Carolyn also remembers going to poultry markets on Fleet Street with her father to purchase chickens and ducks for soup. The animals were alive and in cages when purchased and once selected were killed, partially butchered, and packaged for the customer. Carolyn recalls the terrible smell of the poultry markets.

The family shopped at nearby Pete’s Grocery. Like many local stores in those days, Pete’s would extend credit until pay day, tracking purchases on a card. The family consumed a lot of bologna purchased from Pete’s Grocery.

Carolyn attended Catholic Community House kindergarten for two years. Although she wanted to learn to read, the kindergarten was operated more as a daycare playschool where the children were encouraged to play during the day. A grandson of Mrs. Sokoloski , the next door neighbor, named Jerry Gray, a future Notre Dame football star,  also attended kindergarten there and Carolyn liked him even at that early age. His family later moved from the area.

The winters were very cold since the family had only the heat generated from the coal/wood burning stove. Occasionally it snowed, affording Carolyn and her sister an opportunity to play outdoors until they were wet and cold and would return inside and sit by the stove to get warm again.

As noted earlier, the family had only an icebox which would keep food cold as long as Sergi the ice man would deliver a block of ice, which he did each week. According to Carolyn, Lollie thought he was cute. In the summer he would give the girls a small chunk of ice to chew on.

Carolyn loved visiting Patterson Park with her sister and visiting and playing with her cousins. Monica Johns, daughter of Evelyn Sparzak Johns and Lollie and Carolyn’s second cousin, lived a few blocks away so they would see her more often. The other cousins would also come to visit and play while the grownups talked.

Age 6 to 10 – Grades 1 to 5 (1946 to 1950)

Carolyn, following in Lollie’s footsteps, attended St. Michaels Catholic Girls’ School. She recalls no outstanding teachers, but does recall enforcement of strict discipline. She was a quiet, generally obedient student who followed instructions and stayed out of trouble during these years, earning “B” grades in many classes and avoiding getting in trouble on the rare occasions where she “made mischief.”

The children sat at double desks with inkwells and a shared single bench for two students, with lids that rose, providing storage for books and other items. The school children had chocolate milk breaks in the morning. Carolyn went home for lunch, since her mother was home taking care of little Tony.

In the post-World War II era, schools were required to conduct air-raid drills. Children were required to move to a safe location and cover their necks with their hands. Carolyn remembers sitting under her desk with her scarf over her head, but not really taking the drills seriously, doubting that a bombing would actually occur.

Carolyn recalls that she loved when they visited Grandfather Rykoski , going with him and her dad  on mushroom-picking walks, or fall “walnut hunting” trips to wooded areas just beyond Curtis Bay and Brooklyn Park along Ritchie Highway before much of the current heavy development occurred. Picked mushrooms were typically consumed, but walnuts required a more elaborate process, starting with the messy task of drying and removing the outer skin, followed by their subsequent shelling. On these trips Stanley would point out various wildflowers and species of trees, instilling a lifelong love of wooded, outdoor areas in his children.

In the summer the family vacationed at a cottage on Hart-Miller Island located where the Middle River enters the Chesapeake Bay. The children played on the beach, learned to swim and enjoyed their time at the cottage. Like many families of that era seeking to escape the sweltering temperatures in the city before homes were air conditioned, the Waskiewicz family sometimes went to Breezy Point and other local Chesapeake Bay beaches on Sunday afternoons to swim and picnic. Sometimes interesting events occurred on these trips. Carolyn recalls the following:

One week while heading back in the traffic approaching Highlandtown, a policeman jumped on the running board of our car and told my father to ‘follow that car’.  My father sped up and after a block or so the policeman jumped off to apprehend whomever it was he was after.  What a trip!

During the elementary school years Carolyn learned to read, gained an appreciation for it, and became an avid fan of the library. The Enoch Pratt Free Library Branch 19 was about 6 blocks from the Waskiewicz home on Lombard Street and Carolyn went at every opportunity. She was allowed only two books at a time because of her age, but would take her two books home, read them, and return them the next day. It was not long before she was venturing into sections of the library that contained books for older children to find more interesting books to read. Her love of reading continued through the years.

