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Nostalgia & Memories
(Archive
#69: December 1, 2009 to December 31,
2009)
Date: 12/31/2009, 9:11 pm, EST
Name: RALPH
Location: TARPON SPRINGS ,FL
Old Neighborhood(s): 9TH. CLAYTON ST.
Schools Att'd: W.H,S . --V.F.M
Employers: RETIRED
Message: THE W.H.S. AND .P.S. THANKSGIVING GAME WAS PLAYED FROM ABOUT 1935 TO 196O AT THE OLD WILM. BLUE ROCK STADIUM 30TH. GOV. PRINTZ BLVD.. WHAT GREAT GAMES WERE PLAYED THERE TO A SELL OUT CROWD ,AND IT WAS BROADCAST ON W.I.L.M .. GOOD OL DAYS !
Date: 12/31/2009, 5:06 pm, EST
Name: Bud
Location: Wilm.
Old Neighborhood(s): 34th & Van Buren area
Schools Att'd: PS
Employers:
Message: I remember well the PS/Wilm. HS Thanksgiving games at the Gov.Printz stadium. Prior to playing them there I'm trying to remember where they were played. I know PS had a nice stadium and football field located at the rear of the school.
I don't believe Wilm. HS had their own field since they were located right on Delaware Ave. Anyone remember where the Thanksgiving games were played before Gov. Printz blvd ? I'm guessing Wilm.HS played their games at Baynard Stadium.
Date: 12/31/2009, 12:23 pm, EST
Name: Ed Simon
Location: Milford
Old Neighborhood(s): W. 4th (Franklin/Connell)
Schools Att'd: Lore, Warner, WHS, U of D
Employers:
Message: I'm sure you are correct about Joshua Conner & Sons. I did a seach and found the following in Hagley Library records: The leather business moved to Delaware in 1848 (started by James Conner). Joshua Conner took over the business in 1880 after his father died. His son was J. Christy Conner (1883 - 1964). He joined the business in 1902. So the time-line fits and J. Christy Conner was the famous man at the football games with the red and white umbrella (W on one side and '02 on the other).
Date: 12/31/2009, 10:04 am, EST
Name: Bill
Location: Delaware
Old Neighborhood(s): 4th & Harrison
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: Was the leather man Joshua Conner or his son? They had a leather shop at 235 Market.
Date: 12/30/2009, 5:08 pm, EST
Name: RALPH
Location: TARPON SPRINGS ,FL
Old Neighborhood(s): 9 TH. CLAYTON ST.
Schools Att'd: W.H.S. ---V.F.M.
Employers: RETIRED
Message: EDD , AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, W.H.S. AND P.S. WERE PART OF OUR THANKSGIVING DAY ! DONT GET ME WRONG , I LOOKED FORWARD TO BEING WITH MY FAMILY , HAVING OUR TURKEY DINNER . BUT AT 10 :30 A. M. KICK OFF. IT WAS A MUST TO BE AT THE OLD STADIUM AT 30TH. AND N.EAST AND WATCH GREAT PLAYERS LIKE BOB LAFAZIA, DOC. RUSSO AND THE REST OF THOSE FOOTBALL GREATS OF LONG AGO. MY CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN DONT KNOW WHAT THEY MISSED !
Date: 12/30/2009, 11:06 am, EST
Name: Ed Simon
Location: Milford, DE
Old Neighborhood(s): W. 4th St
Schools Att'd: Warner, WHS '64, U of D
Employers: State of Delaware
Message: Ralph,
Thank you! Glad you remembered the man with the umbrella. Thanksgiving day football was great! I wish that my son would have experienced it.
The next website has some great pictures of All-state players and teams going back many years:
http://www.delawareallstatefootball.com/inde...
The next site is of the Delaware Sports Hll of Fame:
http://www.desports.org/index.html
Date: 12/30/2009, 10:42 am, EST
Name: RALPH
Location: TARPON SPRINGS,FL
Old Neighborhood(s): 9TH. CLAYTON ST.
Schools Att'd: WH.S & V. F. M.
