Tales From the Loop

Oct 23 rd , 1986 : Halloween is rapidly approaching. Rumors are running wild of a monster in Hemenway Park. Meanwhile, a strange fog shrouds Lake Mead in mystery. As if the below-freezing nights are not enough! More eerie with the occasional blaring of a noise from the TV tower near Charlie Gate south of Boulder (cross between a foghorn and a sick cow mooing). 14yo Jimmy/Hick (Bill): Jimmy added height to his bowler hat by adding a paper-mache stovepipe crown. Wearing his black pinguin style long coat, he paraded before his mom, “So, how do you like my magician costume for Halloween?” But mom concerned, “Ms. Mary from church told me about a man roaming the streets lately. You know what I’ve said about strangers. Promise me you’ll be with friends when you go ‘Trick or Treating’.” She licked her finger to tame his cowlick. “MOM! I’m not a baby anymore!” Frank, 13yo Computer Geek (Thomas): Frank made another entry in his notebook as he recorde...

August 9th, 1986 : The last days of summer are here. School starts back up in two weeks and there is little respite from the long, hot days. Kids all over Boulder City swarm the arcade, the movie theater, and the beach in a desperate attempt to stay cool. After a wild time at summer camp, the kids look forward to a calm, relaxing break before the drudgery of school begins. Strange rumors of aggressive animal attacks are going around town, but it's probably nothing.   Jimmy, 14yo Hick (Bill) “Ouch! Hot, hot!” Jimmy asked Mr. Billy Parson for gloves so he could search the junkyard. “Metal is too hot to handle, and I want to find handlebars and other parts to trick out Tommy’s bike. He’s the newest kid in the school.” With Billy helping for a worthy cause, they had the parts in no time. “It’s going to be one rad bike. Everyone will be jealous.” As Jimmy stacked the parts in the basket of his dirt bike, a shadow crossed him.  Billy also looked up, “It’s ...

June 18 th -July 2 nd , 1986 : The kids of Boulder City are being sent off to summer camp! Two weeks of archery, canoeing, horseback riding, and swimming on Lake Mead await. The kids excitedly studied the camp layout and activity schedule, already planning their weeks’ worth of fun. Jimmy, 14yo Hick (Bill): He’d never been to camp before; family couldn’t afford it. Mom didn’t explain how their church minister provided the money. “I packed clean underwear for each day. Did you pack your toothbrush? Remember to write." Even dad was there to see him off. Jimmy hugged them both before gathering his bag and climbing on the bus with MOTO (iconic item) and an inflatable float-ring securely stowed. Lisa, 13yo Bookworm (Leslie): She’d been to camp before. Knew to pack bug-spray and chigger-oil. She couldn’t wait to go h orseback riding and canoeing. Mom pleaded once again, “You are so like your dad in all your athletic act...