Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right or by clicking here. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings are still there, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!

In this installment, let’s discuss things we used to do or things we had, that you no longer see. Times have certainly changed – for better or for worse – but often it happens so gradually that it goes unnoticed. It’s only through discussion that you think to yourself “Oh yeah! I totally forgot about that!”

This usually is the precursor to a flood of memories and before long, hours have passed, and many smiles and chuckles have been had. That’s what makes reminiscing so much fun and so popular.

Being born in 1970, I can only bring up those things that “we” used to do and have in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. However, don’t let those of you longer in the tooth, from sharing the things that you used to do or have, yet no longer see.

1. Keeping the groceries company

Going with mom to the supermarket was exciting enough – it always meant coercing her into buying a bunch of junk in the form of soda, chips, ice cream and candy. It was perfect, because she was usually too preoccupied with her list and checking prices to make sure money was saved. We would strike while in her moment of weakness. Junk food was on the line.

Once the groceries were bought and paid for, we would stuff the groceries (when there was only one choice of packaging: brown paper bag) into the backseat, trunk, front seat, anywhere. Usually there wasn’t much room, so you had to finagle your way in between sacks and make a concerted effort not to squash something, lest there be wrath. Being this close was exhilarating. It also was opportunistic: being in that proximity to the goods, meant rifling through the brown bags was like opening a treasure chest on Oak Island. What would we come across and rip into….and get away with?

Back then, seat belts weren’t much of a focus. So crawling from back seat to cargo area and back was a given. Sure, you’d get reprimanded IF mom noticed. But usually she was too busy watching the road or chatting with her girlfriend. If there were to be an accident, there would be upside down kids covered in milk, bread and eggs. Somehow, it was never an issue and we made it through fine. The other variants of this? Filling the bed of a truck or El Camino, or filling the inside of a van and whipping around the city, or even the highway. You could whip right by a cop with five people in the bed, no problem.

2. Having endless time to do odd arts & crafts

I distinctly remember macrame being ubiquitous. At home, at friends’ houses, or anywhere else you went you would find macrame sweaters, plant holders, hammocks, tapestries, or some other odd trappings made from the popular craft. It bordered on obsession.

Also popular was making your own jewelry. While today, it seems to be the domain of teenage girls, back then adults really got into making their own jewelry to proudly display. Making your own candles, decoupage, or reusing household junk (or pantyhose) that was heading to the bin or yard sale table, pebble pets, and rock rascals were also pretty common. These recycled and handmade items made great birthday presents, anniversary gifts or Christmas presents. Right? Guys. Hello? Right? Wow. It’s really quiet in here.

3. Non-Musical albums

Before cycle classes, Zumba, and outrageously priced Sunset-candle-embryo-co-ed-naked-stiletto-aerial-hip-hop yoga by the sea, you threw on your leg warmers, head bands and wrist bands and got a workout with an album. Debbie Drake was particularly popular, but when celebrities got wind of the profits, they jumped on board. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mary Lou Retton and others made some pretty decent coin on the fad.

Also, in this time period, every comic seemed to have an album. Bill Cosby, George Carlin, even Cheech & Chong, who turned the album sleeve into a gimmick: a proper rolling paper.

4. Having boom boxes

Before digital music players the size of a Susan B. Anthony dollar, there was the boom box. The boom box gave you swag. When you had a boom box, you could walk with confidence, almost authority. You just knew that everyone who didn’t have one, was envious. The boom box was a way to let everyone know who you were, by the music you chose. It was as important to your style as the shoes, shirt and jewelry you wore.

If you were as hip as they came, you got one of the boom boxes with the detachable speakers. That generated some serious “oohs” and “aahs” and put you in the running for “King of the Block.” You were the man. Every chic wanted your number and every friend wished they were you. You just knew it.

5. Hitchhiking

Felt like seeing the country, relocating, visiting family out of state, or simply wanted to go into Boston for a night on the town, but don’t have wheels? No problem. You stuck out your thumb and hitchhiked. Getting chopped into little pieces or stuck in a dirt pit being told about lotion? “Nah, that only happens in the movies!”

I had forgotten all about this slice of Americana until I went on sabbatical and backpacked Europe. I did a lot of hitchhiking there and it saved me a lot of money. I met so many decent people, and had such an overwhelmingly positive experience, that I thought it was a shame that we couldn’t experience the same back in the states. People were thoughtful, generous, and kind. Some were even emphatic about bringing me to the doorstep of where I was heading. One elderly lady even tried to give me money as I was getting out, to ensure I would enjoy myself in the town she was proud of. Of course, I refused but the gesture left quite an impression. Yes, even elderly women weren’t afraid to pick me up.

Sadly, just mentioning the word “hitchhiking” is enough to conjure up serial killers, horror movies, and perverts. Sigh.

Which era did you grow up? Do you recall these things? What memories do you have of them? What things would add to this short list?

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Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right or by clicking here. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings are still there, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!

How fun it is to wax nostalgic about things gone past. To pore over images that evoke vivid memories and often powerful emotions. I’ve often not thought even passively about something, yet the mere mention of it or a glimpse of a photo brings back a flood of memories – taking me right back to the very timeline when they were commonplace. It’s as close to time traveling as we have, isn’t it?