Employers: W.P ., HEAD OF SECURITY LOCAL HOSPITAL IN FL
Message: EDD , THE JOLLY LOOKING MAN WITH THE FAMOUS UMBRELLA AT THE THANKSGIVG GAME OWNED A LEATHER STORE ( MADE ME A GUN HOLSTER ) AT 3RD. MKT. ST.. I FORGOT HIS NAME . BUT RAY JUBB WILL REMEMBER IT .
Date: 12/30/2009, 9:04 am, EST
Name: Ed Simon
Location: Milford, DE
Old Neighborhood(s): W. 4th St., near Connell
Schools Att'd: Lore, Warner, WHS, U of D
Employers: State of Delaware
Message: Not sure if this was posted before. There is a 10 minute film clip of the 1950 WHS vs PS Thanksgiving day game. This is really neat! There is a man in the clip holding a red and white umbrella with and "W" and '02 on it. I remember him at games in the late 50s and early 60s. Who was he? The clip is on You Tube. Here is a link
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcdV61D8Gew
If this link does not work a search on You tube will bring it up - YouTube - 1950 WHS vs PS, Thanksgiving Day Game
Date: 12/29/2009, 10:38 pm, EST
Name: RALPH
Location: TARPON SPRINGS ,FL
Old Neighborhood(s): 9TH, CLAYTON ST.
Schools Att'd: W H S AND V F M .
Employers: W.P D. , HEAD OF SECURITY
Message: AS A VICE SQUAD UNDER COVER DETECTIVE I MADE MANY ARREST AT THE REST ROOM LOCATIONS YOU ALL MENTIONED . IN ALL , I MADE ABOUT 250 HOMOSEXUAL ARREST , OTHER WILM .POLICE ALSO MADE ARREST AT THESE LOCATIONS .. NEAR THE 16TH. MKT. REST ROOM ( NEAR BROWN VOC. HIGH ) A YOUNG BOY HAD BEEN MOLESTED. THERE WERE MANY OTHER LOCATIONS . PENN. R.R. STATION REST ROOM.COOL SPRING PK. RODNEY SQUARE , BRANDYWINE ,ETC.. THESE MEN I ARRESTED WERE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, DOCTORS, TEACHERS , MEN OF THE CLOTH , SALESMEN ,ETC.. NOW THEY CAN ADOPT A CHILED IN SOME STATES ( SICKNING ) I BELIEVE THAT CHILED SEE HIS GAY PARENTS DOING CERTAIN THINGS IN THE HOME AND THINKS WE THE STRAIGHT PEOPLE ARE THE ONES WHO ARE NOT NORMAL.ABOUT 40 YRS. AGO A F.B.I AGENT TOLD THE MEMBER OF THE VICE SQUAD, IN ABOUT 25 YRS. YOU WILL SEE GAYS IN PUBLIC OFFICE . AND THEY WILL ORGANISE LIKE YOU NEVER DREAMED ! !
Date: 12/29/2009, 11:43 am, EST
Name: Shirley Hudson Jester
Location: Newark DE
Old Neighborhood(s): Price's Run Area
Schools Att'd: PS duPont, etc.
Employers:
Message: The Comfort Station on Fifth Street was on the side of the Queen Theater. There were two entrances, one faced King Street and the other faced Market Street. I don't remember which was for Men and which was for Women. I used that one and the one near Brown Vocational, but I guess the Womens' were safer than the Mens'. It was always kind of scary going down the steps to an underground bathroom. I suppose I didn't know about sexual preference and stuff like that when I was a kid. Don't know much about it now either. To each his own, I guess. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! Shirley
Date: 12/28/2009, 7:46 pm, EST
Name: wayne
Location: New Castle
Old Neighborhood(s): West Side
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: The comfort station on Fifth St between Market and King. There were actually two of them. If memory serves me correctly, they were on opposite sides of Fifth. One (on the south side) was for ladies and the other (next to the Queen) was for the men.
