HAPPY FELLOW

The Fifties was not a time of tolerance toward people who were "different".  One little man who hung around downtown all day, wore haphazardly smeared lipstick and dressed in a strange manner.  He had a smile for everyone and children were not afraid when he followed them from store to store.  Someone in the community felt differently since he was forced to leave town.

CHILDHOOD FEARS

1.  bombs  2.  polio  3.  snakes  4.  the devil  5.  abandonment - not necessarily in order

PET PARAKEET

Sibling rivalry was at its peak during elementary school, but lessened as the years went by.  One older sister unsuccessfully tried to teach the parakeet to talk, saying over and over, "Mom likes me best"!

FAMILY

The family unit was strong and most relatives lived nearby.  Because of close proximity, relatives strived for congeniality even when they were quite different.

DRESSED BUT NOT READY

The arrival of television introduced new ideas for eating - including TV dinners placed on TV trays.  People wanted to spend as much time as possible watching their favorite programs. 

ROAD RAGE

The drive to visit out-of-town relatives began as a joyous occasion.  Burma-Shave signs were read and songs sung, but two siblings were soon separated by a line drawn down the middle of the car's back seat.  Threats were made to stop the car and "take care" of the problem makers.  Arrival at the planned destination was not soon enough!

#3 Sunset Circle B

Formative years five through twelve were spent living on a cul-de-sac consisting of nine houses.  Parents hoped that values instilled during this time proved lasting.

Magical School Bus

Young children thought the school bus magical - picking up and dropping off neighborhood friends.  One could hardly wait to be old enough to attend school.

Soph 59

Group of high school sophomores followed tradition by painting SOPH 59 on high school property.  Night watchmen witnessed activity and reported to principal, who called parents.  Disciplinary action - remove the paint after school - simple compared to individual punishment waiting at home.

Too Young to Drive

The usual setting for learning to drive was neighborhood streets.  Local police were tolerant when encountering young drivers, obviously without licenses, but accompanied by parents, older friends or siblings.