Friday is here. It is time for me to get blogging. I feel I have to say Part 1, as I may just need to write another blog or two about our town.
There are so many fond memories I have from growing up in a very, small Pennsylvania town. People from that town have taken the initiative of establishing a Facebook page dedicated to the life in that small town. Everyone that is a member of this group just enjoys the reminiscing. Who would have ever thought we could enjoy those moments again through Social Media and Facebook. Technology does have its positive traits!
Let me describe my little town as it was in the 50’s and 60’s. Every town had a Main Street. For awhile, the traffic pattern went both ways on the street. This soon changed and Main Street was one way going through our town; Church Street would be one way going out of the town. When we were teenagers and dating, we would drive the “circuit” a few times—down Church Street and up Main Street. Fun for a Saturday night right? What else was there to do? You could check out who was crusin.
Main Street had various stores. One of the favorites was Woolworth Five and Ten Cent store. Why it was called the Five and Ten I do not know, because there wasn’t much for sale for that amount of money. The store had wooden floors that creaked when you walked on them, and counters of merchandise throughout the main floor. Checkout was in the department where you purchased your merchandise. Come to think of it, I believe they had a photo machine which produced 4 photos for twenty five cents.
The fondest memory I have of Woolworth’s was its luncheon counter and banana splits. There would be balloons hung up with various prices inside of them — five cents, ten cents, twenty cents, free banana split, etc. When you purchased your banana split, you chose the balloon, it was punched with a pin, and you received a discount of what was in the balloon. So cool! Trust me in saying these were not four or five dollar banana splits! They were still expensive to my friends and me, so we settled for a Coke.
Another Five and Ten Cent store was JJ Newberry’s. It was a bit smaller than Woolworth’s, but was one of those store where you could buy what you needed — clothing, shoes, and toys.
At Christmas time the second floor of Newberry’s was transformed into a wonderland of toys. I remember walking up the very narrow staircase. (If that would have been today, the staircase would have probably been closed due to fire regulations.) When you arrived on the second floor, there were toys, games, dolls, doll strollers, doll houses, and probably some trains. Such a magical place to make your Christmas wishes.
There seemed to be a drugstore on every corner of Main Street. This was the place to go after school and buy that five cent Coca Cola, or if you had a dime a large Coke. My friends and I managed the five cents but not the ten. You could even get a vanilla or cherry coke that was mixed in front of you. Give me the straw and let’s drink.
One event that occurred on Saturdays was the “Market”. Vesper Street was blocked off from Main to Church Streets. My grandma would pick me up to go to Market with her. The item I remember her buying was a bouquet of gladiolas for my grandfather’s grave. He had passed away in the early 50’s due to lung cancer. Those flowers come from a bulb, have a very long stem, beautiful blooms, and an array of colors. It is amazing how many things were for sale at the Market, but the flowers I remember most!
There were several small markets on the Main Street of our town. The A & P was where grandma would visit to buy her Eight O’Clock coffee which she ground on site. I can still smell that coffee.
The next stop was the Rinella’s Market. They were an Italian family. This market had all kinds of various, delicious aromas — cheeses, salamis, produce, etc. Mr. Rinella wasn’t a very tall man, and I can still picture him standing in the aisle, all the windows and doors open, hands on his hips, in a long, white apron.
In the early 50’s there were three movie theaters: The Martin Theater, The Roxy Theater, and the The Garden Theater. The Martin eventually closed which left just the Roxy and Garden. When you speak of the Martin to those that attended, the rats running across the stage would be mentioned. (Not kidding) The Roxy and the Garden theaters were across the street from each other, and ran different movies. Let’s not forget the marquis for each theater that was lite up at night by many lightbulbs.
After you purchased your ticket from the ticket window and entered the lobby, there would be popcorn for sale by the bag or box, and vending machines with all kinds of candy bars for sale — yes they were five cents and maybe ten cents. Put your money in the slot, pull the handle under the candy bar that you wanted, and out it would come. Let’s find a seat.
Both theaters had wallcoverings that looked like velvet, and curtains that would open when the movie began. It always amazed me how the inside walls of the theaters were decorated. It makes you wonder if any restored theaters have these kind of walls. Very unique.
The Garden Theater had a stage. Every Saturday afternoon you could go to the matinee for fifteen cents (not kidding!). The couple that owned the theater was the Fredericks. They also owned the local drive-in.
Mrs. Fredericks was a teacher at our local high school. I can still see her on the stage with her glasses around her neck, in her high heels, trying to quiet everyone down for the prizes to be given away. I just remember movie passes being one of those prizes. She would ask a question about a current movie, and hands would be raised. If you were lucky enough to be called upon and answered correctly, you won the prize.
For a Saturday afternoon the theater ran kid friendly movies such as cartoons, the latest western perhaps with The Lone Ranger, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and Trigger (he was Roy’s horse).
Lets not forget the Adventures of Ma and Pa Kettle. They could have lived in the thirties in the mountains of West Virginia, Tennessee, or Kentucky. The family walked everywhere because they didn’t have a car. Ma would get a very long rope and have all ten kids grab it. Off they would go to town. Such wonderful memories.
Movie prices went up at night to twenty five cents for children up to twelve, then fifty cents for adults. It made you want to scrunch down when you reached the age of thirteen or say you were twelve! You might be wondering how we got to the movies — we walked!
Growing up in this little town was quite an adventure. Everyone seemed to know everyone. Kids could walk to the drugstore or movies, and all would be fine. I miss the way our town used to be. Such great memories when life was a bit more simpler and not so rushed. Those were the days!
This blog is dedicated to all the people that grew up in a small town. They, too, remember how life used to be.
Blessings from The Blogging Grandma