Dear Hearts and Gentle People:

It's gone. Completely. There isn't a shred of our old school left. But let me assure you, she came down hard. You can see the empty lot at:

TLC #65 web pages

This issue of TLC is pure nostalgia - we will revisit Main Street, between 10th and 11th, in the mid-50s. The 1950s, that is.

I call Wally '55 Hulver "Old Timer," and there's a reason for that:

Dear Susan, After reading the last TLC #64 or was it #24, I thought it was time for me to send you something that might be of interest to our TLC friends. Everyone seems to be interested in what businesses were in the buildings on Main Street.

Well, here goes! First of all, Sheppard Hardware Store was at the corner of 10th and Main Streets.  Barney and Beth Sheppard later purchased Gillen's Hardware Store in the next block. The next building going east was Mode-O-Day and was managed by Irene Pointer.  Kathy Bost worked there when I worked at Wulfkammer Shoes 1953-56.

I always tried to wash the front windows around the time she would come to work just so I could watch her walk down the street -- Boy, did she have a swing! -- in fact, I watched a lot of girls walk down the street back then-----but now back to the buildings.

Next to Mode-O-Day was Duncan's Ready To Wear; they also had a store in Higginsville. Then came Wulfkammer Shoes, and upstairs was a Chiropractor named Dr. Wright. He was there for several years. The Merchants Credit Bureau moved in after Dr. Wright died. The third floor was occupied by Redman's Lodge Hall, and later became the Jaycee Hall.

NOTE: Clara Lankford started working at Wulfkammer's Shoes in 1944 until she retired in the late 90's.

Then comes the grocery store owned by Joe Moses and Claude Luce. I was told that Nicola's had a grocery there before Joe and Claude purchased it. I would go over there on my breaks to get pop and snacks. Joe and Claude would deliver groceries to Jimmy Alkire's business across the alley. I would always ask them if I could deliver for them sometime and the answer was always "NO!! We have to deliver everything ourselves."  I never could understand that!! Ha! Ha!

Anyway, above the grocery store was a beauty salon owned and operated by Mary Best. She was kind of a wild and crazy woman. Then came the Lexington Bank and Trust Company, and Mr. Joe Mann was the President at the time. Next was one of my favorite stores in town - the Sunshine Bakery, owned and operated by Charlie Burchett. Man, could he bake---I loved his donuts and crispies. Old Charlie liked to nip a little when he baked; come to think of it, after he baked too. Before that, in the 1940s, it had been Krumweide's Bakery.

The Commercial Bank was next, and Robert Jackson was President.  Above the bank was the law office of Chick Hader and a dentist named Dr. Day. My sister Mildred (Hulver) Burns was Mr. Hader's first secretary (1946). She retired on July 1st after 58 years in the legal world.

Then came the following to round out the block: Lexington Advertiser-News with John Shea as editor and publisher; Gambles Store run by Johnny Beretta and Charlie Mussatto; Davidow Furniture Store managed by Jock Beretta; and finally Ford and Rush Drug Store with Roy Ford and Walter Rush.

And that's the way I remember the ten hundred block in the 50's. Great stores in a great town..........the old shoe dog, Wally

See the block as it is today by going to the TLC web site.

You may have noticed the mention of Redman's Lodge. That was a new one for me. Our old faithful, Jim O'Malley, clued me in:

Hi Susan, I really enjoyed issue #64! There's so much going on in Lexington these days. Those pictures of old LHS being torn down are so sad. I was in Lexington last week and drove by the site and I felt like an old friend was dying right in front of me.

Harry Dunford mentioned that the 3rd floor of the Morris Maytag store was the Redman's Lodge Hall. Let me tell you about my experience in the Redman's Hall. We're talking about the 1930s. When I was a little guy, say 6 thru 8, there were public dances in the Redman's Hall. My folks would take me and my sister Pat (Diane wasn't born yet) to an occasional dance there. Keep in mind that in the 1937-39 time frame there were no DJs or bands with all sorts of electrical amplification. The band at the dances I went to was a string band, with guitars and a violin. Maybe there were other instruments but I don't remember them. One song I remember them playing was "Little Redwing."

People did "Round dancing," as opposed to square dancing. Walzes, two steps, and maybe a polka or two were part of the program. Everybody danced. Couples whirled around the dance floor with varying degrees of grace and skill. Some looked like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and others looked like Ma and Pa Kettle. It was a common sight to see two women dancing together. Little kids would dance together. The old folks would sit on the sidelines and watch who was dancing with who and I'm sure the gossip flowed the next day! I would get sleepy early on and fall asleep in the midst of all the music and laughter. There was no drinking allowed at the dances, and proper behavior was expected of everyone. Everyone had a grand time and looked forward to the next get together.

Ten years or so later, in September, 1949, Channel 4 in Kansas City went on the air and the age of television began. Public dances like the ones at Redman's Hall became fewer and fewer. Something really nice was lost forever.

My response:  I certainly agree about TV - wonderful tool that it is - it changed the social face of America.

Recently we sat out in our courtyard. It was a lovely evening, and several neighbors stopped by to chat. It hit me what was missing. I was in exactly the same spot that I'd been 50 plus years before....but then you would have heard children outside playing until mother's began calling "TimmmEEE" "SuzzzEEE" "TommmEEEE," etc. This night there was not a child in sight, nor one to be heard. We used to run through the neighbors' yards, playing Kick the Can and other games. I'm sure they gritted their teeth, but no one ever complained. It's just different now. Durn.

Jan Rider McCoy says TLCs make her homesick, but:

Homesick, as in wonderful warm memories.  All in all Lexington is perking up and a pleasure to come "home" and see all the changes. 

Another Jan, Jan Jiovenale '57 Tubiolo, writes:

Southern Californians don't understand weather of any kind, but we misplaced Missourians miss real weather and I'm actually envious of reports of the big thunder and electrical storms (nearly unheard of out here) as I remember them so well. I miss the weather changes, the mini-reunions, the upcoming events in town and find that I get most homesick when I hear of all the new goings-on. TLC has captured "Our Town" and it means a lot to be able to wrap myself in it's homely past.  Thanks. 

Another who misses Lexington a bit, Nola Redden '58 Banister:

I have certainly enjoyed reading TLC. Parts of the news has been very sad like the old school coming down, etc.  But it's a great way to stay in touch a little.  I see names and read notes from people I haven't thought of in years.  Thanks so much for all your effort and time, it's a very worthwhile thing you do. I always knew I missed out on so much by growing up on a farm, and not being a part of all the neighborhood friends and games you played.  And the one room country school didn't offer to much social life as I was the only one in my grade for at least four years. 

From John Boone '57 Skelton:

Susan...Did I let you know the address of my son's web address in Iraq..If not look at

http://www.charliecompany.50megs.com  

There are some great pictures of our brave men and women serving in Iraq...His company is serving in Tikrit, which is close to Baghdad..People can email his company from the web site...Please keep them in your prayers.

Next issue will have a military theme - we'll salute Wentworth as it begins its 125th anniversary. Stay tuned!

Your devoted scribe,

Susan