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.

1864's 6 Degrees Record Broken - Thursday, March 24, 1960

We had family night tonight with a shower for Frieda and Gary and a celebration for the Harley's 50th wedding anniversary. We gave them two blankets and Gary some safety pins. Today it broke the all time record for this date of 6 degrees in 1864. I think I'm finally catching up. I even got a column written.

Decorating the Church Basement - Wednesday, March 23, 1960

We've been up decorating the church basement tonight for Frieda and Gary's baby shower and the Harley's 50th anniversary tomorrow night. Mom is at the lodge training school they've postponed so many times. I guess I'll try writing a column. My third quarter grades were English - A, history - A, physics - B, and geometry - C.

An Outer Space Theme - Tuesday, March 22, 1960

I worked from after supper on doing Monday's makeup in geometry. We have started the plans for the banquet and prom. I had to write and tell Mr. Pugl we "couldn't afford" him for the prom. We have to give some money to Wellman! We have an outer space theme in lavender and silver. I'm sending for more information about a work camp in August - a United Presbyterian one.

No Trucks and Buses on Gravel Roads - Monday, March 21, 1960

Oh, it's cold again. I've got so much history and geometry to do, counting make up for Friday. If I survive the school year - ha! The county isn't going to let trucks and buses go on the gravel roads when they're not frozen. Parents will have to take their kids to the highway or to school. Mom went to Wellman to judge a WCTU speech contest.

A Blackboard Talk for Sunday School - Sunday, March 20, 1960

I woke up feeling okay again after one of the "sickest" nights and days I've ever had, so I guess it was something I ate. In Sunday School closing exercises I gave a blackboard talk. It really wasn't too bad. We had youth fellowship and it was our turn for refreshments. We forgot until today that we did. Mom got Pepsi at the gas station and we took our potato chips.

Suite Where Kruschev Stayed - Saturday, March 19, 1960

Of all days, I had to wake up in the middle of the night with a splitting stomach ache. I threw up (in the bathroom of Hotel Fort Des Moines!). I hope I didn't spoil anybody's day besides mine - I've lived on tea and Tums. I had a good enough time though seeing the presidential suite where Kruschev stayed and enjoying the meeting - installation, etc. I took Gerry home after she came here for awhile. It was she who got me turned around down at her place! I do not want another strawberry malt. Ugh--.

FHA State Convention - Friday, March 18, 1960

I got up at 6:00 and Gerry, Sheryl, Mrs. Small, Mrs. Kleinschmidt and I got to Des Moines about 9:00. After we registered we went to the meeting (got there late). We elected officers - Gerry and I were right on all but one. We had a lovely banquet (chicken) and program - some pantomimers we'd like to have for our prom, and some Grinnell College boys sang. In our spare time we wrote postcards, ate, rode elevators, hiked the town, hunted pizza "at midnight" and griped over having to share a room with our elders.