Dear Hearts & Gentle
People:
Some pretty strong storms blew through the old
hometown last night - full of sound and fury but signifying fairly little. I
haven't heard of any local damage, perhaps lost sleep, but I noticed the grass
seems to be green-ing up today, the 1st of
March.
Some dramatic news out of Lexington will be
broadcast tonight on Kansas City ABC affiliate Channel 9, on
the 10:00 newscast. Pretty exciting stuff: a cast-iron coffin was discovered at
Machpelah that dates back to the 1840s. It was an accidental discovery as a new
grave was being dug. Don '55 Coen, Machpelah sexton, and Bill
'56 Summerlin, Machpelah superintendent, have been in touch with the
historical experts over this. The Smithsonian directed them to the University of
Missouri, and a team was here last week for the exhumation of the
coffin.
A hole in the top revealed a skeleton, but the
coffin is constructed in the shape of the person it holds, almost Egyptian in
style. The University will do DNA studies on the remains and also
determine the age of the coffin. We will report on this as soon as more
information comes in, but it may be some months.
Also of significant news is the mural which has
been commissioned for a building in Lexington. This Lexington historical
timeline will be installed on the east side of the Chamber of Commerce (also
Missouri license bureau) building. Photos are on our TLC web pages
Check it out!
A muralist from Warsaw, MO, will
do the art work. The mural is a project of Lexington Community Betterment
Association, a 501(C)(3) organization. Therefore, if you would like to help with
the $20,000 cost, please send a check to Bank Midwest in Lexington. There is a
$100 Club with no membership benefits except the good feeling that
comes from helping to bring something to Lexington that will be
attractive and a boost for tourism. (Therefore, donations are completely
tax-deductible.) Any amount will be appreciated.
Once in a while someone asks if
he/she can send a donation to TLC. I refuse to accept anything, but truly would
appreciate any expression of gratitude sent to the mural
fund.
An interesting situation arose
after last month's reference to the Krazy Kats. That immensely popular band
resides in everyone's affection, it seems. I received a note from Conrad Pitz,
who had actually worked with the Krazy Kats. And THEN I received a note from the
lead Krazy Kat himself!!!! For your reading pleasure:
From
Conrad '56 Pitz:
Susan, I
remember the Krazy Kats quite well, and am still in touch with them. Back in
1985 when I was director of the Oriental Band of Ararat Temple, I had them play
at a 50s & 60s dance at the Temple. It was a large success, as we had 850
people attend that night. After that I became the entertainment chairman for the
band, and I contracted them for the next 4 years. I had have them down
here in the Ozarks at our Shrine Club twice. I have become very good friends
with them over the years. I might say to Diane (O'Malley Jiminez) that Lee Dresser
does one of the best Elvis acts during their show that I have ever seen. If you
ever hear of a Krazy Kats performance close to you, I highly recommend it for a
night of GREAT entertainment. And as Steve Dowdy wrote in the last TLC, it is
hard on us old folks but it sure is worth it.
This from the
lead Kat:
Hi, Susan!
This is Lee Dresser of the Krazy Kats, responding to the
recent TLC article that was forwarded to me from Conrad Pitz. I appreciate
you remembering our Lexington dances, and want to get a few facts
straight, for the record.
We first came to Lexington=92s attention because Olan Moyer saw us
entertain at a Lion=92s Club luncheon in our hometown of Moberly. The Lion=92s
Club sponsored our Saturday dances for the first several years, and then the
Jaycees took it over. We had about a five year run there, and enjoyed
every minute of it. In fact, more people remember us from Lexington than any other
place! Ten years ago, when Phil Witt did a special news story on us, he
met us at the auditorium, and we re-lived some memories for the
camera!
Jim O'Malley mentioned how I missed appearing on the Joey
Bishop Show (ABC, not CBS), but I DID make it. I was originally scheduled
to be on a June show, but Bob Hope did an unexpected walk-on that night, and
they had to bump my part! But they promised to have me back on, and they did, on
December 26, 1969, the very last show! Joey had left the show by then (he
was backstage, but didn=92t appear before the cameras). The host was his
side-kick, Regis Philbin, and we had a great time. Regis had actually seen
me perform in a club, and he was responsible for me getting booked in the first
place! I sang a couple of numbers, bantered with Regis a little bit, and
then the show was over=85=85.for good! I have an audio tape of the show, but
NO video (nobody had video back
then!)
