One of the thrills I get in writing this column is the wonderful feedback from my friends, family and alumni. Upon occasion, someone stumbles across a splinter of memorabilia that really touches my heart.
Recently, my pal Kimberly Mack sent me a few pages from our May 23, 1967 Walter Reed Skyline News, a daily addendum to our annual yearbook, The Skyline. I don’t know if it exists anymore or still goes by this name, but it’s a poignant reminder of the era, and it has brought back a flood of memories for those of us who went to school there.
Inside, I’m reminded of many pals from that year. In looking at some of the names, I see several who have dropped off the radar. But many I’ve found on Facebook, and rekindling these friendships has been very rewarding.
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When I see the bylines from some of these people, I remember them vividly. I remember walking from 2nd to 3rd period with them. I remember them trying to cheat off my algebra tests. Some were much better in history than I was. Still there were others I remember not picking for team sports, as I was too interested in winning.
But the era was a poignant one, reflecting a time in transition. Authority was being questioned. Rules were broken. Dress codes were in transition.
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Here are a few of my favorite passages from The Skyline News.
Fashions of Yesterday and Today-by Kimberly Mack
…If you compare the fashions of then with the fashions of today, you get quite a shock. The girls wore their skirts mid-calf, their shoes were saddle–oxfords, and they wore bobby socks. They had dark lipstick, no eye-makeup and short curly hair.
But the girls of today…skirts about three inches above the knee, pale lipstick, heavy eye-makeup and straight long hair. Some girls have gone in for the little boy look, and they cut their hair about the same length as the boys…
I think Kimberly was referring my twin sister Teresa and me. We both sported that tomboy cut.
Here’s another gem. I like it in particular, as I was never good at ironing.
Wrinkled Blouses Out of Style-by Karen Gardner
Why can’t we have wrinkleless gym blouses? Monday, they’re unwrinkled, but then we crinkle them up and shove them in our baskets…If we had wrinkleless blouses, we wouldn’t have to iron them. When we crinkle them, they won’t crinkle and we will look much fresher and unwrinkled the rest of the week…
This sounds like the writer was way ahead of her time. I always hated ironing my gym blouse. And those yellow stains under the arms were very tough to get out even with the best bleach available.
Do any of you still have your yearbooks? What priceless gems are inside of them?
