Message Forum

Leslie - we all had fun times at the Bicknell pool! Can't believe you're about to dive into the 5 foot area in that one picture!! Dad used to get a season pass and we sure got our money's worth. Living 2 blocks away, "Billy Tim" - Bill now - and I hiked out there every afternoon. Did you have a shortcut from your house?

Tom, that was a nice article about Kiddie Land. Good diggin'. Toward the end of the article it mentions his family and that his wife's maiden name was Hasty. She was part of the family who owned Strashun-Hasty in downtown Vincennes. Anyone remember shopping there? (or any of the other stores that have closed or moved? can you name them?) The name is still on the entry floor, and on the back of the building. Presently a nice shop called Galleria is in one half of the building, and there is a hallway passthru from the front to the alley, a nice short cut if you park in the big lot on Vigo and want to get to Main. And their daughter Maxalee still lives in the area, working at GSH.

03/15/09 02:19 PM

#851

Leslie Jones (Palcovic)

Lu, If you look really close it's 4' not 5'. That was taken during a swim team practice. Actually i was doing a racing dive off a starting block and if i did it correctly I'll be gliding along the top of the water. I hear ya about the swimming pool. I was usually there from sun up to sun down. My first job there was basket girl. Then for many summers I gave swimming and diving lessons plus swim team practice. I worked one summer as a life guard (I think I had already graduated, or maybe it was my summer before my senior year.) No short cut but it sure seems like there should've been one. I remember when Swimland first open every year prior to opening, I'd do any odd job to have the money for a season ticket. Picking peonies was a big money maker. I also remember entering a Poppy poster contest in 6th grade and the money I won there bought my ticket.(Man I even remember what my poster said and looked like) but I couldn't tell you what I had for lunch yesterday. Another year I remember picking strawberrys and then selling them to make money and one day I found a $20.00 bill on the ground by where I was picking. Good things come to those who deserve them. LOL

03/15/09 04:55 PM

#852

Lu You asked for Strashun-Hasty......I'll give you Strashun-Hasty......and more. VINCENNES HISTORY PHOTOS You talk like you spend a lot of time in the downtown area (?) If you ever find yourself looking for a good place to eat, stop in my brother-in-law's restaurant.....ZANDERS.

03/15/09 10:15 PM

#853

Great pictures Tom of Vincennes. My Uncle Oscar worked at both Strashun-Hasty and Gimble Bond. My counsin, Gene, worked at Penney's downtown, and my mom worked at Hills. I used to have dreams about wondering around those stores in Vincennes. I knew where every water fountain, bathroom, bubble gum machine, and elevator was. I also remember VanMeter's sporting goods and Kresge's. When we were very small, we usually went to Vincennes on Saturday night when the stores stayed open late, probably 8 pm. Then, as we got older, Friday became the night the stores stayed open late. Great memories.

03/15/09 11:06 PM

#854

Leslie, I worked in the "basket house" and collected entry fees for one year, too. Usually Jackie (Foschaar) and I worked together, I sure don't remember you being there then. Ain't that awful? Do you know they don't have the 10 foot diving board anymore? Not sure why?? But there is a slide (in the 5 foot area), woo hoo!

Great pics, Tom. Thank you for sharing. Just look at the architecture. Some of those buildings are messed up now. The Sears store used to be in the Pantheon theater, and there was a Montgomery Ward store a couple of blocks down. Johnson's Booterie, Osco drugstore, Albert's, Walk's, Morton's, Page's Bible Book Store, a stationery store I can't remember the name of (seems like Nancy Tilly's family owned??), Tresslar's which became Main Thing, then other stuff before Zander's. Speaking of which, ice cream is my weakness and I have indulged there a few times. Their food is good too. Who is your brother-in-law, Tom? And speaking of eating downtown, does anyone remember the cafeteria in the basement of Gimbel's? There was recent restoration work done on the outside of the Old Thyme Diner on 4th & Main. It has been a restaurant for many years under various ownership, presently by Nathaniel's mother-in-law Bev Haddix. I think they told me there are huge marble slabs upstairs where candy was once made.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW TO HENRY A.!!

03/16/09 09:23 AM

#855

I am spending too much time on this site. I woke up in the middle of the night wondering if that was Kresge's or not. Maybe it was Tresslar's. We always referred to it as the "Dime Store". I do know that Kresge's eventually became the K Mart stores.

