SHADOW BOXING IN THE BASEMENT

     Dad decided that our storage room in the basement should become our Rec Room. He invested big time: a chalk board, a ping pong table, and the unbelievable, our own TV set!

1950s console TV with its Indian Head test pattern

     It was probably Mom's idea. A built in babysitter, deep in the basement, where she could catch a break from the constant noise. Happy wife, happy life, so they say! We made a few additions of our own: a round Quaker Oats can and a tennis ball made for great indoor basketball.

Howdy Doody and Buffalo Bob

Lone Ranger and his horse Silver.

    The TV was a big hit. We always looked forward to Saturdays. They had great kids shows on TV such as Mickey Mouse Club, Howdy Doody, and the Lone Ranger.  Every Sunday night we would gather around and watch World of Disney. Dad's favorite was watching world championship boxing. Gene Fullmer was a local boy who would fight for the world championship.

Gene Fullmer was born in West Jordan, Utah. He became the World Middleweight Champion in 1957. He and Sugar Ray Robinson faced off more than once, exchanging victories and defeats.

Whenever Fullmer fought Dad was right there with him throwing punches. We always kept our distance until the fight was over. Watching him shadow box was as much fun as watching the real fight.

Gene Fullmer knocks out Sugar Ray Robinson, the reigning World Champion, at Madison Square Gardens, NY to become the new World Middle Weight Champion. 1957.

     But even better, on Saturday afternoons the movie theaters on Center Street and University Avenue  (Academy, Uinta, and the Paramount) had matinee movies on the big screen just for kids!

     If we finished our chores, Mom would drop us off with just enough money for the movie and a treat. They always started with a "news reel" which bored the kids. Then the Woody Woodpecker and Bugs Bunny Cartoons brought the cheering kids to their feet.

    One Saturday in the cold of winter, Mom didn't show to pick us up. After waiting for some time my sister Kay and I decided to walk home. It was getting dark, nothing looked familiar and we realized we were lost. We were wandering about 8 blocks up University Avenue when we heard a familiar honk, and there was Mom and a warm ride home. What a relief!