Easter Parade on Eastern Ave., Vol. 1, No. 3, April 23, 1944

EASTER HAS KUM AND WINT (sic). The beauty of the local belles was greatly enhanced by the galaxy of colors that made Easter more beautiful than those of old.

One's memory can go to a not so distant Easter when one color predominated for the Easter holiday. This years the colors that were the envy of a dozen rainbows gave vent to a pent up war emotion that only the clever display that was exercised did justice. Personally, I believe that the flowers of the forest and the birds of the air were jealous of the clever contrasts that were seen on the Avenue throughout the day. And as far as the old man was concerned, well, he had that necktie that he lacked courage to wear last Christmas. He received the Easter greeting from his many friends over a large beer and a hearty "Hello you big egg." But such has been the custom for many a moon.

Can you remember when a new pair of shoes or a new hat was a hell of a big Easter as far as the male populace was concerned? Now with so many of the gang wearing their GI finery, I imagine we will have to wait until the whole damn thing is over to see a real old-fashioned Blue Room Easter Parade. Ah, how my memory serves me as I recall the two boys from the Knob tripping from the hill decked out like Ned in the third reader, and as the day wore on, you would find the older one getting more and more decorated. When the shades of night had finally settled, he would be lit up like a new church.

Those, my good friends, are the Easters that rate top mention in my hit parade. Bring back the day when not one certain fellow of the gang got corked, but the ones that stayed sober got hell.

Till that day comes, we will have to content ourselves by taking the proverbial bunny for a whirl till the rest of the gang gets home. Then we can really shove him for a loss. So get on the ball, and when the next Easter comes, there will be an Easter Parade of merit at the old Opera House.

Along the Avenue - Vol. 1, No. 2, March 4, 1944

Photo Credit: Mark Phara via Mary Pharo Meldon
and Bryan Phillips

Father Dillon says there won't be an Opera House Club (name given to patron's of Pharo's Cafe) when this is over. It will be an American Legion Post or the like.

Old Lenny Wuertz (Pappy Norris' friend) is confined to one of our local hospitals. Lenny had to have a leg amputated. Condition: Not so good.

Just a point of information, Charlie Reisch's barber shop is still vacant in case any of you birds want to open a shop when you return.

Jack Combs is still doing business at the same old stand. Pappy Hogan and Camp Hungry are still very proud of the Service Men's Honor Roll. They erected it on the lot next to Matthew's grocery.Yeah, your name is on it.

Daley's Cafe had a large display of Valentines on Feb.14th, a throw back of an old Blue Room custom. Our two local druggists, Prinzbach and J. Harry, Sr. are still caring for the medical wants of the neighborhood.

Fisher's grocery is still just as handy as ever, but it doesn't help the gang when they want a snack now and then. No ration points, no beans.

Photo Credit:  Joe "Wimpy" Fischer in front of Fisher's Grocery
Made available by Mark Pharo by way of Bryan Phillips
From the Collection of Mary Pharo Meldon

Remember When . . . Vol. 1, No. 1, Monday, January 24, 1944

Remember when we used to have the 500 tournaments every Monday night . . . the Hey You would make its run up the Ohio River on Sunday afternoon with the crew and a KEG aboard . . . Bendel Al and Ace Change played the marble machine . . . the railroads used to run an excursion to South Bend . . . the Blue Room would be so crowded on Saturday night that some of the patrons had to sit on beer cases . . . they used to lock up at 1 A.M. and "take off" . . . the Opera House Club had picnics.

If any of you birds have any "Remember Whens" send them to us for our next edition.  We'll print 'em.