TLC #90: October 31, 2006
Dear Hearts & Gentle
People:
The dust has settled in the old hometown, and
now I must report that the old folks from LHS Class of 1956 had a wonderful time
at their reunion. Webmaster Ball is putting photos on the TLC website as I write
this.
There were many happy notes from reunion-goers,
and I'll include some of those later.
The other big news is that the magnificent
Veterans' Memorial is nearly finished. It is on the west side of the courthouse,
on the street level. The dedication will be on 11/11 at 11. That's appropriate
and easy to remember as well. If you can, you should be here for
that.
The Sounding of the Drums has been extremely
popular with locals and visitors. We don't have any photos yet, but that
will be a goal for TLC #91. It is held on most Saturdays at noon except when WMA
is not in session, has a full parade scheduled, or if the weather is bad. Don't
make a special trip without checking. The Chamber always knows - and it's
probably on the website: www.historiclexington.com Sometime I know answers too, but don't count on
it.
Perhaps the biggest news is that Lexington won
First Place in our population category at the Missouri Community Betterment
Annual Conference in Columbia. The local LCBA works all year gathering
information about projects being done in the community. A Project Book is
submitted to the state, and two judges are sent to town for an hour's
presentation and a tour of the projects being reported. It's a very Big
Deal, to those involved at least, and it's a huge thrill when we win anything. I
must tell you that Lexington almost always does very well, but it's especially
gratifying when we win First Place!
I've mentioned Tall Tales & Short Stories of
Lexington in previous issues, but now we have some photos. "Snaps" Hulver
took them while I was doing a program. Part of the audience (we usually have
between 30 and 50 in attendance) is shown. The fact that they look as if they
are about to fall asleep should be no reflection on my presentation, which I
assure you was simply riveting! My assistant shown is Naomi (Mrs.
Steve) Harlow. Also captured in the photo is Marcia Cope Fleischman;
not pictured is Lucia Cope Hulston, among quite a few others. I mention
this to show we draw people from as far away as Kansas City, Richmond, and Oak
Grove.
One of the photos from the '56 Reunion shows the
Lexington Trolley. I've mentioned before that the trolley runs during special
events and on request. We tailor the tour to the visitor - LHS grads want to see
the old hangouts; tourists want to see the four historic districts,
etc.
Upcoming: the always delightful Parade of
Lights Dec. 1 and the Woman's Club Christmas Tour Dec. 2 (candlelight) and Dec.
3 (afternoon). This coming weekend is Preservation Day here. It includes some
interesting programs, lunch, and tours of buildings in the process of being
preserved.
Now to the mailbag. Gary '56 Jarman not
only signed up for TLC, he came to the Reunion, and even has a couple of photos
published on our website!
Just wanted to say thanks for sending me the TLC
newsletters/reports on events taking place in Lexington. I graduated from
Lexington High in '56 and haven't heard to much
news about Lexington since. I was in Lexington about two years ago and
couldn't believe how much it had changed. Of course the old high school
was gone and the "goose pond" was grown over with weeds. However, it still
brought back a lot of good memories.
My thanks also to Jerry Mischon for
getting in touch with you and adding my name to your mailing list.
From Terrie (Mrs. Mickey)
Dishman:
Looking for any pictures or info when the Moose
Lodge was the Starlight bowling alley; also looking for any pictures or
info when the Moose Lodge was on South Street or Franklin. Any help would be
appreciated.
I believe
Terrie wanted the above for a Moose Lodge anniversary which was held over the
weekend, but I didn't receive the request in time to reach you. Still, there is
another big anniversary coming up, so if you have anything relating to Moose
history, please let me know and I'll put you in touch with Terrie.
Things we
learned in Lexington stay with us forever. Jim O'Malley recently
wrote:
When I was in my
Junior year in Lexington High School I read a poem called "Richard Cory" in my
American Literature class. The teacher was Fern Cullom. I've thought
of it over the years and wondered about all the Richard Corys in this
world. This morning (Sunday) as we were finishing breakfast and getting
ready for Sunday Mass, I mentioned this poem to Ellie and she didn't remember
it, so I told her I'd look it up on the Mac. I reread it and thought you'd
like to read it, too. It's very short and direct. It'll hit you
between the eyes. If you care to share it with us I'd like to hear your
reactions to it.
http://bestclips.com/index/clips/view_unit/7/?letter=P&spage=1
I have received several notes from '56ers
saying what a great Reunion they had. A tip of the LHS beanie to
chairman Bill Tempel and his committee. We want to be just like them when we grow
up.
