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Last
change date is at the bottom of each page. |
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| (L-R) Larry (me), Bradley Guillerm, Stuart Hutchinson |
I don't know anybody but me in this picture - sorry |
 Clicking on the "people" pictures above will open a full-size version in a new window |
It's September 9th, 1958 and I have just celebrated my 5th birthday. Lucky for me my birthday came before school started which gave me an "early start". Paul, my brother, wasn't so lucky. Having been born in October he had to wait almost a full year when he was able to start school. This early start allowed me to graduate from high school, when I was still 17 years old. Nice!
Kindergarten in Oakland, at the time, was held at what was the Ponds Memorial Building built during the depression in 1936 and dedicated on July 17, 1937. (of course I was not around for the event). This building is a replica of the original 1829 church and much of the stone used in it's construction came from the ruins of that 1829 building. Today (2007) it serves as the Oakland Public Library.
Without the help of pictures, I remember 3 things about this place. First, there was only one classroom and it seemed to a 5-year old to be quite large. Second, my kindergarten teacher was Mrs. Fieldhouse. I only remember this because my third real memory. My grandfather had to come get me out of school one day (it may have been the first day - ha) because I was afraid. I don't know if it was the teacher or if it was being away from home for the first time but it was then he (my grandfather) gave my teacher the nickname "Mrs. Fieldmouse." Maybe this is why I remember her name. |
My 5th birthday took place in the basement (as yet unfinished) of our home in Oakland. I can't remember any of the folks there - except me - in the bow tie. |
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From those early years
- Kindergarten - 4th grade -
I even remember the names of all of my teachers.
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Originally "Oakland Public School Number 1 built in 1906, my first real school was Oakland Elementary School. |
| Kindergarten - Mrs. Fieldhouse
1st Grade - Mrs. Setterfield
2nd - Grade - Mrs. White
3rd Grade - Mrs. Lilly
4th Grade - Mrs. Genovese
Of all of them, Mrs. White had the greatest impact.
I remember her always trying to help. Even at this young age, people can have an effect on the rest ofyour life. |
The principal at the time was
Gilbert LaVecchia |
5th Birthday - September 2, 1958 |
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Who Are They - Where Are They Now? |
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| I wrote down names but only the initial for the last name. Those I remember are listed: |
Back Row (Left to Right)
Mrs. White (teacher), Roy Metz, Jack Hopp, Donald E., Peter L., Leonard Ochinski, Kenneth Whitehead, Glen S., Wayne Kelly, Steven C.and then there is - Larry Lachance (me).
Middle Row (Left to Right)
Barry B., Roy H., Greg W., Jimmy O., Deborah F., Lora T., Bob V., Bob L., Ernie L., Peter H.
Front Row
I didn't write any of the names??? |
Click the picture for full size |
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School Photos - I graduated from "bow tie" to "real tie" (with a clip) |
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Kindergarten |
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2nd Grade |
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4th Grade |
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During the years in Oakland other family from both sides would visit. In July of 1960, cousins from Maryland came to see us. I don't think this was the only time, but I did have a photo of this visit. The people are: Carol Ann Bussell, Relmyra (Warren) Bussell, Larry Lachance, Anna (Bussell) Lachance, Paul Lachance, Richard Bussell, Jr.
Uncle Richard (Bussell) my mothers brother, took the photo - LOVE the car! |
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Sometime in late 1961 or early 1962 (I think) I was outside the house playing when this dog I'd never seen before came to me. LIke the proverbial duck to water - I immediately connected. As it turned out the dog was not a stray, rather she had gotten away from another family who lived on Spear Street, about 6/10ths of a mile away by road, probably less than 1000 feet through the woods. The family was that of a childhood friend, Jimmy Kewderis. I really don't remember how it happened but somehow I ended up with Jimmy's dog. I never really knew how he felt about that, it must have hurt that his parents would allow it, I know how I would have felt!
Trixie (did I name her or was that already her name?) would be with me for the next 7 years. The rest of that story will be told later in "my life".
Trixe would, however, be my friend and companion for as long as she remained with us. I really loved this dog and to this day, I remain an animal lover.
What ever happened to Jimmy Kwederis I don't know but if anybody out there knows him, just let him know that the dog he probably loved as much as I did, had a good life and was well taken care of. Thanks Jimmy! |
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There were lots of us kids in the neighborhood in the early 1960's, and we all seemed to get along just fine. While I remember lot's of people from the neighborhood, for whatever reason, I remember Greg Litcher and his family most. Greg and his sister Mary Ann, lived three houses down, with his Mom and Dad (Steve and Marge Litcher).In retrospect, it seemed like their family was right out of " Father Knows Best".
...I would have said "Leave it to Beaver" but I think my brother Paul and I were more capable of fulfiling the roles of Wally and the Beaver! - (said with a "smirk" on my face)
Mr. Litcher, a painter by trade, seemed to me to be very strict and I never remember him smiling. Mrs. Litcher was always very kind and caring and even...I'm not sure how to describe this..."proper" comes to mind, never seeming to get mad at anything. Greg's sister always wanted to "tag along" and I remember his mom telling her "leave the boys alone" and let them play. When our day of playing with the Tonka Toy construction equipment in the dirt pile was over, she would come out and pick Greg up in her arms and say "tell the fellas so long now", and we'd all go home. Times seem more simple then, not like today. As with all of the people I knew from Oakland, I lost track of Greg and his family in the early 1970's - but, I've never forgotten them. |
The Litcher Family  |
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Greg Litcher
About 1971
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The Ahlers family lived almost directly across from the Litchers. I don't remember a lot about this family other than they owned Ahlers Jeep at the corner of 202 and Long Hill Road. I do remember, however on August 5, 1962, Peggy Ahlers came to visit the house. She had just heard, Marilyn Monroe had died. My dad was in a state of disbelief at the time. He always had an eye for blondes, or is that just women in general, but anyway...much like most men of the day, Marilyn Monroe was THE pinup girl of the day. Nobody could believe she died. By the way, I would not have known the date Peggy came to visit unless I looked up the date Marilyn died (which I did...look it up I mean.) |
More tidbits of Oakland memories are on the next page |
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