WestUNative

57Tbird has kindly been working with me to achieve actual picture posting and I think I have finally achieved the methodology. First a picture from native_Houstonian of Hallie Pritchard's showing the entire spike of the Witch's Hat: Then if we are very lucky, a pro shot of me in my Daisy Mae outfit for tap recital, which Miss Hallie held at the old Coliseum.

I can't be sure this isn't the one, but it didn't seem to be that close to the Galveston Highway. We had to go by backroads to get there and it seemed very isolated, really in the middle of nowhere. I always went with a bunch of other people and never drove, so fuzzy on exactness. The gang always just called it going to the Hitchcock Dragstrip, although there was no town in sight. Great pictures and memories, man, speed was everything and it did not come in capsules. Cars ruled. All the boys were rebuilding, souping up their cars. Many a Saturday was spent combing the town for parts at junkyards with a boyfriend or hunkered down in his garage watching them work. The things a girl would do for her guy. But, I did learn a bit about the inner workings of automobiles! Could you look at my post on Old Amusements to see if you can answer my other question?

Back to Playland Park Racing. I am so impressed with your memory, 57Tbird! Your description fits to a T my remembrance of the track and surrounds. As West U. kids our hero was A.J., our neighbor, but I remember well Stormin' Norman and a few others. Not I have a question to tax your memories, all of you who kept up with such things. Around 1955-56, I met a guy named Phillip______? He raced stock cars at Playland. He was older than I, me being 14-15 at the time. He was very slender, dark hair, nice guy, but was not considered fit company for me by my family. No romantics envolved, just friends, but he taught me how to take high speed curves and turns, pre-power steering. One night, he brought around his highly newly souped up 1955 Chevy and invited me to go for a trial spin. We headed out to South Main, past any signs of civilization and took off, reaching 155mph! It was the scariest, most thrilling thing I'd ever experienced. I don't think he ever got famous or anything, but I have wracked my brain for years trying to remember his last name. If any of you have a clue or an old roster of stock car drivers, I'd love to hear from you. Thanks.

Where was this? The only official drag races I attended were at Hitchcock on Sunday afternoons in the 1955 era. Otherwise, our favorite, cop-defying, highly crazy "drag strip" was right on Main Street from the light at Sunset to the light at University, right in front of Rice Institute. Zero to 60 in how many seconds?

You are an angel! I had in my mind the Chartres street, but was unsure if that was correct. When was this map created? Do you have a date? Lavinia Namendorf was a dear family friend, I have a picture of her, wish I could make the stupid Photobucket work. We were friends with all the teachers there, several of whom lived in West University Place like us. I can name most of them. My mother went to work there in 1943 and stayed there until she became Secretary to Austin E. Hill, M.D., the health director for HISD in the headquarters building downtown. At the time, this was a very rundown, poor neighborhood. No gangs, no dope, just heartbreaking poverty. The staff used to do incredible things for the kids that probably would not be allowed now. Like paying for their food, buying them clothes and in one case, actually bathing a girl who was so encrusted with dirt you couldn't see her skin. But, I loved the place, being the little mascot roaming the halls, sitting in on big kid classes, winding the Maypole with them, being pampered in the lunchroom in the basement by the school maid, Juanita, in the afternoons with strawberry shortcake. Of course, it was our secret and finally my mom found out and had a fit. Juanita was spending her meagre funds to treat me. A million thanks for locating it for me, I'll be in town next weekend and will try to drive by and see the location.