Date: 12/28/2009, 6:32 pm, EST
Name: Wayne
Location: New Castle
Old Neighborhood(s): West Side
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: I remember when I was about eight years old, going into the comfort station by Brown Voc. H.S. along the Brandywine. At first this big old guy wasn't going to let me in, but I really had to go, and convinced him. Once inside, I saw a few others in there who had this little guy cornered. He begged me to get a cop, saying they were about to beat him up. I found a cop and told him what was going on. Reluctantly, he went back with me. I have no idea what ever happened after that. Years later my father-in-law (now deceased) told me that's where they took the "Queers" to beat the hell out of them. It seems as though this was the sport on Saturdays when nothing else was going on. I can still picture that guy pleading to me over 60 years ago, and I'm betting the cop was no help (on his side) either. Prejudice, is a shameful thing. I don't understand that way of sexual preference but, as long as those involved are willing participants it's a private matter between them and their God. I guess if there were no "Queers" he would have had to beat up Republicans.
Date: 12/27/2009, 8:47 pm, EST
Name: Jerry T.
Location: at the shore, de,
Old Neighborhood(s): S. Jackson, S. Broom, N. Broom, Klair Ests.
Schools Att'd: St. Hedwig's, Archmere, U. of D.
Employers: B&O R.R., Resilient Tile, U.S. Army, Equifax, State of De.
Message: Albie,
Thanks, I didn't know about that one.
Date: 12/27/2009, 8:22 pm, EST
Name: Albie
Location: Lewes
Old Neighborhood(s): W 29th St
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: Jerry, there was one on 5th St., between Market and King right alongside the Queen Theatre. Never ventured down there.
Date: 12/27/2009, 6:48 pm, EST
Name: Jerry T.
Location: at the shore, de.
Old Neighborhood(s): S. Jackson, S. Broom, N. Broom, Klair Ests.
Schools Att'd: St. Hedwig's, Archmere, U. of D.
Employers: B&O R.R., Resilient Tile, U.S. Army, Equifax, State of De.
Message: How many remember the underground (below street level), restrooms? I remember one on Market St., right before the Brandywine bridge. It was called a Comfort Station. There was another on Rehoboth Ave., several blocks before the boardwalk. Any others ? I can't remember.
In a way, thanks that we don't have them today, with all the perverts around.
Date: 12/27/2009, 1:43 pm, EST
Name: RALPH PRYOR
Location: TARPON SPRINGS , FL
Old Neighborhood(s): 9TH. CLAYTON ST.
Schools Att'd: W H S , VF M
Employers: RETIRED
Message: PAT WILL CONTACT YOU WITH IN THE HOUR. HAVE PRAYED FOR GOOGIES RECOVERY
Date: 12/25/2009, 12:31 pm, EST
Name: Bob Crawford (Buster)
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Old Neighborhood(s): N. Broom St and Little Italy
Schools Att'd: Wilmington High
Employers: Zappaterrini Bakery
Message: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
Date: 12/25/2009, 3:03 am, EST
Name: Patricia
Location: North Wilm.
Old Neighborhood(s): Prices Run,Claymont Crt.
Schools Att'd: George Gray,Warner,P.S.
Employers: Verizon
Message: Ralph Pryor & any of James (Googie) Patton's friends
(Wilm. H. S. '52) would like to give u an update. Lost all e-mail in move back to Wilm. Have a blessed Christmas.
Date: 12/24/2009, 8:51 pm, EST
Name: Bill
Location: Delaware
Old Neighborhood(s): 4th & Harrison
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: Today's online Journal had an article by Ken Mammarella that visited some nostalgia on Newark, Fairfax and Wilmington. Worth the read.
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/200912...
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
Date: 12/20/2009, 8:20 pm, EST
Name: Maureen Kelley dunning
Location: 9th and Jackson st.
Old Neighborhood(s): 819 N. Jackson St Wilm. De.
Schools Att'd: Sacred Heart 10TH & Monroe st.
Employers: East Lynn dress shop 9TH & Market St.
