The pastimes of youth never change

Just out of high school, I had decided to attend the Philadelphia College of Art, and all of my friends were also embarking on their life careers. One man (boy?) from our class decided to join the Navy in the hope that it would help pay his college tuition.

When Charlie came home for short leaves we made the rounds of Philadelphia night clubs, and took care of the Navy paychecks he had saved when at sea. We had no problem getting to the clubs downtown, a short subway ride from Penn Station to the city hall, and another short walk took us to our favorite haunt, the Arcadia Night Club.

The Arcadia had the best floor shows, and we went there whenever Charlie was in town. He was allowed to have beer, though since I was underage my favorite, Coca- Cola, made me happy.

One night the floor show featured a man and woman performing fantastic tricks on roller skates. Audience participation was a part of their act. Charlie immediately volunteered.

When he stood up and they saw how tall he was, over six foot three, they may have had second thoughts. But he was in his Navy uniform and looked so patriotic and handsome, I guess they felt they had to use him. He was given a pair of skates and the three of them took a few turns around the floor. Finally the male partner got behind Charlie and grasped him under the arms and tried to make a few circular turns. With his female partner it had been no trouble, but Charlie was too tall for the maneuver to be successful.

They both crashed to the floor. Even on that slippery dance floor, Charlie managed to rise without help. He got a big hand from the audience and twirled around the floor before he returned to our table.

As we always said many years later, the U.S. Navy always performs at its best. And by the way did I mention, four years later Charlie was the best man at my wedding. Minus skates, of course.

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The Pensacola Quilters' Guild Biannual Show will be March 28 - 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Wright Place, 80 E. Wright Street, Pensacola.

Not only will you see dozens of beautiful handmade quilts, but you can bring in your own heirloom quilts to be appraised. Alma Moates, a trained quilt appraiser, will examine your quilts and value them for insurance purposes. The cost is $35 per quilt. A verbal appraisal, to learn when it was made, what the pattern is called and the origin of the name, what it's made of, and how to care for it, will be offered for $10.

Cost of admission is $5 per person per day. Information: Cena Harmon, 475-1901.

*****

A man inserted an ad in the classifieds: "Wife wanted." Next day he received a hundred replies. They all said the same thing: "You can have mine."

See you next week!