I have so many things I would positively love to share, but sadly we lack the images. Scores of articles would have passed if I had pictures to accompany them. Alas, recalling days of old is much harder to do without images to serve as a mnemonic device – there isn’t a more powerful and effective method of recall. Hint, hint! If you have pictures of greater New Bedford’s past, please consider sharing them with us, so we can offer many more of these strolls down memory lane.

In the past – pardon the pun – we have discussed landmarks, images and occupations that have been (almost) forgotten. This time around I’d like to share some services that have been almost forgotten. Of course, being 44 years old, there are services that have I never even heard of, or simply weren’t a part of growing up. That doesn’t mean you can’t share yours. By all means, do so!

Milk Delivery

Before chocolate milk, strawberry milk, and banana milk, there was….milk! Extracted from a 4 legged beast called cow, this strange liquid would be bottled in glass, sealed with a tin foil cap and dropped off at your doorstep or …gasp the milk chute, by sunrise. You simply had to open your front door or milk chute and there it was.

Before my time, you could leave out your own bottles or containers and the milkman would charge you according to the volume.

Wanted some cream, cheese or butter? No problem. Just leave a memo. When you were done, you rinsed, then placed the empty bottles back in the crate for the next day. Easy as pie. If you were up at the hour that the milkman made deliveries, it wouldn’t be uncommon to ask him to drop something off at a friend’s house down the road.

The occupation is mostly remembered today for being an abundant source of infidelity jokes. I’m willing to bet there are kids today who have cracked a milkman joke or two in their time – yet don’t actually know what a milkman is or did. Well, unless you share this article with them, that is.

Doctor’s House Calls

Here is a service that has almost come full circle. Yes, there was a time where you and your doctor had a semi-formal, in some cases, casual relationship. You could call him “Doctor” or even by his first name.

In the 1960s nearly half of visits with a doctor were done right at the patient’s home. There was a time when this was absolutely normal. Sadly, nowadays it sounds a bit odd. In an era, where a hospital itself can be a breeding ground for bacteria, and even a dangerous place in light of overworked, fatigued doctors, it seems that this idea could use some revisiting.

Of course, there are certain injuries or ailments that require modern technology and a large staff. However, there are some illnesses that would benefit all if the house call was brought back. In fact, it seems strange if you think about a very ill person, hopping into a car and driving themselves to a hospital where they sit in a waiting room spreading germs. Almost counter-intuitive.

A service that has almost come full circle? Perhaps, not quite. Maybe a partial circle. There has been a slight comeback in this service as some doctors are reconsidering and even practicing the concept – for reasons beyond the scope of this article.

Cobbling

No, this is not the software or the culinary art of producing fruit-filled pastries. A cobbler was the fellow who would actually handcraft shoes. Before mass production and Asian sweatshops, there was the lonely cobbler.

This man would repair your shoes, extending their longevity and it wouldn’t be uncommon to have the same pair of shoes for many years. Look sharp too!

This is perhaps the REAL “world’s oldest profession.” From the time that mankind needed to walk about and hunt, he needed something to protect his feet to allow him to chase prey or escape predators. This makes the loss of this profession and service a loss for humanity. If you know who to ask and where to look, you can still find a cobbler.

These days, the cobbler has been made mostly irrelevant and people prefer simply casting the shoes away and buying a new pair. Another science, craft or art-form lost to time.

Shoe Shining

Shoe shining or boot polishing are both still found in places like New York City, however it is a service that is an endangered species. At least in America. In many parts of the world, like India or Afghanistan, it is the sole source of income for women.

In the day of shoelaces, sneakers, and tennis shoes there is very little need for a shoe shine. Today’s fashion is primarily an informal one that seldom requires a pair of “dress-up” shoes. Even if a person owns a pair of shoes that could use a proper shoe shine, they are worn so little that, a little self-buff every 5 years does the job.

Paperboy

When I was growing up the newspaper delivery was the realm of one person: the teenager. Chosen delivery vehicle? The trusty BMX. Every teenage boy earned spending money to fund his comic book addiction or stamp collection. It was one of the last rites of passage for boys.

These days, because of inflation, cost of living and dwindling social security, many adults have a paper delivery route to make ends meet. With the retirement age being extended, people are undertaking a paper route as a non-labor intensive way to make extra cash.

Elevator Operator

I actually experienced this last week. The first time in decades. Many people in this new generation would think “Why would I need a person to push a button for me? How lazy!” Whippersnappers!

However, that really was not the primary job of an elevator operator in spite of the occupation’s name. There was an era when elevators would not automatically stop and would require manual timing. However, they were also part-greeter, part-tour guide. Superlative founts of information and a living directory – especially useful in tall buildings and in department stores.

Nowadays we have dissected the elevator operator and require many occupations and devices to do what they did. We have separate tour guides, greeters, information desks, directory placards, and customer service booths.

There is also the seemingly preferred method of exiting an elevator and looking about with a puzzled look, before popping back in and trying again.

Soda Jerker

A soda jerk would serve libation at a soda fountain at an apothecary or drugstore. Say what?

