Main Street

Papa’s World – In my youth – Lassie – Lincoln logs – growing up in the ’50s!

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Good day everyone – thanks for reading!

My brother and I got for Christmas one year – stuffed Lassie dogs!

This dog went to bed with me every night – my comfort stuffed toy.

I know for a while before that – I had a blanket – strange how I remember that.

That was back when my grandma took care of me during the day as both my mom and dad worked.

Here is what the Lassie of my brother looked like.

Mike’s Lassie was a lighter color and mine was darker.

His also was not as curly as mine.

I do not remember any names we called them other than LASSIE!

This is what my Lassie looked like – darker and curly!

We did not fight over who’s was who – as we both knew.

After Mike was out of the crib in my parent’s room –

he moved into my room and we shared a double bed –

My older brother was still home and my grandma went to live with my aunt.

I had her old room.

Lassie became an important part of my life for years that I remember.

I often wonder as the grandkids came along

and they had their favorite stuffed animal –

what became of the two Lassies.

I know they were still there long after we had moved on to our own lives.

I had a Lincoln Log set just like this one.

This was my favorite toy – I would sit for hours in the living room in front of the gas furnace –

with these logs spread out – building a fort

and using the little log connectors as a cowboy or Indian.

That was when Hop Along Cassidy was on TV and Roy Rogers.

And of course all the Westerns – Indians attacking wagon trains or forts.

The Lincoln Log set.

Many a winter day I spent on the floor playing –

Mike never played with them –

He was four years younger and had his own toys.

The TV was also there – an old black and white – and one of the first shows I remember was –

COMMANDER TOM

This was a Buffalo show – as most of our programing came from there.

Romper Room – I Love Lucy and The Three Stooges.

The Red Skelton Show and the Ed Sullivan show.

And wrestling – Diamond Jim Brady – Fritz Von Eric – The Gallagher Brothers

Haystack Muldune – The Claw that you grabbed someone’s stomach and squeezed!

Rocketship 7 and Dave Thomas out of Buffalo N.Y.

My next blog will continue growing up in the ’50s.

PAPA’S WORLD

Thanks for reading – HGD!

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NEXT BLOG: GROWING UP IN THE ’50s

Papa’s World – attending school in Eldred Pa. – little community in the Alleghany mountains!

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One thing I learned

My very first memory of school – sitting on my grandma’s lap on the front porch –

“Grandma – when can I go to school”? I asked.

We had just watched a neighborhood boy walk past on the other side of the road –

His name was Denny and I later found out he was two years older than me!

So – I am thinking I was about four years old and I can still see him in my mind and me asking her.

The old Eldred school

I attended this old school until the fourth grade!

It was at that time – we merged with Duke Center – Rixford and Eldred to form OTTO-ELDRED.

At this time a brand new elementary school had been built right across the street from the ballpark!

I would not have to walk a mile to school in the mornings!

But – I remember that old school and my teachers and the classrooms.

The very first class was in the front and face the main street and I had Mrs. Shields.

We started off spelling the normal way – sounding out the words –

but soon after – we switched to the new way – MEMORY!

That went on for a couple years but it left me and others I know – very poor spellers.

The Alleghany River
The floodwaters of 1972

Across the main street and the railroad tracks – lays what we called THE FLATS!

And just beyond that the Alleghany River!

It seemed growing up part of life in the Spring were floods!

In 1954 or 1955 or thereabouts –

I was told not to go near the water flooded on the main street – I was maybe 6 years old.

But – I had made a raft and was sailing it on the main street – standing up and poling my way around

in about two feet of floodwater.

Unbeknown to me – a photographer from the local Bradford Era Newspaper – took my picture!

I was caught – standing on my homemade raft – poling my way around the main street –

ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE BRADFORD ERA!

But – I also shared that front page later in life with my dad!

He made a bet on the heavyweight champion of the world fight and picked

FLOYD PATTERSON – the bet – the loser would wheelbarrow the winner down Mainstreet

To Slavin’s Bar – my dad won and made that same newspaper front page being pushed by HERKY!

A WWII bomber pilot who had been shot down and made it to the allies’ lines!

The brand new Eldred Elementary School

This sits right across from the ballpark and tennis courts –

I was the first class in there in the fifth grade – Miss Cawley!

Mr. Harrington was my sixth-grade teacher and Principle!

Many games of RED ROVER RED ROVER please send ???? over!

