Register Volume 11
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I very much enjoyed the "tour" and your comments
and recollections. I grew up on the corner of Harvard Street and Waushauer
Streets in Alexandria, Louisiana
two blocks from Bolton High School. I grew up in this neighborhood until May
1957 when I graduated from Bolton High School; and spent many happy years visiting
many of the places you mention; plus many more you did not have time or space
to mention.
You apparently grew up on Alma Street not to far from
my uncle Cliff Bolen and Aunt Cleo and their daughters Pat and Carol, as
well as cousin
Jimmie
Lynn Pourcy and 2nd cousins Mathile and Montez Brister - all of whom lived
on Alma Street. During the late 1940s and early 1950s it was a great adventure
for
me and my grammar school and neighbor friends to ride our bicycles from our
homes way over to Alma and even further to Rosenthal Grammar school. What
a treat to
be able to ride that far in safety; as well as walk from our home to the
City Park Zoo and swimming pool and parks at all hours of the day and night
with
no fear. You have done us all a great service by your work on this website.
Regards,
Jay Bolen
James (Jay) A. Bolen, Jr
Alexandria, La USA - Saturday, May 24, 2003 at 19:49:43 (GMT)
I remember so many of those places. Thank you for pulling them together in
a very moving portrait of our town.
Ray Foote
Burke, VA - Friday, May 23, 2003 at 01:25:38 (GMT)
I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE. I RAISED MY FAMILY AND AM STILL WORKING IN ALEXANDRIA.
GREAT PLACE!!!!!!!!
MONA ANDRIES
ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA USA - Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 21:17:48 (GMT)
Good work. Enjoyed it thoroughly.
Tina Bordelon
Alexandria, LA USA - Sunday, May 18, 2003 at 04:48:08 (GMT)
I was thinking
about Lazarone's Poboys, when my search engine took me to your site. Those were
the best Poboys! I spent my first 16 years in Alexandria. Rosenthal
Elementary, Alexandria Junior High, and Bolton High-those were my schools. I
still remember the names of all of my elementary grade teachers. I even recognized
some of your guests as classmates. I was reacquainted with Alexandria a few short
years ago when my son (Ohio born and reared) met his bride (a Bentley girl) at
LA Tech. Our family staging area for the Dry Prong wedding was the good old Holiday
Inn on MacArthur Drive. I remember that the Holiday Inn was one place in Alex
that you could go for a little more "upscale" meal after church on Sundays. Having
moved away from Louisiana so long ago, I never dreamed one of my sons would spend
his wedding night at the Bentley Hotel. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.
Now if I could just get one of those Lazarone's PoBoys!
Linda
Linda Henry Morris
Fairfax, VA USA - Friday, May 16, 2003 at 16:52:50 (GMT)
Hello Ken - A former classmate informed me of your web site. I checked it
out and have now been down memory lane. Thank you very much. A graduate of '57,
I
have
lived
in Orlando, FL for 40 years but I still think of Aalexandria as my home. Please
keep up this wonderfull work. Hello to former Bruins.
Larry Davis
Orlando, FL USA - Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 12:49:03 (GMT)
Ken, thanks for
the great memories of Alexandria. What a great website. Please keep updating
with new (old) pictures. I am very pleased that my oldest brother
forwarded this to me. Thanks again.
Robert Rougeou
Tampa, FL USA - Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 01:15:46 (GMT)
Wow! Wonderful idea. Great photography and comments. Your website has undoubtedly
meant a lot to many people. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Have an anecdote to add
to the ones of your many viewers...
In 1949 or so when I was approximately
ten years old, I met, well actually, saw Al "Lash" LaRue, the cowboy movie star,
at the Joy Theatre on Murray Street one Saturday morning. He was in all his black
splendor, complete with six guns and whip. Kids were clamoring about him, seemingly
preparing to climb him like a mountain. I stood about five feet away with my
mouth agape. Lash looked over at me and said, "Howdy Pardner." "Huh, er, hi." His
trappings which stand out most in my mind today were the huge pistols and the
high quality of the black, wool gabardine slacks. In returning to my movie
seat while still in a daze, I pondered why he had singled me out to greet.
Finally,
it hit me. It had to be he was impressed with my twin guns and holsters set.
Crossed paths with Lash again almost 40 years later. He apparently didn't recognize
me, though. Guess it was because I wasn't wearing my guns.
Larry A. Bringol
New Orleans, La. USA - Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 01:07:02 (GMT)
Beth and I lived in Alex From 1953-61. I was employed with Commercial Credit
Corp and Beth worked at La. College and taught at Bolton High. It was a wonderful
place to live.
Percy N. Clark
Blackshear, Ga USA - Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 20:36:52 (GMT)
A masterpiece - in terms of reliving so many great memories of growing up
in a place like Alexandria. I am an Alex native and grew up on Texas Ave, almost
next door to the CYO. Attended St. Frances Xavier before Cabrini opened, and
then on to Bolton ('57 grad ) and La. College (61 grad). Married Annette Boone
(Woodworth).