Anyway, Susan, thanks for the memories (Bob Hope
again?)
This began a
series of emails back and forth, because I tried to set up a concert here in
Lexington. Being on a short fuse to schedule it, we were not able to work out
the dates. But Lee has promised the Krazy Kats will be here one day, and you can
be sure I will let you all know
when.
Bettina Samuelson
Esser remembers the Krazy Kats and the carnivals
too!
As usual, a great update. The carnival
that came to Lexington was Don Evans Midland Empire Show and was from
Plattsburg, MO. It was, and probably still is, a family
operation. As I remember, they did the Fair circuit spring through
summer and lived on a farm with horses in the winter. I am fairly
certain that they have moved. Lexington was one of their last
stops of the year. I cannot remember Don's mother's or wife's names but
his children were Mary Ann, Johnny, and Nancy. Mary Ann helped her mom
with the cotton candy, Johnny ran the rides, and Nancy learned math at her
grandmother's knee while making change in the booths.
It was such an event when the city closed
Tenth Street between Franklin and Main, which I don't think they would be able
to do today. Between the carnival lights and the
neon signs on Main and Franklin Streets, Lexington was a little
Las Vegas during the festival week. It was never the same after they moved
the fair location. Just add it to the list of things that aren't the
same....
By the way, one of the things that made the
Krazy Kats such a hot venue was the fact that Lexington merchants were open late
on Saturday nights in the 50's. Saturday was a very active shopping
day, particularly for people from the country and out-of-towners. I
remember well-groomed visitors coming via Greyhound to spend the day
in Lexington, and some could cap it off with music at the
Municipal Auditorium. It also seemed that we had more Greyhound
arrivals and departures in the 1950's. However, in the mid-60's, they
changed to a Friday late close. After that, I never remember it being as
busy on either Friday night (except at Christmas) or on Saturday.
Another comment regarding TLC #93 came from
Al McCormick:
The story about the underground being a
storage for booze is probably true. I bet Grandma Mittie could tell us some stories if she were with
us.
My mother occasionally talked about riding the
school bus in to Mittieville from Malta Bend to attend dances. She never told me
much more than that, except I always wondered why they went to a speakeasy to
dance as teenagers. And that was not an easy trip from Malta Bend. That's around
50+ miles, and back then transportation was not that good.
My Mother would be 96 this year if she were
with us. It also amazed that the niece
of a Methodist Minister who played piano in his church would show up in a place
like that at that day and age.
When we made the trips from KC to Malta Bend,
my folks almost always stopped there for catfish. They both seemed well
acquainted with the place.
We recently held a Tall Tales & Short
Stories of Lexington session at which we discussed and shared memories of
"corner" grocery stores in Lex. Diane Gibson '58 Conger wrote on
that topic:
My favorite neighborhood store was
Ceno's. Ceno's was small but served a large customer list. They had
home delivery. I remember many mornings hearing the familiar sound of our
front door opening and a voice yelling, "Ceno's" and a box being
placed in our entry way full of whatever was needed to complete a meal that
day. Mother sometimes sent me on my bike to pick up a needed item. I
loved going because of the candy in the large glass fronted
case.
Many of my allowances, a quarter a week, were
spent at the candy case. That would be enough to buy Bazooka Bubble Gum
and a choice of other treats. In the Fall the candy counter had big red
paraffin lips that were held in place by our teeth. We
would chew on them after we had tired of wearing them.
Also, there were orange paraffin Halloween whistles that would play the
scale as we blew through them. Then, there was the little paraffin bottle
of liquid. We would bite the tops off the little bottles and drink the
liquid and then chew on the bottle. The candy cigarette attracted
many of the boys. I bought them once. My mother was not pleased with
my choice. I am sure that my teeth paid the price for some of these
treasured treats.