Was played right there on that circle drive in front of the doors.

Later in life – I walked my youngest son down to those front doors and inside to enroll him in Kindergarten – and standing in the lobby with all those parents he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a bunch of dirt and worms!

He had stopped on our walk and without me knowing – stuffed his pocket with dirt and worms!

THAT I shall always remember!

OTTO – ELDRED H.S.

We were bussed every day from the seventh grade on seven miles to school in Duke Center, Pa.

Three communities combined to have one single H.S. but each community had its own

grade schools and one township grade school.

We had to find our own way home after sports practices if we did not ride the bus.

My good buddy and I – later in H.S. road with his dad to school.

We had a science teacher called CB SAWYER – who had his own music system in his lab.

He would play up to date 45 records of music between classes all day long.

His favorite back then was PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS – “GLAD ALL OVER”

and it was everywhere in the hallways – piped through the loudspeaker system!

OTTO-ELDRED H.S.

I have always said someday I would like to go back and rewalk those halls to that blast of music!

It was across from here I watched a fight between two seniors – and I was one of a hundred people!

I still see it in my mind and they were about three years older than us.

Their names were Ron and Jim!

My senior picture

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My yearbook the year we graduated – June – 1967

Papa’s World – in this little town – Eldred Pa. – is a big WWII museum – tours stop all the time.

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Main Street – just above the white truck to the left – is a brick-red building – with a huge Army Tank coming out the side – this is the ELDRED WWII MUSEUM!

When I was growing up – this was Fisbees Insurance and the Electric Company in the Cellar –

and right next to it was Slavin’s Furniture store and gas station.

I would roller skate down to the bays and Jack would sometimes buy me a glass coke out of the machine that stood there between the bays.

I do not remember his last name – but he was a really nice man and lived in Bullis Mills.

We also would come down here and ask for old cardboard boxes –

they all had a heavy layer of wax on them and were perfect for grass riding down the hill opposite of our front porch.

WWII MUSEUM

Today – both buildings are joined and form this fantastic museum – dedicated to WWII

and the munitions plant that made explosives for the war.

It has a full-size ARMY TANK that looks like it is busting right out the wall of the side of the building!

My stepfather – John Soules – who was decorated FIVE times with Purple Hearts and Bronze Stars

Once gave me a revolver he was given permission to bring back to the states

He had all the signed documents from the government –

Before he passed away – he asked for it back so he could donate it here!

A few years ago – I walked down and asked to see it once again.

They had it in a safe – and was told it was worth 30 to 40 thousand dollars!

He took that handheld automatic machine pistol off a NAZI OFFICER he had captured who was dressed as a civilian trying to escape.

I was told this pistol was not from WWII but from WWI and was very rare –

one of the first automatic machine guns ever manufactured by the Germans for WWI!

I got to once again hold it!

A reenactment of women working at the munitions plant outside Eldred during WWII is part of the museum.

As you walk through you come upon room after room of scenes such as this.

This MUSEUM is like something you would find in Washinton DC. yet it is here in the very small town

of ELDRED PA. in the mountains of the ALLEGHANY FOREST in WPA!

I do not know the full story of why it is here – but I do know before the PANDEMIC

regular busloads of people would stop every day.

It sits on North Main Street right across from the old fire hall.

A must-see!

Thanks for reading PAPA’SWORLD

Memories of my life growing up in a small town in NWPA called ELDRED!

WHERE EVERYONE KNEW YOUR NAME – the ’50’s ’60’s and ’70’s.

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Papa’s World – My world growing up and living in a little town in Pa. called Eldred!

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Northwestern Pa.

In the midst of the Alleghany hills – amongst the green and lush valleys – sits a little community-

Population – around 800 souls – and back then – I knew almost every one of them!

Eldred Pa.

The town sits on the Alleghany river which eventually flowed into Pittsburg – but – it flowed North first!

Yes – it left Pa. and flowed into NYS before flowing once again South through Pa.

It ends up in Pittsburg some three-plus hours away.

We would be considered the snow belt – some 80 miles south of Lake Erie and Buffalo N.Y.

I helped a friend of mine growing up with his paper route – his name was Brent – and we hung out.

He bought a go-cart with his money and he would let me ride on it.

He was two years older than I and eventually married my cousin.

Funny how that worked out – he graduated and I lost track of him.

The town nestled in the hills.

