Bobby R. Woodall
1914 Chandler Lane
Columbus, IN 47203
(812) 372-5340
e-mail: bwoodall@voyager.net
September 4, 1999
The Republic
333 2nd St.
Columbus, IN 47201
To the Editor:
Moon hubcaps, wide white wall tires, '57 Chevrolet, glass packs and flat tops with side burns
were some of the things mentioned by Bobby Vee at the Hospice outdoor concert tonight. My
family and I went to the concert along with numerous others. We took lawn chairs, some brought
blankets and others just sat on the grass.
The weather was just right; warm but not too warm, crowded but not too crowded and a gentle
breeze wafted over the crowd. We were entertained for over two hours by Mr. Vee. To a lot of
us in the crowd, it brought back memories; some pleasant others not. I looked around where we
were sitting and could see a smattering of people from various age brackets. There were the
elderly, some with walkers and canes. The middle-aged, whose children had grown up and left
home. Now mom and dad were enjoying a night out to themselves. Many teenagers, some
looked bewildered by the antics us "old folks" did. We clapped hands in an early answer to the
popular "wave" and sang with Mr. Vee. There were also a few wantobes; want to be bad, cool,
different or whatever. Elementary school children were in attendance, most of them had floppy
glows they dangled or just waved around in the warm night air. I could count maybe five babies,
but I am sure there were more. All had smiles on their faces.
A few of us remember the 50's and 60's all too well. We could remember cherry cokes, cherry
limeades, cherry mash candy and the sock hop at the local gymnasium. Also if the truth was
know; our first heart break over a girl/ guy who thought us beneath her/his station in life. The
guys had DA's, rolled up levis, cigarette over the ear and toothpick in the mouth. You weren't
cool unless you talked out of the corner of your mouth or in surly tones reminiscent of Marlon
Brando in "On The Waterfront" or the cocky attitude of James Dean in "Rebel Without A
Cause". Some wore the button down red or blue pinstripe shirts and a few of us had motorcycle
boots, leather jackets and dog chains around our waists or over our shoulders. We were the
ultimate in being "cool". The girls had Bobby socks, penny loafers, hair in either a pony tail or
some outrageous bouffant that required at least two cans of hair spray at each setting. Their stiff
hair was a deterrent to a boy being fresh with them.. A guy got fresh, one could just swing her hair
and instantly his face was torn to shreds. Although a few had sweaters over their shoulders, not
on them, but draped over the shoulders and tied with a simple knot. Then there were the "college
crowd". Guys with pipes unlit in their mouths or a patch of peach fuzz on their upper lip. Girls
learning to smoke for the first time or using make-up to bedazzle their male counterparts.
A little nostalgia helps one to remember who, where and why we are in the position that we find
ourselves in now. It does not hurt to look back and smile, but at the same time live for the
present and plan for tomorrow. We can not go back to our past, nor forward to our future, only
live for the now. "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes" may be only a song, but it does one good to
know that we are not alone in our endeavors. We all need each other. Sort of a scratch my back
and I will scratch yours type of mode.
I certainly appreciate the effort given by the Hospice people and the money donated by Arvin for
this enjoyable evening. It does one good to see his neighbors were enjoying the evening too.
Columbus is doing her self proud to offer free entertainment like the one I enjoyed tonight.
Thank you,
Bobby R. Woodall
.