Shriners, Elk,moose, Lions and missionaries.
The tourist season was now in full swing on Catalina. All kinds of clubs and fraternal groups mixed with regular tourist kept Avalon alive twenty four hours a day. Even with the party atmosphere everyone behaved themselves. No drunks or rowdies. Everyone was easy going and laid back.
Any enterprising youngster could earn a few dollars without to much effort. We used to wait in the water beside the Avalon steamship docks when ever the boat came in. The tourist would throw loose change into the water. All us kids would scamble around in the water for the sinking money.
The bigger kids would carry luggage for the tourist which useally resulted in a "tip" which added up pretty fast. Us smaller kids would sell seashells or little maps of the island. Brother and I made out pretty good by collecting glass bottles for the Canada Dry distributor. Small pieces of sea washed colored glass also sold for one cent each. Verbal directions would bring a tip ranging between twenty five cents to one dollar.
Such activities by the children were part of the local color. An excepted and expected norm. There was an unwritten rule that we always respected the tourist and we didn't embaress the local businesses or people. We were to always dress neat and clean and in a manner that reflected the islands image. I must admit that the island adults always watched after the kids. We were all a close knit community. Almost a seperate culture of our own.
During the summer, ladies came over from the "mainland" and talked to us about religion and being good persons. These ladies were nice and not at all pushy or overbearing. They always remembered our name and brought us little presents that useally had a Bible verse printed on it. On one trip over the ladies brought little plastic crosses that glowed in the dark. The cross was simply inscribed John 3:16. I still have that little cross. The giver told us to always remember what the passage meant. I never have forgotten what it says or means.
I was able to have spending money and also keep my "Soul" intact. That seemed to me to be a good balance for me or anyone else. It still is today.
Any enterprising youngster could earn a few dollars without to much effort. We used to wait in the water beside the Avalon steamship docks when ever the boat came in. The tourist would throw loose change into the water. All us kids would scamble around in the water for the sinking money.
The bigger kids would carry luggage for the tourist which useally resulted in a "tip" which added up pretty fast. Us smaller kids would sell seashells or little maps of the island. Brother and I made out pretty good by collecting glass bottles for the Canada Dry distributor. Small pieces of sea washed colored glass also sold for one cent each. Verbal directions would bring a tip ranging between twenty five cents to one dollar.
Such activities by the children were part of the local color. An excepted and expected norm. There was an unwritten rule that we always respected the tourist and we didn't embaress the local businesses or people. We were to always dress neat and clean and in a manner that reflected the islands image. I must admit that the island adults always watched after the kids. We were all a close knit community. Almost a seperate culture of our own.
During the summer, ladies came over from the "mainland" and talked to us about religion and being good persons. These ladies were nice and not at all pushy or overbearing. They always remembered our name and brought us little presents that useally had a Bible verse printed on it. On one trip over the ladies brought little plastic crosses that glowed in the dark. The cross was simply inscribed John 3:16. I still have that little cross. The giver told us to always remember what the passage meant. I never have forgotten what it says or means.
I was able to have spending money and also keep my "Soul" intact. That seemed to me to be a good balance for me or anyone else. It still is today.
I’d have to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment! thank you!
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