The Swimming Pool

Our grandsons are here today and have begged and pleaded to get the pool ready. Grandpa said "NO," and when you only get one day off a week, opening the pool is not on the agenda. Guess what? The pool is getting ready. Grandpa can be a soft touch and he doesn't even realize it. He moans, groans and complains, but in the end, the kids get what they want. And he says I'm an easy touch.

I swear, most of the kids in the neighborhood can smell a pool. They were coming out in droves! We have a five-foot fence around the yard and they were pressed into it, noses sniffing the air, waiting to be let in.

Our granddaughter is planning her 13th birthday "pool party." And she wants a BBQ, and music, and games, and drinks, and all kinds of stuff. Guess who she wants to host her party? Yep...I can do the cooking, the cleaning, etc., etc., etc. My husband's brother lives in Arizona, and when he visited last year, he tried to convince the kids to put the trampoline next to the pool...then jump in! This comes from a comfirmed bachelor. But, I'm sure if the kids thought they could get away with it, they'd be dragging the trompoline over by the pool and seeing who could do the best cannon-ball off of it. Our 9 year old grandson has already asked about tying a rope to a tree and swinging into the pool from it! Kids.....did we ever think of "stupid" things like that when we were young? Maybe. But I'll never admit to it, and I sure won't be telling my grandkids!

Ahh...summer.

Lynnie

Random Thoughts

Well, school is out and all I've heard so far is, "This is the worst summer ever!" Rain, rain, and more rain, which means no swimming. Betcha "Island Oasis" is wanting the rain to end, too!

Speaking of swimming, and rain, there is actually WATER in the Platte River right now. I did not think that would ever happen again. I remember swimming at the old Hamilton County bridge as a kid. The current was strong, the water was deep, and I would ride on Dad's back under the bridge. Once, when I was about 8, Dad picked me up to set me on the ledge of a piling, and when he lifted me out of the water I had leeches all over my legs. To a small kid they were frightening. I never forgot that and to this day I am very leery of swimming in a river. It is a nice site to see the Platte River flowing again.

My brother, whom we lost in 2006, was an avid outdoorsman. He loved the Platte and would spend a lot of time there...especially in the spring when the wild asparagus would sprout. Morels were another wild goody he would find and we had a "feast" on them one year at his place. Something tells me he would get a kick out of the water in the Platte right now.

Nebraska is known for its wild spring weather, so I hope we are spared this year. May your summer be happy, relaxing, long, and memorable. I will be "watching" three grandkids who are out of school for the summer, so mine will definately be busy.

The End of Another School Year

2 1/2 days left of this school year! I won't have to get up early to take one grandchild to school, or pick three grandchildren up and 3 :00 and 3:30. But...I will have three here all day most every day.

I remember the last few days of school when I was a kid. Especially the last day. Why did the clock all of a sudden stop working? One minute it was 2:45 and five minutes later it was 2:46. Every kid in every seat was eyeing the clock, waiting, waiting....then FREEDOM! I suppose the teachers were saying stuff like, "Have a nice summer, remember to take everything with you, blah, blah, blah." We were gone in an instant and heard nothing, nada, zilch. Ah...no more pencils, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks. 6 weeks later we were all bored out of our gourds.

Both of my parents worked so it fell to us kids to find stuff to do and stay out of trouble. Well....sometimes the two went hand in hand. Like the day I came home from the pool and found my brother and my nephew, (who happens to be older than me,) and some of their friends on top of our house. They had dragged Dad's ladder from the shed and climbed up on the roof. It looked like fun to me and I asked if I could climb up. They refused so I did what all good little girls do....I threatened to tell Dad if they didn't let me up there. (There was probably some tears, too, but I don't remember that.) They finally consented to let me up on the roof and what a sight. Everything looked different from way up there, even though it was a one-storey house. My brother said he was going to get something to drink and climbed down. Same with my nephew. The other boys left too, so it was just me, up on the roof, all by myself. It didn't take long to realize the ladder was not leaning up against the house; I was stuck up there. The boys had moved the ladder and left me stranded.

