Reminiscence & A Life Lesson

My name is Harold Walker.  I was born in 1933 in Long Beach, California. Looking back Southern California has changed dramatically, both visually and culturally.  Hopefully some stories from the old days will be interesting and fun to read.  So here is one:

I was discharged from the Army in 1955.  I went to work at a small shipyard on Coast Hwy in Newport Beach, Hoskins Boat Works.  My job was to paint, varnish and fiberglass boats.  After a couple of years the owner decided to retire and close the yard. His son suggested I start my own business. I could start with the work they had on hand.  I thought it was a great idea, so we got in his car and went looking for a shop.  It was so easy in those days. We found a small shop and yard for $50 a month.  I was in business!

I made a sign for the front yard “Bay Boat Fiberglassing” and went to work on the boats I got from the shipyard.  A few days later when I got to work my entire front yard was full of new unfinished wood speed boats that needed to be fiberglassed and painted. Now I really was in business!

Something to take from this story is that it is important to put yourself in a position where something good can happen to you; if you do not, it probably will not.