Thursday, September 30, 2010

Final Post

This is my last post on the Brevard blog because comments have dwindled to a trickle. This was intended as a forum where we shared our memories for others to read and enjoy. Without comments, it no longer works.

Thanks to the 3,606 of you who visited the blog during the past three months. I hope it brought back memories of the wonderful town where we grew up, the places we shopped and played, and the ways we passed our childhoods and teens. Who'll ever forget those Fourth of July picnics at Camp Straus or that all-consuming past time of cruising the drive-ins? The loop was the same but the scene was always different - different cars, different people. It was worth the fifty-cents of gas for an evening of checking out who was where!

A special thanks to those of you who shared their memories on the blog. It couldn't have continued without you. I've read the comments multiple times and enjoyed everyone of them. I'm amazed at your recall of places and events.

It's great to receive emails from so many of you. I've reconnected with old friends, become friends with people I didn't know well in school, and made new friends with those of you who went to different schools or are younger/older than I am. I want to stay in touch with you. Please continue exchanging emails!

The blog will remain online and available for reading and for leaving comments.

Go Blue Devils!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Question

I sent an item to The Transylvania Times on August 26 with news about this blog for publication so we could attract additional visitors. But, so far, I haven't seen it. Granted, my papers come thru the mail in random order with a few getting lost along the way so I could've missed it.

Just wondering if anybody has seen it. Or, do you think the paper chose not to publish it? I think 3,500 people who grew up in Brevard and the surrounding area celebrating their childhoods and teens is news! Any ideas?

The new post School Days is below this one so be sure and read it. I think you'll have fun with it. The early comments are entertaining!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

School Days

Fall reminds me of school - buying school clothes, getting new school supplies, worrying about who my teacher was going to be, and if I would have any friends in my room. Everything always worked out. My teachers thru junior high were great. I liked every single one of them but some were really special.

My first grade teacher at Brevard Primary was Mamie Dale. She was Freeman Hayes' sister and looked just like him. She was an extraordinarily sweet woman and ideally suited for starting kids on their academic journey. I hadn't been to any kind of pre-school so school was all new to me. Judy Mims was the first friend I made in the real world and guess what - we reconnected as adults and are still friends.

When I moved over to Brevard Elementary, my favorites were Josephine Clayton and Maxine Whitmire, lovely women and great teachers. Both were from local families. In junior high, I liked Mrs. Dellinger. She was young, attractive, and kinda cool. Her husband worked at the radio station which added an extra layer to her coolness.

My class was in the new high school building for only one year so I didn't have time to develop loyalty to it. When I think of high school, it's always in the old building. I see Brownie Cabe hanging around all day, Peggy Jackson's tiny, little Nash car parked out front, the Chatterbox across the street, the football field next door, and the do-nut shop up the street. Of all the teachers I had in high school, the most memorable (in the good way) was Mrs. Tilson. I had her for Freshman, Sophomore, and Advanced Algebra. She was smart, funny, and an outstanding teacher.

This post is about your memories from school - teachers, classes, friends, activities, whatever you remember. Many of you went to other schools in the county and at different times. We want to hear about those memories too.

Comments have declined significantly with recent postings. Comments are essential to keep the blog going. It can't survive without input. If you've been commenting, keep it up. If you haven't left a comment, now's the time.

Everybody went to school! Everybody has memories!

Go Blue Devils!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Checking Out New Cars

When the new cars came out in the Fall, they really got the town's attention. Remember how the new cars were kept under covers in the dealer showrooms until the Big Day? Then they were unveiled and half the town stopped to check them out. Both sides of Broad Street were lined with parked cars while people went to look at the new Chevys and Fords. My all-time favorite car was the 1960 Chevy Impala - such styling! In this post, tell us about your memories of New Car Days. What was your favorite car?

New people continue to find the blog and many of you keep returning. I need for you to leave comments - that's what makes this fun. My intention in starting this was to gather the memories of a lot of folks as a record of what it was like to grow up in Brevard in the 50's and 60's. As I've said before, all posts remain available for reading and commenting. Whether you're new or a regular visitor, share your experiences with all of us. If you have problems leaving a comment, email me (See Contact Information) and I'll help you.

Go Blue Devils!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Skating, Bowling, and Movies

A recent comment mentioned the roller skating rink that set up under a tent sorta where Ingles' Car Wash is now. It had open sides and attracted a lot of skaters as well as people who sat in their cars and watched. I loved the smooth skating surface - a welcome change from street skating and jumping the many pavement cracks on Probart. Did you skate or did you go check out who was skating?

Remember the old bowling alley on the corner of Caldwell and Probart? It had "people" pin setters. A boy in my class worked as a pin setter until late at night, walked home, and made it to school on time the next day. Not an easy schedule for a kid.

A new bowling alley was built on the current Ingles' property and I think it burned down. What happened after that? Was it rebuilt? Where did you bowl?

And the Co-Ed and Clemson...Right up there with the best memories of my young life. I loved those double-feature westerns at the Clemson on Saturday afternoons. A bag of popcorn and a coke from Ford's Corner next door. What was the cost for the afternoon - about thirty cents?

By the way, I never understood why a movie theatre was called the Co-Ed. Was there a time when females weren't allowed in movies? Anybody know?

The older guys used to go get drinks and food during the songs in musicals! Big exodus when the singing started! Who were your favorite movie stars and your favorite movies?

The blog continues to attract new visitors! So great to see comments from so many of you - keep it up!

Go Blue Devils!