I'm sure the neighbors could hear me screaming at my brother and nephew. Finally my screams turned to tears and pleas. Nothing. I waited for what seemed like hours. I would switch from crying to yelling, from pleading to threats. Finally, they put the ladder back and I climbed down. They gave me some candy and pop, and then threatened me. ME!! Like it was MY fault. I never did tell Dad. I learned my lessons well...I had five older brothers!

Walnut Middle School is losing one of their greatest this year. Mrs. Deuel is retiring after decades of giving to the students of Grand Island. Walnut had their band concerts last night so I was able to get a photo of her and my granddaughter. She will be missed and I wish her the very best in her "retirement." I wish the best for Dan too (grin).

Happy Summer, all.

Namárië

Happy Mother's Day!

The kids are being secretive, whispering amongst themselves, planning something I'm sure. Whatever it is I know I'll love it! I enjoy Mother's Day, but it always comes with just a tinge of sadness. My own Mom passed away in 2003. To all who have their mother's this day.....give them a hug, tell them you love them, and just cherish them.

One thing about today, Grand Island is having many graduation ceremonies. I'm sure there are plenty of Moms who will remember this day forever because their child has finally made it through their school days. That is a perfect Mother's Day present!

We have three in our family this year. Kay, Jeremy, and Samantha. Good Luck to all of you!

Love,
Auntie

Namárië

Grandma Berry

When I went to Howard Elementary in the early 60's, my friend Carol and I would walk by "Grandma Berry's" house to and from school every day. Over time we got to know her and we would look forward to our (almost) daily visits after school. Grandma would have brownies or cookies most of the time, and we would go in her house to enjoy them. Grandma was an older woman, not much taller than us, with hair neatly wrapped in a bun or braids. I remember she laughed a lot.

Sometimes Grandma would wash her hair and sit on the back steps to comb and dry it. And sometimes she would let us comb it for her. She would sit on a metal chair, the kind with the curved legs that would sort of rock, and we would comb her hair that went down past the seat of the chair. I remember how amazed I was the first time I saw Grandma with her hair down, it was so long! Her hair was almost white at the top, but it got darker towards the ends. We would give Grandma Berry flowers that we picked along the way...mostly out of other folks gardens which I'm sure they would not have approved.

One day after school, Grandma Berry had a surprise for Carol and I. She had made us little slippers out of washclothes. I wore mine until they fell apart. I wish now I could remember how she made them. I also wish I could remember what she looked like, or what we talked about during our visits. But what I do remember is she always seemed happy to see us.

Our family moved to the "east side" and I transferred to Lincoln Elementary. Carol and I stopped by Grandma Berry's on the way home and I remember crying. I did not want to leave Howard and all my friends. My visits with Grandma Berry came to an end, I made new friends, and Carol and I drifted apart. I did see her a bit when we went to Walnut Jr. High.

One day, years later, Mom showed me the paper, and in it was a notice that Grandma Berry had died. I remember thinking I wished I had stopped by to see her before she died.

My own grandmother got me interested in genealogy and over the years I've been able to trace several lines of my family back many generations. One day, while looking through the Social Security Index, I did a quick search for Grandma Berry. Using other resources I was able to find where and when she was born, who she married, her children's name, when she was widowed. It was interesting to find out these facts about Grandma Berry, but my own personal memories of her are what matters most. Vital records can't tell you she made the best brownies and cookies, or that she could make slippers out of washcloths, or her hair was way down past her waist, or she laughed a lot, or she was so happy to see two little girls come to visit her after school.

I miss you Grandma Berry. Thanks for the memories!

Namárië

The Municipal Swimming Pool

I was going through my old postcards and saw the one of the municipal swimming pool. That brings back some memories. I learned to swim there, very early on summer mornings, and the water was never very warm at that time. The pool was built in the '30's or close to that time. When it opened there were two viewing areas where folks could look through glass at the swimmers. Unfortunately, both glass windows leaked and were immediately removed. 'Course, this was long before my time! I think, but am not sure, there were no diving boards at first. If that is the case, I don't know when the boards were added. In my postcard there are no boards.

