Alumni Sandstorm ~ 01/20/15
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11 Bombers sent stuff:
Dick McCOY ('45), Shannon CRAIG ('50)
Luana IVERS ('52), Mike CLOWES ('54)
Steve CARSON ('58), David DOUGLAS ('62)
Pete BEAULIEU ('62), Donna NELSON ('63)
Jim HAMILTON ('63), Bill SCOTT ('64)
Lori SIMPSON ('70)
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BOMBER BIRTHDAY Today: Don RAY ('54)
BOMBER BIRTHDAY Today: Marlene MANESS ('57)
BOMBER BIRTHDAY Today: Jack EVANS ('62)
BOMBER BIRTHDAY Today: Audrey CHAMBERS ('74)
BOMBER LUNCH: John Ball "Kids", noon, Sterling's Queensgate
(every other Tuesday)
BOMBER CALENDAR: Richland Bombers Calendar
Click the event you want to know more about.
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>>From: Dick McCOY ('45)
Re: Cafeteria
Neat stuff from Bob Carlson, aka Mike CLOWES ('54). When I hear
about the cafeteria, I listen. That was our hangout for several
years I believe thru the forties. I worked there as well as the
cafe in the transient quarters which had the same management.
After a movie the caf was a necessity for French fries and gravy.
On a Friday nite if you wanted to see someone, just sit in the Caf
and he or she would show up.
Yes there were two Thriftys, But Marvel Morgan owned three, one up
on Thayer, the Pennywise. Plies Davis also owned a furniture store
at the Caf for a while. Good old memories.
Re: Old Days
To: Karen COLE Correll ('55)
You mentioned Roddy McDowell. In the '48 Frontier days, he was
there, and came to our room where Chalky CONWAY ('45-RIP) and I
were having turtle races. Roddy joined us with a couple of bets,
till his mother rescued him.
Shameful things those races.
-Dick McCOY (from the Tin Can class of 1945)
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>>From: Shannon CRAIG (Watkins-Gross) Hightower ('50)
Finally married to Bill HIGHTOWER ('49).
Yes, Dennis HAMMER ('64), that small [hospital] bill was probably
the cost to birth a baby then... with the G.E. insurance. I
remember, I had my appendix out in 1952, after one year at G.E.,
and the bill was $6.00.
Great map, Maren.
http://alumnisandstorm.com/Xtra/15/0116-Map1949-Dwntwn.jpg
I graduated in '50 and worked for one year at Richland Bell
Furniture. Fantastic first boss, Joe Carroll. I ran the music
(records) department upstairs.
Then I went to G.E. in August '51. At the furniture store I made
$67 every 2 weeks and started at G.E. at $87/week.
To: Karen COLE Correll ('55)
I remember your sisters - and the baby contest - I think my niece
Peggy got first. The votes were added up grocery receipts. Your
twin sisters performed with our Bomber cheer leaders, 2 other
[Cole] sisters were cheer leaders, and you are right - they were
adorable. Nice to review memories of the 2 old theaters downtown -
the Uptown area was not even there then.
-Shannon CRAIG (Watkins-Gross) Hightower ('50)
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>>From: Luana IVERS Portch ('52)
Re: Downtown Map
http://alumnisandstorm.com/Xtra/15/0116-Map1949-Dwntwn.jpg
Was Jadwin ever Goethals? According to the map Goethals is the
first street after GWWay but now it's Jadwin and Goethals is the
next street down. Mysterious!
[Somebody will tell us when it happened, but they
changed the south end of Goethals to Jadwin... and
they changed Duane to Goethals... I added a note to
the map. -Maren]
-Luana IVERS Portch ('52)
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>>From: Bob Carlson, aka Mike CLOWES ('54)
By gonnies, here it is another Bomber Birthday. This guy I knew
back then and now, even went so far as to graduate with him.
Turned out to be an alright guy; therefore, a tip of the ol'
propeller beanie and a hearty "Happy Birthday!" is in store for
Don RAY ('54). Keep on truckin' big guy...
On another note, them Seahawks may have used up their miracles for
the year. Guess it all depends on what sneaky schemes Bellichic
can come up with.
-Bob Carlson, aka Mike CLOWES ('54) ~ Mount Angel, OR where
weather guessers are calling for a dry week.
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>>From: Steve CARSON (Championship Class of '58)
The village theatre [on GWWay] was also used by the thespians of
Col-Hi.
