Do you remember?

Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 7:56 PM CDT

old as dirt

just thinking about the years gone by. See if you remember any of these...Grapette drink, taps on shoes (weren't we cool?), Mr Henry's shoe repair shop on Robertson Street, red boudin, The Specialty Store, The NILA theater, Mr. Toffie Ackal's store, Sputnik, Pelican Creamery, all the M&M Drive Inns, coon skin caps made famous by Davey Crockett, the Pat Boone white shoes, Latin Catholic mass, & Mr. Mac's Mirror Room. Television shows like Pinky Lee, Rin-Tin-Tin, Commando Cody, Howdy Doody, Sea Hunt, Whirlybirds, Sky King, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans, and many more. Just reminiscing...Feel free to jump in.

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Trent wood wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:48 PM:

" Remember when Wayne Street was gravel and the Hungry House on Parkview. Elizabeth Forgey 1st to 8th grade at one school. Mr. Gonsolin was principle. "

old as dirt wrote on Jun 12, 2009 3:14 PM:

" remember the Burma Shave signs, Studebakers, Nash Ramblers, Speedy Alka-Seltzer, The Honeymooners, (One of these days....), The Frostop Drive Inn, The Casablanca, sneaking into the drive-in theater in the trunk, Brown's Bar, turning the crank on the ice cream churn, watermelon rind fights, and walking the streets anytime, day or night, and not fearing for your life. "

old as dirt wrote on Jun 12, 2009 3:03 PM:

" the bus behind Fred's shell was where the card game was going on. "

been there done that wrote on Jun 11, 2009 4:59 AM:

" Saturday mornings where the Dixie Doodle was the place to gather. Rennis & George (state troopers) visiting and handing out advice. Fred's Shell station (next door) that was taken over by Arthur Pellerin who would fix a flat on an aluminum rim. At the edge of town was Dauterive Marine with Fortier's Boat works (Teche Craft wooden hulls) on Weeks Island Rd "

remembers when wrote on Jun 11, 2009 12:31 AM:

" I remember Burger Chef's delicious, bubble crusted, crunchy apple pies that were deep fried in animal fat....yummy! I remember everybody in school running as fast as they could to get Ice Cream at Susan Terrell Elementary School (now North St. Elem). Getting poison ivy every summer from playing in the woods in the neighborhood, then paying for the fun with two weeks of itching and calamine lotion...but it was always worth it. Do kids still have the opportunity to get poison ivy in New Iberia? I don't think many do and that's a crying shame! "

Maureen wrote on Jun 10, 2009 5:05 PM:

" "Remember the Sugar Cane Festival parade, Mangels Dept Store and the Greyhound Bus Station where the soda was only 10 cents. Also on Saturdays, the family would spend all day on Main Street shopping with the last trip to the A&P."

BEAUTIFUL TIMES! "

JoLisa M wrote on Jun 9, 2009 8:54 PM:

" I also remember never feeling afraid in the 60s, at least right before things got crazy. Loved eating at the M&M Drive Inn, and think they still had the best hamburgers ever. I used to go to both Viator's and Segura's market, but switched to Winn-Dixie after I got married. My in-laws asked me to go back to the neighborhood groceries to support them (my father-in-law played cards in the back of Viator's) so I did. I loved Abdalla's and going to the drive-in. We always bought a mosquito coil which worked "sort of". Am glad I'm not a modernkid! "

old as dirt wrote on Jun 9, 2009 2:20 PM:

" yeah, I remember the Center street area businesses, Gary's drugstore downtown, & the Colonial theater next door. I have fond memories of my 3 years at the old New Iberia High on Center st. The old study hall, old Bahon Gym, going to 'The Donut Shop', going to Ozenne's grocery for lunch. We didn't have air conditioning, but we didn't know any better. The last year was in the 'new' school and that was altogether different. Just wasn't the same. "

Lisa wrote on Jun 9, 2009 10:59 AM:

" You people are to much fun!!!
Just to go back in time for a little while is so refreshing!! Thanks for the stroll!!!! "

Gladys Giarratano wrote on Jun 9, 2009 9:52 AM:

" i remember Gary's Drug Stoe...Cherry Coke and Ice Cream floats the best in the world....And the Essance Theather next door... My cousins and I would play up and down the stair behind Gary's...It was some of the greatest time of my childhood. I remember my Pappa Gary havng people come to the house with sick children.R.I.P. Mr & Mrs. Sidney Gary...owner of Gary's Drug Store.... "

Cindy D wrote on Jun 8, 2009 6:36 PM:

" There was Abdalla's, Wormser's and Ackels on Main street for ready to wear sold by elderly ladies and shoes sold by men who measured your feet and then went into the storeroom to get the shoes. And down the street was The Specialty store with the oiled oak floors and lots and lots of bolts of fabric. The radio ad was "Your dollar buys more at the Specialty Store, the Specialty store...." "

