Charles and I were Best Friends

Charles and I were best friends, we grew up together, his dad Kenny Seely and my dad William Peckinpaugh were in business together forming a Company called Cambridge Tractor & Equipment Co in Cambridge City, Indiana. Charles and I put tar on the roof of the building, put oil dry on the floors to soak up the oil spilled while mechanics Browny and Courtner worked on tractors and other equipment. Charles lived in Milton and I lived in Pershing. When we were about 10 years old I went to his house in the winter and snow was on the ground. We took our sleds and went down a big hill close to his house, lots of fun. Another time he invited me over to ride some ponies that were pastured across the street from their house. We made halters from rope and rode them bare back, what a great time we had. I went to the Navy after high school and when I came home on leave Charles, Dick Fain, Phillip Southworth, and I went to a dance at a place in the country in Ohio called the Crystal Ballroom. They had two bands, a Big Brass band and a Dixieland Jazz band the music was the best. There was close to 50 single women all ready for a good time. We went every Saturday night. Then Charles  met a cute gal from Cincinnati, Janet. She was amazing. She could chug-a-lug a beer. I lost a bet and had to buy her a seven and seven (Seagrams whisky and seven up) They got married and then I met Brenda Hollingsworth and I got married. We still went to the Crystal Ballroom. Charles and Janet invited us down to Hyde Park for a New Years Eve party, we had a blast. Then two little kids showed up, and you know the rest of the story. We're still in Florida. When I get home I think I have a picture of Charles and me with diapers on lying on a blanket. If I can find it I'll send it to you. I was born in Peoria, Illinois, and I think your grandpa was, too. Charles was my best friend-we were like brothers. We called him Chuck. Love you all, Felix