79th STREET
I worked at the Tastee Freeze
on 79th & Manistee during 1967 and 1968 along with Larry Dalke.
~~~Donald Larsen
Yeh, I remember Larson bringing
in his scuba gear one day. I never had done it, so I wanted to give it
a shot...there and then. We had two large sinks in the back of the store.
I filled one completely, put the scuba stuff on (in accordance with Don's
instructions) and stuck my whole head in.....for about a minute. When I
pulled my dripping head out Larson was folded over laughing. I got pretty
ticked and threatened him a bit 'till he pointed to the front of the store.
There were the customers of the night in stare mode watchin the shop manager
(me) make a total ass of himself. Don got pounded and Andy lost business.
~~~Larry Dalke
I remember that night clearly
with you dripping wet walking around the front of the store with the equipment
on until you realized those customers staring at you. Well, it wasn't the
only thing we did that was crazy in that store. Do you recall the "frith-friths"
episode? You nailed me on that one, buddy. I remember telling Andy
about the scuba episode years later and he laughed hard too. We were all
good sports about the tricks we played on each other at the store, even
Andy wasn't spared being the butt of a practical joke now and then. Those
were
great years for us and our
friendship between you and I remains intact to this day.
~~~Donald Larsen
Well.... first, I'm not
a Bowen grad but was a long time resident of South Shore in the 50s &
60s
and came across your site
from Charles Celander's SouthShore site (great picture book too), so "pardon
me for jumping in" ....
I and some of my friends
hung out there constantly before and during High School (Mendel-64) years
from about 55 to 66 or so. I used to fly my model airplane (acquired
from "The Vera Shoppe" at 79th and
Burnham) in the parking
lot of the T/F back in the late 50s. Several friends (Paul Nealis
and Ron Axelson) also
worked there, early 60s.
Anyway, I believe that it
was actually located on the NE corner of 79th and *Marquette*, not Manistee.
Manistee started at 79th, about a half block east of Marquette, and went
south from there. (Some odd street layouts in SoShore)
~~~Ron Egan
Because you all lived in
South Shore I hoped you might remember my dad's store, Wee Folks.
It was the toy store on 79th street first on Constance and then East End
across from the Avalon. I am writing a book on the folks and the
store. If you have any stories or memories of either I would appreciate
your contacting me.
I am also looking for names
and locations of stores from Jeffrey to Stony Island Avenues in the 1950-s
and 60's and the owner's names. Thank you.
~~~Caryn Lazar
Amster
As far as I know, Wee Folks
was the only toy store in the area, way before the superstores like Toys
R Us. When we were kids, if we got a good report card, my Dad would
take us to Wee Folks to buy to pick out our own prize. We'd take
all night to walk up and down every single row of toys.
My favorite aisle was the
one with the Barbie Doll clothes. My platinum-haired bubble blond
Barbie wore gold lame' cocktail dresses and pink negligees with high heels,
way before Barbie thought to become a doctor or astronaut.
~~~Marcia Mayeroff
Sacks
My self and friends are graduates
of 1956, the great days of the overflow. Gino's Ice Cream Parlor, Cunis,
Dor Ellens. S & A"s , the Avalon Show, Shore Theatre,. We have so many
great memories Sady Hawkins Day dances and the Tri Hi Y's most of us belonged
to Diana or Camilia. We have had a picnic every year since the 1970's
we saw are children grow and become friends. We have seen some of our friends
go to the sky of blue. We all keep in touch even though some have moved
to Florida, or Texas we travel to see each other or most of all call. I
am rambling on but I was just told of this site and so glad that these
memories are kept going.
Yeh, South Shore 1956
~~~~Carol (Smykowski)
Giorgio
Overflow
at 79th - A web page on Yahoo Clubs with a focus on growing up
in the South Shore area in the '60s.
About Wee Folks on 79th Street: “The
Pied Piper of South Shore - Toys and Tragedy in Chicago” the latest South
Shore book, will be out in September 2004. Visit the website that
is live NOW at www.chicagospiedpiper.com.
Read about the story, see the book cover rendered from original art by
Mitch Markovitz, and reserve your copy (s) of the book.
NOW at this web site you will be able to buy
posters and limited edition fine art prints of the book cover directly
from Mitch. Mitch is a professional commercial illustrator, born and raised
in Chicago’s South Shore. He fondly remembers his years there. The
art works represent the area as he remembers it.
~~~Caryn Lazar Amster
Caryn's mom and dad were the owners of Wee
Folks Toy Store on 79th Street. Fascinating story along with the
common memories of the times we all share. There are many quotes
from southsiders. Also available at Amazon.com~~~Marcia
add
your memories to this page
Introduction
/ Bowen Memories / Streets
& Neighborhoods / Links / Message
Board