Message: The last time I posted memories in Dec. 2006
Date: 12/19/2009, 5:11 pm, EST
Name: Don Wood
Location: Charlotte, NC
Old Neighborhood(s): 10th & Monroe
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: If my memory does not fail me after reading about George W. Chuck Yeager was the first to break the sound barrier in level flight. Wheareas George W. was the first ever to break the sound barrier, but in non-level flight(flying on a downward path). Hope I am telling you the correct answer. Don
Date: 12/19/2009, 2:31 pm, EST
Name: Ed Starr
Location: Banning Park area
Old Neighborhood(s): South Jackson St.
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: Ref:#133 Don
I assume that your research on George Welch included the controversy over who broke the sound barrier first;
Chuck Yeager or George Welch. If not, check out "Aces High", a book by Al Blackburn.
Date: 12/18/2009, 7:16 pm, EST
Name: Bob Wilson Jr
Location: Beaufort SC
Old Neighborhood(s): 9th Ward
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: Bud -
I'm no relation to Willard Wilson. Other than my parents, I had no blood connections to anyone in DE when I arrived in 1949.
Bob
Date: 12/17/2009, 1:37 pm, EST
Name: browny
Location: Prices corner area
Old Neighborhood(s): Ardentown, Wilmington
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: RE;Sam,
The last fight listed for Fournier Hall, was April 21, 1977
Matthew Franklin [ Saad Muhammed ] vs. Joe Maye. If there were other Boxing after that, cannot find. Most boxing after that was at Walnut st. YMCA. fighter /promoter -Tiberi
Can!t find much else about the building, except who Fournier was...
If you need more info, let me know.
Date: 12/17/2009, 10:14 am, EST
Name: Jim Fox
Location: Sayre area, PA
Old Neighborhood(s): Glendale, Rt 40
Schools Att'd: Newark and Christiana H. S.
Employers:
Message: response to #133, Don.
That is funny but sad at the same time. It is like wondering if nurses in Rome have to frequently start 4s (fours). :>)
Date: 12/17/2009, 9:07 am, EST
Name: Sam Jacobs
Location: Port Richey, Florida
Old Neighborhood(s): 13th & DuPont, Little Italy and 40 Acres
Schools Att'd: Warner,Brown VT
Employers:
Message: Fornier Hall. Just wondering if they still put on boxing matches there. In the 1970's my partner at the time, Les Sitzer and I promoted several amateur and professional fights at the old hall. Biggest card featured Ritchie Kates who was ranked #4 in the world as a light heavyweight.We had guest appearances by Joe Frasier and Joey Giordello. I most fondly remember one of the best dog fights ever between Joe Barbizzi and Bobby Byrd. Anybody who was there would attest to the battle. What great times everybody had then.
Date: 12/16/2009, 12:36 pm, EST
Name: Don Wood
Location: Charlotte, NC
Old Neighborhood(s): 10th & Monroe
Schools Att'd: WHS'55, U of D'59
Employers:
Message: Ref #129 Very interesting story about George Welch in WWII and after.. Searched for him on Internet. Found even more information about him. Must say it amazes me how easy it is to research a topic anymore with Internent
I am willing to bet there are at least a hundred interesting stories regarding WWII with Wilmington area residents invloved. I hoipe they come forth.
The following is a true story - unfortunately!It was told to me by a WWII vet and U of D '49(G.I.Bill). He was visiting the museum near Savannah, GA deicated to the Mighty 8th Air Force of WWII fame. In talks with the manager he was told the following, hard to believe, story. Apparently, a young school teacher was bringing her class to the museum. Before she turned with loose inside, she said to the students. "This museum is dedicated to the men of the Mighty 8th Air Force and what they did in WORLD WAR ELEVEN!!! Hard to believe -big time lack of historical and roman numeral knowledge!
Don Wood
Date: 12/16/2009, 9:44 am, EST
Name: Bud
Location: N WIlm
Old Neighborhood(s): area PS HS
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: There use to be a record store on Delaware Ave owned by WIllard Wilson many years ago.
Bob Wilson Jr are you in any way related ?
Date: 12/15/2009, 11:55 am, EST
Name: Bob Wilson Jr
Location: Beaufort SC
Old Neighborhood(s): Baynard Village, 9th Ward; Monroe Park; Fairfax; Greenacres; New
Schools Att'd: PS duP, UofD
Employers:
Message: I'll be passing through Wilmington on an Amtrak train from the Deep South next Tuesday morning, and will be thinking then of all of the Old Wilmingtonners here, whether or not you still live in DE.
