I grew up above Hufnagel’s Bakery at 118th St and Michigan Ave, kitty corner from the Homestore. Reading about ice skating till late at night under playground lights behind Scanlan brought back fond memories.Thank goodness we could warm up in the field house otherwise I might have lost a few toes to frostbite. I still carry the scar where Jimmy Bonifito pushed me across a slick patch of ice and into a bench. Does anyone recall the pool? Or, the elaborate holiday bazaars at the school? We went to the Normal all the time, walking there via alleys which were filled with hollyhocks growing wildly around the garages. I saw MASH there like 4 times during the movie’s first run. A trip up the Dime Store or the Sky Hi would require running swiftly under the viaduct to avoid the junk yard, which was creepy and sinister, perhaps haunted. Every kid knew that. Once my sister got lost in Gately’s. She was found behind the men’s counter inside a glass cabinet. One summer, I discovered the cool stuff the local tap, Bob & Gerry’s, would toss out. Terrific bottles, crates and beer signs. Odd bedroom decor for an 8 year old. My greatest joy though (next to ice skating) was a trip to Ray’s and his marvelously stocked penny candy counter. Thank you for posting; wonderful to read other comments.
I grew up above Hufnagel’s Bakery at 118th St and Michigan Ave, kitty corner from the Homestore. Reading about ice skating till late at night under playground lights behind Scanlan brought back fond memories.Thank goodness we could warm up in the field house otherwise I might have lost a few toes to frostbite. I still carry the scar where Jimmy Bonifito pushed me across a slick patch of ice and into a bench. Does anyone recall the pool? Or, the elaborate holiday bazaars at the school? We went to the Normal all the time, walking there via alleys which were filled with hollyhocks growing wildly around the garages. I saw MASH there like 4 times during the movie’s first run. A trip up the Dime Store or the Sky Hi would require running swiftly under the viaduct to avoid the junk yard, which was creepy and sinister, perhaps haunted. Every kid knew that. Once my sister got lost in Gately’s. She was found behind the men’s counter inside a glass cabinet. One summer, I discovered the cool stuff the local tap, Bob & Gerry’s, would toss out. Terrific bottles, crates and beer signs. Odd bedroom decor for an 8 year old. My greatest joy though (next to ice skating) was a trip to Ray’s and his marvelously stocked penny candy counter. Thank you for posting; wonderful to read other comments.