I loved growing up in Lakewood. On our half of the block we had 13 boys and 3 girls all about the same age. Those poor girls never had a chance. Us boys would spend hours playing army, sports, and just exploring. Yes, we could be mischievious, but overall, we were good. We were very creative. We would earn money by having lemonade stands, doing chores, and putting on plays and a circus for the neighborhood.
One year, my neighbor Teddy, my brother Leo and I watched a movie about people escaping from East Berlin by slowly digging a tunnel under the wall. After that we started digging our own tunnel. The three of us started it, but soon the rest of the boys on our block demanded to help! We were lucky it never caved in as it went from behind the garage starting at one end and continuing to the other end, then it turned and went under the rear neighbors garage.
Well, I guess I had to finally grow up. :-( After graduating from Lakewood High School in 1966, I attended Long Beach City College. I still hadn't grown up yet! I would take a full load every semester and then drop most of them. I would rather party than study. One thing I was proud of was the fact I joined the International Club. The first year I became the intermural representative. I managed to get our club active in various sports. Our club had always participated in soccer, but that year we competed in a lot more. We ended up being in the top ten clubs in the school!
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