• Sunday-What'sUP May 7 - 01:11 pm

On a sunny day in May 1958, from his vantage point on the south-west bank of the Tobacco River, Bert DeVriendt captured a moment in time for 4 fishing boys. A bit later that day, the fellow with the red cap had crossed over to Bert's side, where he snapped another shot.

I'm always curious about the subjects of these Shoebox Memories... who they are, where they lived... and in this case: Why are they dressed so nice? Notice the "street shoes" of the other 3 boys in the first shot. They appear to be ready for school or church, judging by the shirts and jeans. The most comfortable looking of the bunch is the red-capped chap.

I'm always impressed by the quality of Bert DeVriendt's pictures, for which we can thank Brian Rendel for scanning and preserving. Mr. DeVriendt truly understood the appeal of life in the northwoods, and was a skilled observer of human nature. I'm sorry I never met him.

Do you know any of the boys in these photos? Are you one of them? That would put you almost at retirement age, in which case you're probably not tuned in to the Pasty Cam, but instead - probably out fishin'.

Have a good week :o)

Good Morning! My guess is these young fellows were ditching school to answer the call to go fishing. I suppose that would be a temptation almost too strong to be denied.

Charlie, the Bert DeVriendt album is indeed exceptional. My thanks to Brian Rendel for his efforts. What may be the most amazing thing is when you think of all the photos stored away in boxes somewhere never to see the light of day again, yet on this Sunday in May of 2006, these 60 plus year old photos will be viewed by any number of people, evoking different emotions, interpretations, etc. of what they see. What a treat on this Sunday morn in Ohio.

I'm thinking, didn't change shoes because they wanted to go fishing. Maybe they didn't have sneakers. I did notice that most had their shirts tucked in--a 2006 thought: what were they thinking?

Looks like the one boy is using the old-reliable-fish-getter-frog-spear, that was always my tackle of choice

I looked at the site this came from and was disapointed when I reached number 39 and there were no more. great pictures wish I could see more of them. Thanks

Bert DeVriendt did,indeed,take some beautiful shots.His album is like a stroll back in time and yet his picture's have a fresh quality,like a vivid recollection.

Margaret in Amarillo,
I was thinking the same thing, their shirts are actually tucked in. Part of the 1950's was the good fortune of not being 'fashion conscious'. The kids were less concerned about style, fashion and looking alike and more concerned about the important things, fishing, biking, tree forts and all round outdoor adventure. I'm 55 years old now and realize how truly fortunate we were back then.

A big AMEN to David's and Margaret's comments...I'm afraid we've lost something very valuable over the years. Would love to see "kids" dressed like that once again! Ahhh well....dream on.

I teach 6th grade and only a small percentage of them LIKE to go outside and do stuff. A few do, and I am grateful for them. Many of them, boys and girls alike, are SCARED of outside!

The most effective punishment my mother ever doled out was making me stay INSIDE all day one day. I will never forget the agony......

Today's Shoebox Memories is just great. Thank you very much for the slide show! I just think they are great re scanned pictures.

Love the pictures! Reminds me of my childhood in the 60's. We loved to go fishing or do anything outside. Nowadays, oh well.

My guess is the boys couldn't wait to go fishing after church. The reason they were dressed as they were. It's very early in the season (first weekend?) because there aren't leaves on the bushes, yet. It's definitely in the afternoon (2 PM?) because of the length and direction of their shadows. I remember the 'call' of the trout stream as a young lad in the 50's. I would rather fish than eat.

The photos bring back such delightful memories. My cousins and I sure had fun back in the 50's as kids growing up in the Copper Country fishing in the creek by my grandma and grandpa's house. We'd make fishing poles from a stick and a piece of rope or twine, and a safety pin, and dig for our own worms. Invariably every time we crossed the creek on the rocks, I was the one who fell in. Those sure were glorious days--tree forts, berry picking, playing outside all day and using our imaginations. It never occurred to us to worry about what we were wearing or that we didn't have a whole lot by the world's standards. What a tremendous blessing it was to have had the privilege of such a wonderful childhood. Thanks to pasty.com we can re-live some of those marvelous days, making us twice blessed.

azfinn, Know where you are coming from on falling into the creek. A few years ago I had my grandaughter Andrea with me at the bluff when she stepped off a slippery rock and fell in . boy did she wail. She was happy that I keep a blanket and extra sweatshirts in the trunk. I was always in the water as a kid. Sure was great growing up around the bush. My kids were in the woods at our cottage in Gladwin growing up,but my grandkids are too busy to be outside.

AZFinn: Ya cuz I remember those days well! All of us cousins doing just as you said. To think FraninGA, RC Wetton and a few others here on pasty-cam were all just a stone throws away from each other! Dave H.-- you were just a little tyke then! I was a bit older then the lads in these photos! Was driving and had my first OL Chevy then in 58. Took my mom, sisters, & lil brother up there in June 58 for Gram & Gramps 50th! First time across "Big Mac" for all of us! I bet they don't remember!
Besides Woodside & DB, I sure remember my months living in Pewabic just 2 houses from the Quincy Mine #2! I feel historical!