-Steve CARSON (Championship Class of '58)
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>>From: David DOUGLAS ('62)
I've also enjoyed the memories of Richland's early days. I have
pictures somewhere in my archives of my brothers and me wearing
cowboy outfits for Frontier Days. I much preferred getting
haircuts at Ganzel's than having my mother cut it; the Ganzel
barbers took less than 10 minutes, my mother about an hour.
I bought comic books at the Thrifty Drug Store. I had a quarter a
week allowance and learned quickly that if I bought one comic at a
time, ten cents a piece, instead of two, I didn't have to pay the
penny sales tax.
I remember seeing "It Came from Outer Space" in 3-D at the
Richland [on Biddle] Theater, wearing polarized lenses in
cardboard frames. The semi-transparent alien coming straight out
into the audience was quite impressive. My mom took me to see a
movie at the Village [on GWWay] Theater – I don't recall what it
was – but I much preferred the double-feature with it, "War of the
Worlds." Unfortunately, we had to leave before it was over. I
never got to see the ending until I was an adult.
The Uptown Theater was my favorite. I went to see "Invaders from
Mars" one Saturday morning by myself, probably around age 10. My
mother dropped me off and I was supposed to call her when the
movie was over. I got so scared when I saw the "Martians" I left
the theater. I tried to call my mom, but the price of the pay
phone had just gone up from a nickel to a dime and I only had a
nickel. I walked home across town all the way to Birch/Duportail
on the south side of town.
I also remember the Uptown Theater as the place I held hands with
my girlfriend Patty BEZZIO ('63-RIP) for the first time. When she
didn't object I put my arm around her. It was a big deal for me,
and for her as well. She wrote me a letter about it, which is a
long story all by itself. I also remember taking Carole JOHNSTON
('62) to see "Swiss Family Robinson" there. (I recall her saying,
"Isn't Patty your girlfriend?" when I asked her, but she said yes
anyway.) I can't recall whether I remember that date because
Carole was such a delightful companion or because the theater was
so crowded we had to sit on the right side, fourth row from the
front – not a place I would have chosen.
I have two memories of C.C. Anderson's. One was being scared by
Santa Claus at Christmas time. The other was going there to ask
Tris MABERRY ('62), who worked there after school, to be my
graduation party date when Patty called three days before the
party to tell me her mother wouldn't let her go to an all-night
event with me, even if it was sponsored by the PTA. Unfortunately,
Tris already had a date by then. Fortunately, Patty compromised
with her mother and we went to the party in Kennewick and the
midnight movie at the Uptown Theater, but I had to take her home
after the movie. Although we didn't go straight home.
-David DOUGLAS ('62) ~ Mesa, AZ where the weather is absolutely
beautiful right now
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>>From: Pete BEAULIEU ('62)
Re: Ye Olde Richland Daze
The question has come up: were the Richland Players active at the
Richland theater [on Biddle] or at the Village theater [on GWWay]?
I stand corrected. It was indeed the Village theater.
More here on theater doings... after I departed from the Navy
(and helping decommission my aircraft carrier, USS HORNET, in
Bremerton), the thespian Hepburn-type Mrs. Mary Fleischer
(Sandstorm Jan. 18) insisted that for an intermission I hang a
showing in the cramped lobby of my blackline sketches. She was
acting in "Barefoot in the Park" and as usual brought the roof
down. I now clearly recall this in the Village theater on GWWay,
in 1971. In addition to civilization she also brought cultured
bits of wisdom to boom town Richland: "there's nothing so
burdensome as a talent unused."
Re: 1948 Flood - 1949 Ice Jam
Near to the Village theater is the east end of Lee Blvd. with the
still-existing turnaround at the River's edge. In 1948 (or '49?)
the Columbia River gave us "the flood." This was before the
baseline level of the River was significantly raised as it is
today by the completion of McNary Dam downstream in 1953. At the
turnaround was a vertical post for measuring the elevation of the
River. On our last family trip to check the post we were unable to
even drop down the small hill into the park. The flood water was
clear up to the foundation of the Amon building (on the map), and
the entire Amon Park in all directions was completely under water.
A startling sight for four or five-year old, with all those trees
sticking out of a flat sea extending clear across to the Pasco
side. The road to the West Richland bridge over the Yakima River
was already under water so the only way in or out of town was the
elevated causeway to "the Y." And that causway route over the
confluence with the Columbia was constructed very much on the run
over a week or two or three, always just a foot or two above the
rising water. The "Dutch Mill" tavern on the lowland upstream side
became history. I recall those earth scrapers barrelling down out
of the Horse Heaven Hills at "forty miles an hour" (we were told),
at least the rule was to keep an eye out because even at night
they were not slowing down for the main roadway at the Y that
crossed their path.
