Kay Donaldson:  

I am a long-time resident of the west side. I attended John Burroughs Elementary, Hilltonia and Westmoor Junior High schools, then West High and finished the last two credits at Central. I have many fond memories as a kid hanging out at Hilltop Lanes, Hilltop Swim Club, Skateland and Valleydale. My mom dated the guy who owned Hilltop Lanes for a few years (probably from ages 9-12), so I was able to bowl whenever and as often as I wanted and actually got pretty good at it. I also thought I was cool since I got to work behind the counter of the bowling alley and mingle with high school kids. Lots of West High kids chose the bowling alley to hang out after school to listen to the juke box, gossip and use the private, enclosed phone booth. I learned many new dances from them, not to mention hair styles and fashion tips. I had a pass to Hilltop Swim Club for several summer breaks and spent many Friday and/or Saturday nights at Skateland (especially when they would have local bands playing). I remember seeing the Rebounds and the Dantes, among others. I also remember we had quite a few musicians from or near the west side: Unknown Kind (loved the hearse), Orange Noise, Metronomes, just to name a few. I also remember watching many Battle of the Bands competitions at Valleydale. I remember walking through the horrible water tunnel behind Westmoor (what was I thinking). I remember when we had the riots at West and the SDS sit-in. I remember cutting classes and fearing Mrs. Krebs. I also remember being sent home, along with some other girls, for wearing jeans. That rule was changed fairly soon after that, thank you very much (I think that was 10th grade). What a rebel I was! I married Tom Clark who was a west-sider (Hilltonia) until ninth grade, when he moved to Arlington, and...Expand for more