Our Gang
My best memories of the 1940's was our neighborhood "gang". Today, the word "Gang" has a negative connotation. However, in the 1940's, one of the most popular movies was the "Our Gang" comedy. There were at least 8 to 10 kids on our block. Over the course of the seven years I lived there, kids moved in and out. Jerry, Claudia, Mary Jo and I were the originals. Bev, Betty Jo and Ron were added. Others came and went but I would consider these "Our Gang."
We had freedom throughout the neighborhood. There were no fenced in yards. The grass was kept mowed which was about the extent of lawn care.
Mary Jo would be classified as my best friend from my earliest memories to well into my young adult years. I can still hear her hollering, "Hey, Kid!" or when we would have arguments, Mary Jo standing on one side of the street and me on the other yelling, "Dumb Dope, Dumb Dope."
A Little Brother
A very special event took place while we lived on North 25th Street. On March 19, 1947, my brother Harvey Joe was born
As soon as Joe was old enough to join the neighborhood gang, he was included although sometimes grudgingly on my part. However, the boys were glad to give him a ride in their soapbox race car, and I used to ride him around on my bike. Mom held her breath; Dad said, "Let her go."
Just a footnote..I had ordered a baby sister since Mary Jo had a little sister. However, as the years passed, this little brother became very special.
