“Bancroft’s Get-together”… That’s what the hand-made wooden sign proclaimed, tacked above a make shift screen door in our tent-like structure on the sand. It meant just that. This is our family’s summer place where we would come each summer to forget about the rumors of war and enjoy the warmth of the sun, swim in the bay, eat fresh fish caught by the men, and especially laugh and play cards all night.
During these pre-war years of the late 30’s and early 40’s, money was still scarce but having a good time was free, or almost free! Things were different in Newport Beach, California in those days. The resort hadn’t made a name for itself yet, and putting up a campsite on the bay for the summer was relatively cheap. Communal bathrooms and open cook-houses with gas burners, grills and sinks were provided which made our camping experience quite comfortable.
Daddy was the creative one and figured out how to construct our temporary summer camping structure out of old canvas signs he had made in his business. Dad, my brother Bud, and my sister’s husband Bob, would pull the tiny trailer from our house in Anaheim to Newport Beach in late June. Daddy’s truck would be full of lumber, awning tent material and parts of large wooden boxes which had been flattened to be used for the flooring.
It seemed miraculous that my Dad, by using his ingenuity, could construct such a comfortable structure leading from the tiny trailer. Bob, Bud and Dad worked hard for several weekends nailing and sawing lumber, stretching canvas with screening mesh for windows for our summer place. Bob ran electricity so there would be light for playing cards and reading.
Later they would haul plenty of old mattresses, a couch, and a big round table with lots of chairs. (A necessity for playing cards!) Dad even found old pieces of discarded rugs for the floor. The room off the trailer was huge. Probably 20’ by 30’, at least that’s how big it seemed to me as a child! I look at the pictures now and realize it was much, much smaller. Mom and Dad slept in the tiny trailer and the rest of us had our mattresses and bedding in the big tent area, which was comfortable and fun.
On Friday nights we would all meet at our “Bancroft’s Get-together” in Newport on the bay. Dot and Bob with Bobby (who was 4 years younger than myself), Bud and Jean, Dad, Mom and me. There were always lots of Dot and Bud’s friends who came down for the weekend too.
The evenings were filled with laughter and lots of card playing till late at night. My very best memory was of waking early in the morning to the aromatic smell of coffee perking and bacon frying at the cook-house across from our camping spot. Nothing in this world ever smelled better! That smell is etched in my mind and always recreates this special memory even to this day.
I can remember Bobby and I getting up early and going outside, sitting in the sand and playing with our lead soldiers and trucks. The sun was warm on our shoulders and we played for what seemed like hours until our sleepy parents woke up.
The rest of the day was spent paddling around in the bay (it was clean then!) and the guys went fishing off the pier. Sunburns were always part of the routine and in the afternoon strong tea was applied to our red backs. Since Bobby was only 3 and I was 7, I remember spending the afternoon reading my books and playing with my dolls waiting for him to wake up from his nap.
I loved the feeling of the beach… the hot sun, clean air, the smell of salt water and the blue, blue sky. I always felt very safe and comfortable and loved having all my family around me. It was a contrast to my days at home spent playing alone behind the beauty shop. I always wished I had a brother or sister my age, to play with. I think it was about this time that I decided to have a large family when I grew up, so I would never have to be alone again.
Donnie in Newport Bay
Dot, Bud, Bob and Donnie
