BOWLING MONEY

Two sisters, left alone by working parents during long summer days, played poker with three neighborhood boys in hopes of winning cash for bowling, a popular activity.  When the necessary 25 cents was accumulated, off they would go, riding their bikes to the local bowling alley, leaving the boys to their game.

CATCHING A RIDE

Most students ate in the junior high cafeteria or walked to nearby restaurants.  Few were allowed to drive, so whenever a ride materialized, off we would go.

HAYRIDES



 

 





Hayrides, usually sponsored by church youth groups, were popular events in junior high school.  Hay was piled high in pickup trucks or wagons and driven down isolated country roads at dusk.

DON'T SHOOT!

There were no leash laws for pets.  One pet in particular, Teddy Bear, referred to as Mangey Bear by a neighborhood boy, was used as a moving target for his BB gun.  Luckily, Teddy Bear could not retaliate.

BIG JOHN AND SPARKY

"Teddy Bears' Picnic" was the theme song for a Saturday morning radio show that was produced in Port Arthur, Texas.  Local school children were sometimes invited to participate at the recording studio.

GARRETT'S BBQ

Towns were divided by race.  Children were told fearful stories and instructed not to enter the "colored" section of town.  These lurid tales were ignored however, if one wanted barbeque, because Garrett sold the most bodacious barbeque in town.

TRAVELING PHOTOGRAPHER

Stay-at-home Moms became easy prey for door-to-door salesmen.  Fuller brushes, Child Craft books and home grown vegetables were offered for sale.  One inventive photographer received permission from Mothers to photograph their children while sitting on a pony that he provided.