Henry A, Happy Birthday. Since you are a 69 man, I suppose this is 58 for you.

Three of our classmates are vacationing this week in Grand Cayman. I almost got to fly them there on Friday, but I had the Cayman trip on Sunday so I missed seeing them.

03/16/09 11:50 AM

#856

Indy 500 Tickets.

Here are some great Indy seats if you know anyone interested. I can't imagine whose tickets these are???

03/16/09 08:36 PM

#857

Lu My brother-in-law is Tim Shidler. Next time you are in Zanders, ask for him. He'll be glad to meet friends of mine. My sister-in-law (Kimberly) works for Tim. DO NOT ask for her. We do not get along with her. LOL I do remember the cafeteria in the basement of Gimbels. Can remember eating there with Mom. You appear to be an expert on the history of the downtown area. I have some interest also. My Mom was a member of the downtown workforce for many years. She started to work at Commercial Credit Corp. in 1958. They were located at the corner of 5th & Busseron. She became manager of the Vincennes office about 1970. The office moved to the Vincennes Plaza somewhere around 1980......then closed in the early 80's. She then took district manager's job out of the Terre Haute office until she took early retirement in 1984. She was well known in the downtown community. I was always amazed that we could walk down main street or go in a particular store and everyone called her by her name. A favorite memory is me and Pat going to work with her on Saturday morning (around '66 and '67), then we would go hangout at Sebering Music and Little Joe's Music Store. Dick I have the same memories that you do.....of shopping downtown on Friday / Saturday nights in the late 50's and early 60's. I recall that many of the merchants displayed their goods out on the sidewalk (shoes, clothing racks, etc). We also went to the New Moon Theatre many times on Saturday nights. Remember seeing "The Longest Day" there. We ate several times at a restaurant located on 6th Street, between Main and Busseron. Not sure of the name(?). A few years ago, the structure was a pet shop. (Lu...do you know which former restaurant I'm talking about ?) Dick, tell me about the Indy 500 tickets. Are these the tickets that you use when you go to the 500 ? There is a "urban legend" type story that has circulated about town for many years, about Indy 500 tickets that were originally purchased by Pete Strate (?) back in the late 1940's and have been handed down through the years, possibly to Wayne Dunkerly (?). Are these tickets connected to that story ? Or am I totally confused ? LOL

03/16/09 08:48 PM

#858

Patrick Grabbe

Tom
That also happens to be one of my favorite memories.
I do not know how Joey put up with us. Universal Music and the famous Little Joe, Sebring's, I remember them well.
By the way I do remember the 60 mph run-throughs of the intersection, I know that when we would hit the drugstore my adrenaline was pumping overboard, holding on to the seat of Joey's burgundy Ford.

03/16/09 08:52 PM

#859

Grab How did my mom put up with us ? My mom had the easy part. Your mom is the one who had to put up with that loud music coming from her basement !!!!!!!!

03/16/09 09:00 PM

#860

Patrick Grabbe

Tink
Mom loved every minute of it. Dad was a differen't story.

03/17/09 09:44 AM

#861

Tom, Actually, these tickets are mine. I have had them since 1986 and have slowly gotten better tickets every year to where I have some of the best tickets available. They are directly across from the pole pit postition, are covered and close to food and restrooms. I have only used the tickets a couple of times. I can usually make a $500 profit on the 5 tickets so I feel guilty if I don't sell them. One of these years, though, we are going to go if you are interesed. I am not sure about the Pete Strate tickets. Pete and his wife took my mom and dad to the 1957 race when Sam Hanks won. I have always been so in awe of Indianapolis. It bothers me that the 500 has lost some of its popularity due to NASCAR, but hopefully it will reuturn someday. Roy took Pat and myself to the time trials a few times when we were kids. What an amazing place. Here are some pictures if you are interested.

