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Fifty years ago, in the summer of 1973, I donned a graduation cap and gown and joined my fellow Wheeling Central High classmates as we gathered at Oglebay Park's outdoor amphitheater. Walking down those steep steps in platform sandals was just one of the challenges that we would face in years to come.
We would be the first graduating class in decades to graduate without the Vietnam War hanging over our futures. The United States began its pullout of troops in 1973, although it would take until 1975 for the full effect of the peace treaty to be realized.
Inflation was rearing its ugly head in 1973, jumping from 3.4 percent to 9.6 percent.
A gallon of gasoline was 40 cents and postage stamps were a whopping 8 cents each.
The price of a dozen eggs was 69 cents while a new car would set you back $3,200.
If you were in the market for a house of your own, you would be shelling out around $32,000 for an average American home.
Modern living in 1973 saw the invention of the first mobile and cell phones. It would take quite a few more years to get to where we are today with that technology. In 1973, we were happy to know how to operate a copier and electric typewriter.
Music in the 1970s was an eclectic mix of folk, rock, ballads and country. Song choices ranged from "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree" to "Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie."
Take your pick at the jukebox at Joe's Bar and Grill. There were some good memories of singing to those songs during a lunchtime rendezvous at that East Wheeling business just a few blocks from the high school.
In 1973, the sale of vodka outpaced whiskey sales for the first time in this country. In the year of our graduation, 18-year-olds were able to legally buy and consume alcohol.
However, beer and Boones Farm wine were more likely beverages of choice for young drinkers.
There were nearly as many bars in Wheeling at the time as there were beauty shops and barbers.
While we can never go back and relive those high school years, we can gather again to note the passage of 50 years.
We can talk about our favorite and not-so-favorite classes or teachers. We can laugh about the funny things that happened on the way to adulthood and obtaining a diploma.
Sadly we will miss those who once shared a homeroom or "jug" with us and who have passed away much too young. We continue after all these years to hold dear their memories.
I don't know where 50 years have gone, but I do know that for one night in August it will be 1973 again.
Heather Ziegler can be reached at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.