Carolyn’s second grade teacher suggested to her mother that she take piano lessons in the convent after school one day a week. Since the family did not have a piano at home Carolyn would go to the convent every day to practice her new-found love for the piano. This continued for the next four years, through the sixth grade. Over the years Carolyn continued to search for a piano when the chance arose. Eventually Gary inherited his family piano and it has resided in the Harriger living room for several decades. Like reading, playing the piano continues to be one of Carolyn’s great pleasures.

At age 7 Carolyn joined the Brownies. Her first troop met in a church at Broadway and Gay Street and she typically went on her own unless Lollie had a Girl Scout meeting at the same time. Later Carolyn joined a Highlandtown troop and traveled by herself through Patterson Park to attend meetings. If there was bad weather Sophie would give Carolyn ten cents to take the street car, but she would walk anyway and use the money for candy.

On Carolyn’s 10th birthday her Uncle Carl gave her an autograph book and told her that this was a sign of growing up.  Now her age had 2 digits and would until she was 100. Sadly, Carolyn no longer has the autograph book.

Age 11 to 14 – Grades 5 to 8 (1951 to 1955)

Grades 5 and 6 were not especially memorable ones for Carolyn. She recalls being bored and also that the nuns were not particular nice during those years (in her own words: “mean nuns during both years!”).

Things became more interesting by the 7th and 8th grades, as she discovered boys, joining her classmates at the pencil sharpener next to the window to watch as the Boys’ School was dismissed. Carolyn’s favorite was a boy that the girls referred to as “Eddie Fisher”, a current teen idol,  because he was so handsome. She has long since forgotten his real name. Friendships also became more important as Carolyn spent as much time as possible with her friends, hanging out at some of their homes (which she thought were more interesting than hers), at the candy store, and walking to Eastern Ave. to hang out at a soda shop. The “Yoo-hoo” Bottling Company was located on Register St., around the corner from the Waskiewicz home. Carolyn remembers spending time there, watching the bottling operations.

By the 8th grade Carolyn had reached the age where, like many teenagers, she was bold enough to engage in minor adventurous and rebellious acts. Her 8^th grade teacher, a nun, expressed her dislike of St. Patrick’s Day, and Carolyn and her friends decided to pin a large shamrock to the end of her veil. Carolyn attempted the deed and her efforts did not go as planned, resulting in the only time where she was “in trouble” at school.

Being a Catholic School student in the 50s meant spending a lot of time in church, every school day and, during Lent and other Catholic holiday seasons, several times a day. At this age it was difficult for Carolyn to appreciate the rationale and meaning for doing so, but she was dutifully doing as she was instructed. Catholic school teachers expected students to memorize vast quantities of information, since memorization was then the preferred teaching method. Carolyn, like many young people at that age struggled with that aspect of her education. Her sister, Lollie, however, was adept at memorizing and remembering what she was taught. Carolyn’s own personal perspective was that she did well enough, struggling in some areas and doing well in others.

Her memories of home life at this period are fleeting, primarily because she spent a lot of time out of the house, at friends, as an active Girl Scout, and attending activities such as Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) dances. As the middle child, she kept a lower profile than her older and younger siblings. Lollie was in high school and Carolyn “ignored” her a great deal. She recalls that Lollie, as oldest children tend to do, was more vocal at home, sometimes resisting parental instructions, leading to more direct conflict with them. Carolyn, observing the consequences, was more inclined to remain quiet at home and stay out of trouble. This meant staying in her room, reading. Carolyn also tended to ignore Tony, whom she considered a “baby,” even though he was only three years younger.

