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.

A White Convertible with a Red Interior - Saturday, August 31, 1963

What a day! Evelyn drove Flo and me into North Kansas City to shop this morning. Evelyn and I got some cute red and white striped curtains with borders of roosters and a rooster lamp for our room. Becky and I moved part of the stuff I left here for the summer over here, then I finished up with the help of two obviously rich freshman boys from the east and their white convertible with a red interior. Becky and I watched the faculty and student sponsors vs. freshmen softball game and the upperclassmen vs. freshmen softball game and kept score for the latter. There was a party in the J.R. tonight. I had fun talking to several upperclass guys I've always wanted to know better!!!

Made LLC Favors For Rush Week - Friday, August 30, 1963

This morning I went over to Herr House and greeted Flo by waking her up. She and I then went to the J.R. for her breakfast. J.R. food is nearly all vending machines this year. We then got to talking about our LLC rush party with George Bruner. The three of us checked out the river, had Cokes at the drug store in Parkville, and then checked out Deer Park. We plan to have our party there. Karen and I had a yearbook meeting and we accomplished some things. I rearranged our room and unpacked the suitcase I brought along this afternoon. Tonight Flo, George, Rog, Becky and I made LLC favors. Becky's transferring to LLCs from ACCs. There are quite a few upperclass kids here.

Am Back at Park, in Stephens - Thursday, August 29, 1963

Here I am back at Park, this time in Stephens Cottage, the women's honor dorm. I spent the day packing - so far I've only discovered one thing I really forgot - my alarm clock. Mom and the girls took me to Fairfield after their first day of school. I got on the train at 6:45, about an hour late. My two trunks, three suitcases, and a box are being checked through to Parkville. Evelyn and Jim met my train. Jim seems so different when Margie isn't around. Barb Page is the only one here now besides me. Evelyn is still at her home northeast of Parkville. Barb and I got in a good visit. She and Carol Patterson have been here since Monday. I think I'll make up my bottom bunk. Evelyn said she'd take the top. They had the college page ... "compiled by Barbara McDowell" ... in tonight's Journal.

Will Get Journal Subscription at Park - Wednesday, August 28, 1963

Gone is what has been the fastest summer yet, even if I have had over four months. We girls went to town this morning. I paid for my Pendletons and used my $5.00 gift certificate to get a pair of red corduroy Bermudas. I also got the blue skirt to match the sweater I got in Iowa City. I paid for my Journal subscription which Dave Elder let me have for half price of the regular $6.75 student rate. I sewed on my dress - all but the buttons, buttonholes, hem and belt - I don't know if I'll finish it before I go or not. We're glad to know the railways won't go on strike tonight at midnight. That would have complicated things.

To My First Martini is Autographed - Tuesday, August 27, 1963

We went in to see "Summer Magic" tonight. It was cute, starring Hayley Mills. I cut out my pinkish bark cloth dress this morning, but with Virginia busy sewing I didn't get to it. I mowed some more grass. I took Oneita Fisher's book of twelve poems, To My First Martini, over to her house this afternoon to have her autograph it for me. We talked writing, etc. She's going to try to do the text for a history supplement on the 5th-6th grade level. I got to read part of the manuscript which she just started this afternoon. The college kids will like her poems. Carolyn Reed is going to live with Pattons in Hilltop House this year.

Boys on First Floor of Herr House - Monday, August 26, 1963

We girls went to Iowa City to shop today. I got a pair of brown loafers, three pairs of hose and two of socks, two bras, soft blue pullover sweater, and gold beads and earrings to go with my Pendleton. Vivien has consented to our making my bridesmaid's dress, so it looks like I will be in her wedding in Oklahoma on December 28. I also got a letter from Evelyn. She and Jim have been going together most of the summer. Herr House is going to have boys on the first floor. Boy-girl ratio will be 3:1.

Blattners Came to See Slides of Park - Sunday, August 25, 1963

We had Blattners down tonight for refreshments and to see Park College slides. The boys didn't come along. We certainly haven't had many people coming to church - hardly any kids in Sunday School anymore. Last night Betty Peters and Rev. Peters put up about eight signs, "Absolutely No Smoking Please." They'll show up in the wedding pictures.