The Brookfield Scene

The Census Bureau just released its statistical abstract documenting how much life has changed recently. We learned that our lives are much more media-centered -- “connected” -- than ever before.

That makes some people recall the good old days…during a period when life could be enjoyed. Life of a 12 year old child, 50 years ago:

My family consisted of a mother, father, brother, sister and a grandmother. Our home was modest. It did not have air conditioning. Six people shared one bathroom.

We had one black and white TV with three TV channels. We had one telephone with a “party” (shared) line. My sister and I listened to the radio at night. We liked “The Shadow.”

We were a one-car home. My father drove to work; my mother took a bus to her part-time job. My mother knew how to drive a car. Meals were always eaten at home. We always had fried chicken on Sundays.

My brothers, sisters and I walked to school regardless of weather. I went to a newly built junior high just over a mile from home. My sister’s high school was a mile and a half away. My brother’s grade school was about six blocks away.

School was never cancelled. We walked in the streets if sidewalks were not shoveled. During really bad snowstorms, classes were dismissed after we arrived at school. We had to stay at school until at least 11 a.m. and then were sent trudging home in the cold and snow.

At the movies, we saw not one, but two, features plus a comic.

There were local mom and pop food stores and some meat markets. Fruits and vegetables were available only during their season.

Bread and milk were delivered to our homes.

There was little development west of Highway 100. Mayfair Mall hadn’t yet been built. Retail stores were closed on Sundays. Our family would drive to the “country” on Sunday when the weather was nice.

There were no electronics fifty years ago.

Girls were not allowed on the baseball diamond.