"HOME IS YOUR ANCHOR ON EARTH, THE PLACE WHERE THE HEARTH FIRE
KEEPS BURNING NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO." Thomas Kinkade
For your visual trip "home," take a look at our
website:
Of all the topics we cover in TLC, the one that
brings the most reaction is the Odessa Ice Cream Shop. That and, of course,
Tabo.
Harry Dunford begins:
I can certainly
set everyone right on the Old Odessa Ice Cream Shop located the first building
east of the Mattingly Bros Office in the 1300 Block of Franklin
Avenue.
It was my
privilege to work as a soda jerk at this establishment. It was under the
management of Mrs. Moore and her two sons. Sorry, but don't recall their
names.
This was I
recall about 1938 when I worked there. The building was small, there was room
for just three tables. The rest of the room contained the soda fountain and
there was a small back utility room.
Most of the
customers inside the building came in the afternoons; however, at night we did
a whopping trade in "curb service." Incidentally, all the help with the
exception of Mrs. Moore was of the male persuasion. We made very fine car
hops.
Frequently on
Saturday night we would run low on ice cream about 10:30 p.m. and they would
bring over more from Odessa. We would then stay open until midnight or
later.
Later on I got a
somewhat better paying job as soda jerk at the Marsh Drug Store in the 900
block on Main Street. This was probably about 1940.
Mrs. Moore was
replaced by Mrs. Bowers, her sons Jimmy and F.J. I am sure they will be
remembered by many. I don't recall when the shop moved down to the 1500 block
but it was probably during WWII, and I was otherwise occupied at the
time.
Anyway, I am
glad someone* found this old advertisement as I have told people from time to
time about the Odessa Shop being where it was and no one could recall it. I
guess that shows I am over 40, 60 or 70.....I'm not sure, but I am sure I was
a jerk.
*That "someone" would be Wally
'55 Hulver
Later Harry added:
I have now
recalled that one of Mrs. Moore's sons was named Donald. The older one I still
do not recall.
Garg Warden's
recollection of the 1000 block of Main Street is accurate; however, it depends
on what era you are talking about. Before and during WWII, up to 1946 at
least, the location which became Davidow's was Cue's Cafe operated by Cue
Ussery and his family. This was a very popular place. For older folks the food
was good and prices reasonable. For younger folks a good place to meet and
chat and, in the basement, was a long room used for parties and dances for the
youth.
Also sometime
prior to about 1937, there was a J.C. Penney Store located between the
Commercial Bank and Cue's Cafe. This was a rather large store, larger than the
Penney stores at Richmond, Higginsville and Carrollton. Lexington lost out,
though, as it was never replaced while the other stores lasted until well into
the 50s.
This is enough info from me
for a while. Everyone does enjoy the TLC regardless of what era in Lexington
they participated in.
A nice note from
Arthur Knapheide:
You had an item "Remember the Odessa Ice
Cream Shop," the picture of the newer Odessa is on the north side of Franklin.
The Odessa Ice Cream ad is from the original Odessa Ice Cream Shop. In Mary
Pat (Gueguen) Miller's book "My Story," pages 61-64, she talks about the
Odessa Ice Cream shop with a picture of the original shop. The Odessa was the
first building east of Mattingly Bros office on the south side of Franklin
Ave. I believe Mattingly Bros bought the old shop to expand their
warehouse--not for sure on this. I remember my Dad carrying me in to get an ice cream cone in my
p.j's, just like Mary Pat talks about in her book. I read the book and she
took me down a lot of memory lanes. Great reading for us Lexingtonians.
Good job, Mary Pat. And thanks
again Susan for your hard work.
Then came an indignant note from Wallace '55
Hulver:
Dear Scribe,
You forgot to mention that you went over
everything in my article with me, so you have EGG on your face too. Thanks for
your kindness.
Let Mr. Warden write about the next
block......
He does sound angry, doesn't he, about being
corrected by Garg Warden? Any rebuttal, Garg? I did indeed go over the article
Wally wrote but, you see, he is so much older than I am that I simply couldn't
be expected to remember that far back. Much of it I simply had to take on
faith. Such is the life of the scribe.
A major event is upcoming in Lexington, and it
should be of interest to everyone. From 11/11/04 to 11/14/04 The Wall
That Heals, a half-scale version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in
Washington D.C., will be displayed on the Wentworth campus. Ceremonies on
11/11 will mark the occasion, including speeches by U.S. Rep Ike Skelton,
General Kevin Byrnes, Colonel Roger Donlon, and others. Military Fly-Overs, a
Parade, Bands, etc. etc. More information can be obtained at www.thewallatwentworth.org&nbs=p;
and general info at:
Sorry to end on a sad note, but word reaches me
from Jane Ann Whitney '56 Hunt that her father, Glen Whitney, is very ill. In
addition to that, he recently broke his hip so has considerable
discomfort. I'm sure the family would appreciate your prayers and good
wishes.
Your devoted scribe,
Susan
TLC #69: Oct. 25, 2004