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.

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: 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.

Doug Houser - Maplewood historian

Maplewood History: Ted’s Corner to Toasty Subs

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If you’re like me and get more emails than you can possibly read, then I want to say in this first sentence if you haven’t eaten yet at Toasty Subs, you need to get over there.  I don’t know how unusual it is but the menu includes toasty subs and sushi.  This suits my wife and I just fine.  On our recent visits the food has been excellent.  You can find the menu online very easily.

History

Maplewood History: Gender Confusion* at Maplewood High 1941

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Thinking back to my own high school years which all fell in the 1960’s, those were some pretty rough times.  Kids are cruel to each other.  If you had the typical teenage short sightedness which I certainly did, it can be tough to see past it. I hadn’t realized it until I started thinking about this latest information from our memoirist, Bill Jones, but back then regardless of age the women always wore skirts and dresses.  I think.

Doug Houser - Maplewood historian

Maplewood History: Crossing to Safety

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With apologies to Wallace Stegner, crossing to safety or more accurately, crossing safely as been an area of concern for railroad communities for a long while.  Generations have lived in close proximity to the railroad tracks.  Very many have lived right next to them and still do with unfenced yards. Though all sorts of constructions and devices have been created to protect folks from locomotives, now and then the unthinkable occurs. I have been aware of numerous near misses and catastrophes during the time I have lived just a half block or so from the tracks.