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.
A Tour of the Iowa State Penitentiary - Thursday, August 24, 1961
Today the youth fellowship toured the state penitentiary at Fort Madison. We saw the dining room where there are row upon row of counter-like tables all facing the front and set with metal plates and cups and a cell in one of the maximum security buildings. The cells were four rows high. We saw the Protestant chapel, their recreation area, a glance at their industries, and their school. Some of them really have talent in things like art, electronics, and preparation of Braille books for the blind. You wonder why some of those ordinary looking men are there. Phyllis, Daddy and I took the Hole girls. I bought a black pleated skirt.
A Long Owed Visit is Paid to Norma - Wednesday, August 23, 1961
We put up the rest of the hay in one field this afternoon. I paid Norma a "long owed" visit and then took her some peaches. Now I don't feel so guilty. I sewed this morning and hemmed up another skirt and wrote a letter this evening. Mom went to a Seifferts style show that the Lodge is sponsoring at the school. She was on the refreshment committee. I can't find my January 1-6 diary text that I wrote on separate paper before I got this diary.
Mom Starts Teachers' Meetings - Tuesday, August 22, 1961
I spent a lot of the day sewing on my dress. I'm trying to be really careful with it so that it will be especially nice. Virginia had Julia and Mary here this afternoon. Mom had teachers' meetings today as she will all week. Part of the time she'll be working in her room though. I never saw a faster summer (seems like they just got out of school) or faster year. Those reddish-purple four cents stamps have finally come into style. Magenta is one of the fashion rages this fall. I wrote a letter to Carol Martin. Yesterday Mom painted my initials on some of my things and painted their old brown luggage blue.
A 20th Anniversary Cake for Mom and Dad - Monday, August 21, 1961
This is Mom and Dad's 20th wedding anniversary. Phyllis, Virginia and I went to the dentist this afternoon. I had two fillings and Phyllis one. I hadn't had any in quite a while. He has a new kind of drill that sprays water when he drills and hardly hurts at all. After we kids pooled our money for a cake mix and frosting for their anniversary cake we walked around town with only three cents to our name. We were able to use the services of the library though. I wrote to Phyllis Crone. She's at Paris Beauty Academy in Cedar Rapids.
Peggy and Keith's House and Property - Sunday, August 20, 1961
We went to the root beer stand for dinner, then came home and decided to go down to Peggy and Keith's. Keith had gone fishing, but Peggy showed us the way out to the house and property they are going to buy south of town. The house looks kind of run down, but it is big and can be fixed up nicely. I'm on my third cartridge pen. If this one gets taken I think I'll croak! I wrote to Merry Lee Dean and Sandy Mossiman (Big Sister co-chairman) hoping one of them can straighten out who's to be my "Big Sister."
Still Shopping for Things for College - Saturday, August 19, 1961
All the things Mom has bought me for college! Everything we got today were things I need and a lot of it we were lucky to get on sale: my iron, waste paper basket, summer and winter hats and gloves, two purses, fountain pen, key case, green belt for my dress (which I finished making tonight), alarm clock, slip, three bras, swim suit and cap, and car coat buttons. It's just like Christmas (and probably will be my Christmas!). Mom said the kids would be wearing dresses made from dish towels! I started cutting out my winter dress. I decided to do it on the back side of the material.
Grandpa Borrows "I Dare You" to Read - Friday, August 18, 1961
Not much did I really accomplish today. This morning I mowed some grass. This afternoon I rested and hemmed a skirt. It has been a hot day and we're all tired from all the company being here. Aunt Bertha is out at Grandma's. I took Grandpa my "I Dare Yo" book to read. He wanted to borrow it. Now a pair of intricately horned little moths are visiting me. They have dainty feather-like antennae. Mary is home with Virginia. Mom froze peaches. Daddy mowed weeds. Phyllis consented to "home typing lessons"!?!
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