The girls locker room was on the south, the boys on the north. We'd pay our fee at the window, or show our pass, then go into the locker room. Sometimes we'd get a locker and would be given a large safety type pin with a number on it. We had to wear it on our suits. I don't know about the boy's locker area, but on the girls side there was a long, fat rope hanging down....it was used to open up the skylight. Some of us would swing on it. I did, until one of my friends fell on the wet cement and had stitches put in her head. I learned her lesson.

During the "rest" periods, which happened every hour (I think), we'd hit the concession stand. There we'd get one of our favorites...a licorice rope, snow cone, popcorn or maybe a drink.

The lifeguards there were the no nonsense type. In fact, they scared us to death. Maybe because we respected them, or they were just mean. But if they blew a whistle and told us to stop running, that's what we did. Many of us had to "set out" a period or two of swimming because of some infraction. Some even had to leave if they couldn't obey the rules. I was never kicked out, but did have to "set out" a couple of times. If you had no money for concessions, it could be a very long 50 minutes or so. Still, I had dreams of becoming a lifeguard myself one day.

Up until I was 12 or 13, I was way too scared to go off the "high" board. I could handle the low one. I'd get a running start, jump, and with absolutely no grace at all, hit the water with legs and arms flying in all directions. I finally got up the nerve to climb up the ladder to the high board. I was really scared. And...climb up the high was all I did that day. I had to swallow my pride and climb back down. With a lot of coaching from my cousin, Linda, and a lot of teasing from others, I gave it another shot. I stood at the end of the board and looked down at the pool. It looked a mile away. I could hear Linda cheering me on so, with grim determination, I stepped off. My stomach immediately climbed into my throat and for a second or two, I was more scared than I'd ever been in my life. But I did it! I survived the high board.

During swimming lessons we had learned to dive, and not too gracefully, by sitting on the edge of the pool, head down, arms out in front, and diving in. I tried it on the low board and it seemed to work fairly well. So, just a few days after my high "jump," I got the courage to drive diving off the high board. I sat, put my arms over my head, head down, and scooted off the board. There's a lot more distance off the high board and when you have no idea what you're doing, chances are you're not going to go in head first. I didn't. Linda said I went into the water kicking and screaming. It was an amazing belly-flop that knocked the breath right out of me. I never tried diving off the high board again. Ever!

The kids and I stopped by one day during the demolition of the "muni." A little bit of history and a little bit of my childhood was lost.

My grandchildren go to Island Oasis, which is great for the kids. There is so much to do there. Still, nothing compares to a big old swimming pool with diving boards.

Namárië

Neighborhood Grocery Stores

Many of us remember the old "neighborhood groceries." It seemed there was one in every neighborhood...sometimes more than one. In my old neck-of-the-woods, we had Murphy's, Bill's Trading Post, Lincoln Grocery, one on Lambert Street that I can't remember the name of, one on Kimball between 7th and 8th, True's Market on Pine, and Petska's on 4th. I would take a quarter to Bill's, get a pop for .12 (a dime and deposit), and a bag of sunflower seeds for .05, and get change back. Sometime's I'd get a nickle's worth of candy in a small brown paper bag....chewy coins, licorice, candy sticks, pixie stix, and other goodies.