Arthur '56 Knapheide included current as
well as old memories when he wrote:
The class reunion for 1956 graduates was outstanding and
Bill Tempel and his wife are to be congratulated as well as the other people
that helped out. WOW!
When I lived in Lexington I did not care about all the history
there, but now that I have moved away and come back for visits, I can't get
enough of the history. I am sure others are in the same boat.
Susan, you did a great job telling those of us that took the
trolley tour all about the present day Lexington and the old Lexington we
remembered. The people who did not take the trolley tour or did not show up for
the reunion really lost out.
Remember when:
-The farmers and their families came to town on
Saturday night and gathered in front of the dime store and Ford & Rush
Drugstore and talked while the wives shopped. The sidewalks were packed with
people.
-Square dances Saturday night at the Municipal
Auditorium
-Carnival on 9th Street between Franklin and Main
-Saturday morning movies with Hopalong Cassidy. You would see
1/2 one Saturday and would have to go back the
next Saturday to see the end. I just saw one of those movies on TV the
other day and it ended the same way.
-We had 10 grocery stores, 3 major; IGA, Safeway, and U.S.
Super. With 7 Mom & Pop groceries. You could call Ceno's Market or Mischon's
Market order a loaf of bread, quart of milk and they would deliver it.
-We had 8 service stations, key word being service.
Today there are 2 gas stations, keyword gas. (I think we have 3.)
-We had Maib's Cafe, which was fancy, and lots of small
coffee shops and cafes.
-Don't forget the Odessa Ice Cream Shop
-We all walked to and from school - only the rural kids got to
ride the bus.
- City Marshal Mose Butler would sit in his patrol car every
night on the corner of 9th St and Main, watching everything that was going on.
He was everyone's friend.
-Going to see Santa and all the toys in the basement of
Shepherd's Hardware or in the basement of the Cox Department Store, previously
Hix.
-Block 42, Tabo, the Peckerwood Club, etc
-Remember when we had all the old businesses on Franklin and
Main Streets
-Miss Margaret Smith teaching her writing class
(Palmer Method!) at Arnold School
and teaching 6th grade
-Our first day of school at LHS after leaving grade
school
-Going to the movie, then to Maid Rite afterward for a coke
and order of french fries
Did we have it rough or what? I'll stop with the "remember
whens" and let someone else come up with some and take us down memory lane once
again. Lexington was a great place to grow up and still is.
Susan, thanks again for the TLC, you do a great job! We really
enjoyed our time with you in Lexington.
Thanks, Arthur. You sentiments about Lexington
are shared by more people than you could possibly
imagine.
Conrad '56 Pitz wrote
also:
Susan just wanted to
send a few comments about the LHS 56 50th reunion. It was
undoubtedly the greatest. What a job Bill Tempel and his helpers did in the
organization of events; a big thank you to all of them. It had been a long time since I had been in Lexington and from your comments in the TLC I
had great expectations and boy was I
rewarded.
Many changes have
occurred in the old home town. I was amazed when we drove in from the south on
Hwy 13. I could not believe that it had
built up as much as it has. The brewery was a blast and good
food also. We was able to take a trip across the Ike Skelton Bridge. It was
strange going east to get on the bridge, but we sure felt safer when we crossed
the Mighty Mo. Enjoyed your tour on the trolley and really enjoyed the tour
through the 4-Life building. What a place that is. Almost makes us want to
come back, just to be able to make use of such a fine facility. Again, what a
joy it was to renew old friendships and relive old memories with everybody. Keep
up the great work in the TLC. It sure helps to keep everybody
current.
Susan,
Please print in your next TLC:
Susan - you are to be commended on
ALL your efforts in making this newsletter something of which to
look forward. Now, we have an archive much to everybody's
pleasure. I cannot thank you enough for all you have done to keep
Lexington "ALIVE ". If it were not for you, I would not know "what's
happenin'."
Norma "Wilson" Gadt
Sulphur Springs,
TX
Thank you, Norma. I am printing your note.
There's no such thing as too many letters,
People. Send 'em soon! Don't forget to check out the TLC web pages.
Happy Halloween and Happy Thanksgiving to
you all, if I don't receive enough mail to warrant another issue before then.
With sincere good wishes from the town where all the children have always been
above average....
Your Devoted Scribe,
Susan
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