Summer of 1952

 Mass early this AM, ran an errand, took a walk in the 73 degree morning...

Still sorting through old pics/things. These were 2 of my favorite summer places, especially in 1952--The Iola Library and the Iola swimming pool. Would spend each morning at the library (lying on the cool tile floors gazing through the stereo-optic viewer, reading, and chatting w/the librarians), then jump on my bike at noon to ride to the pool and swim for rest of the day.   Probably read over 100+ books that summer. Got an award from KU during that school year  for all of the book reports----lucky I chatted w/the librarians and they remembered me as I had to request notes from each of them for my teacher to authenticate my reading (or pestering/chatting) summer skills.

Write up on the pool: " The Iola Swimming Pool was one of the largest in the region when it was constructed.  It was one of several WPA projects started in the 1930s. " This is really an early pic. Do not recall the slippery slide on the right side. There were 4 diving boards 5', 10' 15' and 25' (mastered all by the third grade). Jackie was also a wonderful swimmer, passed her first aid swimming/test in Jr High and helped the kids w/polio swim in the small pool each morning. The structure on the left was the concession/shower/fountain area. The fountain was surrounded by a circular stairs on each side and left you w/an Esther Williams moment when you descended the stairs in the evening while the water was spraying from the fountains.  Remember my mom going swimming one evening w/us--not an Esther Williams moment-she was a little under the weather, became nauseated and will add no more to this story other than to say the outcome would not have made Esther proud.

Stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom