Thoughts From September 1969
50 years ago I began my senior year at Jonathon Dayton Regional High School in Springfield, NJ. I was 16 as I began my senior year, and would turn 17 in October. (Betcha you don’t need a calculator to figure out how old I am now).
It’s almost mind boggling to me that 50 years has passed since I entered my senior year. In many ways it was a far simpler time. The technology of the era was far different and more basic. Obviously no PCs, internet, cell phones, etc. You called friends via a phone connected to a wall, or on a desk or table or (no one called it a land line). In terms of TV you watched a handful of local broadcast TV channels. Our TV was back & white. AM was still the dominant radio medium and FM was new, but emerging. Local newspaper circulation was very strong and was a dominant advertising medium for local goods and services and classified ads. In terms of TV news, local news was important and local anchors were rock stars (see Ron Burgundy). Network news was delivered by a 30 minute broadcast with lead anchors. Walter Cronkite/CBS was the “voice of god”. And national sports was delivered in 5 minute radio segments called “Speaking of Sports” featuring Howard Cosell.
Since I was entering my senior year, college was straight ahead in the fall of 1970. My college choice was simple—Rutgers in New Brunswick (still an all-male school at that time). Rutgers was and is the state university of New Jersey, and the price at that time was right ($2000/year for room, board, fees etc.). It was also an excellent university where smart kids from NJ attended. My dad had passed away in late 1967 at the age of 46. He had been a veteran and there were VA dollars for his children for their education—ironically $2000/year for 4 years. That made the math simple. There was really no consideration of a more expensive private university anyhow. In any event, many of my high school friends would be going to Rutgers too.
Beyond our own family issues of having my dad pass away so young, it was a difficult time with racial and anti-war strife, and yet hope for the future. Assassinations changed our history—among them President Kennedy in 1963 and later Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy in 1968. And racial turmoil in New Jersey and throughout the country was rampant. Our country was divided in many ways.
Music was important as a means of self-identity for me and others. It played a far more important role in the lives of teens in that era. My interest was growing rapidly and I would go to concerts as often as I and my modest wallet, were able. I had however just seen Blind Faith at Madison Square Garden in July. I didn’t realize that it would be their first and only Garden show they would do as they broke up quickly. Guess I had good taste. I wouldn’t discover the Grateful Dead until I went to Rutgers a year later.
At the time my world was changing rapidly. I would get my license in October (had to be 17 in NJ) and would be gone to New Brunswick by the fall of 1970. It was a confusing time. I was trying to understand what my life was and what was going on around me. My father’s passing clouds much of those years, but it was a time to grow and become a man.
I hope to have the opportunity to attend a 50th Dayton reunion of my high school class next year. The 40th anniversary gathering was far more meaningful than I expected. While I still have many high school friends I enjoy reconnecting with those whose paths I haven’t crossed in many years. Haven’t heard anything about the 50th plans as yet, but sure hope it happens. I will go and no doubt enjoy it.
More Strumings
- Tips= To Insure Prompt Service
- It’s All Over.
- A DJ Once More.
- States Rights and States Responsibilities.
