| 06/19/09 05:47 PM |
#626
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Diane Harris (Moore)
This may be a little wordy, because I have some time I didn't expect to have. Our son and his wife, Greg and Christy, were supposed to be coming here from Chicago for Father's Day weekend, but they had to change plans, so I am not as busy as I hoped to be. Christy fell last night and broke her foot. She is at an orthopedic surgeon's right now, finding out if surgery is needed. Anyway, we are heart broken they can't come, but I know it could be much, much worse. There will be other weekends. I am sure she will take a broken foot over the return of leukemia any day. That sure is how I look at it.
I was so sad to learn about the Georgia Theater. Another Athens landmark that will survive now only in my memories. I think all of us spent many Sat. nights there during our dating years. Dick and I sure did. Because of him having to milk, he never was able to pick me up earlier than 7:30 or even later. Then we had the 30 mile drive to Athens, so we never, and I do mean never, saw a movie from the beginning. We always were stepping over people to get to our seats, while the movie was well underway. Then after it was over, we'd sit 'till it started again, watching until it got to the point where we had come in. One time when we went to see the movie "Hawaii" at the Georgia Theater, it was so crowded I got a seat on the back row, and Dick literally sat in a straight chair behind me! We must have really wanted to see that movie, because I'd never do that now.
News of the fire started me down a melancholy path that took me back to other Athens memories. Do you remember "The Shack"? I think that's what it was called. I think the Holiday Inn Express is there now, but I'm not sure.
Davison's? Now, when that closed downtown, I nearly went into mourning. We weren't living there anymore, but I had many exciting shopping excursions there while I was in college. The cloth that was made into my bridemaid's dresses was bought there. Ah, Davisons.
Foster's? It hasn't been that long since I heard it closed, and again I moaned. I had not been in there in ages, but I spent many hours in years past there, registering china, etc. and all those things that brides did.
Between classes sometimes while I was at UGA, I'd walk to Woolworth's (or was it Kresses? How do you spell that?) and buy me a hotdog for lunch. All by myself. I don't think it's there anymore either.
Those are just a few of my memories of Athens, but there are so many more. I am sure many of you have lots more than I do. Mine didn't start until I was in 8th grade. That's the first time I ever went to downtown Athens with my cousin, Lee Bridges, and I nearly got run over when I saw someone I knew across the street and went dashing across. Until then, I'd always gone to Elberton to shop, and I'd never had to think about paying attention to red or green lights over there!
Anyway, I just thought I'd take you back with me to the Athens that I remember. It's a neat town now, and it has aged much more beautifully than me, but I'd sure like to have some of those old places back.
Happy Father's Day to all you dads, and to those of you who have been like a dad to someone. My daddy was my hero, and I know that's what you are to your "kids" too.
Sentimentally,
Diane
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