Is it PC around here to dredge up old threads? I really don't care, just being new girl polite. SAKOWITZ! I have read all the posts and find it amazing no one mentioned something extremely impressive about their practices. From the 1950's through the 1970's we shopped mainly in the downtown store. The ambiance was glorious, relaxing and it was a joy to wander and examine the exotic merchandise. But, the most fun was every Autumn they held a major foreign focus 2 week long exhibition. When my daughter was young in the mid '70's and Germany was the selected country, one of the participatory displays was a real, authentic Gutenberg Press. It was hands on and an attendant assisted in explaining it thoroughly, then letting the customer print their own parchment from an ancient plate. There would be cultural displays, foods to sample, antique and modern products to browse and some to buy. I cannot recreate what a delightful learning and shopping experience it was. British Fortnight was another we particularly enjoyed. On the fun side, when my little girl was less than a year old, in 1967, I braved all and took her downtown and we lunched in the Sakowitz restaurant. She really hadn't been out much beyond the grocery store and such and was a little overwhelmed by the big room full of people. When our middle-aged, black (African-American) waiter approached the table, she beamed and let loose at high volume, "Da-Da!" The crowd of River Oaks Dowagers were not amused, more like shock and awe. I realized she was simply identifying male person with male person. She didn't know any men other than her father. The poor waiter was as chagrined as the luncheon guests. The rivalry between Neiman-Marcus and Sakowitz was very real. There was a story going around, probably apochryphal, of the snobbery between the staff of each venue. An old, seedy, country couple come to town. They are truly pathetic looking, dressed in practically flour sack garments. The old man was clutching a greasy brown paper bag. First they venture into Sakowitz and find their way to the Fur Department. The gap-toothed old man informs the clerk he wants to see mink coats for his wife. Whereupon they are unceremoniously escorted from the store. They walk across the street to Neiman's and are treated like royalty, as were all customers (to which I can attest). After some time of viewing the models parade various coats, they pick out a lovely, sky-high expensive, full length sable for the little woman. The man hands over the paper bag and says, take the price out of that. Surely enough it is stuffed with thousands of dollars. But wait, there's more! Departing Neiman's, they trudge back to Sakowitz with the wife wearing her new coat and present the fait accompli. And that, as legend held, was the day Sakowitz employees were re-educated in the ways of Texas consumer relations. Funny, yes, but not without some truth. Oil was springing forth like water and many dirt poor farmers were suddenly unlikely nouveau riche. One last tidbit. When my late mother-in-law was widowed in her 50's, having never worked but needing a job desperately, Sakowitz hired her and trained her to be a punch card operator in the downtown office. When she retired, they presented her with a beautifully flower engraved, solid gold bracelet. She always called the big bosses Mr. Tobias and Mr. Bernard. Old Houston families had style and grace.

Ta-Da! (If it works, it is my first time to try to transfer an image). This picture courtesy of native_Houstonian via PM. That's it! Somebody owes me $107.99 for a crappy Scanner and the time to download Photobucket! You people must be bloody geniuses. 57Tbird gave me instructions and he posts photos. The rest of the )&^$$ world posts photos. Why, oh, why can't I? YESTH, the scanner works, I can readily send pictures around the world via email. Others here used Photobucket! I am having an official Southern Belle Snit Fit and Falling in it. Somebody hep me, please. -Sob-

My reality sensor tells me I am sitting here at the computer, but I must be doing the Time Warp AGAIN! In 1964, my husband and I, married in 1963, moved into an apartment on Mid Lane. We were on the corner at the far north end of that stretch. It was utterly quiet, no heavy traffic or cars piled up at curb all night. The guy who lived upstairs from us was a John Birch Society weirdo, lived alone, never had visitors and his only objectionable habit, other than his politics was his propensity for attempting to life weights. Every night, he'd raise the barbells a bit, then drop them on the floor over our heads. I thought they would come through the ceiling any minute. We knew nothing of its reputation, this is the first I have heard of same. We chose the spot because my husband was working at the Highland Village Post Office around the corner. Apparently the "swingers" made a hasty exit by 1964. I tell you, Filio, it is becoming eerie, how often our paths 'almost' crossed!

Indeed. When I was about 11, my mother was rushed to hospital for a cholecystectomy (removal of gall bladder) and my Step-Father was torn. He was the ultimate Bogey fan and "The African Queen" had just opened at the Delman. He and I had never gone anywhere before. Didn't hate each other, just standoffish and not in communication much. He opted for Humphrey and we went to the film, stopping by One's A Meal there after dinner, which we'd missed due to mother being gone. The movie was so great, I was thrilled Mom got sick.

In the 1960's, Safari was our favorite steak restaurant. Incredible ambiance and food. Sheer perfection. By the 1990's, my husband and I discovered Pappas Brothers Steakhouse on Westheimer and were in heaven. Now that place is worth the $100 or so you'll drop for a steak and potato. One last mention of favorites categories; Cellar Door on Bellaire, near corner of Weslayan. Still, though long gone, the best overall BBQ I've ever experienced. The french fries spectacular, the baked potatoes beyond all others and Boston Cream Pie to absolutely die for. Well, I lied, here is another I've not seen mentioned, the Normandie in downtown. A pastry cart worthy of Paris with Chocolate Eclairs I couldn't resist. Crikey, I forgot the thread was Main Street and got off on waxing rhapsodic on food. Forgive me, these belong in defunct restaurants. Oh, well, hungry anyone? I put this in Take A Walk Down Main Street and decided I'd better clean up my act and stick it where it belongs, so here, a duplicate.