Specific memories from this period include going to the “shore,” using chicken necks tied to a string to attract crabs, and retrieving them with a net. The best part was enjoying them later, after they were seasoned and steamed. The crabs were spiced with Old Bay Seasoning which was produced by McCormick and Company at its large spice production facility located, at the time, on Light Street, in what is now the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Carolyn recalls that in addition to producing a distinctive spice smell in the Light Street area, McCormick’s always put up a huge Christmas tree on top of the building during the Christmas season. Carolyn also recalls her father and mother’s love of raw oysters, recalling how her father shucked and swallowed each oyster. Carolyn did not follow in her parent’s footsteps as an oyster-lover, but liked most Marylanders, crabs are at the top of her “If I could only have one food …” list.

Eighth Grade graduation was a significant event for multiple reasons. It coincided with the family move from Lombard Street to Overlea, which meant moving away from friends. But the move also represented exciting changes for Carolyn and her family. It also required an important decision about which high school she would attend.

Many of Carolyn’s classmates were planning to attend Catholic High School of Baltimore, an all-female Catholic high school located in Northeast Baltimore, on Edison Highway. Carolyn wanted to join her friends at Catholic High School, but her parents were determined that she would take a different path.

Her sister Lollie attended the Institute of Notre Dame (IND) high school, which at that time was very selective in terms of whom it admitted. Lollie was the first graduate of St. Michael’s Parish to be accepted by and attend IND, which made both St. Michaels and her family very proud. Carolyn’s parents expected her to follow Lollie to IND. Carolyn, recognizing the obvious advantage of applying to IND, since Lollie had attended and done well academically, followed her family’s wishes. She applied and was accepted.

At the time, tuition at IND was $50 a semester, which was a great deal of money to the Waskiewicz family. Stanley and Sophie worked hard to pay the annual tuition, reconciling the financial burden by observing that: “At least our children are going to get a high school education.”

Carolyn recalled little about the move from Lombard Street to Overlea. However, she did recall taking a shower the first night in the new house. Lombard Street had only had a bathtub, and except for an occasional shower at Aunt Teenie’s house or while on vacation, this was a new treat and Carolyn recalled that first shower fondly.

Age 14 to 18 – Northway Drive and High School (1956 to 1959)

The trip to school at IND from Overlea involved boarding the #19 bus on Northern Parkway and getting off about a block from IND. This daily journey was reversed after school. Carolyn did not have a car, but she would sometimes ride with friends who had reached driving age and had one.

To earn money during high school she babysat, ironed clothes for other families, and later worked as a gift wrapper at Hutzlers Department Store in downtown Baltimore.

All IND teachers were nuns, and Carolyn recalled that a few were very good teachers. Carolyn offered that she never excelled academically at IND, but she loved writing, literature and history. She did not like math or science of any kind and did not apply herself as much as she might in these subjects.

During her Freshman year, when Carolyn was staying late to make up an assignment, her English teacher happened to be conducting auditions for the Junior Varsity Debate Team.  She urged Carolyn to audition, which led to a spot on the team. Joining the Debate Team was a turning point, leading to active involvement, over the next four years, in IND activities, school, and lasting friendships. Carolyn’s extracurricular involvement was supported by her parents. She remained at school each day until late in the day, spending even less time at home.  She held some minor school offices and was involved in many clubs and events.  High school was a happy and free time.

Since students from all over Baltimore attended IND, Carolyn’s circle of friends included girls who lived in many different neighborhoods. While she still had friends in the Overlea, Hamilton and Parkville areas, on many days she would borrow her father’s car and travel to Catonsville and communities on Baltimore’s west side.

Carolyn also dated during her high school years, and frequented Montebello and the Hamilton Recreation Center and a few other teen dance halls in the area.  Lollie married Dan Dachille, her boyfriend from the old neighborhood in April, 1957, while Carolyn was finishing the 10th grade. Her parents gave her plenty of freedom since she was working hard in school and was generally well-behaved.

As her IND years came to a close, Carolyn was confronted with the same transitional challenges that confront most high school graduates – what was she going to do after high school? In the 1950s parents did not expect daughters to attend college, but rather  to get married and start a family. But Carolyn was determined that she was going to go to college , despite her parents’ desires.

