On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

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A former classmate of mine got my e-mail address from this column and we started corresponding. We both graduated from the Western Junior High School in 1968 (the last graduating class before the big fire). He graciously sent me a copy of our graduation picture, you know, the ones that are all rolled up? Thanks Dennis K.

I can’t believe we were ever that young – I also can’t believe I shot the bird in the photo. We thought were so old and mature, but we were really still children. I got several lumps in my throat when I saw the faces of some friends who are no longer with us, but after unearthing a slew of memories, I got to thinking about how fashions have changed.

First of all, where the hell did those clothes come from? Some of mine (at the time) came from The Truc in Harvard Square as well as Robert Hall, Kresge’s and JM Fields. We were a big Anderson Little family. I still remember the tailor with that little piece of white soap marking my inseam (that was pretty creepy). I know for a fact that a few kid’s shirts came from Mickey Finn’s in Davis Square and that my desert boots were purchased at Thom McCann’s.

A lot of us guys wore those beige suede bucks with the pinkish rubber soul and heel. I actually have had a pair of those throughout my entire life. The really cool dudes had black shiny pointed black boots with a ‚ÄúCuban heel.‚Äù We called them fence climbers, and they packed a mean kick – they were also known as Beatle Boots. The O’Neil brothers had them. I think you had to go to some store in Central Square to get those babies.

Some of us got taps put on down at the cobbler. Remember putting dimes in penny loafers? I recall having to beg my parents for almost every piece of cool clothing I got – it was always the complete opposite of what they tried to stick me with.

The hairstyles have really changed as well! Miss Charlton had this up-sweep do that was kind of like a beehive. Maybe they called it a bouffant? She was gorgeous. Too bad we were her very first class ever – what an introduction to teaching – I’m amazed she didn’t change careers after that year. Miss Hagerty not only had the beehive ‚Äúthang‚Äù going on, but she drove a blue Mustang with a white convertible top – she was probably the coolest teacher I ever had, plus she was nice to us kids. She taught me all the French I know – oooh la la.

I have to say that Mr. Perno, Mr. Lundy and Mr. Mackey were also great teachers/administrators. Mr. Kelly left to help Robert F Kennedy’s presidential campaign. As we marched through the halls in an orderly fashion we heard: ‚Äúline over there, line over there.‚Äù All the teachers up the Western were decent to us kids – strict, but fair – thank you all for some precious memories.

There were a few real knockouts among the 9th grade girls Рthese young ladies were in an elite group I called “the untouchables” Рthey were definitely out of my league.

The girls wore a variety of hairstyles ranging from pageboys to those that flipped at the shoulder. I don’t know the correct name for that style but they all looked great. The smell of Aquanet can still bring me back. There were a lot of those headbands and barrettes in style in 1968. Some guys had the sideburn thing going on – I was jealous because I hadn’t reached that level of manhood yet – I was still shaving nothing, hoping that something would grow, but I had to wait it out. Remember that bit of advice? ‚ÄúIf you keep shaving, it will eventually grow.‚Äù – well, it didn’t work for me.

There were still a few “Fonzie” haircuts (with the DA), but most of the boys had bangs of some sort Рa look (no doubt) that we can thank the "Fab Four" for. The in thing seemed to have one eye covered by bangs. It was cool to have to keep jerking your head in order to see properly. I had the hair jerk move mastered. Long hair was on its way in, and I wanted to be Paul McCartney.

Lots of double-breasted blue blazers with brass buttons usually worn with a white turtleneck underneath were in vogue in 1968. I call that the “Dave Clark Five” look and it was a good look for some of us. There were a few plaid suit jackets in the mix also.

I don’t know if it was the era, but as I look at the 1968 graduating class of the Western Junior High School, I see that there were a lot of wise guys – we thought we were cool – and some were. I’m not entirely sure I was one of the cool ones – I was definitely one of the troublemakers, that’s for sure – I got into trouble trying to make kids laugh.

It’s hard to imagine that it was forty years ago.  I always say the same thing when I realize how fast time has gone by – I wish I had saved a lot more dough.

Styles changed over the next three years when we hit the high school. The bell-bottom nudged its way into the mix to do battle with pegged pants. Shoulder length hair grew in popularity accompanied by dungarees. A cool look was a matching dungaree jacket, perhaps with a peace sign patch ironed on someplace. It was a “hippie” uniform.

I can’t believe how many of my 1968 classmates remained in my life to some degree. Freddy Benoit married my cousin (and friend) the former Carol Beninati. Charlie Vigneau, to this day, is my best friend and my son’s godfather. I got a nice e-mail from Sharon Mahoney the other day. Ritchie Collins lives one street over and we are very close pals and were band mates for the last 40 years off and on. I am in touch e-mail wise with the other Richard Collins (from North Street) and the former Dolly Stringos (give my love to Fluffy). I see Dom and Pat Oppedisano all the time (say hi to your mom). Those two have honestly not changed that much at all. I drive by Ronnie Bonnett’s house a lot, but I never see him. Alan F. is up in New Hampshire and we just touched base again after over 20 years. I saw Rich Senesi in Boston a few times. I bumped into Billy Wade at Doherty’s. I used to see John Mattson almost every day – hey Johnny, where the hell are ya? Phil Lorenzo (Philly Poo) still lives two houses up from me and we are true buds for life.

Styles may have changed, but true friendships last forever. I hope all of my former classmates are happy and healthy – I hope you are enjoying your children and grandchildren. I couldn’t end this column without naming a few of my friends that we lost from that magical Western Junior High School class of 1968. Rest in peace Dennis O’Neil, Gary Lameiras and Richard Salvo.

Please e-mail your comments to Jimmy at: jimmydel@rcn.com