"I just had to get back to you on my memory of the swings and johnnies at Collinsville school. I think all of us loved the johnnies. I remember that one person could wrap around on top of the others, and when they all would start running that person would get a really fun ride flying over the others. Boy, oh Boy, what fun. It was not a safe ride for sure.

Of course, the swings. Well, you are right about the danger of the wood and metal. My sister, Sandy, in the first grade at the time, was hit in the side of her head by someone swinging sideways or jumping out of their swing. I remember being called into Mrs. Schmidt's first grade class room where I saw Mrs. Schmidt treating Sandy's head. My dad and mom were called and they took Sandy to a doctor in Hamilton, and from there, she had to be rushed to the Cincinnati Hospital where they admitted her with a fractured skull. She was in the hospital for a week or two. I remember when she came home; they had shaved her whole head for her surgery. It was scary, but she came through it okay.

Also, Do you remember the movies that were shown on Saturday nights in the summer at the KP Hall? A big white sheet or something like it would be hung on the front of the building. A lot of Darrtown would come and spread blankets on the grass and bring goodies, like popcorn, and enjoy a good movie. This was a great treat and I loved it. I can only remember cowboy movies, like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. It was before TV sets came to be. I think they did this for at least a couple summers. I thought my father helped in sponsoring this, but I may be wrong.

I remember, too, a couple ice cream socials held at the KP Hall.

Oh, and yes, I loved the library bookmobile in the summer. I can remember one of the first books I checked out was "Wizard of Oz".

Oh, and one more thing. I can still remember our telephone number in Darrtown - 702X. It is amazing how my kids will remind me of things of a while back, and I'll say 'I don't remember that!'

Have a great day.

Fay"

Recollections of Fay (Dees) O'Brien

The following narrative was written and contributed by Fay (Dees) O'Brien, via email on July 9, 2009. When asked, Fay agreed to have her message posted on this website, as a way of sharing some of her recollections of Darrtown. If Fay contributes more Darrtown memories, they will be posted here.