Subdude, Thank you so much. Now, if we could grab one of Prince's. That A/C into car rings a tinkling of a bell, but I do not know why, we always seemed to go inside at Stuart's for the gumbo, too messy for car, I guess. The specialties at Prince's were the Trout Basket and oh, those divine pre-frosted, heavy mugs of Root Beer. Bill Williams was for the best Fried Chicken on the planet. Funny how we didn't have segregated food specialty fast food joints, but always ordered the same certain things depending on where we were. Allbritton's on Bissonnet had a fantastic Chicken Fried Steak, see what I mean? In the 1960's, Safari was our favorite steak restaurant. Incredible ambiance and food. Sheer perfection. By the 1990's, my husband and I discovered Pappas Brothers Steakhouse on Westheimer and were in heaven. Now that place is worth the $100 or so you'll drop for a steak and potato. One last mention of favorites categories; Cellar Door on Bellaire, near corner of Weslayan. Still, though long gone, the best overall BBQ I've ever experienced. The french fries spectacular, the baked potatoes beyond all others and Boston Cream Pie to absolutely die for. Well, I lied, here is another I've not seen mentioned, the Normandie in downtown. A pastry cart worthy of Paris with Chocolate Eclairs I couldn't resist. Crikey, I forgot the thread was Main Street and got off on waxing rhapsodic on food. Forgive me, these belong in defunct restaurants. Oh, well, hungry anyone?

Nope, Subdude, we always went to the S. Main Ship Ahoy. I lived in West University and Daddy would pick me up for his custody visitations. We generally stayed in the vicinity for our lunch or dinner out. Great pictures, though, I can see that the Chinese incarnation was the same general config of the dining room and size. Very different decor.

The Village location on Kirby was the closest to us initially. Their queso was excellent, but I must mention their "chips" which we called "tortillas tostados" then were the absolute best. To the point that for parties at home, when chafing dishes became the rage and we made the Velveeta/Rotel Tomato dips ourselves, still we called Felix's and sent someone down to pick up 4-6 big bags of their fried tortillas. They were inexpensive and families could eat a huge amount of food for very little. I know we were customers there in the early 1950's. The Tijerinas were one of the most respected and civic minded families in Houston.

Here we go, better get my request in early. I attended for a while a Nursery School in Montrose, that could have even been its name. It was like all such in the 1940's, an old home originally. There was a big front porch with a porch swing at the left end. It was two stories and very large rooms with high ceilings. The kitchen was big enough for a table down the middle with seating for all the kids. In the back, very small yard were hutches with guinea pigs. I stayed in trouble there because I could never nap and we had to put our little paletts down on the floor and sleep every afternoon. If you didn't behave and play by the rules, you didn't get to play with the animals. Lunchtime was governed by Don't eat your full lunch, NO Dessert! One day a week, every week, they served, gasp, liver. My cousin Jody and I couldn't abide it. My Aunt even wrote them a note saying we should not be expected to eat the vile stuff and no punishment must be given. Hah! Sometimes they even made us sit at the table long after lunchtime and not play. Any meanderers around here that have a clue, let me know.

My first thought as I begin to read this was "folks are not protesting because they are so damn ignorant of history these days, no one associates these names with anything." I'm not talking about ethnic groups or newcomers to our shores. I met a homegrown, white college boy recently who had never heard of Jackie Kennedy Onassis!!! Education is dead. Meanwhile, I really questioned how long Lamar could carry on after all the flack about the Atlanta Braves. After all, Big Red always was on the rampage, wielding that tomahawk! I attended St. John's School and we were the Rebels with Johnny Reb as mascot, I'm sure it is long gone now. Revisionism is lame, history is what it is and should not be erased or purified. I agree with Houston1stWord that it is best to avoid the use of inflammatory, incite to riot symbols and former icons, such as the Confederate Flag and Swastikas. However, to deny the use of factual information about who and what had gone before is wrong and truly stupid. How to learn from history if it no longer exists. The Holocaust - Never Forget - Never Again, but do not inidicate your approval or sympathy for the causes of Nazism by waving the flag. Yet, it is imperative to study Hitler and the whole regimes of The Third Reich, as well as Genghis Khan, Stalin and all the heinous that have gone before. What is sorely missing today is a common sense, balanced, intelligent approach to all this PC mess. The worst I have seen lately was reported on television. There are now software programs that "fix up" your word processing. The example being, a journalist typed in "they were wearing black armbands." His computer zapped that and printed "they were wearing African-American armbands." ROFL? It is terrifyingly true!

