Sunday, April 19, 2009

Lost Icon

The angle on this one is interesting, I think... that's about it though. Where have all the people gone? This is the site of the first McDonald's Restaurant in the city. It became one of the first unofficial 'hangouts' for teens in the mid-Sixties. By 10PM most summer nights, the parking lot was packed with kids moving from car to car renewing old acquaintances and making new ones. P's maroon, Buick Wildcat was what we cruised in mostly. Big, and fast, with a powerful engine under the hood, we'd back into a parking space, buy 15¢ burgers and 11¢ fries, and think we had the world 'on the end of a string'. Now, when I look down on this 'ghost town', I wonder why the parking lot needed to be expanded to four times it size while it stays perpetually empty. Most of these establishments serve families these days, on the prowl for a relatively 'cheap' meal. It's devoid of teens- gone forever, a relic of a lost era.
* Note: about six or seven years later, I met my wife-to-be on Deering Avenue, and the rest is history. It's been a GREAT ride, E-. Today, Happy Anniversary to us! Can you say 34? I know you can!

6 comments:

  1. Happy Anniversary. Hope it's a great day and a great year. By the way, where are all the teens hanging out now?

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  2. Have a WONDERFUL anniversary! Birdman, I hope that you and E. have 34 more terrific years together!! Have a great day!

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  3. Happy Anniversary! Your bride must be special to let you post a picture of Mickey D's for your anniversary:)

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  4. Marchin O'NeachtainApril 19, 2009 at 10:47 PM

    Happy Anniversary Birdman! Didn't you and your bride go to Micky D's on your very first date?

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  5. No, Marchin.....we went to the Village Cafe!! First time I ever laid eyes on a fried clam. A little weird, I thought, frying a clam. And, Clueless, after 34 years with me, he deserves to do whatever he wants to!
    (Well, almost...)
    Happy Anniversary to the love of my life.

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  6. This picture makes me hungry ~me

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