Carol McClain McDaniel

Profile Updated: June 6, 2014
Residing In: Melbourne, FL USA
Spouse/Partner: Morey W. McDaniel
Occupation: Retired Speech Pathologist
Children: Stewart A. Smith, born 1962
Donald Lane Smith, born 1964
Seanna L. Adler, born 1966
What is your first instantaneous memory of Parkview?

Gathering in the commons area after classes has to be one of the first things I associate with Parkview. Also, the mad dash between classes that were a wing apart.

Who was your favorite teacher and/or class and why?

Ms. Lewis was an excellent Spanish teacher. However, Mr. Sheely gets high marks because of his tolerance of a certain young student eating fried chicken gizzards and french fries snuck back from an illegal off-campus lunch. As for me, appreciation of academia came several years after the class of '59.

What was your most embarrassing moment at Parkview?

I was mortified to learn that I had walked all through the halls of Parkview with the hem of my gathered skirt caught in my underwear.

What was your favorite song and who sang it?

"Unchained Melody," "Rock Around the Clock," Anything by Nat King Cole or Tiajuana Brass

Describe your car and favorite destination:

As a student at Parkview, I didn't have a car so I enjoyed Linda Burrows' Blue Nash Rambler. Actually, I became quite proficient in changing tires. Later, I impressed boys with that skill!

How have you changed since Parkview?

I think I'm more accepting and less critical of myself. Actually I don't feel I've changed as much as the mirror tells me I have.

What careers have you pursued?

It took twenty years to get my BA in education which was only used to substitute for an occasional Junior High class. That same year my oldest graduated from high school.

Then, in 1988, I impulsively joined the ranks of students studying for a degree in Communication Disorders. Three and a half grueling but rewarding years of full time studies found me clutching a diploma at the mature age of 50. This allowed me to treat language delayed children and later serve as Therapy Coordinator for the Developmental Center of the Ozarks. I also worked for Springfield Early Education.
Oh yes, I was also a truck driver, but then that is another story.

What has been your most exciting or interesting experience?

I love to travel so I would say the two years in Canada and five weeks in Thailand were very interesting. For me, learning to snow ski at 40, and white water rafting down "Kicking Horse" in the Canadian Rockies three years ago qualify as exciting.

What do you do these days to have fun?

We now like to travel with guided lectures when possible. A lot of time is spent visiting and entertaining five wonderful, accomplished, handsome (are there any other kind?) grandsons and their families. We also like movies on the big screen, and any musical performance or play that comes in the area.

What is it you still hope to do/accomplish?

I would like to write some short stories of family history to pass on to the boys. I would like to do volunteer work in the area of teaching adults to read.

There are still places to see on my bucket list. I dream of spending a month in France and another in Italy. A River Cruise sounds wonderful and a hot air balloon trip is of high priority. We want to have all five grandsons join in a family trip to Yellowstone and Cody WY.

Of course these are dreams. Our prayer is to remain healthy and see our grandchildren grow into responsible, caring, and successful adults.

Comments:

Didn't we have fun! It is poignant that we didn't realize those were the halcyon days of our lives. That stray pimple, "nothing" to wear and unrequited love was so all-important in 1959. But then came jobs, mortgages, marriage, children, divorce ------ Wow, if only we knew how good it was, when it was.

It will be great to see everyone now; 50 years smarter than when we knew it all!

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Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 10:50 PM
Celebrating my most receint birthday with my three children,
Stewart, Seanna and Lane
Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 10:50 PM
A visit to St Louis last summer when five of the six grandsons treated me to a full day at the City Museum.
Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 10:50 PM
Husband Morey and I ready to celebrate our third anniversary last year.