Julie and Joe attend a Braves’ game. Photos provided.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
JUNE 7, 2024 | There’s a new book out from a Gwinnett native and retired middle school math teacher who remembers wonderful stories of growing up in Norcross in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Early into the book, you’ll be smiling as you read it.
The author is Julie Carlyle Rutkowski, who lives in Norcross in her parent’s former home. The book’s title sends a message about the understated humor of the book: “I should have gotten a manicure….”
We were continually turning to the next chapter, as her stories pulled you in wanting more. We finished most of it the first sitting, and completed it the next day, with her continually reminding us: “I should have gotten……”
Julie’s father, Jimmy, was the postmaster in Norcross, while her mother, Katherine, a Willis from Marietta, was an elementary school teacher. Julie’s a middle child, having an older sister, Jody, and a younger one, Jill. All still live in the wider area.
Rutowski
Julie started the book four years ago, once she retired. “I was waylaid so many times, and didn’t know where I was headed. I was thinking about my childhood, as a boomer analyzing my life, and the way Norcross was an unbelievably good place to grow up. I wanted to share the story of what it was like back then.” The book is full of personal photographs of the era of the Carlyle activities.
Julie’s parents, Katherine and Jimmy Carlyle.
Readers will think of their own lives in this era as Julie unfolds stories, such as playing softball in the front yard, attending Braves games, or watching television like Saturday Night Live or “unforgettable characters” like Roseanne Roseannadanna on television, or camping trips or vacations and flights gone bad. Her stories tickle your own family memories.
“The ideas came easily, but the implementation was more challenging. When I read segments to friends, they would laugh and that was helpful. I bounced ideas off my sisters, Jody and Jill. I have an acute memory of my childhood. And I also drew from when I was a student at Georgia Tech, and from raising a family.” She and husband, Joe, who have been married 40 years, met at Tech. They have an adult daughter and son, who live nearby.
Julie also says: “I had some fantastic English teachers in high school, who taught me so much about language and using it properly. Working on the newspaper at Norcross High was a highlight and true learning experience.”
She and her longtime friend, Paula Green Jones, always found people interesting and they were observant: “We noticed mannerisms about people, how they acted and talked. We would do impersonations of people, often our teachers. And as 12 year olds, we were listening to television and making tapes of national figures during Watergate days. We saw the doubletalk at that early age.”
Many a ball game was played inn the Carlyle front field.
Chapter headings include Julie should have….:
- Passed on a few cheeseburgers;
- Learned to play the guitar;
- Cared about geography;
- Tried my hand at hair styling;
- Turned off the TV;
- Should have known how good I had it.
She said to friends on Facebook: “I have published a book on Amazon. It’s a humorous memoir full of stories about Norcross, Georgia Tech and my wonderful family and friends. I hope you’ll give it a look.”
To this date, Julie still has not had that manicure.
But she is already thinking of a second book. It’ll be entitled: When they wrote that song, were they thinking of me? Bet it will make us smile, too.
The book is available at Amazon for $15.
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