I knew I could rely on you, Filio and the rest of you. Bill Young was a nice guy, very laid back and funny. He came to the doctor's office to work on the program concept and get us set up and in gear. Glad he is still doing well. It was he who asked me to be on the Auction as well. Of course, I remember Dickie Rosenfeld too. Fantastic picture of Paul and yes, that is Justin, we used to roll in the aisles laughing at his Cajunness. No offense to any Coona--es out there! C'mon, he was funny. I fear Paul stayed too long at the fair. He was of our era and hip at the time, but boy did the times change.

Frothing at the mouth anger is what I remember most about the Mossler killing. Candace and Mel were so brazen and blatant about it all, we saw no way they could get by with it. Enter stage far left, Percy Foreman. We were glued to every bit of news as it came in throughout the trial and were frustrated because with Percy on board, everyone knew they'd beat the rap. Yet, we hoped. Do any of you recall seeing Candace on television after the verdict? A reporter shoved the mike in her face and said, "You really are guilty, aren't you?" And Candace, smiled and said, "Of course." Well, words to that effect, if I've not gotten it precise. I stood in the den screaming, how can anyone openly admit in such an off-handed way the old, "I did it and I'm glad" routine and not be punished? Well, she didn't live long nor have a happy life, that's good. About 13 years later, we were dining at the upscale and lovely restaurant in the restored Magnolia Building, The Bismark, and in trounced Percy and 2 Bimbos, giggling and squealing to the table next to ours. He was loud, obnoxious, crude and bombastic. We could hardly finish our dinner and get out. It is true, had I been a heinous murdering fiend, he would have been my hero, but the only person I wanted to throttle was him.

Filio, Oh, guru of all things radio, who was Programming Manager at KILT in 1970? I can "see" him, but cannot come up with name. I was Secretary to a prominent Psychiatrist at the time and we did a radio show, actually 5 minute spots called "Ask The Doctor." We did all our recording via telephone once we'd set it up. I would be the shill who asked the question, as if someone wrote in (although, we made them all up) and my boss would then give a capsule answer/advice. This was long, long before "Frasier," guess we were ground breaking. This was the same time frame when I did the KUHT/PBS Fine Arts Auction we talked about. My boss was pretty famous locally and his father and brothers had a big spread in LIFE magazine. He had a lot of connections. More trivia. What station was Paul Berlin on? We listened avidly in the 1955 era, after all he was cute too. And on Saturdays, we'd hang out at his record shop on Holcombe in case he showed up, which he did from time to time. It was the coolest thing to hang out around DJ's, did you have groupies?

Sheesh, I feel like a kid again! We actually knew the Dentler family and I recall a soiree at someone's home with Mr. & Mrs. Dentler as guests and I was very disappointed they didn't bring free potato chips for us. However, I will confirm they were awfully greasy and the everpresent green ones frightened me. Duz and Breeze, you bet. And there was always some kid's goodie in every box of cereal. It was a really sad day when you bought products and that's all you got. Our washing machine was in the garage and my lazy mother made me do all the churning of the wringer. Hey, those things were stiff and tough to turn with tiny arms and no muscle. We also had a metal tub and wood and metal scrub board for "hand washing." Here is one y'all haven't mentioned - do-it-yourself dry cleaning at home. I shudder still at how noxious it was. You'd get a big can of Naptha, vilest smell in the world and dip your woolens in it in the back yard, then hang them to "air." The smell never really dissipated, however, gag. Can you top this Mrs. Stewart's Bluing story? Of course, we used it on all our "whites" in the 40s and 50s, standard fare. However, in 1983, the year my first husband died, my 15 year old daughter and I were living at our farm in Leon County, out of Leona. She was raising chickens for the county fair. Her 4H advisor told us to wash the 4 representative white chickens in our bathtub and then do a round of bluing on them the night before the competition. I about fell over. I remember saying to him, "Ack, they still make Mrs. Stewart's?" Yes and we bought some and did it - no, overdid it! The next day, proudly displayed were the only BLUE chickens at the fair. No prizes for her and she had a helluva time even getting them sold, which was the point. Finally made a deal, assuring the wealthy couple in question that these were the only blue ones out of 50 and happily came home with a check for $125. The catch? I had to kill, clean, pluck them all, half and place in Zip-Loc bags for their big BBQ Bash. You do the math. And I have never used bluing again for any purpose!

