dchs1955.org - Iris Harms Martin

      These are memories of growing up in a small town, Dallas Center (population of about 1200) and going to school there in the 40's and 50's. It was a time before drugs, gangs, miniskirts, baggy pants, cell phones and on and on. Remember the three cent postage stamp, penny post card, nickel ice cream cone and candy bar and two pieces of candy for a penny?
      Girls were still held back in being equal with boys. I would ask my Dad for permission to do something and he would say no. when I asked why he would say "because you are a girl." That didn't sound like a good reason but he did have four daughters to deal with. Boys were trained to let ladies go first and open doors for them. Boys could never wear hats inside the buildings. One boy grew a mustache, was sent home and told not to return until he got rid of it.
      Chewing gum was a no-no in school. During the War bubble gum was scarce, so when we heard it was at the store we would make a beeline to get a pack (Bazooka I think). That pack might last a month, re-chewing and re-chewing.
      For girls it was the day of bobby socks, saddle shoes and poodle skirts. Girls could only wear skirts and dresses to school, no long pants or jeans. On real cold days you could wear long pants under your skirt but the long pants had to come off before class. Imagine trying to maneuver putting them on and taking them off in the coat room.
      Homemaking class was for the girls to ready them to become homemakers, cooking, sewing and decorating. Women wore fancy hats to church, a rare sight today. My sisters and I always had new Easter bonnets each year.
      So many memories! These were happy times for me and having good classmates to bond with helped to enrich my life.