TLC logo 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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