Once upon a time, the drugstore was the place to pick up your mail, some groceries and your medicine. Of course, if you were a kid, you looked forward to mom running these errands, because every drugstore had a soda fountain. One could pick amongst a number of flavors for your soda or ice cream float.

The soda jerk, was often a teenager or young man who would pull or “jerk” the lever or spigot to mix the soda (carbonation) and water which were on two separate taps – after putting in the flavored syrup of your choice. Some soda jerks attracted clientele by their showmanship or flair that they would exhibit while preparing the soda.

The last place I recall being served by a soda jerk at a soda fountain was at Woolworth’s Five & Dime.

Honorary mention should be made of the milliner or hatter, haberdasher, telephone operator, and street sweepers. What era did you grow up and what services to recall and miss?

The old adage “Time flies!” becomes increasingly louder as we get older. What seems like a tired cliche begins to gain momentum and demands attention. Seems like last year I was changing my daughter’s diapers and all of a sudden I am having conversation about world affairs, geography, and DNA with my 13 year old daughter.

How did that happen?!

It’s a great reminder that often we go through our day on a sort of auto-pilot. Days merge into days, weeks become a blur and years pass in fast forward. Recalling nostalgia is a fantastic way to take a bit back from the speeding progress of time. A rewind or pause.

There is something odd about the entire process. These things we recall are often not even things we were fond of when they were prevalent. In fact, we may even dislike or despise them – yet, conjuring them evokes a smile or chuckle.

Here are five “technologies” or gadgets that we’ve likely forgotten. However, at their mere mention we declare “OH YEAH!!” Thus they are “(almost)” forgotten. Let’s have a little fun!

The Payphone

One day while driving my daughter asked me about what things were like when I was a kid. During the discussion I told her about the phone booth and payphones. I mentioned that if your car broke down, you would have to walk about and find a payphone, then pay 10 cents or make a “collect call.” She genuinely thought I was pulling her leg. “Why would you do that instead of use your cell phone?” she asked. Every once in a while, I will come across a payphone stall (not a full fledged booth with the collapsing door) and will point it out so she can see that it’s not a practical joke. Even funnier is when I brought out an old phone from the attic, complete with spiral cord all tangled up. “Why would you need a chord on a phone?”

I remember a local call costing 10 cents, then eventually going up to a quarter before becoming obsolete. Does anyone remember it costing less than a dime?

School Nostalgia

In the day of hollow plastic pencils with replaceable lead, it’s becoming less common to come across the genuine article. A yellow, No. 2 pencil (NOT wax) with a red rubber butt. When the pencil became dull, you would raise your hand (remember that?!) and ask to use the pencil sharpener.

The pencil sharpener would be a sturdy metal contraption that was bolted down onto the most solid object in the classroom. You would select the right size opening for your pencil, stick it in, and turn the crank with old-fashioned elbow grease.

There was the heavy and dangerous paper-cutter with it’s chopping blade. Nowadays, you would need 10 permits, a license, 3 inspections and a government agency bribe to have one in a classroom. Of course, only in New Bedford.

There giant rubber erasers and the brown paper bags to make as book covers, that were scribbled on and decorated with stickers. Also the small plastic chairs, that every boy learned early on – do NOT attempt a cheek sneak with one of these cheers. Instead of “silent and deadly,” you’ll get “louder and not so prouder.”

Wired remote control

In a day and age when everything is wireless, it’s easy to forget when everything was physically connected and wireless wasn’t so commonplace. The wire for the television remote resembled the telephone wire. Tripping over the wire while someone was fumbling with the remote became a seeming past-time for many of us. The great thing about it? It never disappeared into the black hole that remotes (and guitar picks and socks) seem to disappear into. You never had to turn the couch upside down, tossing cushions willy-nilly in an attempt to find it. You just needed to follow the yellow-brick cord.

8-Tracks, Walkman & Albums

Today we have digital music that streams. Rewind, fast forward and skip to a favorite track in a second flat. Hop from artist to artist at the click of a button. Hundreds and thousands of songs at an instant reach. However, for many of us it was a matter of bulky media or guesswork. 8-tracks were just phasing out for me, so it was the album and the cassette tape. Wanted to skip to a favorite song? Put in the right side of the cassette, then fast forward or rewind then play and hope you were close. Rinse and repeat. Maybe after 45 seconds you’d be ready to enjoy your song.

Albums were easier because you could site the tracks. Just do a count and drop the needle. However, albums could be ruined with a scratch and often played with a bit of background static or white noise. I know some actually enjoy that aspect of albums.

Pager or Beeper

Nowadays, teenagers – perhaps even younger – have the latest and greatest iPhone for $400 and up. However, “back in the day” if you were cool you had a pager clipped to your belt. Pull out your phone, text your kids or grand-kids and tell them “14” and “17_31707_1” or “123.” Tell them how you would tell your girlfriend or boyfriend “45” and “607.” Sure, they will probably tell you how uncool and unhip you are, but at least you’ll have a laugh.

Floppy Disks

While these days Terabyte and Petrabyte are tossed around, kilobyte was “it” at one time. The media of the day were Floppy Disks, which could hold a whopping 175kb of data when they first arrived for the public in 1972. Storing a large image would have been laughable, let alone vast libraries. Music files didn’t even exist, so we won’t even go there. You could store some simple text files, or small programs using the BASIC language. Apparently the computing community still thinks fondly of these as even today the floppy disk icon is used to download files.

