Chapter 1 – Childhood – Page 2 – Long Story Short: A Collection of Stories by Hal Gunardson

The Little League Debacle

When I was very young a baseball craze was underway in the US. Baseball was an extremely popular sport and universally regarded as “America’s sport”. Football, basketball, hockey and other international team sports like soccer and Lacrosse were unheard of in American culture. All were overshadowed by the baseball phenomena. It was all about baseball!Continue reading “The Little League Debacle”

Back to School – 4th Grade and Beyond

I can’t recall much of the fourth and fifth grades but from what I remember it wasn’t an altogether unpleasant experience. The most vivid image in my mind was the playground surrounding the Franklin Elementary School. It was unpaved and every year the township would spray the area with petroleum oil to keep the weedsContinue reading “Back to School – 4th Grade and Beyond”

Second Grade – No Longer Critical

When I was seven years old, I fell seriously ill and my folks took me to our family doctor for an examination. Dr. Davis correctly diagnosed me with Bulbar Polio. There was a very serious polio epidemic in the early 1950’s and many children my age were stricken with the disease. However, the development ofContinue reading “Second Grade – No Longer Critical”

So, what do your friends call you?

My nickname from the time I started kindergarten until I graduated from college was Skip. The best joke I ever heard about the nick name Skippy was told by a TV comedian. He said he met a girl named Jane and when she asked him his name, he said it was ‘Skippy’. She responded, “OhContinue reading “So, what do your friends call you?”

Reading Early and Reading Often

Ages Three to Seven: I can’t remember much from ages three to seven, except it was a very pleasant childhood. Mom, contrary to conventional wisdom, taught me to read well before I entered kindergarten and always provided me with an ample supply of books. Professional educators in those days discouraged the practice, but it wasContinue reading “Reading Early and Reading Often”

The Family Farm….in Clemons, New York

The Family Farm at Clemons New York According to family lore my Grandfather Gunardson and Great Uncle Charley were very close and when both families immigrated to the United States, my Grandfather and Uncle Charley renovated an old farm in upstate NY where Charley and his wife Jenny settled and spent the remainder of theirContinue reading “The Family Farm….in Clemons, New York”

Cars….Lots of Old Cars

Dad and His Cars My Dad was a car enthusiast. As an auto mechanic, he not only worked on them but enjoyed everything about them and as I was growing up, I recall several great automobiles he owned. I never saw my Dad’s first car since he owned it long before my time. But familyContinue reading “Cars….Lots of Old Cars”