Bayer Family History Norman's Valley Center Years 1952 – 1958 | |
The Secret Code | November 8, 1952 · Andale, Kansas Pat’s letter arrived from Andale with neighborhood gossip, a note about the new president, and proof she’d cracked Norman’s cipher. “I finally figured out your code. Didn’t it say (I don’t like Ike)?”—Pat to Norman, Nov. 8, 1952 The election of Dwight Eisenhower had just dominated the news. The kids were playing at espionage while history was being made. Pat fired back her own code: M-Z-RG-H-R-Z-A-T-M-B-G-NE-S-Z-RG — and dared Norman to break it. |  Norman Bayer · formal portrait, c. 1958 [view original] |
Woman Psychology March 29, 1955 · Wichita, KansasNorman, fifteen years old, writes to Patsy in Andale with a letter that is half philosophical treatise, half teenage banter. He takes up a debate they had started at a picnic. “I would like to continue the discussion on woman psychology if you don’t mind.”—Norman to Patsy, March 29, 1955 He concedes that ‘nine times out of ten the boy asks the girl for a date,’ but argues that girls employ their own form of strategy. The letter ends with a gentle tease about Patsy’s purple pedal-pushers. Class of ’58 Valley Center High School held its commencement exercises on May 28, 1958. Norman Bayer was among the graduates of the senior class.  Norman Bayer · high school graduation · 1958 [view original] |  Commencement Program · May 28, 1958 [view original] |
Lost in Space Prom | April 25, 1958 · Valley Center The junior-senior banquet and prom carried a space-age theme: Lost in Space. The program listed the evening’s menu and entertainment, with the dance running late into the Kansas night. Sputnik had launched in October 1957, and outer space was on every teenager’s mind. Valley Center put it on the prom program and called it a night. |  “Lost in Space” Prom Program · April 25, 1958 [view original] |
The menu was pure 1958 space-age fun — steak and potatoes dressed up in cosmic names: The Menu Frozen Fruit of VenusStardust SteakPotatoes of the SunGreen Beans of the GalaxyUniverse Cherry Applesauce Salad
Placed on a Leaf of Cosmic LettuceRainbow Rolls & Moon ButterJupiter Lemon ParfaitComet CoffeeNeptune Nuts • Mars Mints Program & Menu · “Lost in Space” Junior-Senior Banquet · April 25, 1958 [view original] The Soundtrack In Norman’s senior year, KWBB Radio in Wichita published its Top 40 Survey for April 26, 1958. Here was the Top 10: KWBB Top 10 · April 26, 1958 1. Let the Bells Keep Ringing — Paul Anka2. Witch Doctor — David Seville3. Twilight Time — The Platters4. He’s Got the Whole World — Laurie London5. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck — Elvis Presley6. Stairway of Love — Marty Robbins7. My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It — Ricky Nelson8. Tequila — The Champs9. Kewpie Doll — Perry Como10. Sweet Little Sixteen — Chuck BerryRock and roll was edging out the old pop ballads. Elvis, Chuck Berry, and Ricky Nelson shared the charts with Perry Como and The Platters. Wichita teenagers were tuned to KWBB 1410 to keep up. |  KWBB Radio Top 40 Survey · April 26, 1958 [view original] |
Valley Center Years · 1952–1958 · Bayer Family History Collection
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