The Best Time in Anderson or In Your Life

[Gardengirl]

Ma and Pa,

Convince my hubby to take me on a REAL vacation, like to Hawaii or Florida, one that you don't have to see relatives or be anywhere at any specific time. I haven't ever had one of those, and I'm getting to old not to deserve one. 

[Anne]

Anne,

That is HORRIBLE! I don't know if I could make it through that. I am so sorry to hear that, you have no idea.

Thank you for your kind thoughts. It was five yers ago and at times I had my doubts of any of us would make it through. I know that only her two younger children pulled our daughter through that time. But life goes on and while it is never the same it is still good.

[Anne]

Ma and Pa,

Convince my hubby to take me on a REAL vacation, like to Hawaii or Florida, one that you don't have to see relatives or be anywhere at any specific time. I haven't ever had one of those, and I'm getting to old not to deserve one. 

The two best vacations I have ever been on for pure relaxation and enjoyment were two cruises my husband and i went on. He prefers a fishing trip for a vacation, something I can live without and never miss it, but he really enjoyed the cruises, too. I highly recommend them.

[Gardengirl]

Anne-

I have been thinking about a cruise. My hubby would find the first deck chair,and in between meals, he would be sound asleep there the whole trip, while I would be out dancing, seeing movies, and having fun! It would be perfect. Did you go to the Bahamas, Bermuda, or Mexico?

[Anne]

We went to the Bahamas both times. The first cruise was on the Royal Caribbean Line and we left out of Miami . It was a beautiful ship and the food was awesome. That was in 1991. We went to Nassau, Freeport, and were supposed to go to a private island but it was too rough to get on the ferry to the island. Now i think they have docks at the island so you don't have to transfer from the ship to a ferry for the island. The second cruise was two years ago on the Princess line and we left from Jacksonville, FL. It was not as elegant but was still very nice. Our room was bigger and we had a real window not just a porthole. We went to Key West and to Nassau on that cruise. Both trips were very relaxing and the food was plentiful and good. There were shows each night and dancing, usually a big bingo game, too. I would like to go on at least two more. One to Alaska and one to Mexico. I think they are really very affordable, and I love not having to pack and unpack and think about where we are going to stay each night.

[Gardengirl]

Sounds wonderful! I am so ready for a vacation.

I did find some info on my brother from his obit, but he was divorced before he died, so her name wasn't mentioned. With only the boys's first names and surmising they kept their last name, I might not find them if they were adopted and then took his name.

[Gardengirl]

Hey, any more memories of Old Anderson?

[me]

What was the name of that skating rink that used to be on Moss Island Road? 

[Ma and Pa]

me: was that Skate-mor? The Mesalem family owned Skateland in Alexandria, a much nicer facility. The old Moss Island rink was once the Green Lantern (in the 40's); it was a dancehall and drew patrons from miles around. Lots of big-name orchestras played there, especially during and after the Big Band era. I think that's where my mom and dad first met!

[Gardengirl]

Wow, that's cool! My mom and dad met at a dance after the war. I wonder if it was there. They also use to frequent the Polish Club, I think that's the name. My mom broke a tooth on a polish sausage there. I think there was also dancing. I think those big band, supper club days were much more fun than the TV generation we are!

[me]

I had forgotten about being told about that being a night club.  I took my kids skating there once but they usually went to the one in Alex.  I will have to agree that was the better of the two. 

[Ma and Pa]

Hey gang! Who here remembers Anderson's original big box discounter, the Giant Store on Fairview Street? They called it a department store; the term "discount store" probably hadn't been coined at that time. Lots of imported merchandise, which at that time meant "Made in Japan", and an infinite variety, it seemed at the time; like none of us had seen before. I'd say it opened around '57 or '58, and preceeded K-Mart, Arlan's,
Ayr-Way, and the others which came along later. Prior to its closure, it was known as Tri-State Discount Center, as I recall.

[me]

Hey gang! Who here remembers Anderson's original big box discounter, the Giant Store on Fairview Street? They called it a department store; the term "discount store" probably hadn't been coined at that time. Lots of imported merchandise, which at that time meant "Made in Japan", and an infinite variety, it seemed at the time; like none of us had seen before. I'd say it opened around '57 or '58, and preceeded K-Mart, Arlan's,
Ayr-Way, and the others which came along later. Prior to its closure, it was known as Tri-State Discount Center, as I recall.

I remember that.  I used to shop there quite often.  A lot of the LP's I have came from there.

[Gardengirl]

I remember shopping at the Giant Store. It was near a park, Fairview, which was across the street from Miller's Grocery Store where we shopped for food. I remember 10 cent soups.

[Ma and Pa]

GG: I don't recall Miller's Grocery; where was it located? Back in those days, every neighborhood had little "Mom & Pop" groceries -- the advent of today's convenience stores -- which augmented the "big" stores: Payless, A&P, the Hoosier Market, Matthews', Mace's, et al. Was that what Miller's was? Remember the smells? Wonderful! Especially the over-riding aroma of freshly-ground Eight O'Clock Coffee. YUM!