Wheeling Along

As children growing up neither my sister, Elnora, nor I ever owned a bicycle. Come to think of it, neither did my brother Joel. Money was tight in those days of the late 20’s and early 30’s and it was a struggle to pay rent.

But thanks to a Christmas gift from my brother who worked part-time at Skinner’s Hardware Store (where Doughty’s furniture sits today), I became the proud owner of a pair of skates and I went everywhere there were sidewalks.

I would sit down on the front step, strap them onto my shoes and off we went, starting from Clinton ST, down the smooth sidewalk along Delsea DR, on past Currington’s Store (now Marty and Barb’s) and Turner & Turner Garage (now the Speedwash Laundromat) at Academy St… past Center St and the American Store (now the best food in town Chinese Takeout)

Coming up to Mackay’s Drug Store, (now Clay Drugs), there was a rough patch in the sidewalk out front. Time to take off the skates, leave them outside and go in and sit on a stool at the marble soda fountain and order my favorite drink, Coca-Cola, with dash of chocolate syrup in it was just five cents!

If you sat at the tables there were little silver dishes of pretzel sticks to enjoy with your dish of ice-cream.

Back outside, I would strap the skates back and set off around the corner to the Town Hall which housed the library, (now the firehouse).

I was allowed to take out three books for me, three for my mother, and three for my sister. One of the Librarians was Miss Lulu Costill, a neighbor.

Juggling that many books on roller skates was a challenge. That’s where the Saturday Evening Post bag in the bottom of my brother’s closet, leftover from his delivery days came into play. After securing the books inside the bag, the strap went over my shoulder and with the skates back on, we were off!

I usually made it back to Clinton St. with a few problems. Off came the trusty skates and it was time to settle down on the front porch with one of my book choices. The perfect way to spend a summer day!

Editors Note: Ms Margaret Duncan Everett is a proud 1942 CHS graduate, who responded to a previous article titled ‘Clayton Monologues’, where we asked our readers to share life experiences while growing up in Clayton. We want to thank Ms. Everett for sharing her childhood days ‘wheeling along’ downtown Clayton with our readers, of when times were simpler and we encourage other longtime Claytonites to share their memories with us as well.

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