School Story:
My fondest memories include being with friends on 13th Street beach in Brigantine and wearing my first bikini. I remember slathering myself with baby oil to get that perfect tan. I remember riding my bike from Absecon to Brigantine because I was too impatient to wait for public transportation. I remember using two cans of Sun-In on my hair one sunny day and completely bleaching it out! I remember participating in the bowling club and being so embarrassed about it that my best friend, Sharon, and I hid in the ladies room when they took the yearbook picture even though I was an excellent bowler. I remember white painter's pants being popular, "Hey Jude" being the last song played at the school dances, my prom date (when I was a sophomore) hooking up with another girl at a party later that night, leaving my frog in formaldehyde so long that it completely dissolved, enjoying music by the Eagles, Beach Boys and Bread, sneaking into the Rum Point Pub, being in awe the first time I went over the newly built Brigantine Bridge and how I loved Brigantine pre casinos. I remember the school lab being blown up, and the rumors surrounding one of our classmates that she left school because was pregnant. I remember going to see Young Frankenstein at the Tilton before it became a multi-movie complex, and the much anticipated Star Wars movie there too, but fell asleep the moment it started and woke up the minute it ended (and I still haven't seen it after all these years!). I also remember the Brigantine Pier and haunted house before it burnt down. I remember wearing beanies when we were Freshmans (do they still do that?) and being totally petrified of attending a new school. I remember platform shoes and bell bottom pants being the rage. I remember the Steel Pier as if it were yesterday and listening to WMID-AM on transitor radios (was there any other station?). I remember the Planter's Peanut Man on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, hearing the Copper Kettle Fudge jingle over and over again, and loving the scent of Coppertone suntan oil. I remember having to attend only one Saturday detention briefly because I wore a turtleneck under my uniform and being asked, "What's a beautiful girl like you doing in a place like this?" But most of all, I remember having to juggle three jobs to pay for my tuition and incidentals at Holy Spirit. And lastly, I have only fond memories of Sister Francine, Sister Leonard, Father Haley, Mr. Corcoran, and Sister Amoblis.
