A Creative Streak
Since I enjoyed writing and illustrating stories, I had made a short book about a fifth-grade boy, inspired by the popular Judy Blume series of books.
Mrs. Coady read this to the class for a couple of days, and I was really surprised and gratified to know that the kids actually liked it. She encouraged my creative writing by sending me to a workshop at Princeton University.
She also arranged to display my artwork in the big glass cases lining the wall in the entry of the school, their first-ever “One Woman Show.” Included were my sketches and paintings, and I received quite a lot of attention as a result. I entered a couple of the illustrations into the art exhibit at the Middlesex County Fair, and won second place for one of them.
I also recall participating in a couple of school events at which I drew caricatures, and earned a little money. My personal experience as a professional artist pretty much ended there, but it was a lot of fun, and Mom made me feel good about earning a few dollars.
One day, I heard I was to be featured in the district’s periodical on the East Brunswick Public Schools, Spotlight on Education. I was interviewed with my art teacher, Mr. Burik, and we were photographed in the art room (pictured above). Mom saved several copies for family and friends.
“Love Is Thicker Than Water” by Andy Gibb
Andy Gibb – Love Is Thicker Than Water
Also, every year between fourth grade and sixth, I was a contributor to Kid Stuff, a publication including drawings and written blurbs by East Brunswick elementary school students.
The teacher across from us was Mr. Bryn, and he had a giant red and blue cardboard 3-D biplane hanging from the ceiling. Years later, we heard with sadness that Mr. Bryn and his wife were lost in a car accident. His kids were also sat for with us at the Nearys’. A terrible turn of events.
I was in Girl Scouts, but wouldn’t advance up to “Cadette” standing. I was becoming more involved with music, and lessons and orchestra increasingly required my spare time. Violin lessons at school continued, and I was in the beginners’ orchestra concert at the high school, directed by Darlene Morrow, whose love for teaching and music were obvious.
“Take A Chance On Me” by ABBA
Miss Lupinsky, a visiting string teacher, would give us lessons a couple of days a week in a small room down the hall.
One time, Tina K left her cello bow on the floor and I stepped on it by mistake. I felt bad about that, though it really had been an accident waiting to happen.
During that year, I also volunteered to read to the kindergarteners in the school library.
I also spent some time with Darla and Howie, two Down Syndrome kids, keeping them company during lunchtime in the cafeteria.
The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack broke forth like wildfire. Favorite songs include If I Can’t Have You by Yvonne Elliman, Grease is the Word by Frankie Valli, and the Bee Gees’ hits from the movie flooded my consciousness. I especially liked More Than a Woman by Tavares.
The movie Grease was also hot, with that soundtrack getting equal airtime, though I didn’t really care for any of that music. It seemed that John Travolta, whether sporting ’50s Brylcreem or disco mojo, was everywhere.
That spring of ’78, Ebony Eyes by Bob Welch, Runnin’ on Empty by Jackson Browne, Thunder Island by Jay Ferguson, Flash Light by Parliament, I’m Every Woman by Chaka Khan, Peg by Steely Dan, and Dust in the Wind by Kansas were popular.
“Ebony Eyes” by Bob Welch
Camp Fairview
In May, I went with the sixth grade to Camp Fairview in Stillwater, NJ for a week. All 6 elementary schools in East Brunswick were bussed to the Kittatinny Mountains one Friday afternoon, and we stayed in the cabins.
We had all the typical activities such as crafts, science (I dissected a frog with Paul T that week), square dancing, campfire songs, eating in the mess hall, and swimming and boating in the lake.
Thanks to Dad, I had plenty of Kraft “Fudgies” and “Caramels” to share with my cabin mates. I got s ton of points for that. Since there were no TVs, I mourned the night I missed “CHiPs”.
The day I got back, the family picked me up and we all went for dinner at Victoria Station, a train-themed eatery where the Olive Garden now stands on Route 18.
Revelation
One warm day, toward the end of sixth grade, I was kneeling and facing backward on a folding chair in the gym/cafeteria before an assembly, gazing at the back doors, open to the June breezes.
I was in a reflective mood and remember my thoughts as if it were yesterday:
I’m starting junior high in the fall, and leaving this school. I’ll be 12 in November. Time is passing quickly … some day I’ll be an adult. I wonder what it will be like as a grown-up?
I wistfully realized that I couldn’t stop time and I WAS growing up, like it or not. Chittick School would soon be just a memory. It was probably my first personal awareness of inevitable change and mortality.
I once asked Mom about growing up and she explained that becoming an adult happens so gradually that you don’t realize it.
“Grease Is The Word” by Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli – Grease Is The Word
Boogie Oogie Oogie by A Taste of Honey, Bad Girls by Donna Summer, Thank God It’s Friday by Love ‘n Kisses, and With a Little Luck by Paul McCartney were popular as I forever left my elementary school experiences behind.
