When I was starting back to school, the date was ALWAYS right after Labor Day. Our school year took the farm cycle into account. Kids had to help in the fields and couldn't be spared until September. Yes, we had daylight savings time when I was young, so some things that favor Indiana children are shared across the generations.

Starting back to school was a momentous event in my youthful years. Mom would take us to L.S. Ayres for a few new dresses, although I usually got my sister's hand-me downs (jeans would never have been appropriate dress). We would go to Stout's for our one pair of school shoes and enjoy the sliding basket hanging from the ceiling that whisked away the chosen shoes and cash to pay for them. In a matter of minutes a shoe box wrapped and ready for the first day of school came flying back in the aerial basket. The parrot at Stout's was a highlight of the trip. How vividly I also recall the sales clerk measuring my foot in preparation for trying on sensible school shoes. Tennis shoes were not standard footwear unless for physical education. Saddle oxfords or loafers with a shiny penny in the top slot were favorite choices. High school girls (my sister) got to choose flats, Capezios being the coveted brand.

We would go shopping for our school list of supplies. I don't remember having to buy many. Book rental and milk money were the only fees required. We didn't eat lunch at school, but once a day the teacher would hand out milk and graham crackers or saltines for a mid-morning snack. We walked to school in the morning, back home at lunch, returned for the afternoon, and home again in the evening. Our trip happened to be a mile each way.

Walking to school was a way we learned about our community. We walked past the Greenbergers, McClains, Sinclairs, Pearsons, Holtons, Westons, and finally our grandparents house everyday - four times a day - before passing and window shopping at the A&P, Danner's Five & Dime, the Mandarin Inn, and Eaton's restaurant. Some school days, Mom gave us 50 cents to eat lunch at the Chinese restaurant or the Toddle House. Sometimes we splurged on a sundae at the corner drugstore at the end of the day.

Life was simpler then. We lived in a double, had a party line (two families shared one phone line with individualized rings), drove one family car (an Oldsmobile), went to church every Sunday, and were expected to do well in school. I can always remember my father saying, "Get as much education as you can. It is one of the only things that can't be taken away." I wish all the families of Indianapolis prized education. If they did, our public schools would be a place of joy, learning, achievement - and the first day of school would be greatly anticipated.