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.

Can Have Journal Job Again - Saturday, August 24, 1963

Betty Weerman's wedding tonight was very nice. Betty Peters, Phyllis and I were in charge of the gifts. We appreciated Virginia and Ann's added help. I kept an eye on the bridesmaids so that if I am in Vivien's, I'll know about what to do. This afternoon I made the jacket to go with my orange sheath dress and wore both tonight. I stayed at the Journal office till almost 1:00 finishing up the college page. I can have the job again next summer. It has really been enjoyable. I'm going to miss going to work Monday morning.

Used New Skewers for Shish-Kabobs - Friday, August 23, 1963

It is raining softly. Mom and Dad have gone to Betty Weerman's wedding rehearsal party. I worked till 5:00 on the college page and wrote up three weddings tonight. I wrote to Evelyn today, asking her if she could meet my train next Thursday night. We had a barbeque tonight and used the new skewers for shish-kabobs. Mom got a trunk on sale in Wards so I'll have another one to take things on the train in.

Won a $5.00 Gift Certificate - Thursday, August 22, 1963

Phyllis, Virginia and I went in to the Seifert's style show tonight. I won one of their ten $5.00 gift certificates for a door prize. Funny thing, we had been joking that I wouldn't write the style show up for the paper unless I got a door prize, and I had been teasing Jan to write my name in the book as the next winner. I haven't decided what to use it for. I'm still calling people for the college page. Esteps left this morning. This has been a fast, wonderful summer. A week from now I'll be back at Park.

Interviewed by KCII "Man on the Street" - Wednesday, August 21, 1963

Schwartzes left this morning. Mom, Dad and Phyllis took them to the train. We had Esteps here for supper, and then everybody went out to Grandma and Grandpa's for ice cream and cake for Mom and Dad's 22nd anniversary. I  started calling people for the college page - I finally got around to it after going to renew my driver's license at 4:00. I averaged one call every five minutes. I suppose in the long run it's as easy as their phoning in themselves, interrupting my regular morning work. But then I can expect phone calls constantly on my job anyway. I was interviewed by the KCII [Kleanest City in Iowa] "Man on the Street" yesterday on what I thought of Iowa's traffic death rate.

Took Schwartzes to the Captain's Table - Tuesday, August 20, 1963

We took Schwartzes to the Captain's Table tonight for what was a real nice supper. Everyone else had catfish or shrimp but I had chicken. After we ate Phyllis and I went to the miniature golf course where the Y-Whizzers went tonight. Phyllis and I played the second time around with Bob Davis and Ben Leeper. They're real nice. I do hope I get the college page done, but I'm having lots to do this week and haven't gotten around to calling those who didn't call in yet. I got Mom and Dad a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook (barbecue) for their anniversary on behalf of us girls, and some nice half-price stationery for myself.

Tried to Have Picnic by Covered Bridge - Monday, August 19, 1963

We drove to Delta tonight and were going to have a picnic by the covered bridge. They were doing construction work on it and we couldn't drive the cars across. While some of us got the food ready, the others attempted to drive the long way around to the other side, but didn't make it. And David had a bad stomach ache, so we came home without eating. A long way to go just to set out a picnic and come back without eating! Bob Elliot has gone to reserves camp. My feature articles may get published yet. It finally sounds a little more hopeful again.

Parcells Were Here For Dinner - Sunday, August 18, 1963

We had Parcells up for dinner so they could have a chance to visit with the Schwartzes. Peters are in Minnesota, so we didn't have church or Sunday School. Esteps have been at Grandma's since yesterday afternoon, so all the relatives were at Cuddebacks for supper tonight. They showed some movies. Martin is a real cute little boy. I wrote to Flo and Roger that I could be there early to help with rush. It's still cold. But I will have to pretend I don't mind cold weather - around someone in particular.