Mattel Handheld Games

Perhaps my favorite item on this list. Mattel handheld games were the original “Gameboys,” albeit you could only play one game as these were not run by cartridges. These games were perfect for boring waits at the doctor’s or dentist’s offices, vacations on the toilet, and for when you were grounded and banished to your bedroom for hours. All the major sports were represented: basketball, baseball, soccer, football and hockey. However, there Battlestar Galactica, Formula Racer, Bowling and Armor Battle were popular favorites – which you could always try by swapping a game with a good friend for a week or two. In all there were sixty handheld games to choose from.

Drive-In Theater

I think there is a statute of limitations and that it has expired. You can confess now without penalty. If you hid in the back seat under a blanket, in the trunk or back of a van to “gip” the entrance fee to get into the drive-in, raise your hand. I have fond memories of running around the lot freely, utilizing the playground, and sitting on the hood of the car. There was a genuine intermission. Anyone remember intermissions?! The movie would stop, everyone would race to the concession stand and resupply. You would typically have 10 minutes if I recall correctly.

The Fairhaven drive-in was the one I went to the most. I wish they would bring it back, I would certainly go! I’m sure I’m not alone. However, I won’t hold my breath. If you would like to take a stroll down memory lane, there still exist drive-in theaters within driving distance. There are theaters in Leicester, Mendon, Wellfleet, and North Smithfield, Rhode Island.

What were your memories like from this list? What gadgets or technologies do you miss the most?

Mister Donut was started in 1955 by Harry Winouker

Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right or by clicking here. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!

Mister Donut is one of those “Who Remembers…?” that is on the fringe of my memories. It’s at the outer limits and extreme range for this 43 year old. I have vague memories of Mister Donut. I don’t recall the addresses, the exterior or the interior. I do remember the important part though: I would order a small “regular” of deliciousness. I distinctly remember that cheesy logo and either white or brown cup – a horrible color that Mister Donut adopted before a certain mail delivery company did. I wouldn’t have it any other color!

When digging up information on Mister Donut, I began with the misconception that it was an utterly defunct business. One of those places that we have fond memories of and that’s it. Nothing physical exists. However, I came to find out that Mister Donut is a modern and incredibly popular coffee chain – just not in our neck of the woods. In fact, Mister Donut has over 10,000 shops and can be found all over the world and is Japan’s most popular coffee chain and pronounced Misutā Dōnatsu. Japan is also where corporate headquarters are. Their Facebook page has 102,000 fans. Go figure.

If you are in Europe, Canada, Asia, even Africa and want a Mister Donut, you can get it. They are a modern chain with a far more expansive menu than they had “back in the day.” New items, more varieties, more more. Blasphemously offering salad, rice, and other healthy fare.

But I’m not having any of that. I’m not going there. These memories are hallowed ground. Watch where you tread modern progress! Leave Britt…er…Mister Donut alone!

Brothers-in -law, Harry Winouker and Bill Rosenberg started a donut shop in 1955. Rosenberg went on to found Dunkin’ Donuts and Winouker went on to found Mister Donut. Ironically, in 1990 Dunkin’ Donuts would purchase the Mister Donut chain and offer all of them the option to change their name to Dunkin’ Donuts.

If you are craving a Mister Donut experience (albeit a modernized version) I believe that the closest Mister Donut is at 64 Rhode Island Ave in Fall River.

Do you recall the locations of the Mister Donuts in the greater New Bedford area? Please share!

Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right or by clicking here. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!

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In this installment of “Who Remembers…?” we take another stroll down a memory lane that will involve some mouth watering memories. It seems, in my case anyway, that many fond memories revolve around food and drink. They seem to serve as a mnemonic anchor – you not only remember that first pizza, ice cream, or steak, but these evoke the conversations, laughs and people in our lives during those moments.

A&W Restaurant is one that evokes strong memories, particularly the one on Route 6 in Fairhaven, where Honey Dew is today. While I don’t particularly recall what the building looked like, I do recall the big, brightly lit sign and of course, the iconic “frosty” mug. As a kid, a gimmick as simple as a frosty mug was all it would take to get me and my brother Mike to recommend a visit!

Of course, A&W had so much more than gimmick and marketing going on for itself. That root beer or as the kids would say today “Dat root beer.” A&W is synonymous with root beer. It conjures that rich, mildly spicy flavor of founder Roy W. Allen’s recipe that he created one hot, California summer day in 1919 and sold from a stand.

Allen’s motivation was a parade to honor WWI veteran’s. He sought something refreshing to cool down spectators and participants, and bought a recipe from a pharmacist in Arizona. Yes, a pharmacist since at that time soda or tonic was not a dessert, but a concoction for health. Root beer takes its name from the root or bark of the Sassafras tree and was a lightly alcoholic beverage, hence the “beer” aspect of its name.

Allen’s idea was to promote a health drink (minus the alcohol) that would cool the locals down at an irresistible price: a whopping 5 cents! He succeeded in doing this so well that he almost immediately took on a partner, Frank Wright and they went into the root beer business, named after the first letters of their surnames.