Date: 12/14/2009, 1:43 pm, EST
Name: Jim Fox
Location: Sayre area, PA
Old Neighborhood(s): Glendale, Rt 40
Schools Att'd: Newark and Christiana H. S.
Employers:
Message: Ed - Another piece of interesting history I never knew. Thanks.
Date: 12/14/2009, 12:40 pm, EST
Name: Ed Starr
Location: Banning Park Area
Old Neighborhood(s): 3 S. Jackson St.
Schools Att'd: St. Paul '51, W.H.S. '55
Employers:
Message: Ref: #128, Jim.
Two fighter pilots were featured in "Tora, Tora, Tora, one of whom was raised in Wilmington. His name was George Welch. He lived in Wawaset Park and briefly attended Wilmington High before transferring to St. Andrews in Middletown. He was credited with downing four Japanese aircraft during the Pearl Harbor attack and was recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor but was turned down because he and his wingman took off without orders. They subsequently were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. After the war, Welch became a test pilot for North American Aviation testing the F-86 Sabrejet and the F-100 SuperSabre in which he was killed in 1954.
Date: 12/13/2009, 6:16 pm, EST
Name: Jim Fox
Location: Sayre area, PA
Old Neighborhood(s): Glendale, Rt 40
Schools Att'd:
Employers: Experimental Station
Message: Response to #122 Thank you Don Wood for that wonderful piece of history. I remember the scene in Tora, Tora, Tora of the female pilot instructor very well. Never knew of the connection to Delaware.
Another interesting tidbit about Tora, Tora, Tora... there is an anachronism as the Japanese planes fly through Kolekole Pass in the mountain range running through Scofield Barracks... a large white cross is seen... which was not erected until 1962. Though there were smaller, earlier versions off and on predating WW2, this one was said to honor a soldier killed on that spot at the start of the attack, and to honor all those killed on December 7th.
I drove through Kolekole multiple times in 1967-68 while serving in the Navy at nearby Waihiwa Communications Station.
Unfortunately, the cross is no longer there, having fallen victim to the politically correct crowd bringing lawsuits.
Date: 12/11/2009, 9:37 pm, EST
Name: Ray Jubb
Location: Killington De.
Old Neighborhood(s): Hedgeville
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: Mr Webmaster, you'll have to forgive me for this next post but Ralph Pryor doesn't go on the chat site.
Ralph, sorry to hear about Walt. I had a computer problem the beginning of this year(2009)and lost Walt's email, if you still have it I would appreciate it if you would email it to me at oldfuzz@gmail.com and I would also appreciate it if you would give me the address of the Hospital he is in. Have not heard from him since I lost His email. Thanks.
Date: 12/11/2009, 2:03 pm, EST
Name: RALPH PRYOR
Location: TARPON SPRINGS , FL
Old Neighborhood(s): 9YH. CLAYTON ST.
Schools Att'd: WARNER, W. H. S. --V.F.M.
Employers: RETIRED
Message: JUBBY , IN REGARDS TO KILLINGTON. YOUR RIGHT , AND THE KEVLAR VEST. I MIGHT BORROW ONE FROM THE LOCAL POLICE DEPT. ! I WILL FLY UP FOR A WEDDING IN MAY . BUT I THINK WE BOTH AGREE . UNION PARK GARDENS WAS PART OF THE CITY, BUT WE FELT LIKE WE WERE IN THE SUBURBS. I REALLY MISS MY OLD HOME ON 2115 GILLES ST. FOR YOUR INFO. WALT WASSMER IS IN THE HOSPITAL( JOHN HOPKINS ) HAD A BAD TIME OF IT. . HOPE HE IS OUT SOON. ---JUBBY ,HOPE SANTA IS GOOD TO YOU.
Date: 12/11/2009, 1:07 pm, EST
Name: Ray Jubb
Location: Killington De.
