Grandfathered!

The Class of ’83 was a tight unit. We played together, laughed together but most importantly, we partied together. If someone didn’t have a party at their house, then it was in a field with a bonfire with the occasional dead animal in a pit. And when it was too cold for a field party, my post Cruising The Block, explains how we adapted to the winters in Strasburg, Va.
Keep in mind, we did a have a few that did not partake in the consumption of adult beverages. If they showed up at a party, they were always welcome and they had a good time. But you know, some of those who we thought didn’t drink – actually did. The majority of the guys in my class were rednecks/good ole boys but we had a few that were considered “nerds” or “brainiacs”. Those boys could throw back a drink or two with the best of them…I’ve seen them do it!

One of my oldest friends and classmates recently told me a story regarding his way of enjoying an adult beverage at the Depot Lounge located in the Hotel Strasburg as a senior.

Dave and I try to meet up when we can. Thanks to him, I was able to remember something about the Lounge. Back in the day, there was a juke box in the bar and it was loaded with Beatles & Rolling Stones tunes. But I don’t remember drinking in there. He talked about drinking and enjoying Gaymers Pub Cider, oh the things you learn after all these years.

Some of you are probably wondering how we were able to purchase beverages. Sure some used fake ID’s or got creative. One classmate had an older brother who looked his twin with the exception of glasses. He took his brothers old ID and an old pair of his glasses and he became his older brother. Or we just visited The Star Market, enough said.

The state began to mandate the laws for purchasing alcohol. At 18 we could sit in a bar and consume beer but couldn’t purchase from grocery stores. Liquor was 21 so the state made the necessary changes and beer fell into that category too. Once the law took affect, we were grandfathered in and the legal age for me to drink was 18. Of course this new rule didn’t deter my family in the least, we were a resourceful bunch.

West Virginia laws were 18 for everything and the state line was only 12 miles from Strasburg. There were many trips made to WV to get what was needed. Chewy’s van could drive itself across the mountain to get Jack Daniels or whatever our palate was craving. If I haven’t mentioned Chewy before, he was our class’ “Jeff Spicoli”. If you have never seen Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Netfix it this weekend.

Then of course there was our varsity club trip. Since I was the basketball announcer – they allowed me to go on these outings. This one was by far the sweetest of trips.

Oakley, one of my true country boy classmates and a down to earth soul. How he was able to pull this off what he did that day, I have no idea. We traveled to Landover Md. to the Capital Centre to see the Georgetown Hoyas play the Villanova Wildcats. This was the Ewing years and they were just a year away from the title. But then again, Villanova won the title two years later…beat the same Hoya team.

The coaches and teachers were on the opposite side of the stadium leaving us kids on our own, not a good move. Oakley made many trips to the beer vendor that day. I’m surprised they didn’t cut him off but he probably visited different vendors. My classmates…crafty & smart.

Once Spring arrived in the Shenandoah Valley in ’83 we became restless and anxious…the end was near.

Prom came and went and fun was had by all.

Our senior trip…oh the memories. Of course, there were a few who don’t remember the outing.