The store was rather dark since the store front
let in the only natural light. The other lights hung from the old tin
ceiling. There was a ceiling fan that whirred above my head. The
store had a smell of its own. It was a smell of meat, bread, onions and
coffee. There was a wide plank oiled floor which creaked underfoot.
Ceno's was a friendly place. They knew my name and made me feel
welcome and valued as a customer.
The little corner grocerys have long since been
converted to homes, and people hop in their cars to make last minute purchases
at the larger stores. The bygone era of the corner grocery symbolizes the
innocence of childhood and a time when a little meant a lot. I really
feel that I grew up in the best of times. I am sure many of you can echo
that sentiment. Wouldn't it be fun to go back to the little corner
store???
Yes, it would. And there's just no humor more
sophisticated than red paraffin lips!
Health news came in from Laveda Coskey
Cross:
Recently Bill (Cross, class of '52) had a pacemaker put in
and two coronary stents. These procedures were done at the North Kansas
City Hospital.
Everything went crazy one day. We were at
the Doctor's office, and the next thing I knew Bill was in the ambulance on
his way to NKC Hospital. Pulse was 33 at the time. Our timing was
excellent, because he did not suffer any heart damage. We went to the
doctor because he was having trouble catching his breath.
The good side of all this is that everything
has gone so well, and he is at home and back on a normal schedule.
The two heart problems that came up had
nothing to do actually with the other. As the doctor described them, one
problem was electrical and the other problem he referred to as
"plumbing."
Enjoyed the last TLC very much.
Barbara Tabb '55 Jarman rose to the
challenge to identify the Fall Festival Queen Candidates pictured with the last
TLC:
|
Okay - I'm going to accept your
challenge to identify those bathing beauties in the Fall Festival queen
contest. And, the year was more likely 1956. I think my
biggest help with identities was the hairlines. Left to
right, I am guessing: Mary Ann Mullen (Mode O'Day), LaDonna Williams
(Specialty Shop?), Barbara Lee (Connor-Wagoner), Nancy Oles (sponsor?),
Sharron Jenkins (Montgomery Ward), Worthy Scribe Susan Shea (sponsor?),
Mary Caroline Trent (Walker's), and Lucy Vollenweider (a beauty
shop).
(Editor's note: You got 87.5%, Barb. See all the correct
answers farther below.)
And, how long since any of you have worn
heels that high? haha I can't remember who was crowned that
year, but it was a good slate of candidates.
That was a nice turnout for the new
Veterans Memorial dedication, and a beautiful memorial it is. Thanks
for the pictures, and another fine issue of TLC. I'm always glad to
see them in my Inbox.
Give me a little time, and I'll try to
come up with something for your Tall Tales. I hope winter has
loosed its grip a bit on the old hometown - I always think about all the
great hills for sledding in Lexington, and what fun a good snow was, but
only for 'the kids'. Ha. Have a great day up your
way!
|
Thanks so much. The latest issue was most
interesting. I hope that Raymond Mischon reads about the next topic for
Short Stories and Tall Tales...his folks ran a grocery store for many years on
Main Street - Mischon's Market.
Of course, we bought a lot of stuff from
them. But we bought a lot at Ceno's Market too. It was much closer
and we could walk there. We had no car but the grocery stores all
delivered back in those days. In fact, we had three stores pretty
close. Ceno's Market at 20th & Jefferson, Bookasta's Store almost
across the street from there on 20th Street, and Gibaud's Store a little farther
towards town on 20th Street.
Thanks for all your hard work both on TLC and
Tall Tales.
Faithful reader and correspondent Arthur '56
Knapheide tried his hand at the Queen contest:
The last TLC was great. I have been busy like everyone else, and that
is why I haven't sent you anything
for the TLC. But I am going to tell you who the lovely ladies are in
the photo from the 1956 Fall
Festival. Here goes!
Mary Ann
Mullen Sponsor Mode
"O" Day
LaDonna
Williams
" " Specialty
Shop (Don't remember this shop)
Barbara
Lee
" "
Connor-Wagoner
Nancy
Oles
"
" ?
Sharron Jenkins
" " Montgomery
Ward
Susan
Shea
" "
?
Jackie
Walker
" " Walker Funeral
Home
Lucy
Vollenweider
"
" ?