Old Neighborhood(s): Hedgeville
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: Same to you Ralph. I asked Santa for a Kevlar vest this Christmas. You should be thankful you got out of Killington before it went totally bad Ralph, have a happy Holliday. Jubby.
Date: 12/10/2009, 3:33 pm, EST
Name: RALPH PRYOR
Location: TARPON SPRINGS,FL
Old Neighborhood(s): 9TH. CLAYTON ST.
Schools Att'd: WARNER , W.H.S. V.F.M. ACCAD.
Employers: RETIRED
Message: TO OUR WEBB MASTER , AND ALL MY NOSTALGIA FRIENDS , HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS ! AND A HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR !
Date: 12/7/2009, 6:49 pm, EST
Name: Jerry T.
Location: at the shore, de.
Old Neighborhood(s): S. Jackson, S. Broom, N. Broom, Klair Ests.
Schools Att'd: St. Hedwig's, Archmere, U. of D.
Employers: B&O R.R., Resilient Tile, U.S. Army, Equifax, State of De.
Message: DON WOOD : A very commendable and interesting story about our women during WWII. Highest praises to all those who served.
Date: 12/7/2009, 5:09 pm, EST
Name: Don Wood
Location: Charlotte,NC
Old Neighborhood(s): 10th & Monroe
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: This being December 7 and 68 years since our country was thrust into WWII I thought some would be intersted in a WWII activity which started at the New Castle County Army Air Field (now New Castle County Airport). I did not know that American women flew military planes during WWII until very recently. Asking many of my friends(all who were alive during WWII) - none knew that women had flown military aircraft, execpt one retired Air Force officer. IT ALL STARTED AT THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY AIRPORT. I will try to make this brief and, hopefully, as intersting as possible.
Nancy Harkness Love, a very accomplished aviator, recognized a need women pilots could fulfill in WWII. Her husband a reserve Major in the Air Transport Command was involved with ferrying planes from one spot to another(from manufacturer to an Army airfield. Male pilots were doing it and were needed for combat duty. After some debate General Hap Anopld, head of the U.S. Army Air Corps agreed and in Sept 1942 the WAFS(Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron was formed, based at New Castle County Army Air Field. Nance Love was in command. She had a list of over 25 highly accomplished female pilots who were contacted. The response was strong.
One of these women was Cornelia Fort, a very interesting young lady. Born into wealth she could have done anything, but she wanted to fly.
She became a pilot intructor in Honolulu.
On Dec 7, 1941 she and her student took off 6:30 AM. She quickly noticed numerous planes coming into the area and dropping "somethings" which exploded. One of the planea came directly at her. She got out of the way, but could see the Rising Sun on the side of the plane. WWII had just begun! She landed safely, unlike 2 other civilian planes that morning. Those of you who saw the movie TORA! TORA! TORA! may recall a single engine civilian plane in the opening aerial scenes. This was a tribute to Cornelia Fort, who was the first female aviator to die for her country(Mar 1943) But I am getting ahead of the story.
Cornelia Fort was the second woman to sign in New Castle airport and became a WAFS She was a profilic writer to her family and diary. The following came from her reports. Proper quarters were not available at first at the airport. Hence, the young women stayed at the HOTEL DUPONT, HOTEL DARLING, and KENT MANOR ( then a guest house). Her favorite restaurant was the BRANDYWINE ROOM.
The WAFS proved themselves in their ferrying mission.
In 1943 Hollywood created a movie about the WAFS, called Couragious Ladies, starring Loretta Young in the role of the WAFS leader.
Another organization was formed under Jacqueline Cochran, a very famour aviator at the time. She convinced Gen Arnold to expand the concept under the WASP(later in 1942) Eventually the 2 seemed to merge. 38 WASPS were killed in the line of duty, with Cornelia Fort being the first. Don Wood
Date: 12/6/2009, 6:13 am, EST
Name: webmaster
Location: Wilmington/Perryville
Old Neighborhood(s): Wood'n Flats, Willow Run, Oak Hill, Rich'n Park, Longview Farms
Schools Att'd: Lore, Oak Grove, Conrad (1960)
Employers:
Message: Roger Holmes
Age 86, a local radio personality and public servant, passed away Saturday November 28, 2009.