Here are some of the small grocery stores from 1961. I'm sure there were more, but this is what my list includes:

Bill's Trading Post, 508 E 6th
Broadwell Grocery, 1124 N. Broadwell
Campbell Lafe Grocery, 253 S. Locust
Ditter Grocery Store, 1512 N. Eddy
Handy Grocery, 420 W. 4th, (the hot spot after school)
Kelly's Market, 1118 N. Eddy
Lincoln Grocery, 811 E. 8th
Louie's Cafe & Grocery, 1405 W. Charles
New Eleventh Street Grocery, 211 W. 11th
North Pine Grocery, 814 N. Pine
Petska's Market, 204 E. 4th
Pure Food Grocery & Market, 1302 W.4th
Rehder's Grocery, 612 N. Washington
Schmidt Grocery & Service Station, 1916 S. Locust
Stop & Go Grocery, 208 S. Vine
True's Market, 382 N. Pine
West Bell Grocery, 1814 W. 4th
West Lawn Grocery, 2115 W. State
Willman Super Market, 365 N. Eddy & 1201 S. Locust

There were also many bakeries in Grand Island at different times in our history. In 1961 there were:

Butter Krust Bakery, 319 S. Locust
Butter Krust-Grand Island Baking Co., 376 N. Walnut
Dreier's Home Bakery, 124 W. 4th
Ernst Bakery, 423 W. 3rd
McCormick's Bakery, 204 N. Broadwell
Rainbo Bread Co., 365 N. Jackson

That's it for my list of 1961. It's been fun going back in time.

Namárië

More 1961 Businesses

Here are some more businesses from 1961. It's been fun thinking about them and visualizing where they were. Especially the Palmer Hotel. Mom ran the cafe there for quite some time. From the counter area of the cafe, looking out north, you could see Grand Island Music. The Eagles Club is located where the Palmer was, and the YMCA building takes up the whole north side of 3rd, from Sycamore east to Oak.

Mac's Coffee Shop, 313 W. 2nd
Mac's Drive-In, S. Locust
Manhattan Cafe, 106 E. 3rd
Marler Shoe Repair, 207 N. Locust
Mary Jane's School of Beauty, 405 N. Wheeler
Mayfair Hotel, 703 W. 3rd
Meadow Gold Products, 1623 W. North Front
Mercury Cleaners, 505 N. Pine
Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio, 217 1/2 W. 3rd
Meyer's Jewelers, 121 W. 3rd
Missouri Valley Construction Co., W. 2nd
Mode O'Day Frock Shop, 324 W. 3rd
Model Laundry & Dry Cleaning Co., 224 E. 3rd (First job I ever had!)
Modern Cleaners, 524 W. 4th
Montgomery Ward & Co., 301 W. 2nd
Municipal Swinning Pool, 520 S. Oak
Necci-Elna Sales & Service, 205 N. Wheeler
Nehi Bottling Co., 503 E. 4th
Nicholas Rexall Drug Store, 123 W. 3rd
North American Van Lines, 123 W. 4th
Northwestern Bell Telephone Co., 105 N. Wheeler
Ovrland National Bank, 304 W. 3rd
Paine Monument Co., 314 N. Walnut
Palmer Hotel, 3rd & Sycamore
Party Shop (The), 408 W. 3rd
Pastime Cafe, S. Locust
Pat's Booterie, 214, W. 3rd
Payne-Larson Furniture, 101 E. 3rd
Pedersen Farm Equipment Co., 224 E. 4th
Penny, J. C. Co., 319 W. 3rd
Pepsi Cola Bottling Co., N. Hwy 281 (Pepsi still in business on E. Hwy. 30)
Pinsston's Launder-Rite Service, 1939 N. Broadwell
Plamoor Snooker, 121 W. 4th
Plummer & Son Junk Yard, 217 E. 4th
Polly Shoe Store, 215 W. 3rd
Presto-X-Co., (pest control), 2250 S. Locust
Red Rooster Sales Co., 120 E. 3rd
Rexall Drug Store, 123 W. 3rd
Rockwell Alleys, 410 W. 2nd
Roe Buick Rambler Co., 515 W. 3rd
Roger Jewelry Shop, 201 W. 3rd
Rona Lee's, 307 N. Locust
Rork's Cafe, 312 N. Broadwell
Roush Mobile Homes & Trailer Court, Stolley Park & S. Locust
Royal Crown Bottling Co., 503 E. 4th
Ruby's Typewriter Store, 313 N. Locust
S & F Farm Store, 3100 W. 2nd
Saddle & Halder Club-Palmer Hotel Bldg., 3rd & Sycamore
Safeway Store, 810 W. 3rd
St. Francis Hospital, 1310 W. Charles (The new hospital is on Faidley Ave.)
St. Francis School of Nursing, 1405 W. Koenig
St. Mary's School, 502 W. Division
Salvation Army Citadel, 124 E. 3rd
Scheffel & Sons Monument Co., 363 N. Cleburn
Schimmer's Tavern-Schimmer's Lake

