The Year Was 1958

In Nov.of 1958 I turned 16! Back in those days you had to be 16 before you got your learner's permit so on my birthday I got my permit.My mother took on the job of teaching me to drive. She was an excellent driver herself so I was in good hands. The car I learned to drive on was a 1955 Pontiac. It was a big old car compared to today's standards; a 3 speed stick shift on the column. So,knowing what that meant,I had to learn how and when to push in the clutch and shift gears smoothly. Mom was a good teacher with lots of patience but one time she nearly lost it! We were coming home from somewhere and I was getting ready to turn the corner when Mom said to use the brake. But mistakenly I stepped on the gas and we flew around that turn! She was a little upset to say the least. She taught me to parallel park out on the street where we lived. I studied the instruction manual and the day arrived for me to take my driver's test. This was no easy task like it is today! We drove into Baltimore City to the DMV where the tests were given. I passed my written exam and eye test with no problems. Then a State trooper got in the passenger side of my car and told me to drive to the corner and make a right turn. We had no blinker's in the cars back then so I had to open my window ahead of time and stick out my arm to make a right hand signal while also coming to a stop! We went around a city block with traffic and when we reached the point where we had started he got out and told me to park the car! Oh! boy! Now the real test of my driving skill was about to be tested. There were 2 posts out on the street that I was to maneuver my car between without knocking them over. If you did it was an automatic failure. The first time I backed up I tapped the pole lightly and it rocked a bit but it didn't fall down. Oh, I was so nervous but I immediately pulled forward and tried again and the second time I parked it perfectly. He passed me with a smile! On the way home I felt so happy and begged my mother to let me take the car to school for the rest of the day. Believe it or not, she did. I cannot describe how wonderful it felt to drive for the first time by myself. There was a wonderful sense of freedom that I experienced that day as I proudly drove into the school parking lot. Of course, all my friends wanted me to drive them home after school and I did drive some of them. The trust that my parents placed in me in allowing me drive the family car was awesome. As I look back over the years (50 now)I believe I've honored the trust that was given me by having an excellent, safe driving record. I've had only 1 ticket and that was dismissed by a judge plus I was in a head on collision that was not my fault. A truck driver crossed over a double yellow line and hit me head on. I had to go the hospital in an ambulance as a result and sustained a fractured sternum, a head bump and some stomach bruises. All in all I still consider myself a good driver. We were a one car family and yet my parents allowed me to take the car to school from time to time. This entailed my Mom taking my Dad to work and then getting back in time for me to take the car to school. All my friends got the benefit of me driving them home on those days. In fact, I don't remember any of them driving to school in their family's car. I guess I was blessed in so many ways back then and didn't even realize it!

On Being A Teen In The 50's & 60's!

Life was hopping and jitterbugging was the rage! Elvis was the hearthrob of the day as well as Pat Boone and Ricky Nelson. We danced to "At The Hop" by Danny and the Juniors and sooo many other great songs. I still love all of those great 50's hits! High school was a great place to meet new friends and have opportunities to experience life in a broader sense. The school I attended was a good distance from my home therefore, I was able to meet new kids from an area differing from mine. I was 14 when I started high school and in the ninth grade. Up until this time in my life, I was a pretty spoiled young lady! I was a tall and slender brunette (only 113 lbs.) and the oldest and only girl in my family of 3 brothers. We lived in a good neighborhood and our house was one of those 50's type cottages on a street with others of the same style. My Dad held a good job at Westinghouse and my Mom was a stay at home mother. (although she did work sometimes outside the home.) My Grandmother lived with us for as long as I can remember, but in 1958 she passed away. I guess it was because I never knew anything different, I just thought that was how most people lived. I say that I was spoiled because as a young girl and now a young lady, I was never required to help with any of the household chores. Oh yes, I can remember helping to dry dishes from time to time especially on Thanksgiving and Christmas and ocassionally helping with the wash but other than that I was carefree. My Grandmother and Mom did all the housework and cooking. Occasionally, I did pitch in but I would rather be outside. I liked to help my Dad chop wood for the fireplace though! In my neighborhood I came to know about a dozen kids who were around my age and we formed a unique clique and called ourselves the "dirty dozen". Being around 14 & 15 yrs. of age we hung out. We walked to the local drugstore to buy records and drink cokes and then walk back home. We went to movies on Saturday's together and rode the bus from Linthicum to Glen Burnie. Oh what freedom we thought we had as we got away from parental supervision for a few hours. Actually, we never caused any kind of problem and never did anything illegal. We were just kids growing up. We also enjoyed playing baseball out in the street in front of my house and then when we had a snowstorm and were off from school we all went sledding together. It was kind of romantic on these winter outings as one of the kids in our gang was born the day after me (and in the same hospital) {I thought that was soo cool and that we were destined for each other} and he was tall and looked like Ricky Nelson. I had a crush on him! When I was around 15 yrs. old, I got my first job at Keller's Bake Shop. I worked Saturday's and some Sunday afternoon's selling baked goods and cleaning blackened bake pans for .50 an hour. I remember the first year I had my new job that I wanted to give my Mom a special gift for Christmas so, I went into Glen Burnie to a jewelry shop and purchased her a really nice watch on time. Each week I went there to make a payment on my lay/away until it was paid for and it was such a pleasure to give her this gift when I had finally paid it off. Back then, I was not allowed to bring it home till I had made good on my promise to pay.

The first day of high school I found mysef in my new homeroom class with Mr. Baker my Civics and homeroom teacher. He was an older gentleman, nice but not too exciting. As I looked around the room, I didn't see anyone that I knew. Then the girl sitting next to me introduced herself as we left class and we walked together to the next room. (and for the next 4 yrs.!) Her name was Marge Kessler and she is still my friend today! ( to be continued)

at friend's house on a Sat. night

My Dad's '55 Pontiac Learning to back out!