Both of us have enjoyed the great presentation you
have put forward.
J. T. Rougeou
Sautee, Ga USA - Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 01:11:58 (GMT)
Just visited the Alexandria Retrospective for the second time. Got a message
from a former classmate at Bolton '57 reminding me of all of your work and what
it
has meant to so many of us. Grew up in Alexandria in the 40s and 50s. Cannot
believe there was a better place to grow up during those times. I have so many
fond memories that I have carried with me through these many years.
I will have
to admit that Alexandria is where my heart has always been. I have been gone
for 40 plus years, yet I find myself thinking about the fun times and all
of the wonderful people time and again. Thanks so much for continuing to
remind
us of such a wonderful place and the part it played in our lives. We are
all indebted to you for your hard work. Bob Lee
Robert E. Bobby Lee
Midwest City , OK USA - Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 20:18:45 (GMT)
I just want to tell you how much I enjoyed your web site. I was born and raised
in Alexandria and left joining the Navy in 1974. Lived in the same house off
of Jackson St. Extension in Plantation Acres for 17 years. My mother worked at
Schwartzbergs Dept Store back in the '40's and early 50's. I still remember walking
downtown on Saturdays to Wellans, Caplans, Weiss' and of course the Christmas
display at Wellans.
Again, Thank you for the memories.
Sincerely,
Rusty Franklin
Rusty Franklin
Woodbridge, VA USA - Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 15:35:02 (GMT)
I grew up in Alex. Attended Cabrini and graduated from Providence (remember??)
in 1965. I lived on Boyce Street and my mother still lives there. I married
a
guy stationed at England and that's how I ended up in NJ. I was just home for
a visit. It was sad not to see Providence and the old Menard high schools. Thanks
so much for this site. My best friend from school sent me this after it took
me over 30 years to find her. Thanks again for the memories. Sharon
Sharon Pousson Fetters
Bellmawr, NJ USA - Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 15:10:26 (GMT)
I'm planning to
visit Alexandria soon, so really enjoyed your loving glimpse
of the past.
Sheila Crawford
Quebec,Canada, USA - Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 02:06:37 (GMT)
Well done!
Gwendolyn Iles-Foster
Austin, TX USA - Monday, May 12, 2003 at 20:21:24 (GMT)
Remember those bottle cap shows at the Paramount. Our parents would deposit
us there on Saturdays with our seven bottle caps for a show of live entertainment
and films. It was a wild time.
Gaius Goetz
USA - Monday, May 12, 2003 at 13:18:24 (GMT)
Great web site. It has been a pleasure to go through it. The guest book entries
are absolutely wonderful. I was born in Alex at the Baptist Hospital in 1944.
Went to St Francis Xavier and then to the original Menard. I left Alexandria
in 1962 to go to La Tech and from there went directly into the Air Force. Just
retired three years ago and have not been back to Alexandria since 67. After
seeing your site, I think a trip back is in order. Keep up the good work. Maybe
you can add a section where we can list our email addresses so we can get in
touch with some old schoolmates. Mine is Konduris@netscape.net
Ted Konduris
Monument, CO USA - Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 00:14:13 (GMT)
I love this website. We were Air Force brats but were raised in Alex and consider
it home. I love the vintage postcards and pictures, it is awesome to see. I
would love to see pictures of the old Rosenthal. That is where I went to school
- when I drive by the 'new' Rosenthal it brings
tears to my eyes. It's just not the same.
Penny Sweeden Hagin
Ft Worth, TX USA - Thursday, May 08, 2003 at 13:22:05 (GMT)
Hi Ken, Thanks
you for providing an enjoyable trip down Memory Lane (and Lee, Monroe and Jackson
Streets). I lived in Alexandria for two years (summer of 1958
through spring of 1960) and attended seventh and eighth grade at Alexandria
Junior High. I still think back with fondness on those years.
We lived
in Airview Terrace,
which was about as remote a subdivision as there was at the time. I remember
the scents wafting from the old Cotton Bakery on MacArthur Drive, having
Southern fried chicken at Effie's restaurant, playing baseball at the old
Aces ballfield
(on Texas Avenue, I think), and hearing the lion roar at City Park Zoo. I
remember playing basketball with Will Ed Hixson and Buddy Buchanan and
Terry Rutherford
at the Rugg School playground, playing Babe Ruth baseball for D&M Sports, and
riding my Schwinn balloon tire bicycle on the service road along MacArthur
Drive, down Masonic Drive, past St. Francis Cabrini (I think) and all over
town.
