WE WANT A PARADE!

The Lutcher Stark High School 1958 Homecoming Parade in Orange, Texas, was cancelled because the city refused to continue giving their support.  Students, very upset at that unfair decision,  "organized" the traditional homecoming parade anyway.  Traffic signals were ignored.  After proceeding only a few blocks disaster struck - several cars were stopped by police.  Our names, phone numbers and parents' names were recorded and it wasn't long before disaster struck again!

WAITING FOR HIS CALL

Girls were not allowed to call boys - ever - so we waited near the phone in hopes it would ring - especially for certain boys to call.   

EVENING VISITOR

One summer evening before ninth grade, a neighborhood boy came over so we could listen to records.  Parents imposed ground rules:  all doors leading to the living room must remain open; no dimming of lights; and, he had to leave by 9PM.  We danced the jitterbug -  had a great time - but when cheek-to-cheek dancing commenced, Daddy decided it was "time to call it a night."

NEW NEIGHBOR

Because of the G.I. Bill, my parents were able to purchase their first home, and I could hardly wait to meet our new neighbors.  A very large dog was on the look-out for me too, and came bounding over to play.  I was terrified, jumped into an above-ground pool next door, and waited there until someone came to save me.

GOING BAREFOOT

Idyllic summers were spent running around outside without shoes - even while playing tennis.  By 1960, we wore Keds, along with white bobby socks, to high school gym classes.  Ours were blue and matched the one-piece sports uniform (bloomers?) that we were required to wear.   We still shed our shoes whenever possible.

TEXAS SNOW?

  We read about it - heard about it - but only experienced it once.   School was probably cancelled since towns in the South didn't own equipment for snow removal - plus we couldn't walk to school since our little legs would have frozen (only dresses allowed at school).  Enough snow accumulated that Daddy could make the delicious snow ice cream he learned to make in Virginia, while stationed in the Army  

HOME MOVIES

The movies my parents made were typical of the times - black and white with many imperfections.  Images were projected on a white sheet attached to our living room wall.  My parents also purchased a few readymade cartoons.  "Steamboat Willie" was a favorite as well as one about Pluto getting stuck onto many sheets of flypaper.