I would ride my bike everywhere – I had to be home each night for dinner and before the street

lights came on. Every night at 10 o’clock sharp – the siren from the firehouse would blow-

You could hear it all over the town – that was “CURFEW” for the streets –

I think no one under 18 could be out and about!

My first friend I can remember is the girl next door – her name was Sharon – and she had a big brother whom everyone called Sonny “KING” – and he dressed in a black leather motorcycle jacket and slicked his hair back like Elvis!

Sharon and I were like brother and sister – we would watch Lassie together – play on the front porch –

sneak a corncob pipe and gather silk from the corn and smoke –

puff it – in the big red barn behind the house.

We would walk to school together – and our route always was behind the main street along the tracks.

Behind the Eldred Garage and then on the tracks themselves.

Just before the creek – Lynches lived and behind their house was a tree –

like a little island raised up on a piece of land.

We would sit there and play our Kazoo’s together –

“THREE BLIND MICE”

That was all I knew how to play! LOL

She moved away and my sister and her husband moved in right next door!

Bill Luce – on the left – my brother-in-law.

Over his shoulder is the greenhouse I grew up in – my bedroom was the two windows on the second floor –

after my older brother Roger left for college.

Every morning I would wake up to the birds singing in the tree outside that window –

the Sunlight would come streaming in –

There was the main street – highway right out front –

and I would sleep and hear the sound of cars – trucks rolling by –

and then – the accidents that happen right there –

crashes would hit the cars parked there.

Some – I sept right through – others – would jolt me right out of bed.

That curb was where my best friend and I were sitting one early morning after midnight –

he was sleeping over and my parents had gone somewhere –

we got into the hootch under the sink.

My sister came out and grilled us –

“ARE YOU GUYS DRUNK”?

No I said and right at that time a car came

and the lights showed right on my friend – and he got sick –

and threw up all over the place!

” HE IS,” I said! LOL,

my sister always laughed at that and would tell the story many times over and over!

My friend and drinking buddy – lower right-hand corner!

We have reconnected about fifteen years ago at a class reunion –

he spent about a week here last October –

and we played golf once again – after some 55 years have gone by since we last played together!

My brother Roger and Sherry – a few years before he passed away – gone but not forgotten.

He was my hero growing up – ten years older than I –

named WHOS WHO in American colleges

OFFICERS TRAINING SCHOOL and a Lt. in the navy.

His bedroom became mine – when he came back I would sleep on the floor.

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – to be continued in livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – growing up – ELDRED PA.

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Sitting on the front porch of North Main Street –

It was a wide and deep porch –

The kind to sit through a rain storm –

and not get wet !

GOOD MORNING
Welcome to Papa’s World

I guess that is why now when I look at houses –

The very first TWO THINGS I look at are –

Front porches and screened in back three seasons rooms with views !

My childhood had the first but not the last !

Memories – some you just can not duplicate

My grand ma – siting out there on her lap –

I somehow do remember that –

which would make me 3 or 4 years old.

Roller skates – the kind that had a key –

I would strap them on and down the street I would go.

The street on both sides was lined with huge old trees –

The kind that six kids holding hands could not encircle the trunks !

Much – much bigger than this one

The roots had made the side walks uneven –

and to navigate them did not seem to slow me down !

I would turn around at Slavins – furniture store –

Back then it was also a service station –

And I remember Jack – he worked there.

There was a Coke machine that sat outside between the bays

Sometimes he would buy me a coke that came in a glass bottle !

Main Street in the late 1800’s

I lived all the way to the top of this old picture on the left –

some of those buildings still existed when i was growingup

And a few are still there today.

You can see the beginning of those trees even back then.

Then – I got my bicycle –

A red WESTERN FLYER !

The mountains or hills where I lived

That bike – I had those streamers coming out of the rubber handle grips

And a clothes pin with a card on the spokes –

both front and back.

I rode it everywhere – to the park –

across the tracks –

Up Barden Brook –

And just making it home when the street lights came on !

The streets I rode on

The park – my second home away –

base ball diamond – tennis and basketball courts –

But – the outfield of grass –

beneath the huge telephone poles with lights on them !

Where we choose up teams

and played football for hours !

Back home playing golf in the mountains – hills

Papa’s World – Growing up ELDRED PA.

Part two to follow

after all –

to much to see and tell !

