Holly Street Helena, Arkansas Memoirs 1940s and 1950s

HOLLY STREET depicts the story of a young boy growing up amid the area's history while taking full advantage of his youthful imagination. He was fortunate enough to start working at four, but it wasn't child labor. He learned many adult traits and simultaneously found ample time to enjoy being young and adventurous. He was smart enough to get into trouble having fun but cagey enough to escape blame. Defending his turf was no problem as he never picked a fight with anyone bigger than he was. He learned life's values by closely observing the habits and associations with good people. Finding dead bodies in his yard and neighborhood while witnessing incest, drunks, and knife fights sped up his growth. You don't have to be from the area to recognize some of the characters mentioned, but you are sure to remember some if you were.

Steve Petkoff has retained and shared the early memories of his life with many friends and family members over the years. Past pictures and memorabilia inspired him to write. "After all, he says, in just a couple of decades, I'll be a centenarian. Then who is going to pass on the stories about the good ole days?" Now retired, Steve lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, with his wife and two cats. He stays busy volunteering, reading, and woodworking while being active at church.