2004 Indy 500 Race Pictures.

03/17/09 09:17 PM

#862

Wow.....I never thought of you as a Indy 500 fan. I am also in awe of the Indy 500 and the Speedway it's self. I think listening to the radio broadcasts back in the early 1960's is what got me hooked. Sid Collins' call of the race was so exciting and colorful. I think the first race I can recall listening to was the 1962 race. Also recall vividly, listening to the race in 1964, when the firey accident occured in Turn #4. That is the one that killed Eddie Sachs & Dave McDonald. Highlights of many of the 50's & 60's races are on YouTube. You must check them out ! From 1971 to 1973, I lived in Indianapolis and worked in the medical records dept. at Methodist Hospital. I had an apartment at 6008 West 38th Street. A bunch of Freelandville guys came up for race in '72 and we partied all night long that night before the race. Driving around the track that night, we got tied up in traffic at 34th & Georgetown Road around 4:00am. It turned out, that we were in line to get in the north tunnel when the track opened at 6:00am. We sat at that intersection and partied until the gates opened ! Got into the infeild and headed down to Turn #1 and partied in the infamous Snake Pit. It wasn't as bad as it has been made out to be. Also, went to the '79 and '81 races....but was married and took the wife....not nearly as much fun as '72 !!! 1973 was the year of the terrible accident at the start of the race (Salt Walther, etc...). The race was postponed a couple times and ended up running on...I believe...Tuesday> (?) Anyway, if you recall, Swede Savage had a bad crash midway through the race. He was taken to Methodist. I was just going to work at that time (4:00pm). I tried my best to get into the EU to get a glimpse of what was going on. Got pretty close....but never actually saw him. He eventually passed away. 1995, the first year of the split, I went to qualifications. Kenny & Francie/Katie and Doc & Pat had their motorhomes parked at the American Legion on Georgetown Rd. Had a really good time that year. That is when Scott Brayton was killed in practice a few days later. There is a website called "Tales From The Track". TALES FROM THE TRACK Check it out. On the opening page, scroll down until you see Memory Lane. Then you will see a list of hyperlink stories sent in by race fans dealing with the 500 and a couple stories from Indy US Nationals drag races. Click on US Nationals at Clermont. The story was submitted by me and the picture is of my brother's car that we towed to Indy that year !! Car was built by Jeff Miller. The story "Yuck...don't passout there" was submitted by me, also. I had Brickyard tickets for the races from '94 thru '01. Got tired of going and never renewed them. Too hot in August !! Had upgraded to good seats behind pit lane. Best year is when I did not even sit my seat. Got there when south gate opened and was one of first in infeild. Backed my pickup up to the fence in Turn #2, with my old Laz-y-Boy reliner in back. Relaxed with fine selection of food and beverages within easy reach and got a nice tan. Restrooms were only a few steps away. Yeah, that was a good year ! I believe last qualification I attended was....can't recall the year. It was year Tony Kanan got the pole and it was really cold & windy that day. Maybe, 2003. (?) During down time, I like to grab a couple cold beers a walk out through the golf course.....very relaxing and quiet there.

03/17/09 10:26 PM

#863

Great memories of your mom, huh, Tom. I remember the restaurant on 6th, but not the name. Will see if I can find out. Later on the place I worked for, MSHA, bought/leased the building as an annex for offices (we were in the old post office bldg. next door). Mom and I usually went to downtown Vincennes on Saturdays, ending up at the Kroger store that used to be at 5th and Busseron. Kresge's was at 3rd and Main. Tresslar's was in the middle of the block between 3rd and 4th, next to Penney's I think. Where yummy Zanders Ice Cream now is.

Your 500 pics are great, Rich. Jeff prefers to watch races (all types) from home, so we probably won't ever go to the 500. When he turned 50, we went to Bristol so he could do the Richard Petty driving school and he really enjoyed getting to drive on that track. What steep turns it has! Adam Andretti drove me around the track, woo hoo! I had to climb in the window and everything. And lived to tell about it LOL

03/18/09 04:26 PM

#864

Rita Hancock has signed up on Facebook. I sent her a message and let her know about our site. Hopefully she will sign on.

03/21/09 11:14 AM

#865

I am waiting for some picutures of Brenda and Stan DeWeese, Linda Waldroup, and Henry Bobe as they return from their trip to Grand Cayman. I hope you had a good time and that US Airways treated you well.

I would like to welcome Linda Pepmeier Valdez as a guest member to our site.

03/21/09 02:14 PM

#866

Again.....I please ask everyone to forgive my repeated profile updates. I am still trying to get this slideshow to do what I want it to, not what it wants to !

03/21/09 03:43 PM

#867

Quiz answer: Jean Ann Powers married Steve Neal.

The picture of Sebrings, isn't the guy with glasses is the late Jan Williams?

