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.

Evelyn and Jim were There to Meet my Train - Sunday, January 3, 1965

I went from my "home schedule" back to my "college schedule" with the greatest of ease. About ten of us in Stephens are back - as if we never left. We took Sharon with us to Fairfield this afternoon. Phyllis and her train left at 4:25 after "hundreds" of Parsons College kids had gotten off. Parcells came past while we were waiting in the car and we talked to Peggy and Keith for a few minutes. My train (6:45) was only fifteen minutes late. Evelyn and Jim had come to meet me when I got in at 10:00.

Finally Made the Dean's List at Park College - Saturday, January 2, 1965

I finally made the Dean's List at Park! After waiting out the suspense all vacation, I had all but given up hope of my grades coming today, but they did. In student teaching I got an A- and A in philosophy of education, A- in art for elementary teachers, and B+ in music for elementary teachers. Those were the grades I thought I deserved, but I just couldn't be sure. We went out to Grandma's for supper tonight. This afternoon Mom and I drove to Iowa City (while the girls and Daddy rode horses) to see if we could find some books from Phyl's textbook list, but the bookstores were closed for inventory.

Saw Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl Parades and Games - Friday, January 1, 1965

We had a quiet New Year's Day watching the Cotton Bowl and Rose Bowl parades and games. Michigan beat Oregon in the Rose Bowl, and Arkansas beat Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl. It's been so long since I've seen a football game, I really enjoyed it. I still like soccer though. Tonight Cuddebacks had us there for supper. I visited with Mom and Marion while "the kids played" upstairs. This was a rainy, gray and foggy day. If it were to be any indication of the year ahead, it would be rather dismal!

We Brought in 1965 with Pizza, Teem and Olives - Thursday, December 31, 1964

At the time of this writing it is actually 1965. Linda and Sharon were here to help us bring it in - we had pizza and watched television. Abbie, Nancy and Jim were here for a few minutes. Later we had a "toast" with Teem, olives and our crystal goblets, and Linda took some movies. Earlier we took Virginia to Wellman for a party at Godloves. This afternoon we went out to visit Grandma for a little while. My grades still didn't come. I got out my teacher's application and rules for the Instructor Magazine children's story contest - but that's about all. Thus I end what has been, I feel, a very interesting and quite eventful diary.

Went for a Ride in the 1954 Car Jim Has Now - Wednesday, December 30, 1964

When I opened the Duncans sack that my white dress was in, I discovered someone else's white blouse had been put in by mistake, so I took it back in this afternoon. They were happy to get it back. I exchanged my size 36 navy Christmas blouse for a 34 at Penneys and got two packages of half price Christmas cards, then came home. Jim and Larry were here with the 1954 car Jim has now. It looks like a sports car. He took me for a short ride to see what it is like. Sharon was here for a while.

Photo of Nic's Fiancee was in Saturday's Journal - Tuesday, December 29, 1964

We girls, Linda, Abbie and Bonnie went to the show, Youngblood Hawke, tonight. It was pretty good. We went to the Dari-Delite afterwards. We went to town this morning. I got a white wool sheath dress on sale for $10 at Duncans, a pair of black flats at Spurgeons, and a gold chain bracelet for my Who's Who charm. I thought sure my grades would be here by now. The picture of the girl Nic Walker is going to marry in February was in Saturday's Journal. I never thought I would be one to date a guy between his two engagements, all within a year's time.

From Pittsburgh to West Chester in 12 Hours - Sunday, December 28, 1964

We are home again, apparently none the worse for the wear. This house is so easy to come home to - a few switches and it's just the way we left it. We left Pittsburgh about 6:00 their time and got home at 6:45 (including time out for supper at the new Dari-Delite in Washington). I've been "annoying" my sisters with my giddy laughing outbursts ("cackling" as they call it). If I didn't have a good reason for my alternating moments of depression (time of month) I'd be worried about myself.

Saw Slides of Canandaigua Lake, Maine and Europe - Sunday, December 27, 1964

I'm about to lose all track of time. This was Sunday but it seemed like an ordinary day since we didn't go to church. And then when we only eat two meals (more or less) a day, it becomes even more confusing. Ann Gaylord came for 4:30 dinner. She teaches elementary art and social studies. I like her. She has a mind of her own, does a lot, and is independent. She showed slides of Canandaigua Lake in Upstate New York where Mom, Jane and Grandma Kay first knew her, of Maine and of Europe. Some of us drove around the North Hills area of Pittsburgh this afternoon.

Called Evelyn's Boyfriend, Talked for 15 Minutes - Saturday, December 26, 1964

This was a leisurely day of fun and visiting. I've felt sort of lazy though. This afternoon we went over to the Value Fair, a discount store. The girls got some clothes, but I didn't get anything. I called Jim Hurst and talked with him for fifteen minutes. He really is sincere. I'm going to have to act a little more interested in him and Evelyn. I know I've been neglectful. I guess it's about time I realize that they really are a good couple. Virginia was "fooling around" dialing numbers by direct dialing and called Abbie Timmins [in Iowa] - just like that!

This Has Been a Warm and Friendly Christmas - Friday, December 25, 1964

This has been a nice Christmas. We got up at 9:00 and had a brunch of corn fritters and sausage. We left Cleveland at 11:00 and had a nice two hour drive along the turnpike, listening to Christmas music on the car radio and noting the winter landscape of Allegheny foothill country. It has been a gray and rainy day throughout most of the world this Christmas Day, but it has not dampened the spirits of what has seemed to be a warm friendly Christmas. We saw the Independence Messiah Choir on TV (I saw it being televised) and listened to the Magnificat (Phyl played her flute for it at Tarkio). Tonight we showed slides. George's mother is here, too.

Heard the Cleveland Orchestra on TV Tonight - Thursday, December 24, 1964

It took us just under twelve hours to get to Grandma Kay's house in Cleveland, about 4:00 our time. We had rainy weather most of the day, but it was very pleasant here - we girls and Daddy walked around the block in our exuberance. Phyllis and I each took a turn driving and Daddy drove at the beginning and end of the trip. Virginia cut my hair with manicure scissors as we drove along. She said we had people staring at us. We heard the Cleveland Orchestra and other good music on TV tonight.

We Opened Christmas Presents Tonight - Wednesday, December 23, 1964

Since we're starting to Pittsburgh early in the morning, we opened our presents tonight. I received a Who's Who 10 karat gold charm, blue mohair sweater, pajamas, gloves, diary, daily reminder, Lily of the Valley after-bath freshener, talc and soap, hose, blouse, and cosmetic bag, from Phyl, a gold and pearl circle pin, from Virginia Old Spice perfume, from Ann a green lounge pillow, from Grandma Kay a white scarf, from Schwartzes sachet and a clutch purse. It was a nice Christmas. Now we're packed and ready to get an early (4:00) start. Phyl's grades came and were pretty good. Wish I knew mine!