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The Classic Schwinn Lemon Peeler from 1968-69
September 2010 One of the best of friends of my life - one of my beloved brothers - had a bike exactly like this during our inseparable years of 1968-1971. Back then, our bikes were everything as we explored every inch of this small town back when it seemed like a big city. And we swapped bikes often - probably 'cause I wanted to ride the Lemon as much as I could! We both lived almost exactly 3 blocks from McGreevey's Drug Store - he east, me west. And that's where we hooked up hundreds of times to begin that day or night's journey. We went to a lot of flix at both theaters. I vividly remember the day we saw the movie M*A*S*H* in 1970. It was the only time I remember the State Theater enforcing an age limit of 16. An older guy - like a senior or something - got us in! We felt very mature, sophisticated and in-the-know...and laughed our asses off! I went to St. Mary's for my first 6 years. He was my first great friend outside of the Catholic Boys when I went to Greenville Junior High as a 7th grader. And he was among my best non-Catholic brothers - Mike Dohse, Keith Foutz, Dan North, Doug Leas - all destined to become very close buds. We loved exploring the night of this small town - and the Park. We rode and walked for hours while most slept - and we talked about life - trying to figure it out, and yearning for whatever was around the next corner. We weren't bad kids, but we were friends with them! We certainly were mischievous, but our 2 biggest interests were Rock & Roll and girls...not in that order - and we couldn't get enough of either. Don't think it ever changed...good or bad. When we were 8th graders and freshman, we took over The Colony every day after school. We'd each get a cheeseburger, an orange drink and fries (less than $1)...and then we'd pump coins into the jukebox and bop...'Hitching A Ride' and 'Cecilia' among many others... He lived in one of the coolest homes I've ever known. It was a former funeral home, but by then it was just a huge, very warm home - 2 parents, 6 kids. I spent many nights there over those few years - older brothers around showing us how to be cool, and younger siblings under our feet. There was a great dog named Nibbles - and one deep drawer in the kitchen that was always stuffed with candy! We joined record clubs together - got a shitload of free albums and even paid for a few. And we rocked out for endless hours! We discovered & got very into In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida and Zeppelin I & II, Black Sabbath, Cream together - without weed!! We went to 'Y' dances when they were still on Main Street and saw the Myxed Emotions playing 'Sunshine of Your Love'. We were little punks trying to impress older girls. We didn't get real far. Our class wasn't well-represented at that age yet, but Bruce & Danny were there - and a very cute blonde who strolled to the trestle with a guy in the band to make-out. But we hit our testosterone-driven stride in the fall of 1970. We actually had our own private 24/7 house for about 8 months beginning in the fall of our freshman year. We lost our virginity in that house just a few days apart in February of 1971. We both had amazingly cute, extremely smart and adventurous girlfriends - PEACE & LOVE to you both! Then, as it always does, life rolled on - he and I both went our separate ways - never to be that close again - but forever brothers of a different mother. We shared a wonderful, seminal period in our lives - no pun intended. We've run into each other only 10 or 12 times since graduation - and always a unique pleasure! Recently, I visited my 'brother'. And in his garage is the same Lemon Peeler from over 40 years ago - the same freaking one - in amazing shape! When was the last time you sat on a bike you actually rode 40 fucking years ago? Amazing feeling, huh?! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ironically, I had another WTF moment with Hal only months ago. He, Deb Kohn and I got together just before Christmas last year for a wonderful night of youthful reminiscing. At one point I asked Hal if he remembered giving me a Petoskey Stone back in 1969 or '70. His family use to vacation up there every summer. I've carried it with me most of the time for about 40 years. Hal stood up, reached in his pocket and pulled one out! Mine was in my change tray on top of my dresser at home. I went home to get it and 15 minutes later Deb took this picture... It was a very cool moment!
"Everybody must get stones..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My brother, our friend, your classmate is doing much better now! Thanks to all that have contacted him.
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