Susan, having worked for Dave Frerking at the Dragon Den for several years in the 50s, I wrote a little piece of "Goodbye to a Friend" after he died in July which got printed as a Letter to the Editor in the Lexington paper.   It got me to thinking about the only other two eateries, hangouts for teens, that I could think of in Lexington, being the Maid-Rite and Snappy Service, next to the theatre.  I know Norman Vialle died this summer but didn't know him well but thought surely there would have been some tribute of him written to the paper by now probably by somebody on the TLC list since he and his establishment were such an institution in our  home town.  Ot it could appear on the TLC web site.   On rare occasions when I did have money and went in there after a football game or something I remember Mr. Vialle (didn't we always call him that??) standing at that hot stove top chopping up the ground beef and onion and always thought he was a very sweet, kind fella.  Bet he just loved all those teenyboppers!!!

My memory of Snappy was when I worked there briefly with long-time employee Mrs. Alda Holman, Mary Ann's mother, and Gary and Gene Jarman.  They always kidded me unmercifully. I was so shy I was embarrassed to yell out the order like I was supposed to do, so just went up to them after I got the order and softly passed it on to them.  They said I would never make a good waitress that way. 

Another vivid memory I've written about before was in 1955 when Irma Boldridge and I went in there for a Coke and got served sitting in a booth for the first time instead of her standing outside at the window.  Shameful times, those.  Somebody's got to have good memories of that place too, probably Mary Ann.  I also worked at Joe's Cafe up the street for Joe Bookasta, wonderful family, EARLY in the morning during summer. Called it a "Greasy Spoon" not because it was, but the clientele were kind of rough, dirty workers. I learned that you could cook just about anything for breakfast as long as you had enough bacon grease.

And that led me to my third point since we are S-L-O-W-L-Y navigating from this unbeatable heat into fall (Dave and I sat outside this afternoon, Sunday, when that 60 mph wind was gusting and the temp. lowered to 74 from 94 in less than 15 min. and we said "THERE IS A GOD!" never thought we'd feel air like that again!) That reminds me of Fall Festival, the parade, Liz White drum major, the carnival, full cotton skirts, cinch belts, band practices in the hot band room and getting measured for new uniforms (I can still smell that hot wool), wearing blue jeans, white shirts and red neck scarves in the parade since our uniforms hadn't come in or would probably have been way too hot.  More memories, anyone??? 

I have wonderful photos of "back in the day" downtown and am using them for our Downtown Buildings History Project. One day I'll publish some on the website, with the talents of Webmaster Ball. If you have ANY photos of Lexington from its inception up to 1999 or so, please send them to me. Scanning would be fine. It's a fun project. However, as soon as I finish one building and begin to research the next, I invariably run across more information on the first! It is a slowwww work in progress.

Mary K. Wilcoxon '58 Gooseman has been a fantastic source of photos from the (waaay) past to this century.

Speaking of storms and also old pictures, Jim O'Malley sent this site along:

http://oldtiger.com/gendisasters/missouri/3414/lexington,-mo-tornado,-apr-1893

And continuing the picture theme, remember the Catholic Church montage on our website? Here is what Jack Gueguen added:

In brief, the first (brick) building (in the inset) was lost to fire fairly soon after it was built in the 1850s (when a priest from Independence began regular trips to Lexington on horseback).  Someone recalls being told that the fire happened just after an organ was installed.  That Church was quickly replaced by the small structure (inset) when Lexington received its first resident priest.  Neither did that second building have a long presence on Highland; historians tell us it was "blown down" in a "wind storm" in 1870-something.  This led the Catholic congregation to purchase the quarter-block at 18th and Main where the present Church was built in the 1880s and later the rectory, convent, and first school. It's not clear what "embellishments" the photo's caption refers to (early 20th  century).  If anyone wants details (dates, locations, the Catholic congregation), Jim can supply them.  As for those old Stations of the Cross, I saw them and didn't recognize them, so for me it remains a "mystery."

Back to Jim O'Malley:

Susan,  I enjoyed TLC #132 very much.  The story by B.M. Little, Jr. about the Goose Pond and the building of the old swimming pool gave  me a big smile.  The swimming pool was to the northwest of the old  High School building.  In the '50s or so a building was built over  the remains of the pool. 

Actually I believe it was the tennis courts. The Ag building was on the northwest portion of that section in the back.

It was an annex to the high school and  probably an ag building or something like that.  I've included a  picture taken at that pool around 1937 when there was a Beauty Contest  held there.  My mother, Hazel Terrell O'Malley, was the second place winner of the contest.  She was 26 years old.  She's the second from  the right in the picture.  I was there, but I was just a little  fellow of 6 or so and don't remember the picture being taken.    Unfortunately, I don't know the names of the other ladies.  Perhaps  some of the viewers can identify them for us.   Isn't Lexington  history fun!!!     Best wishes to all.

I hope the photo reproduces. Does anyone have any other IDs for this???

Bette Phipps '58 Thomas remembers:

Jim, as soon as I read this was a pic of Lexington bathing beauties, I remembered seeing a pic of your mother (Aunt Hazel) in a group of the beauties--and sure enough, I was right. What a great picture of a great lady.  She sure doesn't look 26 to me (although I might be willing to return to that age, old as it might be.) 

And here's from a new contributor! Molly Benson '59 Homan writes: 

I am hopefully responding to Susan Shea Worthington, When I saw your email and the names included, I quickly surmised the information was regarding the First Christian Church in Lexington. I recognized Nekie Braswell's name as she and her family lived across the street from us there on South St. Of course I knew George B. well and have seen him a couple of times over the years.

You know the church there holds many cherished memories for me - one special one, my baptism. Dr. Sill was there the majority of the time that my parents and I were members. Of course I am wondering why there is a "last formal service." I had heard at one point that the attendance was very low, so I am wondering if it has lessened to the point that a budget could not be supported.

I would love to be in attendance at the service on Sunday and if it weren't for the fact that we have been out of town and missed our own services for 2 weeks, I would definitely be there.  I'll need to do some serious thinking about this.

Nekie Braswell Kramer provided the information:

Thanks for the interest in the Church.  We have decided to merge with the First Presbyterian Church on Franklin and 10th Street.  It wasn't an easy or quick decision, but expenses were too high for our existent congregation.  The merger is going well and we have put our Church up for sale  It also includes the lot beside the Church and the lot behind. 

There is a contact pending, I believe. I promise to report on this and other Lexington events, but send me questions or memories. Till next time...

Your devoted scribe,

Susan