If you would like to read more – just type in

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email fitztdf@aol.co

Sherry – certified health coach

For HEALTH & NUTRITION

http://www.sf.juiceplus.com

email

ssherrylynn49@aol.com

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

Part two coming

Papa’s World – My first thought when we walked main street – all the golf carts we were back in The Villages!

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They were here early – starting just back from the entrance to Fat Harold’s Beach Club where we go and watch them do the Shag dance!

There are a lot of golf carts in North Myrtle Beach – and they actually block off this portion of Main Street –

and make it into one big tail gate lot for golf cars – and there is no one way they park.

The are front to back – sides – going in different directions and by the start of the music – jammed in there!

Sherry with her chair on her back as we walk down the side walk toward the beach – this was early – about one hour before they were scheduled to begin the music!
Some carts parked facing away from the beach – when we walked by here later – they were almost all touching each other – just enough room to walk about – chat up your neighbor and sip a drink – somehow they had set up speakers in the middle divide and the band could be heard through those speakers – actually sounded better than where we sat.
Looking back up main street across Ocean Blvd. Now these carts are all facing front but behind them – they are in different directions – I think at the end the police help them get out – we did not hang around as lightening was coming from upo the street behind these carts! The rain did hold off – later in the night.
Part of the crowd in chairs they set up – we were to the left and not as crowded and easy to get in and out.
The stage at the arch on main street entrance to the beach.

It is here that the OD PAVILION – before it was destroyed in the ’50’s from a hurricane –

The SHAG DANCE started!

HOTO’s also is here as well as the OD TIKI HUT and radio station 94.9 the SURF!

HOTO’s behind the red sign and THE SURF RADIO STATION 94.9 – and the OD TIKI BAR.

The music was good – although in different areas as we walked about – it was better – must be where we sat!

The crowd was big and this the second concert of the season which goes every Thursday night –

till the end of October!

I am happy for the merchants as it has been a long 15 months of the pandemic.

I think the vaccinations plus the number of people who already have had covid19

has brought us closer to herd immunity.

The clouds were moving in – we both had rain alerts on our phones and behind us toward rte. 17 – thunder and lightening! TIME TO GO HOME!

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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

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Papa’s World – lunch at Bouy’s and a street music festival on Main street!

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I have wanted to stop in here and have lunch ever since we got here on 10-1-20!

It is a local place right on the beach in North Myrtle Beach!

These places always catch my eye – I just get a feeling about them!

They generally have good food and live music –

and this day – the food was great – a salad with grilled fish – and the music?

Well – right across the street is a block long and a block wide vacant lot –

And it was packed with tents – you could rent – and thousand of people!

A huge stage and three bands playing for six hours!

WE WERE RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE OPENING OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL!

Our view from our table while eating lunch!

It is the first major event sanctioned by the town government since the start of the pandemic 14 months ago!

And people were out and about in golf carts – cars – trucks and just walking!

This was roped off and a charge to enter – you could rent out a canopy – and carry in drinks and food!

We did not go inside the ropes – instead after we ate – we walked around and around the whole roped off area as did many other people – they had chairs set up outside the ropes and golf carts – the police were there and ticketing anyone not parked legal.

I would say – inside – a thousand people – or more – I guess this is the fourth one they have had like this over the years – and the radio station was there and it also was broadcasting from the beach which was just as crowded!

Sherry entering the beach on main street!

We tried to walk the beach – but it was really crowed and full of young people – all right next to each other!

A look back toward sixth street where we usually go – and the other direction had even more people!

This area is pretty much not locked down – and you could tell the tourist season has begun!

I am happy for the the store owners who have suffered so much – many shut the doors and will not return.

But – we decided this was way too crowed for us – so we returned to the music and walked toward our condo.

Pausing once again outside the ropes to listen to a band – really good singing all the classics of summer of the 60’s and 70’s!

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NORTH MYRTLE BEACH!

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Papa’s World – The SHAG- Fat Harolds – dancing the night away – North Myrtle Beach

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It was here or close to here that THE SHAG started!

It was a beach dance created in the ’40’s along this beach.

The first I believe was in Cherry Grove – but that club was wiped out

by a hurricane in the ’50’s!

Other clubs had formed over the years and along main street

in North Myrtle Beach was the hot spot for SHAGGING!

It grew so popular it spread all across the country and became the state dance!

Clubs were formed and it went worldwide.

Competitions were held and champions crowned!

