The daily Portfolio section on Page A-2 contains many features driven by Post-Gazette readers. They include Random Acts of Kindness (tales of good deeds), Word Watch (observations on today's lingo), Raves (as opposed to "rants"), Local Dispatch (something worthy that's not necessarily newsy) and Storytelling -- a series on a topical theme, usually prompted by one reader's submission.

On July 30, we published "A City Summer in the '60s: Making Our Own Fun" by Donald R. Feitl of Ben Avon, and invited readers to send in stories of "summer pursuits, in the good ol' days or more recently." The response was strong and steady.

The Next Page was enlisted as an additional venue. With thanks to everyone who contributed, here are some stories of summers gone by.

• Part 1/Next Page: Our 'Norwood Olympics' of 1972 -- and a passage out of innocence