If memory serves me right Lucy Vollenweider
Was Queen.
How did I do? I think I did very
well.
Arthur, I think I must
declare you the winner....100% on the gals, but you missed on the queen. Nancy
Oles won, and I believe Lucy was second and then Sharron. I made the final 6,
but just the top 3 were announced from there. I think Barb and Mary Ann rounded
out the 6. There were more gals in the contest than are shown. And it was
the fall of 1956.
Nancy was sponsored by
Estrins Jewelry, myself by Reed's, and Lucy by (Anthe?) Beauty Shop. If I'm
wrong, I hope someone will correct me.
Jim O'Malley was
remembering cartoons and rowdy times in Lexington when he
wrote:
Hi, I'm sure you've all heard about "Betty
Boop." She was an animated cartoon character in the movies in the early
1930s. "Betty Boop" was also the nom de couche of a prostitute in Helen
Higgins' house of ill repute in Lexington in the '30s and early '40s. Her
real name was Betty Shelton. Here's a link to an early Betty Boop cartoon
from 1933. The title is "Minnie the Moocher" and the singer/dancer and his
band is Cab Calloway and his orchestra. Cab spent a lot of time in Kansas
City (Editor's Note: and also
played in Lexington) during the heyday of KC jazz in the
'30s and '40s. The voice of Betty Boop is that of Helen Kane, the "Boop
Boop a Doop Girl." Hope you enjoy watching Betty.
Some sad news
arrived from Maxine McMillan Doile:
Thanks so much for all you do. My
husband is critically ill and I enjoy receiving the TLC as I don't get
out. Hospice is with us now. Keep us in your
prayers.
It is ok to share this information.That is
the reason I did not get to attend my class reunion in September and I sure did
miss getting to see everyone. Thanks for the prayers. Thanks for
everything.
Maxine sent a new email
address and also one for Gene Chedotte. I don't give out email addresses, but
will be glad to forward any notes on to them if you want to get in
touch.
Mickey '51 Conger
sent a note saying he needed a TLC "fix" - he was one of the ones dropped when
my server decided I was a spammer. (Let me know if there are
others!)
Susan: Many, many thanks. The ghost
of Harry Booth (now this is reaching back a few years-it was called The
Lexington Daily-Advertiser News then) is blessing your journalistic
talents. You do an incredible job of keeping all of us old timers up to
date on what's going on in Lexington. Even when we're clear out here
in Southern Calif.
More likely John Shea, but thank you,
Mickey.
Another health report - this one from
Joyce Luehrs on Feb. 2:
Thought I would let you know that Larry had his
surgery and came through just fine..THANK GOD!
They got him in early AND it was not as bad as
they thought, so he did not have to have the mesh patch put in. Of course
he is in pain right now and will be for a few days. Can't go back to work
for 6 wks ( no lifting or straining at all ). They did say he could do dishes
and a few other chores around the house after a week or so ( they really did say
that). I laughed at that..he doesn't think it's funny...hahaha. I wont have him
doing it of course...he would not let me do anything after my surgery. We both
hope it doesn't snow a lot because neither one of us can shovel...what a pair we
are..haha.
Have to go now, need to fix him
some soup.
And, yes, of course you can print in
TLC!
The reason I said that we are quite a pair
right now is that I had surgery Nov.30th. I had to have all of my colon removed.
Did not have cancer - it just didn't work right anymore. I had a lot of people
praying for me and GOD blessed me as I did not have to have a colostomy. I am
healing very well and should be able to return to work in a couple of
weeks.
So with his surgery today and mine a couple of
months ago we have not been in the best of health but we will get through this.
Thanks for caring.
And from the
prominent artist in Warrensburg, John
Willard:
Thanks for having me on your list! Your =93sharings=94 surely make
me envy you Lexingtonians
--------again! Sounds like a lot of you surely had lots of fun
while I was doing forgettable things in Warrensburg.
Have you noticed how often people who didn't grow
up in Lexington write to say they wish they had? What a wonderful
compliment.
Farewell for now, you lucky people, from the
luckiest of all because I get to correspond with
you.
Your devoted
scribe,
Susan
TLC #94: March 1, 2007