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.
Others Thought Meteorite Speech was Good - Tuesday, October 24, 1961
This is getting comical! Karen Bentson is in our room tonight and Terry Seelye was in here last night. Why? Because Vivien keeps finding someone who would rather sleep than study - so they trade places. We got our proofs back. I think I'll use the side view. The others have sort of funny expressions. The French records came today. They were $9.50 rather than $7.00 - so that means $4.75. I'll probably buy the other half from Barb at the end of the year. I'm floored! They thought my speech on the meteorite was very good, perhaps "too well prepared" - and I didn't even begin it till last night!
Preparing for Another Speech - Monday, October 23, 1961
This afternoon I looked up some books in the library to find a picture resembling our meteorite. I really found some interesting books on the subject, and I saw several titles on life on other planets. I hope my speech will suffice but if we're not supposed to memorize them I can hardly see how we can "practice!" Dr. Hampl gave us an impromptu French quiz. I figured she would but I hadn't studied quite hard enough and missed a few. Some had blank or nearly blank papers though. We've sure been having some beautiful fall days. I suppose one of these days the snow will fly.
52 New Members Join the Campus Church - Sunday, October 22, 1961
We got Kay off this afternoon. I'm glad she didn't try to go on the 9:15 train. I joined the campus church this morning. There were 52 new members. Vivien's name wasn't called. I don't think she got her questionnaire in on time. Mr. and Mrs. Nix left at noon and most of the other parents, girl friends and boy friends have gone. We went to the chamber orchestra concert in Alumni Hall this afternoon. It was so interesting to see an orchestra in person. The bonfire and club sing were called off because of the wind. I'm back to the homework grind.
Another Busy Harvest Festival Day and Night - Saturday, October 21, 1961
The LEC float got third place. I do believe our senior class float was better than the first place float. Jay Pooley dreamed the idea for the winning LLC float - "Gone with the Wind". Tabor beat us 2-0 in soccer. It is an interesting, active game. Kay has to go home on the train tomorrow and I can't get the college operator or figure out the timetable to see what time she'll have to leave. Hope she and Beth Purdy don't miss the train! Vivien's folks got here at lunch time. I played the role of "mother" tonight zipping formals, lending items, getting corsages, etc. I should study but I think I'll get to sleep before the gang gets in.
A Bright But Exhausting Harvest Festival Day - Friday, October 20, 1961
This has been a bright but exhausting Harvest Festival day. This morning I got up and got the room ready for Kay. She got here about 10:30 (came on a private plane from Omaha). She's 16 and real nice. This afternoon we saw part of the pep rally, cross country, went to the dedication of Dearing Hall, and tonight we saw the Park Singers and the pageant depicting the life of Col. George S. Park and the founding of Parkville and the college. Margie and I spent about 20 minutes stuffing napkins on the LEC float. Quite a contrast to last year but it sure reminded me of it.
Harvest Festival is Underway - Thursday, October 19, 1961
Vivien is in the infirmary because of her sinuses. I didn't even know she was up there until after dinner. I went up to see her after biology. She thinks she can come home in the morning. It is going to be a picnic sleeping a little later since there are no classes tomorrow. I got some real good colored pictures today if I just didn't move my camera. Tonight the band gave a real good concert along with the king and queen crowning - Paul Thackaberry and Carolyn DeFriend. Jay Pooley's sister is coming to visit him for Harvest Festival. She is going to stay in this room and Vivien will go up to stay with Gloria Brown.
Turned Down a Date With Naaman - Wednesday, October 18, 1961
I have just spent the last of the money (70 cents) Mom and Dad originally gave me when I came to Park for pizza. Now I'll have to cash the check they sent me. I'm going to pass my art test tomorrow if it kills me and food will help hunger. I made a trip to Parkville this afternoon to get some distilled water for my steam iron, some sandpaper, and to inquire about Parkville-Kansas City Trailways bus trips. I hope nobody thought my jug had gin in it! Naaman from Kenya asked me, "Would you take me to the arrangement for Saturday night?" (Harvest Festival dance) but I told him I couldn't go. Some of the girls think I should have gone with him, but I was feeling shy since I've never gone on a formal date.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)