In 1923 they opened up their flagship drive-thru in Sacramento, California and by the early 1970s, they would have more stores than McDonald’s all over the world!

Do you remember the Family Burger mascots Papa Burger, Mama Burger, Teen Burger, and Baby Burger or the Great Root Bear, also called Rooty? The Papa Burger which was “…two 1/8-pound beef patties, with two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and A&W’s proprietary sauce, on a sesame seed bun”? The mouth watering curly fries, onion rings, fish & chips and hot dogs? The delicious root beer float at the end of the meal?

*sigh*

Besides the Fairhaven location there was an A&W in New Bedford on Acushnet Avenue (anyone remember where?) that offered a car hop service. Wouldn’t it be a kicker to have a retro A&W with car hop service brought back the area? With all the local car shows and 50s nights, we’d have a spot to retire to! Someone make some phone calls and make it happen!

A&W restaurants still exist all over the country and many are doing rather well. Today the company is owned by the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. The nearest locations are at 1460 Putnam Pike, Smithfield, RI – 401.949.9892 and 297 Route 28, Harwich Port, MA – 508.432.9838.

Well, now that we’ve taken this stroll? Maybe I’ll bump into you in Smithfield or Harwich Port in the future – we can share a toast over a frosty mug.

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Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right or by clicking here. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!

This installment of “Who Remembers…?” is kind of melancholic. Visiting Penny Candy is a bummer, since there are only a few bastions of sugar remaining. While you certainly may find packages of old penny candy favorites, or even “2 cent candy” or “nickle candy,” you’d be hard pressed to find PENNY candy. Regardless, it’s just not the same. It wasn’t only about the candy. It was about the experience.

I guess, identifying with penny candy and waxing nostalgic about it simultaneously outs one as “old.” It’s how I felt when I told my daughter when she was 8-9 years old about pay phones and she thought I was pulling my leg. “Why would you put a coin in a phone, when you have a cell phone.” Remember the spiral chords? Rotary dials? If you remember cranking the phone to get an operator, then you are positively Jurassic. Anyhow, that’s another article for another day.

As a kid, there was something special about being gifted with a dollar. Heck, even fifty cents. When that George Washington was put in your palm, you could feel all the neurons in your brain fire at once. Your salivary glands would explode in anticipation. That boring, dull day just became one of the best days ever. The first thing I would think of was finding my brother or a good friend to share in the stroke of good luck.

Penny candy wasn’t just about the candy. It was about the experience. It was about taking your sibling or best friend with you. It was about racing into the store to gaze at the shelves of what – in my mind at least – was a million choices of candy, stacked to the ceiling! It was about grabbing a brown paper lunch bag and trying to fill it to the brim. It was when you didn’t need safety seals. It was about the trust that the proprietor extended you – he didn’t watch over you. He knew you would taste the merchandise, but that was OK.

You can head to that chain to buy the 99 cent bag of assorted fish, spice drops or circus peanuts all you want. It just isn’t the same.

As those of you who are regular readers may recall, I lived a sort of gypsy lifestyle moving all around the the greater New Bedford area. This meant I became an expert at penny candy. A connoisseur if you will. A grandmaster of Squirrel Nut Zipper-Fu. My fondest spots were Bob & Eileen’s on County Street and Chris’ Variety on Main Street in Fairhaven.

Do you remember the paper receipts with the small dots of hard candy? I think they were called Candy Buttons. There was Abba-Zaba, atomic Fireballs, Bit-O-Honey, Pixy Sticks, Bazooka Joe bubble gum and Baseball chocolate balls. There were candy necklaces, chocolate coins, red hot dollars, Mexican hats, root beer barrels, nonpareils, Göetzes, and Mary Janes! The list goes on and on!

Of course, there was always a few extra coins about, so we’d purchase more than we could…or should have. But that was also OK, because it just meant we had to shrink the packed bag down before we got home for the “mom inspection.” It was fun to have her inspect the lot and “steal” a few of her favorites – always followed by a playful “HEY!” from us.

The vast majority of the time, the best way to polish of a bag was to race to the bedroom and pull out some comic books, sprinkling each page with sugar!

Then one of the most glorious treats of all: the medley of crumbs, bits and sugar that sat at the bottom of the brown paper bag. I wonder how many times we’ve straightened that bag out, and formed a funnel to savor those sweet remnants.

While candy goes back 5,000 years, Penny Candy made its debut sometime circa 1896 with the Tootsie Roll at Woolworth’s Five and Dime. Of course, the popularity of the Tootsie Roll inspired Woolworth’s to expand into an entire Penny Candy Aisle.

It’s sad that the entire experience has disappeared. Penny candy no longer cost a penny, there are no more brown paper bags or “trusting” proprietors. No more sugar sprinkled comic book pages. No more testing the merchandise. The next best thing is a place like Emma Jean’s or Billy Boy Candy. And we can always reminisce.

But it just won’t be the same.

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Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!

Textile mill origins
The Ames department stores got their start by brothers Milton and Irving Gilman in 1958. Their flagship store was in an old textile mill in Southbridge, Mass. called the “Ames Worsted Textile Company.” The idea for the name wasn’t anything original, they just used the existing name – and sign.