May
12, 1960, the day we left Alexandria to move back to New Jersey, was one
of the saddest days of my life. I have been back to Alex three times, but
unfortunately,
only for a day or less each time, just to look around. (Like the Paul Anka
song--My
Home Town). The last time, in 1980, I saw Buddy and Will Ed, and Elzie
Nichols, who was Superintendent of Schools at the time, but who as assistant
principal
at AJH once made me write a 50 page report for some indiscretion or other.
I plan to visit Alexandria again, this time with
my wife. Sorry to bore you, but
these are great memories! It's good to be able to share them with someone
who was there. (By the way, did you go to public or Catholic school?
I think we
would have been in the same grade). Anyway, Ken, thanks for putting this
webpage together.
Please email me if you ever want to talk about the old days.
Bill Reinhart
Ambler, PA USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 17:59:17 (GMT)
Born in Alex in '52 and lived there until '77. Went to St Rita's and Menard
its first year of opening. Great job on your web page. Any idea where I might
locate 1960's pictures of Alex?
Lanny G. Maddox
Ruidoso, NM USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 17:15:42 (GMT)
I moved to Alexandria in 1996 to work for the Rapides Bank & Trust Co. from
Galveston, TX. as a Trust Officer. (Didn't notice the Rapides Bank in your excellent
pics). We left Alec in 1998, following the sale of the bank to Bank One. We enjoyed
Alexandria, mainly because of the people we met there...we still tell people
that the nicest people we've ever met were in Alexandria. Our first son was born
there, and we are coming back to visit friends over Memorial Day. Thanks for
your retrospective. I saw things that I have since forgotten and enjoyed it.
Chris DeVries
League City, TX USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 14:12:22 (GMT)
I was born in
Baptist Hospital. I grew up in Boyce, about 15 miles away. A trip to Alexandria
on Saturdays to shop was a family tradition. A special treat
was a movie at the Don. I don't have the deep memories you have, as I am probably
a bit younger than you, but I do have the memories - like riding the escalator
at Sears. It was the first escalator I ever rode.
David K. Bond
Garland, TX USA - Sunday, May 04, 2003 at 23:30:10 (GMT)
THANK YOU FOR A BEAUTIFUL WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE. I GRADUATED FROM HOLY SAVIOR
MENARD IN 1974. MY GRANDFATHER, JOSEPH PIAZZA, OWNED A LITTLE GROCERY AND LIQUOR
STORE ON RAPIDES AVE. I SAT HERE WITH MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND SHOWED HER
THESE PICTURES. WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
GRATEFULLY YOURS, MARIE BROOME
Marie (Baglio) Broome
Boca Raton, FL USA - Sunday, May 04, 2003 at 12:21:50 (GMT)
Very good collection of old pictures. They brought back many memories. Thanks
Harold Coker
alexandria, la USA - Saturday, May 03, 2003 at 19:07:48 (GMT)
I REMEMBER WALKING
ACROSS A SWINGING BRIDGE OVER THE RED RIVER SOMETIMES IN THE 1940'S. WAS IT JUST
A DREAM OF MY PARENTS HOLDING MY HAND AND TELLING ME
NOT TO BE AFRAID?
darlina
houston, tx USA - Saturday, May 03, 2003 at 01:14:23 (GMT)
What a great site...many memories...my sister still lives and works there
and my Mom is in Grant Parish, but I never seem to go downtown when I'm there
for visit...we lived half way between Cherokee Elem and Brame Jr. Hi..fond memories
of YMCA football league and Little League baseball..my best bud, Scott Jortner,
and I used to ride our bikes to the tennis courts in the park and go into the
fire station to get water...what about the Amerita club (Italian american social
club)...home delivery of bottle "cokes"..home delivery of Italian cooking products
(truck from New Orleans)..Masonic Children's home...jets from the "air base" breaking
sound barrier over the neighborhood...picking up pecans to sell to some business
on Lake Charles hwy for 25 cents for a brown grocery bag full...Captain Commadore
(local kids TV show)..Bruce (?) Rainey on TV in his rocking chair.
Frank Fiorello
Hot Springs, AR USA - Friday, May 02, 2003 at 19:43:57 (GMT)
I was raised on Virginia St. This is located just off the Leesville Hwy. Hwy.
28. Attended school at West End Grammer, David F. Huddle and Bolton High School.
I was born on 02/16/42.
George Stone
Richland, Wa. USA - Friday, May 02, 2003 at 17:11:03 (GMT)
Would love to see a collection of photos' from the 50's and 60's. Brought
back many fond memories
Ann Aslin West
Pineville, LA USA - Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 21:05:06 (GMT)
What a flood of memories! When I was at Menard and the Cathedral, I went thru
a "dark night of the soul", interspersed with many wonderful experiences that
grew out of the unconditional love and support of great people who live (or lived)
in Alexandria. I thank them for that and I thank you for the forum in which I
can say thanks. I am so very grateful. The ensuing years have been very good
to me as I hope they have been for them.
Hugh Biggar
Grand Island, FL USA - Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 15:56:54 (GMT)