**nightly entries written by a coming-of-age girl who became a woman from Washington County Iowa**
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.
Took Twins' Portrait to Novotny's Studio - Saturday, June 1, 1963
It was a nice first day of June. I took the Sobaski twins' bridal photo to Novotny's to find out which one was which. No one had put which name belonged with which girl or anything - I had fears of something like that coming up. So far I have three weddings for this weekend written. The Novotnys have been to so many weddings they really had some funny (and some not so funny) experiences to tell me! Everything from fainting grooms to an "I have to go potty" (and he did!) ring bearer! I mowed grass this afternoon and this evening.
Honor Society Alumni Banquet - Friday, May 31, 1963
The Mid-Prairie Honor Society alumni banquet was tonight at the Kolonial Town House in Kalona. It was very nice. Judy, Linda, and the two Shirleys were there from our class. I gave the alumni response. Mr. Vander Voort spoke on "Let There Be No Night." They are leaving the district after this year for Illinois. There was a nice bunch of local news items again today and another possible lead for a feature story. Maybe if I can work this one in next week, I can also talk to Mr. Carris about his old musical instruments some time. Brad Kiesey took the two Lindas, Phyllis and me tonight.
Saw Flag Raising and Parade Around Square - Thursday, May 30, 1963
It was nice to see a Washington Memorial Day celebration. They were raising the flag at the post office just as I got to the Journal office, so I stood and watched during the bugle call, raising, and returning to half mast. Then at 10:00 I went out with Dorothy and Olive to watch the parade around the square. The Journal went to press at 11:30 so I had the afternoon off. I started sewing my green and blue print dress. Phyllis and Virginia went with the band kids to Lake McBride this afternoon after they had marched at the cemeteries.
Helped Portray "A Day at School" - Wednesday, May 29, 1963
Mom, Dad and I went to the West Chester School's reception for Kepharts tonight. I had to be on the program. Two teams of five each took part in "a day at school" with arithmetic, reading, spelling and history classes. We had a lot of fun and it was a really nice reception. I got to talk to several of the kids I haven't seen in a while including Rosemary. Even though she's a typesetter and I hang all my news on her hook, I never have much chance to really talk to her. I helped do chores tonight. I gave Phyl a jacket with hood (white with red gingham) for her birthday.
We Saw Virginia in All-School Play - Tuesday, May 28, 1963
We went to Wellman tonight to see Virginia in the all-school play, "The Birds and the Boys," the one we were going to do as seniors but then dropped when we didn't have time. Virginia was one of the photographers, no speaking and only in about the last five minutes. Mary Dunbar was "Beanie," the part that I was going to have. Well, I'm glad that play finally got presented! I talked to Nancy Statler tonight. She sounds as if she'd rather work than go to college. Working is fun, but I wouldn't give up college. The West Chester fifth grade toured the Journal office this afternoon.
Interviewed U.S. High School Band Member - Monday, May 27, 1963
This afternoon I went out to Roland's house on the east edge of Washington to get information from Judy who will be a member of the United States of America High School Band this summer and travel throughout the southern United States. She'll be a junior next year and plays alto sax. My article about Don Marek in Haiti was used on the front page along with another article on Haiti. Grandma and Grandpa left for Virginia today. Mom and Dad went to the Amanas tonight for a school supper for Vander Voorts and Kepharts. Phyllis and Virginia are at yearbook staff and play practice.
Finished Typing Phyllis's Physics Paper - Sunday, May 26, 1963
This afternoon all of us except Daddy went to the church for the WRC Memorial Day program. Virginia and Phyllis played in the band, which playing they helped to get organized after we got home from church, as no one seemed to know much about who was going to do what until Carmen called Mr. Eddy. I finished typing Phyllis's physics research paper for her. I had the closing mission study for Sunday School since Rosemary wasn't able to be there.
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