The Ames Worsted company was a descendant of the U.S. Bunting Company which was founded by one of Lowell’s wealthiest citizens, business mogul, and Civil War general, Benjamin Butler. While Ames is a first name, Worsted isn’t a surname. Worsted is a type of fabric made from yarn, which was originally made from a village known for its highest quality: Worstead, England.

A bunting is a worsted style, wool fabric used to make flags and ribbons mostly.

Hence, we go from Ames Worsted, to just Ames. Ames is the first name of Ames Stevens, a wealthy Lowell native who owned and ran the Ames Worsted Textile Company mill. The Ames Department stores are named after this fellow!

Growth and fall
From its inception the store went after a rural market as opposed to being in cities. They felt less competition would be profitable and they were correct. Through the 1970s and 1980s they began a massive expansion and went into an acquisition phase, acquiring chain stores, department, variety stores, most notably the Zayre’s chain of stores.

They spent a monumental amount of money on converting these stores in their own store. Combined with poor economical conditions, and a approve anyone and everyone policy for credit, and profits plummeted as the 1990s approached. They filed for their first bankruptcy in 1990.

Amazingly they returned to profitability within 2 years of declaring Chapter 11. They also returned to expansion and bought the Bradlees, Jamesway, Caldor, Hills and Montgomery Ward chains. By 1998 they were the fourth largest chain in the country with over 00 stores, only beat by Target, Wal-Mart and KMart. Profits were $2.2 Billion dollars annually.

Rapid return to profit; an even quicker collaps
In 1999, the beginning of the end started. Stores began to close at a rapid pace. Eight stores were shuttled that year, 32 the following year, and a whopping 117 in 2001. In spite of still having hundreds of stores still open, the filed for bankruptcy protection in 2001. From 1998-2002 they had lost almost half of their stores.

An executive decision was made to close he remaining 300+ stores and blame was placed on poor sales and shipping woes by Ames’ higher ups. Economists and financial analysts felt that their rapid expansion in general, a poor credit market, the acquisition of the many Hills Department Stores, and Wal-Mart’s expansion were the cause.

Local locations, slogans and commercials
Ocean State Job has taken over many of the sites, however many have remained empty since the chain closed its doors. In the greater New Bedford area there was an Ames at 1024 King’s Highway (where A.J. Wright is), at the North Dartmouth Mall, and 11 Berdon Way, Berdon Plaza (where Shaw’s was) in Fairhaven. If you worked at Ames, you may find many of these forms to bring back memories!

Slogans: (Wikipedia)
“You can believe in Ames” (Early 80s)
“Amazing Ames!” (Early 80s)
“It Pays to Shop at Ames… Every day.” (Late 80s)
“Where you come first… Every day.” (Late 80s early 90s)
“Ames. We grew up with better values.” (Early 90s)
“On your side.” (Mid 90s)
“Bargains by the Bagful.” (1995-2002)

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The first Burger Chef opened its doors in 1957

Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!

Any waxing nostalgic of food related topics is always popular. It’s not difficult to recall these memories because typically we’ve had the experience hundreds of times and gustatory recollection involves multiple sensory experiences; sight, smell, and taste. Lend me the liberty and even count audio as an experience; the conversation had with family and friends, ordering inside or at the drive-thru speaker, and familiar crash of ice into your paper cup and the click-click of the fountain gun being engaged.

Food and restaurants serve as an exemplar mnemonic anchor, because of the many childhood experiences that revolve around them. Mention a “forgotten” place like Barbero’s, A&W, or Howdy’s Beefburgers or Royal Hamburgers is to immediately evoke specific memories. “Remember that time when we were at Barbero’s and…”

Burger Chef is no different!! If you grew up in New Bedford, you’ll recall the one on Mt. Pleasant Street that became Popeye’s. If you grew up in Dartmouth, you may recall the one on Route 6/State Road. Fairhaven’s was opened by George Staffopulous in 1970, who I believe was his second store. I don’t recall where this one was.

The very first Burger Chef was opened in 1957 in Indianapolis, Indiana by Frank and Donald Thomas who incidentally patented the Frame Boiler. At this time a Triple Treat which was an order of fries, a burger and a milkshake (Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry) were an incredible 15 cents each. The family could eat out for about a buck and a half! Imagine that?!

The concept spread like wildfire West and East and within a few short years you could get the Super Shef -a quarter-pounder with cheese, lettuce tomato, onions and pickles with ketchup- or their signature double-burger called the Big Shef all advertised by mascots Burger Chef and Jeff, just about anywhere. Later they added the Top Shef, a 1/3 pound of beef, topped with bacon and cheese. You could also have your order “with” or “without” which meant that the servers could dress your burger or you could do it yourself at the “Works Bar.” In 1964 they debuted the Fish Sandwich and their first dessert item, the Apple Turnover.

Within a year Frank and Donald Thomas had opened seven additional Burger Chefs. As impressive and quick as that was, it wasn’t as impressive as the number of restaurant openings that followed: 100 by 1960, 250 by 1963, 500 by 1965 and their 1000th store opened in 1969.