SCHOOLS, the ones that have moved:
Barr Junior High, 318 S. Clark
Walnut Junior High, 504 N. Elm
Wasmer, 1613 W. Division
West Lawn, 104 W. State

Schuff's Cafeteria & Hotel, 321 N. Locust
Schuppan Sales & Service, 2328 N. Broadwell
Schweser's (women's wear), 110 W. 3rd, now at the mall
Sears Roebuck & Co., 407 W. 3rd, now at the mall
Seven-Up Bottling Co., 645 W. Locust
Shamrock Motel, RFD #1
Sink & Baer Cleaners, 412 W. 3rd
Skags System: 417 W. 3rd; S. Locust Store on S. Locust, State & Eddy (still there)
Stinson's Shoe Store, 205 W. 3rd
Studebaker Sales & Service, 110 W. 2nd
Sun-Set Motel, 1802 S. Locust
Swan's Furniture, 318 W. 3rd
Tilley's Nursery, Old St. Paul Road
Tober's For Fashion, 118 W. 3rd
Top Hat TV, 4th & Eddy
Twin Rivers Co. Inc. (eggs), 1003 E. 4th
U-Need-A-Rest Motel, S. Locust
Union Bus Dept, 323 N. Locust
Union Pacific Railroad Co., Baggage & Tickets, 202 W. South Front; Roundhouse, E. Hwy. 30
VFW Club, 216 W. 2nd
Vavra's Sausage Kitchen, S. Locust
Walklin Pharmacy, 205 N. Locust
Walnut Street Pharmacy, 402 W. 4th
Watson's TV & Bicycle Service, 313 E. 4th
Well's Furniture Co., 320 N. Pine
Western Union, 317 N. Locust
White House Cafe, 414 W. 3rd
Willman Clothing Store, 219 W. 3rd
Willman Frozen Food Lockers, 365 N. Eddy
Wilson Motor Co.; Showroom & Garage, 110 W. 2nd; Used Car Lot, 411 W. 2nd
Wolbach's, 103 W 3rd
Woodland Country Club, S. Locust
Woolworth, F W, 309 W. 3rd
Yancy Hotel, 2nd & Locust

That's about it for now. There are some other businesses....like grocery stores and bars & taverns. Perhaps I'll add then later.

Namárië

1961 Grand Island

I found a list of businesses from 1961 that maybe you'll remember. I've not included all businesses, like bars and taverns, but it's an interesting view of Grand Island from 1961.

