Volume 8 , Issue 10

Memories From NW Oklahoma...

We have heard more about WWII Prisoner of War memories this week from Charles Cook, in the Louisiana Bayou.

Remember the Rialto birthday parties at the Rialto theatre in Alva, OK when Homer Jones invited all the kids in town to a free afternoon, weekend movie for his son, Johnny's birthday. It was back in those old days when it cost a child 10-cents and an adult (12 years and older) 35-cents to go to the movie theatre. AND... what about those Saturday night previews (if you could stay up that late) at the Rialto theatre. Does anyone else remember those days of old?

Remember the "Groceteria" that was on Barnes Avenue, in the 600 block, southside of the street in what later became "Magnusons Grocery" after it was remodeled? Today that location houses the Senior Citizens Center.

Remember "Blakemores" located a block north of the square in the location of what later became the Ideal Grocery? What about the "East Side Market" located in the same block as the "Runnymede Hotel", east side of square, 4th Street. The "East Side Grocery" was the forerunner for the "Red Bud Supermarket."

How about "Mrs. Short's Grocery" that was located in the residential area between 2nd & 3rd Street near Longfellow School? Seems like there were lots of small residential grocery stores scattered. located throughout the residential area of Alva, Oklahoma when this writer was younger.

What about "Wahoo!" Remember playing "Wahoo" at the Rialto Theatre in Alva, Oklahoma in the early days? This writer doesn't have any memories or experience of "Wahoo." BUT... we understand it was similar to "Bingo" and played on Wednesday at the Rialto theatre in Alva, Oklahoma. We aren't for certain, but but we believe that Homer jones got local merchants to donate merchandise in exchange for advertising during the event.

All this from what we learned from those who left comments in last week's OkieLegacy ezine. You can visit, read those comments in the Mailbag Corner under "The Rest of the Story."
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