Our life over the years – FAMILY!

An early picture of me holding my niece and my little brother – both have passed away – in fact – all my close family except two nieces and two great nieces are gone that I grew up with.
A early picture in the ’50’s of my older brother Roger on the basketball team. He also has passed on.

My early childhood was spent in a little town in NWPA called Eldred.

Near the NYS border and just across the mountain from Bradford-

home of Kendall – Penns oil – Quaker State and the South Penn oil fields.

My older brother Roger and myself in The Villages shortly before he passed away.

Growing up here was like the movie “STAND BY ME”

I had friends like that – and road my bike everywhere!

Curfew for me was
BE HOME BEFORE THE STREET LIGHTS COME ON”!

My brother in law Bill and my sister Donna – both gone but not forgotten. Bill was once interviewed by Larry King – he was a truck driver but also the Chief of Police and later Mayor – Mr. King found that to be a interesting story!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

SHERRY AND PAPA!

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Papa’s World – Childhood in a little town in NWPA – what it is like growing up in ELDRED!

A small town – I knew almost everyone!
My brother-in-law Bill on the left – was the town cop – and later the mayor – many memories of him and me!

He was a very funny man and watched over me and my buddies!

State troopers were at his house at all times as he was friends with several of them.

He would let us know and made sure we were on our best behavior.

He had nicknames for everyone and he called my younger brother “JUICE”!

My younger brother Mike ( JUICE ) – always doing something – a great golfer – miss him.

He broke both arms at different times and they were crooked – but could he play golf and hit that ball!

He was a 300-yard driver back in the ’70s!

He had a one-stroke handicap –

he knocked his front tooth out by twirling a dog leash until it came around his head

and smacked that tooth!

He was riding my bike – he was too small for it and his foot slipped and he had a rupture –

He played football and basketball and went onto college and kicked field goals.

He was always doing something!

Sitting on my front porch – looking up and across the street – sat this church.

It was part of my playground growing up – but I had to be extra careful –

always look both ways before crossing the main street!

I had neighborhood friends on both sides of that North Main Street.

There were a lot of kids when I was growing up there.

A lot of memories sitting on the lawn in front of the church –

a lot of KICK THE CAN game and HIDE and SEEK were done there!

Tastee Freeze – is still there today!

We would walk some two miles to this place – they had the best soft ice cream!

We also would go and buy their burgers and fries!

Today – whenever I visit back home – we pass it and the memories after all those years come back!

The ELDRED TASTEE FREEZE – often think I should stop for old times!

Growing up in Eldred!

Growing up – I rode my bike everywhere – to the park to play baseball or football – the tennis courts and the dances that were held there –

The Town Team men’s baseball team and my dad as manager.

The carnivals in the park –

The parades and celebrations – the crowds of people and sleeping out and roaming the streets.

ELDRED was a small town where everybody knew your name!

ELDRED – SMALL TOWN USA

Thanks for reading – PAPA’S WORLD – my life as a young person – in a small town.

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com

Papas World – a small kid in a small town – growing up!

There is a small community
in North Western Pa.
Just a few short miles
from the New York State Border
Situated in what are called
THE ENCHANTED MOUNTAINS
of The Alleghany Mountain Chain

Rolling green hills now -once as large as the Rockies

millions and millions of yearsago

now considered as just “Foothills”

Back in the late 1800’s
or early 1900’s

The small community is well

a place where every one knew your name

you parents and exactly where you lived!

Coming into town on North Main Street
from the border of NYS
sits a junction known locally
as The Kendall Bridge
The Alleghany river runs beneath it
as does the Rail road tracks and trains
A span comes off it
and a road runs under it.
The Kendall Bridge
looking Northward
to the foothills of the mountains
and New York State

The age to drink was 21 in Pa.

But 18 in NYS!

Traveled this road many times

to legally have a beer! LOL

And believe me – the adults knew!

Main Street
Eldred Pa.
and one of the reasons
we moved South
SNOW !!!!!

The post office to the left – the old red fire hall

to the right as I grew up.

And the building up farther in brick

The doctors office & the dental office

and also the Masonic Lodge!

I spent a lot of time there

Dental and Doctor!

Today the leading business
of incoming funds
The Historic World War ll Museum

A full size tank bursting through the wall

a Museum that also encompasses the next large building

Tour buses stop every day!

It is a quality sight to behold!

This little town had many WWll heros

Purple hearts -medal of honors

And I knew everyone of them!

King Street
my stomping ground
when we slept outside
after curfew at 10 PM.
Running and hiding
raiding gardens
Just growing up!
The park where I played baseball
tackle football
and flag football
Softball
And everyday rode my bike to!
The park below the tracks
where in my 20’s
we all chipped in and helped to get it started
and mowed and tuned into a softball field!
Playing our home games here
and holding many tournaments
The Catholic church I attended
as a small child
confirmed in
Another small church
on King street

My older sister Donna on the right and my cousin Patty

Donna helped raise me

as she was 15 years older

and lived right down the street

and later on next door!

My best friend
Bobby Goodman’s house
spent many a night there
on the porch sleeping out
and he at mine
we did not want to sleep inside!

My sister Donna -caught us one night

we had gotten into my parents whiskey!

And she came outside and there we sat on the curb in front

of her house and mine.

After so many questions

I had her almost convinced we were not drinking

Bobby not saying a word!

A car came down the street and we were in its headlights

And that is when Bobby got sick

and threw up in front of her!

Later she laughed and laughed

and always reminded me we did not fool her!

My brother in law Bill – was the police chief

and always took care of me and my friends

as long as we did not get into trouble or do anything bad.

Back after the war
Eldred had a top notch
soft ball team
made up of many who came back
from the war.
My best friend Bobby’s father
is at the bottom right
I knew almost all these men
later in life!
They almost were all my fathers friends!
Most of us joined The Explorer’s
when we were 16
and took many a trip
to Pro games
here we took a three day canoe trip down the river
which when I was in my mid 30’s
I – along with our pastor
took a youth group down the same river
Bobby – far left and then me
Oak hill cemetery
Where in winter
we would ride our sleds
down the hill
between and around
the tombstones!
The high school
where I graduated in 1967
Known then as it is today
OTTO – ELDRED H.S.
Home of the TERROR’S
Our team on the varsity
Bobby is number 83
and I sit to his left
number 65
Those were the best of years.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

My Site

livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

A small town growing up
ELDRED PA.