A through L

American Crystal Sugar Co., W. Koenig
American Telegraph & Telephone Co., 105 N. Wheeler
Apfel-Butler-Geddes Funeral Home, 209 E. 2nd
Austin Furniture & Appliances, 309 N. Pine
Bali Hai of Niemano's, 1603 W. 2nd
Band Box Cleaners, 2nd & Pine
Big Boo Fine Foods, 206 N. Wheeler
Bost Pharmacy, 386 N. Pine and 802 W. 2nd
Bowen Drug Co., 102 W. 4th
Brunswick Cigar & Billiards, 316 N. Pine
Burke Drug Co., 5 Points
Cadillac Sales & Service, 121 E. 2nd
Capitol Theatre, 109 W. 2nd
Cashway Lumber, 716 S. Elm
Chasis Jewel Shop, 206 N. Locust
Clayton's Pharmacy, 213 W. 3rd
Coca-Cola Bottling Co., 645 S. Locust
Commrcial National Bank, 207 W. 3rd
Conger's Jewelry, 316 W. 3rd
Continental Trailways Bus Depot, 516 W. 3rd
De Kok's Bike, Key & Electric Service, 602 W. 4th
Dependable Cleaners, 314 N. Pine
Dreisbach's, 1137 S. Locust
Dunn's Pharmacy, 216 S. Wheeler
Ensley Electric Co., 216 W. 4th
Fairacres Dairy Farms Inc., E. Lincoln Hwy.
Fairbury Pipe & Supply Co., Oklahoma & Eddy
Fairmont Foods Co., 924 W. Oklahoma
Farm & Home Radio Station, 205 S. Cedar
Federal Savings and Loan (The), 217 W. 3rd
First National Bank, 202 W. 3rd
Flower Basket (The), 103 . 9th
Ford Packing Co.-meat packer, W. Lincoln Hwy.
Foreman Beverage Inc., 608 E. 4th
Frontier Village Novelties, E. Hwy 30
Gamble Stores, 315 W. 3rd
Geer Co.-mobile homes, E. Lincoln Hwy.
Gold Bond Gift Center, 309 W. 2nd
Gorman's Men's Wear, 112 W. 3rd
Grand Island Beauty School, 311 W. 2nd
Grand Island Beer Co., 706 W. Oklahoma
Grand Island Bottling Co., 645 S. Locust
Grand Island Candy Kitchen & Cafe, 313 W. 3rd
Grand Island Ceramic Studio, 1915 W. 1st
Grand Island Clinic, 215 1/2 N. Pine
Grand Island Hardware Co., 110 W. 4th
Grand Island Livestock Auction, W. 2nd
Grand Island Loan Shop, 108 N. Pine
Grand Island Manufacturing, 356 N. Elm
Grand Island Music Co., 105 E. 3rd
Grand Island Poultry & Egg, 371 N. Sycamore
Grand Island Rendering, St. Paul Road
Grand Island Rug Cleaners, 817 W. N. Front
Grand Island School of business, 116 E. 3rd
Greenberger's Clothing, 221 W. 3rd
Greyhound Bus Lines, 323 N. Locust
Hallstead Printing Co., 313 N. Locust
Hayes Hardware, 1927 N. Broadwell
Heim Upholstering Co., 415 N. Oak
Hesselgesser's Garage. 107 E. 2nd
Hested Stores Co., 216 W. 3rd
Hoefts' Furniture Mart, 2224 N. Broadwell
Holcomb Hatcheries, 317 N. Elm
Ilanda Ballroom, 811 W. 4th
Jack and Jill; 2121 N. Broadwell & 1717 W. 2nd
Jameson's Cafe, 208 N. Locust
Jarold Shops Inc.-women's apparel, 124 W. 3rd
Jerome's Teepee Novelties, W. Hwy. 30
Johnson's Brother's Barber Shop, 521 E. 4th
KFNF Radio Station, 205 S. Cedar
Kaufmann's Dept. Store, 308 W. 3rd
Kernan Shoe Co., 119 W. 3rd
Kirby Co.-vacuum cleaners, 320 W. 4th
Kissel Auction & Furniture, 213 E. 3rd
Knott's Auction, S. Locust
Legion Club, 315 1/2 N. Locust
Library (City), 321 W. 2nd (Not torn down, thankfully!)
Lumbard & Leschinsky Studio & Camera Shop, 109 E. 3rd

That's it for now. I'll add the rest later.

Namárië

The Drive-In Theatre

I'm old enough to remember the Drive-In, but too old to remember many of the details. It must have been the late 50's and early 60's that I remember the most. One thing I remember is the petting zoo they had there. Dad & I went to see the animals before the start of the movie and I held one of the white rabbits. I'm sure there were other animals but the rabbit is all I remember. (I also remember it was right after my "accident" on the merry-go-round at Lincoln School....but that's another story.)

