I’ve been out of school since June 14. Now I have a summer job (volunteer though) as a counselor for St. Clement’s summer camp. Today, we went to the Zoo, and if it wasn’t Maria Feeley driving me crazy, it was a “new” girl that did, Nancy Matthison. So, here goes my new list:
1. Lauren Chicklo
2. Nancy Matthison
3. Stacey Sweeney
4. Maria Feeley
Note from present day Mike: St. Clement’s summer camp was based right out of Finnegan’s playground in Southwest Philly. As you can see below, for some reason, Nancy Matthison’s actual handwritten name tag was preserved and affixed to this actual journal entry! I’ve apparently held on to it since that day in July, 1985… 25 years ago.
Nancy's Name Tag
Ya think she might need it back?
Today I got 100 on my Social Studies test + there will be another one Friday. Every night this week, I’ve been praying to God that I could see or even talk to Lauren. and asking God to bless her. Stacey likes Michael C. from St. Barney’s. Big meet Saturday and practice at Finnegan’s today. Blade.
Note from present day Mike: “St. Barney’s” was St. Barnabas Catholic Grammar School in Southwest Philadelphia. “Big Meet” – I was on the track team for St. Clement’s Catholic Grammar School, also in Southwest Philly. Our practices were held at Finnegan’s playground on Dicks Avenue in Southwest Philly as well. All the kids simply referred to the playground as “Finnegan’s.”
Yesterday + the day before that (May 5 – Sunday, May 4 – Saturday), I met the new girl of my somewhat dreams – Lauren C. at my Uncle Leo’s retirement party. I’d love to see or even talk to her again. I think she might like me. As for Stacey … I’ll just wait and see. BLADE
Note from present day Mike: “Lauren C.” was apparently a school friend of my cousin, Lisi Calienes. My Uncle Leo Calienes had retired after working many years for DuPont, near New Castle Delaware. “Stacey” was one of my many grade school crushes, Stacey Sweeney, a fiery redhead with a great sense of humor. Oh, and Blade? Uh, yeah. That was kind of my self-anointed street nickname. Blade The Barbarian.
