SIXTEEN CANDLES

"Sixteen Candles" was popular when I turned sixteen and I thought the song was written for me.  To celebrate, I planned a scavenger hunt that began at my house and proceeded with the invited guests running wildly throughout the neighborhood.  It was quite memorable, and definitely different from earlier birthday parties.

BAYOU BABES

My grandparents spent their entire married life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Mamma was engaged when she was sixteen years old, and they were happily married for over fifty years.

FAVORITE FOODS - FIFTIES

Fried chicken, french fries, corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake were my favorite foods and Mother usually served them for my birthday. 

HULA - HOOPING DAD

Hula hooping was a Fifties craze mastered by many - a few talented people even used multiple hoops and Daddy was no exception.  I looked forward to his return from work each evening since he found time to play.  He could do cart-wheels, stand on his head and made up mesmerizing stories about Bomba the Jungle Boy and his elephant friend, sometimes playing a bongo drum for special effects.

HAWAII - NEW STATE

The advent of Hawaii becoming a state in 1959, spurred the popularity of many things Hawaiian.  A few examples are Hawaiian parties with food that included pineapple, advertising dolls, and trips to visit the Islands. 

PARTY LINES

We were on a "party line" when living in DeRidder - the same phone number was assigned to several homes.  Each phone was designated a certain number of rings, although one could never be sure how many on the party line were listening.  I remember hearing the "click-click-click" signal that others had picked up the phone also.  A pay phone booth was the best place for private phone conversations. 

DRINKING BUDS

DeRidder and Beauregard Parish were considered "dry" - not referring to the weather here.  After Friday night football games, high school boys piled in cars and drove to the nearest town where alcoholic beverages were sold - beer in particular.  Don't know if their parents were aware of this practice or not.