On hot summer nights my folks and us kids, usually 4-6 of us, would pile into Dad's '60 Chevy station wagon. It had fins on the back but don't ask me what model it was. We'd drive back and forth through the rows of speakers, until Dad found the right one. Sometimes we had to move because the speaker wasn't working. If the folks were agreeable they would let us ride the ponies. Remember those? Round and round we went at the entrance to the drive-in.

There was a concession stand at the drive-in that sold the regular types of food; hotdogs, sodas, popcorn, etc. Mom always made popcorn at home, in the cast-iron skillet, and put it in a bag. That was our treat for the movies. Before the movie started us kids would play on the swings in front of the screen.

Mom put blankets and pillows in the back of the station wagon and we put the back seat down. I can't remember many of the movies I saw there but the "tinney" sound of the speakers, Mom's voice, the popcorn and stars are what stays with me.

Another screen was added to the drive-in later. One night, while "The Exorcist" was playing on one screen, the other was hit by lightening. Ummm.. It wasn't long after that the drive-in began it's swan song. Slowly time and mother nature reclaimed to land. The screen was removed and the land stood vacant for a number of years. Now the land is filled with Kohls, TJ Maxx, HyVee and others.

Kearney is home to one of the remaining drive-in theatres. Maybe I'll take the grandkids there sometime. Something tells me I'd hear quite a few "I'm bored" coming from the back seat. These kids are used to tv, computers and video games. Watching a movie from the confines of a car might be too much to ask. :)

Namárië

To Start With....

Growing up in Grand Island, hereafter referred to as G. I., I am very familiar with the town. Town. Ummm. While growing up here it seemed like a town, but now it seems more like a city. It has grown and expanded beyond anything I remember. And...I've never left!


Like most folks, my memories of my town probably tend to be sweetened by the years. But I honestly think times were different then. My folks let me ride my bike all over town. My kids could ride "close to home," and my granddaughter couldn't ride in the street, let alone leave my sight.

A few of the things I remember: The Drive-In, Jack & Jill Stores, Kings, The Satellite Club, Fairmont Creamery, The Palmer Hotel, Lombard-Leschinski, The Grand Island Clinic (the one at 3rd & Pine), Hesselgesser's Oldsmobile (on 2nd between Pine and Oak), all the little "neighborhood" grocery stores, $.88 Cent Store, Kaufman's 5 & 10, Hesteds, Woolworth, most of the stores "downtown," The Capitol Theatre, Municipal Swimming Pool (The Muni), Christmas on Memorial Lane, Scotties
Drive-In, Heights Drive-In, home delivery of milk and dairy products (with the wooden crates), Shuff's Cafeteria, The Greyhound Bus Station, Continental Trailways Station, The Union Pacific Station, Koehler Hotel, the old Hamilton County bridge and the billboard on the north side of it, Pioneer Village, Jerome's Tee-Pee, St. Francis Hospital on Charles St., Lutheran Hospital near 1st. and Walnut, Niemano's, Big Boo, Bill's Trading Post, Apfel-Butler-Geddes Funeral Home on E. 2nd, Bowen Drugs, Clayton's, Dreier's Home Bakery, Vavra's Sausage Kitchen, Royal Crown Bottling Co. (somebody's brother has a body shop there now), and many, many other things. Going back over my list I notice how many have to do with food. I guess food can provide good memories.


There are many people that have left a lasting impression on me. Like Mae T. Clark, principal at Lincoln Elementary School; Mildred Cunningham, 5th grade teacher at Lincoln; Mrs. Williams and Mr. Yost, both 6th grade teachers and Lincoln. During my years at Howard Elementary I rememberMrs. Moore, the principal, and Mrs. Swiggle....but I don't believe that was her real name, just the way I remember it. (I wonder if there's a website I could go to and look up the teachers of Grand Island? Anyone have an idea?) I was one of the lucky girls to dance the Maypole in 4th grade at Howard. That tradition continues today.


So, here it is, my memories of Grand Island. Maybe I'll add a bit of Hall County later. Drop a line and tell me of your memories. The more memories we write down, the more we remember.

Namárië!