It was decided that we wouldn’t have a senior prom, instead we would have a senior banquet. Just who made that decision I can’t say, I wasn’t included in that discussion. That’s simply because I wasn’t one the “cool” kids, I was just a another kid in the class. I didn’t play an instrument, wasn’t involved in any athletic endeavors and certainly not a scholar. As a result I was on the outside of that inner circle. It isn’t anything that bothered me, never really thought about that at all. We all travel in our own little groups or cliques, whatever you choose to call them.

The year was 1971 and I was set to graduate high school. I had already signed up for the Navy on the delayed enlistment program. I occasionally signed my school papers as Seamen Recruit! Yes, I was excited about joining along with a very close friend of mine. It was the “buddy” system. We were going to boot camp together! After we arrived we were separated as my friend played the saxophone and was placed in the band. But that’s another whole story. The class trip was to go skiing! It wasn’t anything my family could afford and I wasn’t interested in doing that. But this senior banquet I could afford and I thought it might be fun. We were going to an expensive restaurant, one I had never been in. It was for “rich” folks.

The truth was my family had never gone out to eat together in any place. That wasn’t something we did. We never went on a family vacation or went anywhere you had to pay admission to as a family. A few times we went to the local beach together, a family outing out that was rare. I had eaten in a few local diners. Eating out for dinner? I had never experienced that and this was going to be a banquet! My friend and I decided we should be dressed for the occasion.

I remember going to the tuxedo store, that’s what I called it anyway, and renting an outfit. Telling the salesperson where I was going I was told I needed a dinner jacket and the proper trousers. Trousers? Yes, fancy pants are called trousers and only rich people wear them. So, I rented the outfit and was all ready to go. I didn’t have a date for this event, neither did my friend, but perhaps this would impress some of those eligible ladies at the banquet.

Looking back, I don’t think it had the desired effect however. I don’t remember much about the actual dinner, what we had to eat or anything like that. I can only say it didn’t make much of an impression on me. I do remember my friend and I were about the only ones there dressed in a dinner jacket, that formal attire. Everyone else was just wearing the clothes they went to church or a funeral maybe those folks didn’t have as much class as I thought.

I was looking through some old stuff and came upon this picture. Getting your picture taken, in my house in 1971, was only because something special was happening. It was an event of some type. In this case I was all dressed up and a picture was warranted. Yes, I was all dressed up and ready to go! It wasn’t a prom and there was no date in that picture, just me. Dad probably took that picture, he was the only one that used the camera.

After the photograph was taken I got in my 1964 Ford Falcon station wagon and went to the banquet! They even parked my car for me at that fancy place. It was the only time I ever ate there and today that place is just a memory. Chez Labbat (sp) was the name of the place. It was on main street in East Hampton, yes, the Hamptons, very exclusive, very sheik and sophisticated. I had reached the pinnacle! I think I remember asking for ketchup, the waiter gave me a funny look.

That’s me, June 1971. One should be dressed appropriately for the occasion.