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Lewis Beck
Yes--thanks, Jim, for the memories. All those names, places and things you mentioned bring them back very warmly indeed. Marbles. I recall the playing field at Maple Grove School filled with kids at recess, all playing marbles! Remember cat's eyes, cobs (the big marbles), etc.? Then there was the hula hoop craze around 1958--remember that? I remember the Vancouver Sun sending a reporter to my school at the time (Dr. R.E. McKenchnie) and getting a photo of Kathleen Johnson hula-hooping as the rest of us crowded around.
You say you delivered the Province? I recall being in awe how Province carriers managed to get up--wasn't it at some ridiculous hour like 4:30 A.M.--to do their rounds? I delivered the Vancouver Sun and that was challenging enough, rain or shine--but after school!
How about firecrackers at Hallowe'en? Remember how we could buy them in all sizes, from those miniscule "ladyfingers" to four-inch long "bombs" plus the "punks" to light them with? Of course they are banned now but back then no one worried too much. Part of the culture at the time!
Let's not forget sports day as the school year wound to a close: those various races, the high and long-jump; the shot-put and javelin throw--what else?
Who was in cubs and/or scouts? How about Brownies, the Guides and CGIT for you girls?
As for teachers, who remembers Mr. Calder? He was a very nice, older man who taught physics--my absolute worst subject, I have to confess. I remember learning about acceleration, mass, vectors, etc. in his class. I can still see and hear him saying, "torque is not a force, it's a product". The odd things that stick in your mind!
Then there was Mr. Ledingham in grade nine who taught math. He was a real character, wasn't he? I remember the new '64 Valiant he purchased and of which he was immensely proud.
Mr. Bride was a big man who taught social studies. He favoured wide ties and my older sister told me that, in her day, the boys celebrated "Bride Tie Day" when they all came to school with wide ties like Mr. Bride!
Remember Mr. Burnham, principal in grades nine and ten? I can picture him, a tough cookie who instituted the "increasing detention plan". The deal was this: for the first late you were forgiven; second late, one detention; third late, two detentions, etc. By year's end in grade nine I was up to nine detentions for one late! Crazy, but for grades ten and eleven I wasn't late once so his plan obviously had the desired effect! Mr. Burnham's successor was Mr. Wright who, because of his short stature, earned the nickname of "Mickey Mouse". Not very respectful, admittedly but that was us--hope he never found out!
Yes..hall monitors in Point Grey--those little Hitlers who undoubtedly relished their authority! And print shop--I remember Mr. Weaver teaching us how to use the pica stick and that vast font with all those bits of type in them. I remember him and Mr. Meriam ("Mr. Merryman", according to Glen Driedger lol) who taught electricty next door to the print shop. For one of the last classes in grade 8 they came with banjo and guitar and regaled us with some very cool tunes. I'll never forget that.
I remember those rat-tailed combs, as they were called. I carried one too; I think we all did--us boys, that is! And the star of Route 66 you are thinking of is George Maharis. I remmeber him too--can't recall the other actor's name but they were cool.
How about high school crushes--didn't we all have them; that certain, special someone we worshipped from afar. Sigh.
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