really nice job. Mrs. Luckenbill, whose place I am taking for the summer, helped me get acquainted with the job. I wrote a local, did some typing of club news, engagements and took "society" phone calls, went with her around the square (lots of locals can be gotten from the store people) where she introduced me to everybody, and started the "10-20-30-40 Years Ago" column for Saturday's paper. I ate lunch at the root beer stand. Tonight Ann, Mom, Dad and I went out to the bottom land at Grandma's to walk and enjoy the evening while Daddy dug a ditch.
Will Start Work Tomorrow - Monday, May 6, 1963
I called Mr. Morris back this morning like I was supposed to. I'm supposed to go in tomorrow to start work. A little while later the Ross plant called to see if I was still interested in a job in there. I'm glad these offers came in the order they did. To think, I had almost given up hope on both of them. I got a letter from Evelyn. I mowed the rest of the grass this afternoon.
Began Typing Phyllis's Physics Paper - Sunday, May 5, 1963
This afternoon I began typing Phyllis's physics research paper for her. If they're in science club they can write their research papers on their science projects so hers is on "Anemias of Red Blood Cells." She got an honorable mention on it at the science fair. I finished writing to Mrs. MacDonald. I should also write to Marilyn. I should try to see her before she goes back to Florida. I think she's going to school down there next year. We listened to a distant whip-poor-will out the back door tonight.
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