A love letter to '50s Long Beach
I was born in the Long Beach Hospital and grew up there in the late '50s and early '60s, before I left for college. My family originally moved there in the '20s. I can't think of a better place to grow up.
During the summer, the city doubled from the 25,000 year-round residents. The beach was the place to be. The merchants took kindly to the locals, and we got the first shot at summer jobs.
It was our family place, with both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles and many cousins living there. My father, mother and both grandfathers worked in Long Beach, giving me the feeling of being in a warm and safe environment. The guns that I knew about were in the holsters of the Long Beach police.
We played basketball at the Central School and even had a high school star of the time show up: Power Memorial's Lew Alcindor (he later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Other games we enjoyed were stickball, wherever we could find a wall to draw a box, and football in the streets; play was suspended when a car approached. We all knew that it was time to go home when it got dark outside.
Electronics were different. You picked up your telephone and hoped no one else was on it (party line), and told the operator the number you wanted when she answered. All the numbers began with Long Beach 6. I was thrilled at age 5 (1950) when we got our own television and no longer had to go next door to watch at my neighbor's house.
Of course, in our little community there were fights, but fists were the only weapons I ever saw. The only gangs I knew about were on Broadway, where "West Side Story" was onstage. Economically, we were all about the same. Most families were lower to middle class, so envy didn't enter the picture.
During the decade I grew up, there were many nationally known stars who emerged from our small community. Long Beach basketball star Larry Brown, who won a gold medal in the 1964 Summer Olympics and was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame for his coaching, was the first one. Oscar winner Phil Robinson (best adapted screenplay, "Field of Dreams"), who also won an Emmy and many other awards, was another Long Beach product.
My favorites were the three Crystal brothers. The oldest, Joel, taught school in Long Beach for decades. He also led the city as a council member and eventually as president of the city council. Middle brother Richard, known as "Rip," has had a successful career. He could always sing. He was the star of the high school musical and went on to a career in musical theater. There is not much to say about the youngest brother, Billy Crystal, that people don't know. He is an internationally known star.
After I finished college, I left the Island to pursue a career and raise a family. I have always been sorry that I didn't raise my children in Long Beach, but it just wasn't in the cards. I did take my children out to the beach every summer and often visited my father, who remained on the beach till his dying day. The children have fond memories of their visits.
I was thrilled to return 15 years ago to the Island, and have no plans to ever live anyplace else. The friendships I formed have lasted to this day. I think it is amazing how strong the bonds are. My class, Long Beach High School Class of 1963, prepares for its 50th reunion weekend that will be capped on June 29 at the Sands in Lido Beach.
On Facebook, we have more than 100 members who participate in sharing fond memories. The group is called LBHS 63. (Note: it is an open group; if you would like to see it, there is no need to join, but, of course, you are welcome.)
The only regret I have, besides not raising my children in Long Beach, is that I sold my first car to help pay for college. It was a 1955 Chevy convertible that could be worth six figures today.
Ron Wood,Calverton