I've learned from several sources that I don't remember a lot of detail about specific episodes of one kind or another as I grew up. I was even reminded at the high school alumni banquet this year by a childhood neighbor kid that I and some other kids picked on him. Surely he must have a poorer memory than me 'cause I don't remember ...ahem, ahem...doing that!
I do remember parts (the important parts for me) of a visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house on Grove Street one Sunday (I think) afternoon. One of the important parts was that Uncle Bob was there in his Navy uniform. I don't know, but I suppose his being there was the reason the rest of us were there. I'm guessing he might have been home on leave. In any case, I was impressed with his uniform, and secondarily for a young boy, I possibly may have been impressed with his service to our country.
But I was really impressed by what he did for me that afternoon. Uncle Bob and I, and I suppose, some other nieces and nephews, walked somewhere and he bought ice cream cones. I couldn't have been more impressed if it had been the President of the United States and he took me in a long limo to a fancy restaurant for a the best meal on earth. The fact that Uncle Bob in his uniform bought little ole me an ice cream cone was all that mattered.
Now I wonder. Does anyone else remember that day and any more of the details? When was it? Where would we have gone to get ice cream? Were you there? Who else was?
I have previously told this story to Tom and he may have even speculated on some of the details.........but then, I don't remember if he did or not.
As I have reflected on this episode, I have tried to do some little things, especially with the grandkids, that might "stick" in the pleasant side of their memory bank. I recall one instance when our oldest granddaughter was about three. She was with me on an errand and asked if we could go to the "Stand-up Dairy Queen" (the old style where you walk up to the window) No other type of ice cream place would do. We passed several ice cream places on the way across town to the "Stand-up Dairy Queen". We had a good time sitting on the concrete bench outside and licking our ice cream cones. She dangled her legs from the bench and talked a mile a minute between licks. What a memorable time!
Not too long ago (she is now 16), I asked Liz if she remembered when we went to the Stand-up Dairy Queen. No, she said, but she wanted me to tell her about it.
It didn't stick with her, but it sure did with me.
8 comments:
I'm guessing it was Muldoons. In the early 90s I drove Paul and his father Don and my father and my nephew Matt and we all headed for Virginia and the Carolinas. We had a wonderful vacation. Along the way, Matt and Don were discussing about soda pop. One argued it was soda and the other that it was pop. This went on for several days. Finally, Don in his infinite wisdom said he had a way to settle the question. When they returned to Mishawaka, the would all go to Muldoons and order a soda and see what they got. Don's point was that since Muldoons had been in business for so many years, that they should know for sure. Matt agreed, so, they ordered soda and of course they got an ice cream soda. Now it would seem that Matt lost, but in fact he says he won because after all he got a soda out of the deal.
By the way, for the younger generation who have not met your great or great- great Uncle Don, it is well worth the trip to visit him in Mishawaka. He is one of the kindest gentleman I have ever met and a man of great wisdom. It is a priveldge to know him and be related to him.
Tom, how far from the grandparent's house would Muldoons have been? It seems to me we only walked a very short distance. Of course, I was totally focused on the uniform and the ice cream, so it could have been a mile and not mattered. Can you venture a guess as to what year or range of years when this took place?
I would also second Tom's suggestion of a trip to Mishawaka to see Uncle Don and Aunt Iris. Don't worry, you will be welcomed and there will be no lax in the conversation.
Well, Jack should be able to fill us in on Muldoons. John tells me that there was a little store a couple of blocks from the old house, so that is a more likely place. My Dad joined up about 1942 and was out aroud early 1946 so it had to be in between there. I have a book of his war years and I could look up when he was home. We have pictures of him in Indiana in his uniform.
There was a small grocery store on Liberty Drive, a block east, just down the alley, but I don't remember it ever having ice cream cones.
I think maybe where you went and I am jealous, because I didn't get any ice cream, was the Tri-o-Ray drug store. It was on the north side of Mishawaka ave. next to the Northside theater. This was about three city blocks east from Grampa's house.
I have fond memories of the Tri-o-Ray because they had special "ice cream cone" sales. In those days a cone was one scope of ice cream on a single cone for a nickel. Then there were the really special cones that looked like a letter "T" with two scops for a dime.
Well on special sales days a double "T" cone only cost a nickel.
There is that "Walker" thing again, always looking for the most for the money.
Tom where did the name "Muldoons" come from?
I think maybe you meant Boonie Doons. This was a large maker of ice cream on the south end of town by St. Joseph hospital. They had outlets in both Mishawaka and South Bend.
Sorry Matt but a soda is made with ice cream in the Mid-West.
The little store was just East of Grandpa and Grandma's You walked down the ally behind their house to Liberty Drive which is the first street you come to and the store was on the South East corner of the ally and Liberty Drive. That store closed up and the building was built on to and is now a rental place and extends from the ally South to Mishawaka Avenue. It was a small neighborhood store of which were very common back then. I remember going in there quite a few times.
I rember buying ice cream cones for a nickle there, but I don't remember being wiih Raymond and Uncle Bob going there. I do remember going there with Grandma a few times, But most of my visits as I recall were by my self.
John explained to me that the guy that ran Bonnie Doons was Muldoon and that he named the place after his daughter Bonnie. It sounds like Don referred to it by the owner's name. Perhaps I have spelled Muldoon wrong, I just guessed.
The ice cream store that Bob Drake refered could have been very likely. I usually did not venture that far when I was that age.
Tom, the name is Muldoons, and it is the same family name that started Bonnie Doons. I actually use to work with a niece of the family when I started at the hosptial. Darlene was a nurse on the 3rd floor where I started. I might try to get ahold of her and see if she might know where this famous ice cream store might have been many years ago. I am sure someone in her family might know. Will get back to the blog when I find out......Doris
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