On another note, Bell Furniture on the downtown map included piano
sales. We lived half mile to the south on the corner of Douglass
and Benham. Sometimes "that man with the white cane" and his chin
perched up would turn the corner and stroll north up Douglass
heading to Bell's. Always wore a business man's hat and in the
winter a trench coat. We kept quiet in noticing him even from a
distance on our porch, "so that he can't hear us". He was "the
piano tuner", a fairly well-known figure about town, and we were
told that while he was blind he also had very, very good ears--so
he tuned pianos. Also very capable at getting around: imagine my
surprise when fifteen years later I nearly bumped into him during
class break on the crowded steps of one of the University of
Washington buildings on the Quad. The doors flew open and there he
was, just like me and so many others, rushing from one class to
another.
The piano tuner was not so well known as "Muscles", the 40ish
biker in tan visored hat and baggy pants, who cycled all over
town. It was a high status day when Muscles pedaled by on his
1950ish bike and waved back to one grade schooler or another. And
he always did. Broad smile. He lived with his parents in a "tract
house" (pre-World War II farmhouse) next to the original Jason Lee
Elementary School. Does anyone know what ever happened to Muscles?
Was there ever a news story?
-Pete BEAULIEU ('62)
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>>From: Jim HAMILTON ('63)
Re: Now you're talking my language.
Being a Southend Guy I've very much enjoyed the discussions of
the Downtown shopping area. I do recall the Greenway, which after
"urbanization" became the Parkway. North of the Dime Store a
building or two was a children's store I believe called the Elite
Shoppe that sold Dinkey Toys (some of which I still have) and had
great mechanized Christmas displays in December. Little further
North on the same side of the street was the Washington State
Liquor Store (the Green Dairy) where I got my Liquor Card when I
turned 21. Walked across the street to the Frontier with the
temporary for my first legal beer. Couldn't ask for a free one,
cause I'd already darkened their door a time or two.
I got my hair cut by Lee Nelson who had a shop with his Pop in
several locations. Their first was in the Rec-Hall kinda where the
Gas Light went in, then on GWWay side of the Frontier Tavern and
later in the building across from the Bon Marche, which at one
time or another had a Klopenstein's, The Lucky Five Tavern, the
Tri-City Herald office with the 24/7 picketer and a shoe store.
Got some new school shoes there once, a cordovan oxford with a
sort of vibram sole. I was allowed to walk home wearing them and
proceeded to "strike it rich" in the backyard. Cleaning the cleats
was not an easy task and became part of the legend of 213. The
Carnation plant behind the original Safeway was a true treasure.
We would go there and ask if they had any damaged Dixie Cups or
Kid Bars we could buy and they would always give us some for
free or for a penny each. Jim MAULSBY ('63-RIP) was the master of
manipulation and would always get a box and then sell them to us
for whatever we had.
The Community hall was the south end of the Rec Hall where many a
summer afternoon was spent playing ping pong or shooting pool.
Ernie Curtis was the supervisor passing out chalk when we asked.
although we had no clue of it's purpose. Played many a game of
stars and stripes, one and fifteen in opposite side pockets, most
games lasting a couple of hours. I'm sure that's where Medo Smith
and Dink Morris got their starts. When we were flush and didn't
want to spend the money on ice cream we would go the other side
and pay to shoot pool in the Rec Hall, but would never tell our
parents. In later years we would play the pin balls at the bowling
alley. The Bus Depot was another hangout, playing the pins and
puffing on cadged heaters, always looking over our shoulders for
someone's parents who were picking up a relative on a bus from
Salt Lake or somewhere. Bought a pack of Chesterfields from a
machine that was outside on the west side of the Bus Depot for two
bits. They'd been baking in the sun since forever and when I lit
the first one it literally exploded and damn near burned off my
eyebrows.
Telling these stories to kids today would be like using the term
carburetor (which my Dad would say "is a French word for leave
alone") at one of today's filling stations. You know the clerk
with the tattoos and attitude would understand it at a lesser or
equal level than I comprehend my Rosetta Stone Italian. Now days
parents are want to watch the kids should they send them out to
fetch the newspaper out of the driveway, which in my day Ernie
Carlson would not have allowed.
