1959 - 1960 in Biography

I need to finish up 1959…

‘59 was when Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union. We were living in New Castle, New Hampshire at the time in a house rented from…someone, and the next street over was where my brother learned to ride my(!) bicycle.

The 4th of July fireworks celebrating the 49th and 50th States stick in my mind. I remember sparklers and whirling, twirling sheets of flame, and thought we - the United States - added a state every year! :-)

In 1959 I was in second grade, and I remember having a crush on Mary Ellen, Mary Jane, Ann, and Nancy, but not at the same time.

There was a construction company putting in new water lines, and of course, I had to investigate all the machinery. They’d dig, then blast, scoop out the debris, and finally lay the pipe, using some kind of molten liquid (lead???) to connect the sections together.

1960 was an election year, and my sister and I would chant ‘Kennedy for President…Kennedy for President.’ It must’ve driven the Nixon supporters nuts, but for us kids, the rhythm of what we were saying was more important than any candidate.

What else? The second of three younger brothers was born in 1959; the Lionel trains showed up that Christmas; I got an electric-powered steam engine for my birthday; the Studebaker Commander and the brand-new Ford F-100 showed up; and my neighbor buddy and I made frequent trips to the Piscataqua River to explore the barnacles, periwinkles, and whatever the ocean-connected water washed up on shore.

Life was good for a seven year old! :-)