It reminds me of the Jitter bug – Strolling – Swing – Dirty dancing – all rolled into one –

where you have contact almost 100 % of the time with your dance partner!

And – from what I could see – the age group was 40 to 80 years plus old!

CUTTING THE RUG!

It did not matter how old you were – they still danced and they were good!
Sherry and I have walked by this building dozens of times – it was closed up – deserted looking!

Wondering what it was and if it was empty?

Then – listening to the radio station – 94.9 THE SURF – we found out!

On TV we found out!

FAT HAROLDS was reopening after being closed of over a year –

because of Covid19 and the Pandemic.

Which I found out hit this establishment really hard.

I was told that early on – a half dozen people passed away – having caught the virus here.

And – I could see why as it was the older generations who were dancing.

It caught them by surprise and they -the owners – shut it down.

But now it was back after the state reopened – and it was I learned a national landmark.

This is the third location – and has been here for twenty plus years – since the ’40’s!

World competitions – nationwide competitions – local – all held here or across main street

on the beach in a big stage and dance floor.

A view of one of two dance floors – four bars – one at the entrance – one on the main dance floor and two on the second dance floor in the rear.
There are hundreds of these signs of dance shag clubs all over the nation. And a tribute to the man who brought it to the forefront – FAT HAROLD! Who sadly passed away in 2015.
The main bar on the dance floor number one – Fat Harold – was known all over the country and many pictures of him and famous performers hang from the walls. This was the spot where you came to dance for all these years!
On this single wall – dozens of pictures dedicated over the many – many years to DJ’s – radio – who spun the records to the SHAG! And radio hosts still do to this day.
It is a true living museum to the past 80 plus years!

Pictures – a Hollywood walk of fame throughout the sidewalks of main street honoring dancers from the past 60 years! With there names and year of dancing!

Fat Harold – known to the music world – and now the tradition continues with the reopening!

PAPA’S WORLD: livinglifedoingitmyway fitztdf@aol.com A day to remember – a visit to the reopening

OF FAT HAROLDS on Main Street – North Myrtle beach!

SHERRY: CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH http://www.sf.juiceplus.com ssherrylynn49@aol.com

Yes – we walked by this place of business dozens of times – just wondering what it was –

and found out it was a historical club – for a historical dance some 80 plus years old!

FAT HAROLDS IS BACK!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

THE SHAG FAT HAROLDS DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY once again – North Myrtle Beach , S.C.

Papa’s World – A place to SHAG! N.M.B – where it all began – “FAT HAROLD’S” – SHAG CLUB!

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Sherry – Cindy and Buck sitting near the dance floor of Fat Harold’s – the first few Shagger’s starting to dance.

We had eaten dinner at HOTO’s ( Harold’s On The Beach) and then walked through the OD Arcade ( Ocean Drive)Seeing all the pictures and people were dancing there already.

Even saw a picture of all people the Pro Golfer Sam Snead who had been there

Within a half hour – it picked up and became more and more crowded with very good dancers!

We then walked over to Fat Harold’s Dance Club!

And found this table beside the wall of mirrors so we could watch the dancing!

Cindy and Buck loved it just as we had when we first came here!

Retirement – one of the benefits – going on eight years for me and nine years for Sherry!
Watching the dance floor of the Shag!
Best friends for 35 years!
Now it was getting really crowed and there is a second dance floor and bar that had the same number of people dancing!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World – WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

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Papa’s World – Ever changing life – Ocean Keyes – North Myrtle Beach – friendships

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Papa – walking from the beach to main street of North Myrtle Beach!

Along the way – we have friends – who after social distancing – come to visit!

And – we walk the gated community – through he gate –

and onto the beach!

The gentle surf of the beach – water and sand!

Our friendships go back years and years.

We all lived by one another – then we all moved away

but that friendship has endured time and distance.

Always from afar – but close when we make plans to get together.

Cindy – Sherry and Dottie
Jim and Buck – Jim and I played softball together in the mid to late ’70’s Buck and Cindy were our neighbors and they also knew Jim and Dottie!

We plan golf – card games and word games!

We drink a little beer – sing a few songs – do a shot – and laugh!

We would set up a get together every 4 to 6 months –

We lived near DC – Jim and Dottie Va. Beach and Cindy and Buck – Wilmington N.C.

Now we have moved further South

about 50 miles from Buck and Cindy.