Tom you're forgiven. Just let us know when the slide show is ready. :D

Here's a Link of the Day:
"What did your area look like according to Penny Postcards? Check out your old stomping grounds during the times of the penny postcard. By the way, none of us were alive when postcards only cost 1¢. Click on the state and then on the county name to see old penny postcards from that area...pretty neat."
PENNY POSTCARDS
(There wasn't a whole lot of the Knox Co. area, but still fun to look at. Marion Co./Indy was pretty good too. LM)

03/21/09 10:53 PM

#868

Lu, I took the liberty of creating a hyperlink for your PENNY POSTCARDS....hope you don't mind ? I really enjoyed the Sullivan County postcards, as I work in that area. Also, checked out St.Louis area. Pictures of old Sportsman's Park. I went to several Cardinal games there between 1960 - 65. Brought back some fond memories. Also, my slideshows,two of them.......are complete and they work like they are supposed to.....well, kind of.

03/22/09 12:45 AM

#869

Tom, Great job on the slide shows. My 56 year old body ached just watching the show. I cannot imagine the pain your body must go through doing those races. I could feel your pain when you broke your wrist. I also enjoyed the show of your family. I really feel like I know your family well even though I have never met them.

I would like to offer a challenge to all who participate in this site to also make some slideshows. You do not have to get as fancy as Tom did. Just some pictures would be fine. Photobucket.com seems to work very well. It is free and fairly simple. If you can't figure out how to get it on the site after you make the album, Tom or I will help you. This site is about getting to know you and your families and what your life has been like over the last 40 years or so. Tom, thanks again. Rich

03/22/09 08:07 AM

#870

Dick..... Aches & pains must have been a delayed reaction. I didn't feel it in those days.....I am feeling it now ! LOL Seriously, I had a plan to still be in competetion when I was "older". Some of the most fierce competitors on the circut are those in the Senior/ Super Senior classes, due to their years of experience. I just had not planned on my body failing me, when I reached my 50's. I'm sure all of us are feeling it in one way or another in our daily lives. I am taking a vacation in April and had planned to plant flowers, but as of right now, I really don't know if I will be able to do it. Feelin' pretty bad.......hard to keep up with all that needs to be done around here. Regarding Photobucket.com slideshows, the site is rather confusing at first....seems kind of jumbled. I will be glad to help anyone if they need it. Lu.....how about a slideshow ? I'd love to see some pics of that old man that you live with making some hot laps at Bristol !!! Also some pics of Sunoco station, etc.......me and Jeff and the guys had some good times back in those days.

03/22/09 08:40 AM

#871

Tom, Here is an email I got from my nephew,(Elaine's son Scott from Vincennes) His son Cole is running in a racing event in Morgantown, NC this Sunday morning. I think you can watch him on the internet. This is where Kathy Watson lives and is only about 45 minutes from where I live. I am on a trip so could not go. Here is the site if you care to watch.

We are heading for another national this weekend for Cole to run. We are heading to Morganton, NC. You can watch his progress Sunday morning at gnccracing.com and hit live events. He runs the 85 7 -11 class.

Cole Kirchoff Website. check out his website.

Race Live Feed.

03/22/09 09:19 AM

#872

Dick. Cole's class is racing at this very moment (9:00am). I am watching live scoring and timing chart on the GNCC internet site. After approx. 1 1/2 hours / three laps, Cole is running a solid 6th place...about 2 minutes behind the leader and about 30 minutes ahead of 7th place rider ! Although not mainstream sports,hare scrambles (GNCC) and enduro are exciting, fun sports that the whole family can enjoy.....hence, Cole and his family spending the weekend together in NC. You don't have to travel great distances to participate, nor do you have to be a professional calibur rider. Casey (Illinois) Motorsports Park and Stoney Lonesome MC (Brown County area) both run a hare scrambles series from March to October with a varirty of classes based on skill level. As a matter of fact, another of our classmates told me awhile back that her nephew also races off-road motorcycle competitions. If your new to off-road motorcycles, or you just want to practice/ hone your skills, then the Red Bird State Riding Area in Dugger, Indiana is what you need. Owned by the Ind. Dept. of Natural Resources....you can ride all day long for $10.

03/23/09 07:51 PM

#873

We have several new guest members from the classes of 69 and 71. I hope you all feel free to discuss whatever is on your mind. If you are new to our site, Tom Held (1970) is our resident historian. He can tell you just about anything you want to know about our high school years and before. We hope you enjoy the site.

03/24/09 11:26 AM

#874