That summer, we hunted for tadpoles in a lake in South River and rode bikes to Blimpie’s on Route 18 for snacks and then up to Brunswick Square Mall to play in the arcade. I watched “CHiPs” devotedly, and hung out with Joan and Leslie. I began my daily diary (which I still keep today) on August 5, and on August 8 made a notation that it was Larry Wilcox’s birthday. That has also continued until the present.
I was NUTS for the song Copacabana by Barry Manilow, and repeatedly went next door to Leslie’s to hear it on their stereo. Good thing Mr. and Mrs. “Faz” seemingly didn’t mind the intrusion!
The empty lot cat-a-corner from our house in back was cleared for a house to be built, and Libby’s family moved in. Steven and I really loved The Groove Line by Heatwave and stalked it on WABC.
I also helped Dad a lot around the yard, with the push mower and the riding mower and with washing the cars. I just preferred outside work to household chores, to Mom’s displeasure. I was a tomboy and basked in it.
“The Groove Line” by Heatwave
Heatwave – The Groove Line (Extended)
I observed Dad doing oil changes and other types of maintenance on the cars, and he showed me how to do some basics. I learned how to check the tire pressure, oil, trans and reservoir levels, as well as how to refill those. This knowledge would benefit me years later, when I maintained my first car down at WVU. No daughter of Dad’s was going to end up the “typical woman driver”!
Start of Daily Diary
On August 5, I started a diary that has continued every day since. Dad and I hung out together, we went to Nana’s house in our ’74 Caddy, and our second road trip to Disney/Daytona was just days away. I was nuts about Larry Wilcox of “CHiPs” and the songs, “If I Can’t Have You”, “Copacabana”, “Grease Is the Word”, and “Groove Line”.
Return to Disney World
Later in the summer of ’78 found us heading for Disney World and Daytona again, but this time we brought Nana with us. We piled into the ’74 Caddy, excited with memories from last time. (If it weren’t for us, Dad’s mother would never have gone anywhere.)
Andy Gibb’s hits, Shame by Evelyn Champagne King and Summer Nights from Grease were popular.
“Copacabana” by Barry Manilow
We cooled our heels at Days Lodge in Kissimmee, in a really nice apartment with a kitchen.
Mom pointed out that California’s Disneyland could fit into Walt Disney World’s parking lot and still fit 500 cars.
We spent a day at River Country for water fun, and of course devoured the Magic Kingdom, enjoying another Spirit of Aloha Luau at the Polynesian Village. Mom even got up on stage to join the dancers, and dang if she didn’t hold her own!
We were disappointed to realize that Space Mountain was closed for maintenance.
When we made it to Daytona, we took a rare opportunity to drive right on the beach. We stayed at the top floor penthouse suite at the Oceanfront Days Inn.
This was made possible because Mom went to the front desk to point out that our room didn’t have working air conditioning (a MUST in summer Florida). The agent shrugged and stated, “sorry; the only other room we have available is the penthouse”— to which Mom immediately replied, “We’ll take it.”
SCORE!
This place was even more impressive than where we stayed in Kissimmee. It was a multi-room suite with living room, kitchen, bedroom, and pull-out sofas. And what a view!
That week there were constant memorials for the first anniversary of Elvis Presley’s passing.
Coming back from that vacation, as we exited the Delaware Memorial Bridge, Copacabana was playing on WABC and we were all singing as Dad paid the toll: “…at the Copa… copaBANANA!”
It was hilarious … Dad was taking the movie, Mom was driving, Steven and I had our Mouse Ears on and were singing. Nana had her head back, resting, oblivious to it all. Priceless.
Movies of Disney/Daytona begin at 24:10.
Vacation continues!
WOW! What a great walk down Memory Lane! Cathy Coady and Frank Bryn wee my very very dear friends, and I miss them too. But hearing about them in your story brings them back as alive as they were then! And Mommy Lucille ALWAYS had the best advice. I adored her and still do. I adore Daddy and Steven too. They were as much a part of my life then as they were yours. I loved meeting Dad at Mickey’s Donutland years later, every morning, asking about you and Steven and how he was doing since Mom left us. I loved the sparkle in your Dad’s eyes. He was always happy, positive and had a great outlook on things. I know he still does.
Hearing your story, right from its creative and beautiful source, is heartwarming! You described me well. I am glad my love for teaching was “obvious.” My love for teaching YOU was obvious, and copious, that’s for sure! You made it so easy to love teaching. I forgot that you stepped on Tina K’s bow, but now I clearly remember it. 🙂
I LOVE this journal! You better believe your Dad rocks! I haven’t read that part yet, but I can’t wait to!
Love you!
:)–Darlene
I appreciate that so much! This site has been a lot of fun for me, remembering all the people who had an impact on my life. You were, and remain, one of them. Relatively few teachers become lifelong friends. Thank you for being one of mine! 😎