Saturday, March 1, 2014

Sherry, just before we met

(Pictures are cars boys were dreaming of in 1954/55)

I arrived in Belmont going into the 10th grade, Shirl had graduated in Valdese, the first of our family to finish HS

1955 Plymouth

The Harris Mill House was two bed rooms. At the time I was in Valdese, there was only three children still at the Harris home, Tommy, Sherry and Johnny. Vernon and older brother got married and was back home for a while. Things got crowded and Sherry began to consider alternatives to her plans for school after High School. She began to think of quitting HS when she was 16 and heading to Burlington, NC to live with Grethren, a friend, who had already got established in Burlington.

1955-Dodge-2

She made several trips to Burlington on the weekends to try and make up her mind.  She met a couple boys there, one was Sonny Turner, who had been a friend of mine a few years before, of course I was not mentioned because Sherry did not know me. Sonny never thought of me of course, all he knew was this was a beautiful girl who might move to Burlington.  I don’t blame him (but of course I  don’t like him anymore. LOL)

Sherry had lots of friends in Belmont, but moving away was fascinating. As was common in the south, a person’s life revolved around the church they attended. Churches tried to keep activities going to hold their youth.  The 1950’s held a lot of rebellious kids, Sherry was not one.

Cars 1950s

There was the promise of plenty of textile jobs in and around Burlington. Her former pastor was now in Burlington, so there was another connection a hundred miles north of Belmont.

Thankfully she was changing her mind about the time we arrived at Belmont. Dad’s first service was on Sunday morning. That Sunday Sherry was in Burlington but I still did not know her yet. Martha Carver was not present either, and I did miss her.

ED BRN 30s hudson

In the next few weeks I dated a sweet girl, Margaret Woods. I met Sherry and learned she was a grade ahead of me in school, but we would be attending the same school. Margaret and Martha was still in elementary school. I was 15 going on 20! Sherry was 16 going on 25. So she was out of bounds being an older classman. We did eventually meet of course before school started.

I played the trumpet in the church band, one Sunday morning I was late and Sherry went up the steps ahead of me, being a boy I was drawn to her legs, all I could see was the ankles in Bobby sox, but I knew that girl has LEGS.

ed brn 55 Pontiac

Belmont was bigger than Valdese and of course was very close to Charlotte, a city. I was closer to the Catawba River than in Valdese, I liked that.  I was surprised to learn the Catawba wound thru a lot of Western NC before passing thru Belmont into South Carolina. There was  lot of fun times swimming, diving and jumping from the RR trestle.  I met Sherry’s brother Johnny at the local swimming hole at the trestle.

ED BRN 56 ford crn vic(OOPS, that is a ‘56)

 

So now Sherry and Jack are in the same town, if I can just get her to notice me.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Boys must be careful, at times, girls are very picky!Winking smile

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I was 15, looking forward to my driver’s, that was a BIG deal to me.

1932_Ford_roadster_black_fvl1953_Corvette_early_with_Bel_Air_wheel_covers'49_Fleetline_Front_Scalloops

boys wanted a Rod, a custom, or a sports car…

8 comments:

shirl72 said...

What memories. A story about your
friend Sonny Turner a wild boy. He got in the family car and practicing driving up and down the driveway and back into a tree. His Grandmother said "Sonny I will have to tell your parents", his reply "what are you trying to do kill my influence". To me that has always been funny coming from a youngster.

Rose said...

Wow, great photos of those beautiful cars.

I alway love reading your family stories.

Hugs to my favorite couple

Jackie said...

So glad that you have brought us to the point that you are in the same town.
Sure hope you meet!!
:)

TARYTERRE said...

Moving away from home always seems so exciting when you're a teenager. That great big world is just waiting to be explored.

betty said...

I know it was a different time, but it seems hard to imagine that Sherry had friends as young as 16 or perhaps even 17 moving to another town, getting established, working, etc. I can't imagine knowing too many youth these days that might do such a thing. Wise choice, Sherry, to stay in school!

betty

Chatty Crone said...

I am glad and I bet she is glad too - that she stayed in school and met Y O U !

Paula said...

You two were just meant to be.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

My very first car was a 56 Ford like the one you have pictured. I loved that car. It wasn't new when I got it as it was after I graduated from school so I could drive to work. It's amazing how you two got together. Something were just meant to be. I love hearing about your thoughts when moving to a new place.