When the 70s rolled around you could get the precursor to the Happy Meal, the Funmeal Platter or Fun Meal, which would include puzzles and stories about Burger Chef Chef and/or his sidekicks, the Fangmily: vampire Count Fangburger, Burgerini, Cackleburger the witch, and the talking ape Burgerilla. I can’t recall whether the little records, plastic frisbees, or fun money came with the Fun Meal or had to be bought separately. Do you?

For adults they had a few different types of platters: the Mariner Platter had two batter dipped fish fillets, fries and salad, the Rancher Platter was a 1/3 pound of beef, Texas Toast, fries and salad.

In 1968 General Foods bought it, but couldn’t keep up with its expansion and it was bought in 1982 by Hardee’s owners Imasco. They converted many of the Burger Chef’s into more Hardee’s. I believe, the last Burger Chef in the nation closed its doors in 1996. Want to relive the experience and have a Big Shef? You still can in Danville, Illinois, where a converted Burger hef that is now Schroeder’s Drive-In serves burger chef burgers and even has a works bar.

What were YOUR fondest memories of Burger Chef? Do you have any collectibles?

Slogans (Wikipedia):

• Early 1980s – “Nowhere else but Burger Chef”
• Late 1970s – “We really give you the works.”
• Mid 1970s – early 1980s – “You get more to like at Burger Chef.”</span>
• 1970s – “There’s more to like at Burger Chef” and “Burger Chef goes all out to please your family”
• Early 1970s – “We’ll always treat you right”

Short Commercial:

Commercial Montage:

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New Year’s Eve at the New Wave Cafe!

Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!

I’m going to pre-empt the meat and potatoes of this piece with a disclaimer: this article will be a reminiscing of the positive aspects of the New Wave Cafe establishment. Life is filled with too many negative Nancies, cynics, and haters. As I get older, I couldn’t care less about the negative aspects. The proverbial cliche of “There are those who believe the glass is half empty, and those who think it’s half full. Both are correct.” Rings more true than ever.

I have very fond memories of the “New Wave.” I met my current girlfriend and love of my life Rachael there 8 years ago. I asked her out there as well. I made some great, lasting friendships there. I’ve had some mouth-watering fare. I’ve seen some phenomenal music acts there. I’ve had half a dozen birthday drinks there. I’ve had some of the most rewarding experiences of my life there.

So forgive me, if I decide I’d rather focus on those instead of the rare bad time I had there or what led to the New Wave’s demise. 🙂

I’m trying to think of a better place when it came to variety of music, and I’m coming up blank. Most musical tastes are complex and people typically don’t restrict themselves to the imaginary borders that supposedly exist amongst genre of music. “Do I like this song?” is about a good enough litmus test as any. Genres be damned.

I like that I could watch people do Karaoke one night, acoustic (Tuesdays) another, open mic on another and metal on yet another. So whatever I was in the mood for at a particular time, I could just check out their MySpace (What’s MySpace?) page for the schedule or call owner Paul Mendes, who always had an enthusiastic answer.

When I frequented the New Wave, Wednesdays nights – Karaoke with Weezy and Dee – were perhaps the most popular. You had better of been nestled into your seat an hour early at a minimum, because they place was guaranteed to be packed. I’ve been to a lot of horrible Karaoke, but Wednesday evenings at the New Wave was filled with some amazingly good talent. A lot of local musicians would pop in and give everyone a treat. There were regulars you could rely on to put on a show. I particularly recall looking forward to enjoying Chris Haskell doing Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” Yeah, I’m a big Elton John fan.

The New Wave Cafe, at any given time, could have Jazz, Punk, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Punk, R&B, Blues, and everything else under the sun, but it wasn’t just music that made the place so enjoyable. There was a pool table and pool league, a Jukebox, those little electronic game kiosks where I played many hours of trivia and a game where two images were shown and you had to peck on the differences. Mikey Almond was usually my partner in crime.

I liked that I could come at lunch time and have some of the best Portuguese food in the area. One time I was there and Mendes had just hired a new cook. She was an immigrant from Mozambique. Yeah, you guessed right. We asked her to make us some Chicken Mozambique and it was out of this world.

Then there were the people….the people that came there and the people who worked behind the bar. Of course, there were too many servers to count over the long life of the New Wave Cafe, but Steph and Danielle were the best bartenders on earth as far as I was concerned. The people that frequent an establishment and work there decide whether a place succeeds or fails. You can have a great location, awesome food and music, but ultimately it comes down to the people. They create the atmosphere, environment and lend a vibrancy to a place. The New Wave was just “alive.”

Once I was there early in the evening. There were perhaps a half dozen other people. It was a slow night with no music scheduled. It was somehow discovered that a fellow that was sitting having a beer was a local who gigged out in Vegas that was back in town visiting. Paul Mendes casually asked this guy “Do you have your guitar with you? If you want, you can hop up on stage and jam out a song or two. Be my guest.”

Well, this guy did that. He grabbed his guitar, hopped on stage and blew our minds. Everyone started calling their friends to tell about this guy who was mind-bogglingly amazing. I kid you not, that within a half an hour Paul had to stop letting people in because he reached the fire code limit. That guitarist was Mark Small and he jammed for hours. I was stoked that I had been sitting their early enough and had the best seat in the house, because you could barely move, it was so packed.