It is easy for us to get together and golf every weekend.

Jim and Dottie are now the Northerners!

We all have taken up a new game – Pickle Ball!

This last time – we got together at our condo – played two days of golf –

and Pickleball has now become another game we shall play!

We all practice good health – Sherry – who is a certified Health Coach – leads the way!

She has her own website and for 15 years has been the one who encourages all of us!

http://www.sf.juiceplus.com HEALTH AND NUTRITION AT IT’S BEST!

We all come from WNY and SWPA area and are big Buffalo Bills fans!

Distance may separate us – but friendship is but a zoom call away.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World – Ever changing life – Ocean Keyes – North Myrtle Beach – friendships!

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

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Papa’s World – A windy day walking the beach.

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The calm before the wind!

We had gone through one day of winds

then another storm way off the coast

brought another windy day!

We headed out on our walk – nervous from the trees!

But we pushed on – walking the streets until we came to the beach.

Entrance to the beach – South of main street

The wind was stronger on the beach –

sometimes blowing the sand up and into your eyes.

This reminds me of desert sands

the wind dries out the sand

which is like powder here in SC.

Leaving footprinrs such as these after walking on it!

Did we make a error in coming to the beach?

The Ocean was rough – waves bigger than normal!

White caps from the shore outward.

A lonely man metal detecting

We were almost all alone!

There were a few brave souls

but the wind whipped up the sand

causing it to swirl across to the waters edge.

Almost no one on the beach and this was almost lunch time

We walked a short distance –

bracing against the wind

Even the birds were not there!

We are soul mates in the wind.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS

And then the calm at the end of the day – Full Moon – over the lake – our view from the Lanai

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Papas World – Growing up in a little town – my family.

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We did not know that we did not have much!

We never talked about it – we had a black and white TV.

We had numerous cars – first one I remember was when we

brought my baby brother home from the hospital in 1954?

It was a green color and I remember being in the back seat

The upholstery was a fuzzy feeling

and Mom was in the front with Mike and dad driving.


We had the old rotary phone on the wall by the steps to the celler.

Back at that time – it was a “PARTY LINE”!

And you called the operator and gave her I think three numbers.

Then it changed and we got our own number

to which I still know to this day!

And next door my sister lived and I know that number today!

I remember riding with my father and little brother

Across the state line to NY State and to Portville

some maybe 8 miles away.

To a place called “WILSON’S FRUIT STAND”!

It was a treat for us as we always got something

maybe a apple or orange

And my dad always bought a case of Carling’s Black Label

once a week!

Mom and dad drank beer –

There was a group of friends

The Framptons up the street – the West’s out on the South of town

The Howells also on the South of town.

The Petruzzi’s – ( sp ) who was my dads best friend Elmer and Angie.

The Marones – they all bowled together – played cards

and went for vacations to fish in the far North of Canada.

That was before I was old enough to go

and then my little brother came along

But I saw the pictures – my older brother – not my sister –

I do not know why she did not go?

But – my brother was friends with Ron and his father and mother

Elmer and Angie and they remained friends until he passed away

four years ago.

We have our friends today just as they did.

We never had a color TV until 1968 – after I was gone.

I actually had roller skates for a long time before

I got my first bike – a Western Flyer

Then I was off to the park and all points of the town.

My mom was small – maybe 5’2″

and my dad just shy of 6’0

Back then that was tall.

But she ruled the roost so to speak.

We did not have much – no spending money as kids.

My older brother worked and my sister baby sit.

But – I did not know what I did not know.

My memories are good ones.

I remember the very first time I heard

” I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND”

It was the H.S. cafe and a childhood friend

from when I was perhaps 10 or 11

came into the cafe singing this song as he got in line.

But that is another story for another time

We did not have much in growing up

But I retained a load of memories rich in thought!

Thank you for reading Papa’ World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World-Growing up Eldred Pa. – part Six.

/ Tom / 2 Comments
GOOD MORNING

Eldred – a small community situated by the Allegheny River

Among the rolling hills know as the old mountain range

” The Allegheny Mountains “

I wrote a blog a short while ago –

about the title before there was ” STAND BY ME “

There was Eldred –

where everybody knows your name.

Bob – me ( Tom ) – Greg – Mike – John – Sully – Gerry – Gus and Pat

We were friends – we were buddies –

we had each others back

And we once took a little trip down that river .

