1960s

When I look back at it now, I had a great childhood growing up in Dos Palos. It was safe, had good schools, neighbors who cared, and fresh fruit and vegetables all year long.

We moved into the city in 1959 when I was starting second grade. I attended Dos Palos Elementary through fifth grade, Bryant Middle School through 8th grade and DPHS through June 1970.

Our home on Marguerite St was a hub of activity. My mom and dad had lots of friends who loved to get together. I remember lots of cocktail parties, bridge games, and poker nights. My mom loved to play the piano and organ and my friends always felt comfortable coming over to play with me.

I was involved in little league baseball, cub scouts and boy scouts, delivered the Dos Palos Star every Wednesday on my bicycle, and even sold Christmas cards door-to-door. I attended the UMC church for seven straight years and was very proud of the pins I was awarded for continuous Sunday school attendance.

My dad gave me a beat-up old 1955 Chevy when I turned 16 and I drove it all around town my last two years. It would be a classic today but I think it ended up in a junkyard after I graduated from high school.

I never wanted to spend the rest of my life in Dos Palos. So, as soon as I left for Belgium in July 1970, I never really returned except for the six months I lived with my Dad after graduating from UC Berkeley.

Welcome to the decade of Dos Palos.