Doug Houser - Maplewood historian

Maplewood History: A Hunk, A Hunk of Burning… Hobby? Part 2

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When I published the first half of my images of Gene Kitson’s unusual matchbook cover collection, I wanted to come up with an unusual and clever title. Failing that I decided to use the one above. My thinking is that if the title is clever or unusual enough it will attract more clicks than Miner’s. Should that occur I’ll consider myself the winner of Editor Miner’s weekly “Most Viewed” designation that his articles usually always win. Anyway, the subject – Matchbooks – started me thinking about burning which led to Elvis’ “A Hunk, A Hunk of Burning Love” song which is definitely a strange title for a song.

Maplewood History: A Hunk, A Hunk of Burning… Hobby?

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According to my meticulous record keeping (Translation: If my camera didn’t do some of this stuff automatically I would have no idea when some of these events occurred). I got a call from Gene Kitson in early 2007 who was wondering if I had any Maplewood matchbook covers. When I said I did not. He said, “Well, I do. Would you like to borrow them?” I said I would and I did.

History

Maplewood History: A Bill Jones Tripleheader

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Maplewood’s premier memoirist Bill Jones is remembering them faster than I can get them out.  Here’s three more that I know you will enjoy. DH

The Hershey Chocolate Bars – Maplewood High, 1943

Our high school a capella choir was excellent. I felt privileged to be invited to participate. We harmonized beautifully.

Maplewood History: The Fascinating Willard McGregor

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This is my third and final post about the McGregor family.  If you’d like to refresh your memory, here are the links to the first and second posts. It’s hard to know where to quit with these folks.  So many of them are/were accomplished people. Doug McGregor who supplied most of the material for these posts had this to say about his grandfather and family.

Maplewood History: Remember the Fluetsches?

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Not to mention the Thomases, Halkers and Doughertys?  If any of those ring a bell you might find something familiar in the following email I recently received from Mrs. Janet Thomas Tigue. DH

Dear Mr. Houser,

I have read and enjoyed a number of your articles on the history of Maplewood.  Although I no longer live in the area and haven’t since 1967, my family roots are there.  My mother, Vera M. Thomas, nee Fluetsch, was born on Bartold Ave.

History

Maplewood History: No Colluding with the Rushin’

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Bill Jones is back with another of his priceless memories. After you read this story about an experience a female friend of Bill’s had, I think you’ll agree that when her date wanted to rush things, she was definitely not colluding. DH

“THE BEST LAID PLANS OF MICE AND MEN OFT GO AWRY”

We Maplewood kids were all good kids . Sexuality was never a discussion in my 4 years at Maplewood High and my close friend waited four decades before sharing
this tale with me. When a teenager, she met a tall young man at our Esquire Bowling Lanes and befriended him.

Doug Houser - Maplewood historian

Maplewood History: The McGregor Bakery and the Family Behind It

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A little over 11 months ago I created a post entitled, “A Serendipitous Encounter with the McGregor Family Home and History.” It turned out to be very popular. 46 comments.  Wish they all got that sort of attention. One of the very positive things that came about was that contact was made with some of the descendants of the Maplewood McGregors.  Through their family historian, Doug McGregor, and with input from other family members more information and historic photographs were gained. The task of an editor is deciding what to pass on and what “to leave on the cutting room floor” as Doug McGregor put it.

Maplewood History: A Message From Bill Jones

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I discovered this week that our favorite internet magazine, “40 South News”, courtesy of both Doug Miner, our editor and Doug Houser, our Maplewood historian, is faithfully read by our BJC Extended Care team of outstanding physical therapy instructors.  Their spokesman was Tim Fulte. They all read our little news letter and these classy medical professionals enjoy our “news”. While I was in therapy, Tim suddenly stood up and came across the excellent lab to where I was working out.  He asked, respectfully, “Are you the Billy Jones authoring these Harper Drugs/Ted’s Motors stories we enjoy?”

History

Maplewood History: “Angel’s Car” by Bill Jones

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Even though we’re two days early, I want to wish Bill Jones a Happy 91st Birthday!  He had his friends and family a bit worried by his recent trip to the hospital with chest pains.  I just got off the phone with him and I’m glad to report that he’s feeling better and seemed his usual jovial self.  He’s in rehab at the former county hospital (now BJC) today.  Bill, I know your fans at Maplewood History would all wish you to get well and return home as soon as possible. To our readers, “Angel’s Car” was written while he was in the hospital with help from his wife, Barb.  We don’t often get to hear stories like this one.  It’s a treasure as is he.  DH

 Angel’s Car

Last week Doug Houser gave you a rundown on who Ted Lazarcheff was.  Ted was important in my life.  He owned the northwest corner of Flora at Big Bend and had a bar/restaurant on the northwest corner of Flora.

History

Maplewood History: Once Upon A Time We Had A Temple

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Don’t it always seem to go
You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone? From “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell

The history of Freemasonry (whose practitioners call themselves Masons) is long and complicated. Google it. The list of famous members is also long and mostly male since the Masons were fraternal organizations for most of their history. George Washington was a Mason as were Mark Twain (in St.