Date: 12/5/2009, 1:13 pm, EST
Name: Connie
Location: Wilmington
Old Neighborhood(s): Brandywine Village
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: I recall going to Kiddie Town in my pre teens with my little brother and parents. I was in my early 20s when I went to a drive in that area, so it looks like they were probably side by side if there was a kiddie town after the drive-in closed.
Date: 12/4/2009, 3:32 pm, EST
Name: Butch Schilling
Location: Aiken, SC
Old Neighborhood(s): Brandywine Hundred, Happy Valley
Schools Att'd: Alfred I, Silverside, Mt. Pleasant
Employers: Dupont, Snow White Ice Cream
Message: Was saddened to learn of the death of local sports legend George Frick. I was privileged to be on a 1952 WDEL-TV program called The Batboys, an off-shoot of The Sporting Scene. The other "boys" were Jay Gorry, Ronnie Scott, Bruce Kelleher & Al Cartwright, Jr. We interviewed Blue Rocks players along with Lee Riley (Pat's dad), who was the Blue Rocks manager. We even scored an interview with 28 game winner Robin Roberts at the dedication of the Strawbridge & Clothier store. George was a wonderful positive influence on all of us and was a knowledgeable entertaining guy. We ate lunch at Timothy's when I was there in 2002, the year he was inducted into the Delaware Hall of Fame (and, of course, the 50th anniversary of The Batboys). He's one of my heroes and will be fondly remembered always.
Date: 12/3/2009, 10:58 am, EST
Name: Jingles
Location: Newcastle
Old Neighborhood(s): Westside Wilmington
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: Okay, heading north on Route 13 from HazelDell Avenue in Minquadale on the left was an open field used for parking for the Wilmington Speedway. Next came the Wilmington Speedway only open for racing on Sunday night's. (The first chicken run on the East Coast was held there after the Speedway closed for business) Then there was the Brandywine/Ellis drive-in theater. And next came Kiddie Town. All of this land was owned by Hessler who also own most of the roadside billboards in the area. Beyond those three attractions was all marshland where we as teenagers trapped muskrats for sale in town and hunted snapping turtles for the same reason. On the right traveling north at the corner of Route 13 and Chesterfield Dr. was the motel and it was brand-new at the time and pretty upscale. In fact the lead actress from the Addams family TV show stayed there. I knew every inch of this area.
Date: 12/3/2009, 8:44 am, EST
Name: Jerry T.
Location: at the shore, de.
Old Neighborhood(s): S. Jackson, S. Broom, N. Broom, Klair Ests.
Schools Att'd: St. Hedwig's, Archmere, U. of D.
Employers: B&O R.R., Resilient Tile, U.S. Army, Equifax, State of De.
Message: Re: the De La Warr Motel - I remember hearing of a Bomba's Pizza joint, but can't remember if it was attached to the motel or near it. It was also a seedy place.
My cousin Barb's weeding party had their breakfast at the De La Warr in '57. It seemed like a clean place then.
Date: 12/1/2009, 4:13 pm, EST
Name: Bill
Location: Delaware
Old Neighborhood(s): 4th & Harrison
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: The de La Warr motel was finally closed by the county as a menace. I think that it was either hire 400 more County police officers or demolish it. What with budgets and all, demolish won. The site is now occupied by a WAWA market.
Date: 12/1/2009, 9:19 am, EST
Name: Bruce
Location: Sugar Land, TX
Old Neighborhood(s): N. Franklin St., Woodbrook
Schools Att'd: Sacred Heart, Springer
Employers: Wilm. Finishing Co
Message: Wasn't the Ellis Drive In and Speedway across from the Lord De la Ware Hotel? I hope that dump is no longer there. Years ago it was a breeding ground for crime.
Date: 12/1/2009, 8:54 am, EST
Name: Orv
Location: Sussex County
Old Neighborhood(s): Montgomery St.
Schools Att'd:
Employers:
Message: Before the Ellis Drive-In, it was known as the Brandywine Drive-In. The speedway was next door and was known as the Wilmington Speedway.