N.C. man’s book focuses on his childhood years in Uniontown
Jim Fosbrink
Pictured above is the book “My Days on the Extension and Other Tales,” published by Uniontown native Jim Fosbrink. The book recalls Fosbrink’s boyhood years growing up on “the Extension,” which is now the intersection of Lebanon Avenue and Dixon Boulevard in Uniontown.
A North Carolina resident recalls his boyhood years in Uniontown in his recently published book, “My Days on the Extension and Other Tales.”
For his 89th birthday, author Jim Fosbrink said his daughter, Barbara Vosbrink, helped him to publish his collection of original tales spanning eight decades, including his years growing up on “the Extension,” a road that led to the Jamison Mine and what is now the intersection of Lebanon Avenue and Dixon Boulevard in South Union Township.
From the trolley cars, railroads, amusement parks, homemade ice cream and mush ball of yesteryear, readers are given a taste of life in Uniontown in the 1920s and during the Great Depression.
In the South, Fosbrink said he is often asked to explain what is a “coal patch,” a term many in southwestern Pennsylvania recognize as the communities that developed near coal mines, sometimes built by the mining companies themselves.
“It’s written from the older citizen’s view. I am 89. I can’t change that. They’ll come and ask me, ‘What’s a slate dump?’ All coal mines have them. They have to get rid of slate. They dump it out on the ground and it becomes a giant hill out in the field. It’s the waste material. When I went back to see them, they’re gone. Environmentalists said they aren’t good,” Fosbrink said.
In the story “Nicknames from the Shadows of a Coal Patch,” Fosbrink writes that all boys who grew up on “the Extension” had nicknames, whether they be inherited from an older brother or brought about by a means either long remembered or long forgotten. Among his friends from childhood, Fosbrink’s nickname is still “Fuzz.”
“Fuzz” dedicated his book to his “lifelong friend” Johnny Cipolletti, affectionately known by Fosbrink and their boyhood friends as “Muzz,” and to Fosbrink’s mother, May Fosbrink.
Fosbrink began to write 18 years ago when a local newspaper published his account of an experience he had in retirement that he calls his “brush with Hollywood.” After being discovered by an agent, Fosbrink worked as an extra in some movies, including “Black Dog”with actor Patrick Swazye and “Eddie” with actress Whoopi Goldberg, and several commercials.
When the story he wrote captured the interest of readers, he decided to take some writing classes at a community college. There, he found that he did not enjoy writing fiction but thought he would still share more of his life experiences through writing.
“I would rather write true stories, so I started writing about growing up in Uniontown,” he said.
The first part of the book contains tales of Fosbrink’s boyhood adventures, but stories about his adult years also are included.
Fosbrink had left Uniontown at 20 years old when he was drafted into the Army. He met his wife, Patricia, at the United Service Organization in Buffalo, N.Y. They lived in Buffalo for 30 years and then moved to Charlotte, N.C., as a work-related decision. Fosbrink retired from National Gypsum Co., and the couple has remained in Charlotte.
Some of Fosbrink’s stories in the collection from the later years include searching for the perfect Amish quilt with his wife, his skills as an ice cream connoisseur and taste-tester for a major ice cream company, and the popular brush with Hollywood tale that was later titled “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You.”
The collection highlights the author’s favorite memories and sparks the memories of older readers.
“Some people say, ‘I did the same things as you when I was a kid,’ and I say, ‘But did you put it on paper?'” Fosbrink said.
Twenty of the 21 stories have been published in various magazines since 1995.
“My daughter said, ‘Dad, you’re getting old and I think these stories should be put in a book form for your relatives and your friends and anyone else who might like to know what it was like back in those days.’ So I said, ‘Well, I don’t have the know how to do that. I don’t mind writing them.’ She said she would put it together for my 89th birthday,” Fosbrink said.
Barbara Fosbrink took the original manuscripts and designed the book, including the layout of the photographs. The book was published in May.
Fosbrink is not certain if he will write another book.
“I might run out of time,” he said.
“But who knows,” he writes in the book, “maybe I can have a third career in writing.”
Fosbrink said the book is easy to read, and people who are familiar with Uniontown may remember some of the names and places that are mentioned.
The book can be purchased online at www.createspace.com/3576757.
Fosbrink said he welcomes comments. Readers may write to the author at his address, 1416 McIlroy Road, Charlotte, NC 28212 or via email at jimfosbrink@gmail.com.