Canoeing the Allegheny River
I believe our Sophomore year



Our little group grew and grew –

We were part of a national group known as The Exployer’s !

Raising money for our trips –

Staying out of trouble –

Almost all of my buddies belonged

And the younger kids started to follow.

Me – number 65

We played sports –

we were not into trouble –

we did not smoke – which back then was a big deal !

A few who did got kicked off the team.

We lived – played and grew up in a small Western Pa. town

close to the South Western New York border

where every one knew your name

In all the years before – and the years since –

The faces have changed –

the names also –

but to this day it remains

North Main Street

The little town – where every one knew your name

South Main Street

Of ELDRED PA .

Thank you for reading

Papa’s World – Growing up Eldred Pa.

The grade school across from the park
with South Main Street
in the background

If you care to read more blogs

just type in the following

livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

My email

fitztdf@aol.com

From the park to Park Avenue
and Mechanic Street

For Health and Nutrition

Sherry – Certified Health Coach

For HEALTH AND NUTRITION

http://www.sf.juiceplus.com

her email

ssherrylynn49@aol.com

Thank you for reading

PAPA’S WORLD

GROWING UP – ELDRED PA.

Before there was STAND BY ME –

There was ELDRED PA.

Papa’s World – growing up Eldred Pa. – part three !

/ Tom / 4 Comments
Terri – Boots – Mike

I grew up with my niece – Terri Luce and my brother Mike –

This was my early World – they were almost the same age .

Donna – my sister – became pregnant –

just after my younger brother Mike was born.

Donna was 15 years older than me & 20 years older than Mike.

Terri – Tom (me ) – Mike

We played together all the time – she was a little blond –

and Mike had curly Red hair .

I miss them both as they are now gone.

It was at this time – my mother would not let me go shirtless !

I was so skinny she thought people would think she was starving me !

Eldred at turn of century 1889

It seemed as I was growing up – we always had a flood !

One such flood – I was maybe ten years old –

I was told not to go down the street to the water !

Well – I did what I was told not to do !

I went behind Slavin’s furniture – and dug up some wooden pallets –

Somewhere I found some inner tube –

and I made a raft !

I launched it by the body shop – I had a long stick –

The water on main street was maybe 2 to 3 feet deep –

I did not know how to swim –

Unknown to me – a reporter from the paper was there

The Bradford Era !

He took a picture of me – standing on my little raft

With that stick in my hand –

pushing my raft down the street in front of Slavin’s bar.

To my surprise – that picture was printed the next day –

To the Bradford Era – the very same paper my dad always read –

delivered each morning – before he left for work!

Nothing was said until after supper that night .

I first was asked if I had gone downtown to the water ?

I said nothing – I could tell they knew !

Then – there it was – a picture of me on my raft with stick in hand !

Front page !

I got into trouble –

but deep inside

I had pride –

I had made the front page !

Just like my father had – after winning a bet on a heavyweight boxing match

He bet Herkie that Patterson would win –

And the loser had to wheel a wheel barrow down main street

with the winner riding inside.

My mom kept that picture and my sister also had it

along with dad being rolled down main street – FRONT PAGE !

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

for more blogs to read –

just type in the following

livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

my email

fitztdf@aol.com

Sherry – Certified Health Coach

For HEALTH & NUTRITION

http://www.sf.juiceplus.com

her email

ssherrylynn49@aol.com

Part Four of Growing up Eldred Pa. next blog

Thank you for reading PAPA’S WORLD

Papa’s World – Growing up Eldred Pa. Part two !

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Those huge telephone poles –

with lights on top for night baseball games –

I never saw them lit up-

Games were played in late afternoon and early evening –

It was magical – Cars would line the first base line –

all the way down and then form a semi circle beneath the trees

in the outfield !

The men would stand and lean against the the chain mail fence

also running down the roadway –

They were the regulars –

This was growing up ELDRED PA.

GOOD MORNING
PART TWO

The park – where my life circled around –

To the creek – wading in the water –

The swings and teeter totter –

The thing that went around and around – whatever you called it !

The Volleyball court –

and of course the ball diamond –

where they would continue to DRAG it year after year !

A old bed of box springs –

attached by a chain to someones truck –

around and around they would go –

circling the dirt infield –

where I swear ROCKS and PEBBLES grew !

I watched a lot of ball games there –

When I was around 5 to 7 –

My father was the Manager of what was called THE TOWN TEAM !