dig, dig, scratch, Well! I did not find the full roster for my golf tournament, but did ferret out the winners for the two years at Sharpstown. Further at that time, it was named the Houston Classic (1959-1966). Ta-da: 1964 Winner - Mike Souchak Runner Up - Jack Nicklaus 1965 Winner - Bobby Nichols Runners Up - Bruce Devlin and Chi Chi Rodriguez I am still unsure which year I was there, but it was a great time, except Sharpstown was so new and barren with no trees to speak of, it was really hot with blinding sun beating upon us the whole time.

57Tbird, You are a wonder. Now, if I could just remember or access the rest of the field of golfers . . .

I have nothing on the schools you are seeking, but would like to add a request here. In the mid-1940s, my Mother was Secretary at a very old school, the original Longfellow Elementary. I believe it could have been around 100 years old at the time. I was a very little girl, but the impression is that it was located a bit southeast of downtown. It was huge with monster staircase leading way up to front door. The ceilings were, I would guess, about 20 feet high, the floors some sort of glazed stone and the whole interior had heavy, dark wood architectural embellishments. The classrooms were on two storey's and the cafeteria was in the basement, which had plenty of windows and was at actual ground level. Outside on the playgroud was a permanent, metal maypole and it was used with great ceremony on May Day each year. All you old photo experts, I would love to have a picture and to know the street address. So far, Google is getting me nowhere. Thanks for any help.

roym, Between 1963 and 1965, my first husband and I attended an incredible golf tournement at Sharpstown. Incredible? You be the judge. Some of the players were: Jack Nicklaus Arnie Palmer Chi Chi Rodriguez We went because it was highly touted as the greatest number of the greatest golfers of the time to ever play in Houston in one venue. It was very laid back, players joking around with the gallery. We were just a few feet from Nicklaus when he found his ball in a deep sand trap. It took him 3 tries to get out. He never got intense over it, just kept making jokes and performing for the crowd each time he missed. Perhaps the PGA has some record, it was a major tournement, not just exhibition.

Up above, someone suggested checking an old thread on "tiki restaurants." I did just now and surely enough, got the answer. Sorry Filio, but I am sure this is the one from my recollection: There was another Poly-Asian Restaurant in Houston. It was called Poly-Asian West and was located at 5138 Westheimer. This is near Sage Road where the exciting Bali-Hai apartment complex is located. It's the most lavish TIKI building remaining in Houston. This was under 50s Medcenter, which I have brought back to the fore.

You guys are the greatest. I've been wracking my brain to remember the name of the seafood restaurant on S. Main, near University, where my Daddy used to take me on his visits. And there you go, Ship Ahoy! However the photo is not of the old interior, this is obviously after conversion to Chinese. The real Ship Ahoy was very 1930's style inside and had actual porthole windows, which I found fascinating. And the Treasure Chest was a thrill. Very art deco. Also, I was on another, newer thread searching for the name of the Polynesian restaurant at Sage and Westheimer and it was suggested I try here, surely enough: There was another Poly-Asian Restaurant in Houston. It was called Poly-Asian West and was located at 5138 Westheimer. This is near Sage Road where the exciting Bali-Hai apartment complex is located. It's the most lavish TIKI building remaining in Houston. Living on University Blvd, all of South Main was our playground. I recall all of these buildings mentioned above, especially the wonderful restaurants. As a very young girl, I rode the ponies at Kiddie Wonderland, we ate frequently at Prince's Drive In, went across the road to Stuart's for their gumbo, did Playland Park and toward my teen years, alternated which of the eating places we'd hit that weekend. Elsewhere I have extolled the virtues of the not to be duplicated Shamrock days. Being ancient, I remember when Herrmann Hospital was all there was to the Texas Medical Center!