Times have changed, not always for the better. Being a kid
sixtyish years ago was something I wish we could pass on to the
youth of today.
-jimbeaux
-Jim HAMILTON ('63)
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>>From: Donna NELSON ('63)
I remember getting a quarter for doing Saturday chores in our "F"
house, then going to the Uptown Theater and getting in for 20
cents and I had a nickel left to go to the candy machine to buy
Charms. My Friend Flicka was one movie I cried in because the
horse reared up after being sold and put in a horse wagon and hit
it's head on the ranch sign. (I think Elizabeth Taylor was the
young horse owner).
Remember seeing a 3-D jungle movie at the Richland theater [on
Biddle] and the sword flew out at us and so did a snake. Glasses
were cardboard with red cellophane lenses
One favorite memory was waiting to catch the city bus on the
corner of Hunt and Symons with my grandmother Bolke,... we road
for a token to Penny's in the Uptown (I liked the steps to the
second floor) and then downtown to CC Anderson's and watching her
look for patterns and fabric. She peaked my interest in sewing.
Later my mom sewed tokens on my skirt and vest for my gypsy
costume for Halloween
My grandfather Bolke used to walk the sidewalks during Frontier
Day parades in his buffalo and deerskin coats. We all road a float
one year dressed as Indians and my father had reels of parades on
35mm.
-Donna NELSON ('63)
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>>From: Bill SCOTT ('64)
Re: Nat'l Bank of Commerce
There was a bank in the Uptown Shopping Center, and I'm very sure
that was the National Bank of Commerce. It was our family bank.
Located on the Jadwin side a little down from the old Roy Davis
Furniture. Last time I checked it was a big pet store.
To: Dennis HAMMER ('64)
Missed the earlier reference but I remember Robley Johnson as
being on Lee just off GWWay.
To: Linda REINING ('64)
I remember the 35 cent movies at the Uptown too. They were
preceded sometimes by those sing-a-longs with the bouncing ball.
People actually sang along. Can you imagine the reaction if they
tried that now? People have gotten so much meaner.
[Don't have a topal map of the Uptown but this is a
pretty interesting page that I put together back in
2001 - National Bank of Commerce is listed. -Maren
http://richlandbombers.com/gallery/0000s/Uptown.html]
-Bill SCOTT ('64)
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>>From: Lori SIMPSON Hogan ('70)
Re: Dwight CAREY's ('68) post on 1-16-15
http://alumnisandstorm.com/Xtra/15/0116-Map1949-Dwntwn.jpg
I loved the map do you know who drew it up? I graduated in 1970 so
I am a bit younger than you, but I see a few errors... It was
C.C.Anderson's and it became the Bon Marche eventually. Also the
Thrifty Drug store burned to the ground so the current building is
a replacement bldg. The cafeteria bldg, which was called the Mart
became Davis Furniture and was in business when I was a child. The
owners lived across the street from us at 400 Douglass. Diamond's
5 cent store later became Payless and the original Safeway that
was on this map changed to Wild Bill's Grocery when they built the
new Safeway across the street. The 2nd Safeway building is still
there and they just recently remodeled a small portion of it and
it houses the Post Office now. I will have to say I don't remember
the theater that was on GWWay... I have been wishing for an
original store map of both the Uptown and Downtown shops. Do you
know if there is one for the Uptown as well. I can remember some
but not all of the original shops Uptown... Thanks for sharing.
[Lori (you youngster you), this is a 1949 topographical
map... I believe the original map just says "Dept Store"
and I added C.C.Anderson's... this is a VERY TINY
portion of a HUGE topal map that the government did of
the entire town. -Maren]
Re: Mike FRANCO ('70) 1-19-15 SS entry
Hi Mike, yes we went to the free movies every Saturday morning!
Our neighborhood parents took turns carpooling all of the kids
each week.. Had to go to Thrifty Drugs to buy our bags of penny
and nickel candies and I still had money for a 10 cent box of
popcorn to eat with my Flicks. Such awesome memories growing up in
Richland...
To: Pat UPSON Tervooren ('49)
Yes I remember Art the pharmacist, he passed away sometime in the
last couple of years. I can see his face but for the life of me,
can't remember his last name!
To: Bob Carlson, aka Mike CLOWES ('54)
You are right about Ernie's printing building originally being the
police station and jail. Also the Frontier Tavern was not very
big, long and narrow and now houses a cupcake shop called Frost Me
Sweet.
-Lori SIMPSON Hogan ('70)
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That's it for today. Please send more.
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