And – they were good – traveling to other area towns and playing –

Our main pitcher was Freddie – he actually played and pitched –

in the Little League World Series for the team that advanced !

My bother Roger in the back ground.

Everyone has a Hero growing up –

Mine was my brother Roger –

seen here in the background with his friend Paul !

This would of been ’55 to ’57 –

He was ten years older than me –

I tagged him everywhere he went –

Then – he was gone – to college

He or they had a club in our basement –

I would sneak down and sit silently

watching – listening – until they found me

Roger – gone but always remembered

Later in life – he never came back – he moved on and away –

but I would always ask Mom – ” Have you heard from Roger “?

She would tell me of their conversation

or show me a letter –

The last ten or so years of his life –

we once again became close –

I cherish both those early times and the end of times.

He was my hero
The Villages
Sumter Square

There was the time I got a Davy Crockett coon skin hat –

complete with the tail and wore to school !

The Old Eldred school
where my brother graduated from
and I went till the fourth grade

There was a bridge on South Main street –

a cement bridge with opening so you could see below

That day I placed my hat on top of the cement railing

and slid my head through the opening so I could see the water below

Now going through was a little tight but doable

Then my EARS popped out –

and I was stuck !

My arms weren’t long enough to reach through and hold my ears back!

They had to call the fire department !

I’ve reached that age
big ears and all

Well –

that made him embarrassed

Everyone thought it funny

and later – we would laugh and laugh about it !

GROWING UP – ELDRED PA.

Sherry – Certified Health Coach

For HEALTH & NUTRITION

http://www.sf.juiceplus.com

email ssherrylynn49@aol.com

Part Three – next blog – GROWING UP – ELDRED PA.

For more reading

livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Email fitztdf@aol.com

Thank you for reading

PAPA’S WORLD

where friends and family meet

Papas World – some say I am not normal – & I know that!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Ever since I can remember –

the first bird chirping –

My bedroom as I got older after my older brother

left for college –

Was right in the front of the house –

Facing East and those first rays of the Sun.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE !

I have always awoken either before those first rays

or shortly after!

I am up early each and every day –

first cup of coffee

BEFORE the morning paper hits the pavement!

And it is that way even if I force myself

To stay up and watch the BALL DROP for NEW YEARS!

My wife and I just had this conversation

About how over the years – we use to party –

Now it is CAN WE STAY AWAKE !

And – I am good with 7 to 71/2 hours of sleep –

BUT – it has to be when I am tired ( 8 to 8:30 PM. )

If I go to bed then – I SLEEP – solid –

seems in my later years –

I always wake up once to go to the bathroom! LOL

But – if I stay up –

I wake up the same time each day –

and then I feel terrible the rest of the day!

It’s like I have a internal clock

( I do not use a alarm clock)

If you tell me you want up at a certain time

I WILL WAKE YOU UP with NO alarm clock!

I do not know how that works – but it does for me!

THIS IS ME!
LOL

My wife is opposite ( we do attract each other)

She likes to stay up later – somewhere around 10 to 11:30 PM.

She will wake up from 5 to 6 am. and read her phone –

I think it is her phone –

She is the lead in our book club from church

and she reads the books on line –

BUT – after a half hour or so – SOUND ASLEEP AGAIN! LOL

7:30 to 8:00 AM. she is up and ready to go-

Me – I have done all my face book – email – and my writing

read the entire paper front to back

and had two cups of coffee & ready for shower!

Morning Sunrise
I get to see this
each and every morning

Life has it’s own schedule for everyone

mine happens to be EARLY

And I can remember those mornings back to my childhood

That bedroom not only faced East – but had huge maple trees

with lots of birds – all chirping with the first rays of Sunshine.

There was the main highway as we lived on the main street of a small town

In NWPA.

In the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains

I could hear the trucks going by –

and behind the house the railway tracks

The ” Click – Click ” as the wheels of the train as it passes

Lulled me to sleep each night!

Opposites attract

Yes – I am up at the crack of dawn –

The dawn gets lighter

That is just who I am –

I like my morning solitude

My quiet time – my time to write – think and read.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Where friends meet the family!

Your day is just starting – mine is hours old –

So Sunday mornings – I get dressed and head to church –

8:15 AM. service

By that time – my day is well on it’s way –

AND I DON’T MIND AT ALL!

Thank you!