Carolyn’s sister, Lollie attended Towson State Teachers College (now Towson University), which at the time provided free tuition for a pledge to teach in Baltimore City schools for several years after graduation. By the time Carolyn reached her senior year this program was no longer available, so if she attended Towson she would have to pay tuition.  Carolyn’s solution was to obtain a college education and become a teacher by joining the Catholic Sisters of Notre Dame convent.

Finishing high school was a milestone for Carolyn, as it is with many young people, marking the transition from childhood and adolescence to adulthood. Carolyn recalled that her graduation was  a “big deal” for her and a special event for her family.

Age 19 to 25 – Maryland and Florida (1960 to 1966)

Shortly after graduating from high school Carolyn said goodbye to her family and moved into the convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame in Baltimore , to begin training which included attending college.  After a period of time teaching at a school in Ellicott City  while attending college, Carolyn was transferred to a convent in North Miami Beach, Florida, where she began teaching elementary school classes, and continued her education.

While teaching a fifth-sixth grade class in 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, an event that shocked the nation. The school principal called Carolyn to the classroom door and delivered the news. She told Carolyn to dismiss the children but not to tell them what happened. The school was in the process of notifying the parents. That day felt like a dream-trance. These were things that didn’t happen in the world of that time.  For the next several days, events unfolded in a surrealistic manner. Everyone stayed riveted to their televisions, watching reruns of the assassination, the capture of the assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, and then Oswald’s murder while in custody. This was the first in a series of assassinations during the 1960s that ushered in a gloomy national mood.

During those convent years,  Carolyn  faced periods of doubt and uncertainty about continuing along her current path. She recalls positive experiences and good times, but that her convent years were not particularly happy ones. Carolyn left her convent in June of 1966, returning to Baltimore. She almost immediately obtained  a job at Johns Hopkins Medical School as an assistant in the Physiology department.  She notes the irony since she had little love for science subjects when she was in school. But she loved her new job.

In December, 1966, Carolyn and her friend Beth signed a lease on an apartment in the Johns Hopkins University neighborhood. They celebrated by going to a local ‘singles’ bar named “Smitties,” located on Greenmount Avenue.  While there, they were joined in conversation by a young man from Ohio who had just arrived in Baltimore from Colorado a few days before to start a new job. His name was Gary Harriger and before the evening was out he asked Carolyn for a date, which she accepted. He had also invited Carolyn’s friend, Beth to go out, but when Beth learned about the invitation to Carolyn she cancelled. The date, which occurred on the next weekend, went well and from that time both Gary and Carolyn dated only each other.

The assassination of Martin Luther King occurred in April 1968 while Carolyn was working at Johns Hopkins. The event triggered major riots in Baltimore that necessitated deployment of the Maryland National Guard and setting of a curfew in the evenings. Carolyn could not attend work during the riots. After the riots  ended, if Carolyn worked late, she would be accompanied to her car by an African-American Hopkins security guard, who became her friend.

Another incident that occurred during the riots involved Lollie’s daughter, Pam, who was admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital for surgery. Carolyn and Gary lived in an apartment in the Loch Raven area at the time and they were watching Lollie’s two boys while Lollie spent time at the hospital with Pam. There was some anxiety about taking the boys out during the day and worrying about the approaching curfew. Lollie and Dan recall looking out the window and seeing the sight of fires through the burning city.

Only two months after Martin Luther King was assassinated, in July 1968, Robert F. Kennedy, the brother of John F. Kennedy and candidate for president was assassinated. Carolyn recalls coming to work after Robert Kennedy’s assassination. Many sat in the laboratory where they worked and cried. The sentiments were not really politically-based. They were a symptom of what was happening in the world during the turbulent 1960s.

Age 26 to 34 – Marriage and Children (1967 to 1975)

Carolyn and Gary became engaged in summer of 1967 and were married on a balmy February 17, 1968.  After a short honeymoon in New York City, they moved into a small apartment near Lock Raven Boulevard and Northern Parkway.