Events like this were a regular thing. You showed up because you knew it was going to be an eventful, memory filled night. Aside from the regularly scheduled acts, there were special events like the Rockfest (each July), the “Save the Titties” which was a creative way to raise funds for Breast Cancer. I can’t finish without mentioning Ron Poitras who hosted the musical shows and covered the sound. He had an almost mystical status. Every band in the area had great things to say about Ron’s ability. You got the feeling that Ron was talented enough to operate the sound board at the Providence Civic Center, but would rather be in a small venue.

The back patio was the best place in the “house.” I loved that I could sit on a couch, and relax, yet I was at a bar! If the New Wave was to re-open, you would find me 3 nights a week sitting on the couch in the back patio.

There are too many names of servers to mention and my memory is not what it used to be, so if I forgot to mention you, I apologize. You can punch me in the face, when you see me next. I won’t take it personal.

I’ll close with James Brockman’s video. Chances are YOU are in it or recognize someone!

What were YOUR favorite memories of the New Wave? Best act you saw there?

New Wave Cafe
143 N Front St
New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740-7332
Phone: (508) 984-0080 (Defunct)

TON of photos on their still existing MySpace Page and on Flickr.

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Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!

350 Main Street; 1922: The American Building
I saw many a flick at the Bijou Theater on 350 Main Street, Fairhaven, during its almost decade and a half lifespan. I recall there being quite a buzz and the word-of-mouth was that you didn’t have to drive to Dartmouth – Cinema 140 and AMC at the Mall – and pay outrageous prices for movie tickets and concessions, but you could stay in Fairhaven and pay “retro-prices.” Tickets were $2.00 and all items from the concession stand were $1.50.

Madness.

While most people today remember the venue as the Bijou Theater, the building’s history stretches back to 1922 when the building was erected and dubbed the “American” building.”

The following year on January 12, the American Theater opened taking on the building’s name. The proprietor then was one E.D. Davenport who would also run the Rialto Theater on Weld Street when it opened in 1927. The theater’s opening night selections were three silent movies “Fun From the Press,” “Golf,” and “the drama “Sonny.”

The timeline grows a bit dark at this point. It’s difficult to tell if the theater fell into disrepair or just wasn’t popular enough to keep doing what it was doing. The next blip on the historical radar is when Harold J. Shore renovates the venue and re-opens in May of 1934 as the “New American Theater.”

Second Fire, Catholic Legion of Decency list, and the Oxford Theater
It is short lived however, and ends up under new ownership and re-opens again on October 11, 1935 as the Keith Theater. Keith’s was a popular spot for years to come showcasing a double feature with a cartoon intermission for the price of admission: a whopping 25 cents. Popcorn and candy? Are you sitting? 5 cents. I think I feel lightheaded.

On November 13, 1946 a 2-alarm fire caused by faulty wiring causes damage to not only Keith’s Theater, but many of the other tenants, which history lists as Keith’s Spa, the American Bowling Alleys, Martin’s Market, Pacheco’s Package Store, Melvin Press, and Pimental’s Pool Parlor. After repair, the theater opens as the “New Keith.”

In 1959, the Catholic Church had heavy influence in the area. Some of you dinosaurs may recall, the archaic Blue Laws, like the one that didn’t allow businesses to be open on Sunday.

Well, the church at this time had what was called Catholic Legion of Decency list. They knew what was best for you and banned those movies that they though would make little Johnny grow hairy palms. Curiously, some Disney Movies made the list, like “The Hound Who Thought He Was a Racoon.” “Porgy and Bess,” a 1959 musical based on a George Gershwin opera was another that made the list and was banned from being featured at the Bijou. People complained and the banned was lifted.

A second fire, suspected to be arson, occurs two decades later in 1965 forcing to the theater to close. We have a musical chairs theme…but with businesses! The theater would not return to showing films until 1972 when it re-opened as the Oxford Cinema under Weber Torres. In 1980 it was sold to Bijou Realty.

The Bijou Theater as we remember it!
The Bijou as most of us remember it, was opened after Dan Shea bought it in 1984. When Shea first opened he focused on independent and foreign films, as well as a few plays. Inside, there were hand-painted murals on a leatherette background featuring morning glories and stage walls had red velour – pretty posh!

Shea got out of the theater business in 1990 when Evie Baum and an unknown partner took over.

They showcased, cherry-picked popular movies like Repo Man, Ghost, Silence of the Lambs, Wedding Singer, Under the Stairs, and even a few plays. A particular favorite of “townies” was the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

While the theater was an old-fashioned venue, the 20 speaker Dolby Digital Surround Sound System reminded you that it was certainly updated. They had genuine ambitions to make the Bijou a success story and a premier entertainment destination – which it was for almost 15 years.

Sadly, on May 9, 2004, the doors closed and stayed closed up to today. An inability for one screen to generate enough was cited as the reason for closing.

The last time I heard anything about the Bijou was when it was listed as “For Sale” in 2009: $375,000 would get you the theater, 3 store fronts abutting Main Street and the 15 studio apartments.

R.I.P. Bijou Theater (1984-2004)