**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.
Forgot to Bring Address Book Home from Park - Tuesday, December 22, 1964
Phyllis and I went to the two girls basketball games tonight. We played Harmony. For a vacation, there weren't too many there from college. Linda Severt from my class, then Nancy, Curt and Junean were about the only ones. The days go so fast when Phyllis and I are "entertaining" ourselves. I wrote a few letters to send with Christmas cards. I forgot to bring my address book home, so I may be missing some I usually send cards to.
Went to West Chester School Christmas Program - Monday, December 21, 1964
I went with Mom and Dad to the West Chester school Christmas program tonight. I enjoyed watching it from a "professional" point of view. I talked with Mr. Fordyce who is the elementary school principal now about our two school systems. I sat next to Marion. I saw Mom's room and talked briefly with Arthur Lampe who's seeing the world via the Navy. Evelyn sent me the cutest Raggedy Ann doll for Christmas. I opened Phyl's belated birthday gift to me - a pretty white half slip. This afternoon I sent some cards.
Long Distance Telephoning is Matter-of-Fact - Sunday, December 20, 1964
Mom is talking to Aunt Jane. Long distance is really matter-of-fact these days. We're planning to go to Pittsburgh for Christmas! Evelyn is there now visiting Jim, but she'll be leaving before we get there. Tonight we went to church for the Christmas program. Phyllis and I narrated it - about Christmas customs around the world. This afternoon I felt too lazy to do much. I helped make a few spritz cookies, read, and looked at Christmas cards. I've got to get busy and get my own sent.
Went to The Washington Evening Journal Office - Saturday, December 19, 1964
Phyllis, Virginia and I took Linda and Abbie to the show, Lawrence of Arabia, tonight. I hadn't known much about the show, but I didn't care that much for it. We went to town this morning to finish up our Christmas shopping. I had Mr. Osincup look at my camera that wouldn't flash. The Parkville drugstore had sold me one bad battery. I also stopped past the Journal office to see Dorothy and Dallas since I didn't see them at Thanksgiving. We put up the Christmas tree this afternoon - we were late this year.
Train Was 3 1/2 Hours Late Leaving Union Station - Friday, December 18, 1964
My train was three and a half hours late today so I got to Fairfield at 7:00 tonight. But at least a day time delay beats having to wait all night. I got up at 4:30 and finished my paper at 9:00. I took it down to Dr. Pai's office (he wasn't there) after finding a clamp type folder at the bookstore. Then I hurried back to pack, and Chuck Young took me to the station at 10:30. It's good to be home again. I always like, among other things, looking at Christmas cards.
Paper for Dr. Pai Will Include an Appendix - Thursday, December 17, 1964
I'm racing against time, but with my continued rate of perseverance I should be able to finish my paper for Dr. Pai without much trouble in the morning. It's 12:30, and I'll get up at 4:30. I've decided to include some of the tests and other information in an "appendix" at the end. I hope the bookstore will have a folder to hold it all. Evelyn and I did a good job with our oral presentation for music, I think. I finished my music paper (21 pages) this morning. Mr. Chronister had me type the Education 301 test.
Wrote Six Pages, Began Revising Another Paper - Wednesday, December 16, 1964
I wrote the introduction (six pages) of my paper for Dr. Pai and then began revising my paper for Mr. Chronister. Time is the problem once again. I don't know if it's worth it or not. For all my conscientious efforts, I missed 12 on the art final. There were 6 scores above mine, 7 below, I noticed. I don't know if I can still get an A for that course now or not. Honestly, I've never come closer to my chance for making the Dean's List. It would be nice once. I met Mrs. Gatton at the post office at 8:30 this morning to get a book I wanted.
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