By Ted Smith

Contributing Columnist

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This is the time of year that causes me to remember another time, now a part of our history, the 1960’s. Life back then was quite adventurous for all Americans. The young teenagers found life to be worth living.

So, how was life different than today? Well, the automobile had become a way for young adults to express themselves. Detroit was turning out cars that seemed to have their own personality as opposed to the cars being produced today.

Each brand looked different, and one could recognize a particular brand by how they looked, sounded, and performed. Young people, single and married alike, enjoyed going to the drive-in movie theatres, hanging out at the local drive-in restaurants, and loafing at the local pool or beach parties.

The music was exciting too. Elvis had caused the world to adjust to the music of the 60’s, and yes, even Nat King Cole came out in 1963 with what I believe describes the best way to understand how everyone was changing in the fabulous 60’s with a huge hit, “Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer.”

The Beatles’ invasion of America, and the rest of the world, was viewed everyday on the ever increasing popular television. Industrialized America was busy turning out products, employment meant people were bringing home a paycheck, America was racing to place the first man on the moon, and we also were highly involved in a Vietnam war zone.

Americans were also starting to question why every person was not treated equally. Enter a Baptist minister, Dr. Martin Luther King, who organized peaceful marches throughout the south, and finally, at a rally in Washington DC, made his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Yes, there were times in the 60’s that the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer’s newscasts were devoted to riots, deaths, and voices demanding change, but they were also times of learning and understanding.

Many things have changed since the 1960’s, except for the Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer which are still very appealing to me. Today, our society lives in a world where news can be recorded instantly and transmitted worldwide. I choose to believe our will to constantly evolve and become better keepers of the world in which we live will allow us to be a better people.

If my thoughts cause you to investigate the world of the 1960’s, then listen to the words of Nat King Cole’s rendition of “Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer.” Hopefully you will slow down and enjoy this wonderful world in which we live. Have a safe and enjoyable summer.

Ted Smith is executive director of the Newberry Chamber of Commerce. Contact him at ted@newberrycounty.org.