SO wrote on Jun 5, 2009 8:23 PM:

" Yes, I do remember those aluminum tumbler sets. My grandmother had the small sized (8 oz.) ones and my mom had the larger ones. We had the pitcher and tray as well. The lip on those aluminum tumblers were the perfect size for donuts. My grandmother would make homemade donuts and she would use those tumblers to cut out the donuts. She also used a thimble to cut out the hole of the donut. Those were the good old days. And, I remember helping my uncle milk cows the old fashioned way. What fun!!! "

Center Street wrote on Jun 5, 2009 10:48 AM:

" Anybody remember LaPorte's Snowball stand(D&M, I think) south of Center and Dale, Sam Napoli's Barber shop corner of Center and Harriet, buying penny candy at Ackal's Store corner of Dale and Center, being able to play pick-up baseball or football on the Pesson Elementary School grounds or the old NISH grounds before fences and liability worries, Evan's Grocery store corner of Center and Hacker, hamburgers and nectar drinks at David's Drive in around where Superior Motors is today? Nice area to grow up in the 50's and 60's. "

Interesting wrote on Jun 5, 2009 9:38 AM:

" old as dirt,
I remember the dances at the Teenage Center on Friday nights. Those days were really great days to have lived through. We were so fortunate to have a place to go to for entertainment and great local talented bands that played for our dancing entertainment. I was one that lived on that dance floor all night long. What wonderful memories of those days. Too sad that the kids today have nothing for entertainment. We should be counting our blessings we were allowed back in the day. "

old as dirt wrote on Jun 5, 2009 7:44 AM:

" Oh yeah, I do remember the dances on Friday nights at the teenage center. The highlight of most teenagers social life in the '60's. Does anyone remember those aluminum tumbler sets that came in lots of colors? there were about 8 tumblers, a pitcher, & a tray that all fit on. I also remember having a Hopalong Cassidy glass that I drank my milk from. "

BDB wrote on Jun 4, 2009 11:20 PM:

" How about the dances at the Teen Age Center in the 1960's? We were so priviledged to have good bands there every weekend. I feel sorry for the kids of today because they seem to have no safe place to go to have fun. And yes, the creme sodas at Gary's Pharmacy was a real treat- we thought we were big stuff when we could sit at the counter and order one of these. The worse thing we did was go to the "Echo" when we were supposed to be at the Essanee! "

DAVID wrote on Jun 4, 2009 1:04 PM:

" Remember th French House restaurant on the corner of Main and Lewis . Victor's Cafe on Main when the tour buses would show up and create a long line , But the food was well worth the wait My guess the food is still awesome . Deare's Drive In had the best hot dogs . "

Sherry wrote on Jun 4, 2009 8:54 AM:

" I remember all of the neighbor kids, including myself, playing ball in the middle of Julia Street and no one had a problem with it. And, the first flat nosed school bus #44 was parked across the street from us and we thought that was the coolest thing ever. "

Janice wrote on Jun 4, 2009 12:39 AM:

" Can anyone remember the name of the bakery on the west end of main street? They made the best date macaroons I have ever tasted. "

David wrote on Jun 3, 2009 3:52 PM:

" The drive-in theater may have been named ECHO Drive in . Car load of people with one window mount speaker and a super large screen . Remember the TG&Y discount store . Remember the Billups gas station on Center Street ? "

Dan wrote on Jun 3, 2009 3:08 PM:

" What was the name of the drive in movie theatre? We used to drive over from Franklin to see the movies. "

old as dirt wrote on Jun 3, 2009 2:34 PM:

" To Grandma- Admiral Doyle Drive was known as 40 Arpent Rd. I also remember seeing most streets in New Iberia going from gravel to pavement. "

David wrote on Jun 3, 2009 1:40 PM:

" 1977 Senior High class motto :
For yesterday is but a dream
and tomorrow is only a vision.
But today well lived makes yesterday
a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope . "

David wrote on Jun 3, 2009 1:36 PM:

" How About the Seaux Grocery Store on Center Street near the Motel . Bought a top (Throwable spin toy ) for less then a quarter . There was a season for Yo-Yo's , tops , marbles . Cinnamon toothpicks , Cinnamon square shooter candy on a stick . How about the corn suckers candy some with a coin surprise inside . How about the brown paper grocery bags . Cigar boxes for pencils at school . Isn't it good to be able to remember things of yesteryear . What will the youth of today have to remember tomorrow ? "

old as dirt wrote on Jun 3, 2009 11:39 AM:

" Who doesn't remember Bob's Bar behind the train depot? (behind where Voorhies is now.) "

old as dirt wrote on Jun 3, 2009 11:36 AM:

" I remember when the Burger Chef opened for business with the 15 cent burger, the Jax Beer distributor, & when KANE was above the D. H. Castille building. And going to the Evangeline or the Essanee theaters for 15 cents to see the beach movies with Frankie & Annette. Also, my older brother would take me to see the Vincent Price horror movies and I'd cover my eyes at the really scary parts... "

skinnylady wrote on Jun 3, 2009 9:46 AM:

" I remember the Pelican Creamery had a window you could walk up to and order an ice cream cone. Does anyone remember the wonderful snowballs from the shop on St. Peter St. that also sold raw oysters. You could get a large snowball made from shaved ice and homemade syrup. They sold snowballs and oysters The take home containers would hold oysters or snowballs! "

Anna wrote on Jun 2, 2009 2:30 PM:

" I can remember going to the dentist to have some cavities filled and my dad brought me to the store on Iberia St. that had a diner/ice cream bar (it's hard to remember, it was a long time ago), and he bought me ice cream and a toy for being good for my appointment. Everytime I pass by that place, I think about my dad. "

JP wrote on Jun 2, 2009 1:47 PM:

" While living on Rosalie Street, we walked through Theda Ewing school's playground and went to Norris' store on Hopkins to buy wax red lips, wax Coca Cola bottles, wax pan flutes and tons of candy necklaces. After getting the sugar-high, we walked to Randy's Record Shop and went into the booth and played records; we never bought anything but they were always nice enough to let us play the records. We made sure we had 26 cents left over to buy a fresh hot french bread from Suire's Bakery on Rosalie Street. Ah the memories! "

Ivan wrote on Jun 2, 2009 12:55 PM:

" The Specialty Store was located where the Lopresto / Roy Law firm is located on Main Street, the corner of French and Main, right across the street from the old Taylor Drug Store and David's Furniture Store. Taylors First Drug Store was where KXKC used to be, the white brick building on the corner. Taylor's New Drug Store is where the Methodist / Drug Court building is on St. Peter Street. "

special wrote on Jun 1, 2009 4:52 PM:

" What about the Specialty Store? Think that was somewhere where the Gougenheim is located as well. "

Barbara wrote on May 31, 2009 10:40 AM:

" How about going to the movies at the Essene? Wasn't that the greatest? Or, how about hanging out at the teardrop on a Fri or Sat night in the park? "

just a baby wrote on May 30, 2009 6:47 AM:

" While I am way too young to remember most of these things, it's so nice to see a positive forum for a change. Thanks to whoever started this! "

Iggy wrote on May 29, 2009 3:17 PM:

" How about Gary's Drug Store...right about where the Gazebo is in the downtown parking lot..there was a "kids' nightclub above it...think it was called "The Place"...Roger Cavaness from KANE Radio ran that thing, I believe..saw the sixties group "The Music Machine" there!
The Auto Lec Store in Torrido Village..the New Iberia Little League Ball Park at the end of Louise Street...Morgan and Lindsey store where The Gougenheim is now. "

Almost as old as dirt wrote on May 29, 2009 3:07 PM:

" Does anyone remember the tiki hut,
omelet shop and pit grill? We went to the
omelet shop early morning so much;
The cook(Marliyn) knew exactly what
we wanted. Never had to place an order. "

BAM Contd wrote on May 28, 2009 4:20 PM:

" One day my dad dropped us off and gave us each a dollar. Man those hot dogs were good. I always wonder if he
just didn't know the routine or if he wanted to do something special for us. I
know one thing, when he gave us the
money I kept my mouth shut. "

BAM wrote on May 28, 2009 4:11 PM:

" My mother would drop my little brother and I off at the movie theater after Sunday lunch on rainy days. She would
give each of us a quarter. It was fifteen
cents to get in. We would look through the glass counter at the nickle candies. A coke was ten cents and popcorn was also ten cents. I wondered how those
hot dogs going roung and round would taste. Finally one of us would buy a coke and the other popcorn and we would share. "

F Delcambre wrote on May 26, 2009 7:02 PM:

" I remember when we wanted to make some money to do something special and didn't want to ask mom and dad for it because it was for them. All we had to do was collect coke bottles to get a nickel each, and make pot holders to sell to neighbors who always supported the kids when they worked hard to make a little money. Then there was the A&P in the Iberia strip mall (now Simoneaud's) to do bottle returns and down from there was the local five and dime, TG&Y for the gift if we didn’t make enough$$$ "

Fifty something wrote on May 26, 2009 6:07 PM:

" I even remember when Main Street was a two way street. Remember that?

I even remember the Latin Mass and those chapel veils which I absolutely hated. "

brendamj wrote on May 26, 2009 5:57 PM:

" I remember my roller skate key worn around our neck, watching ants busy themselves along a hot , cracked sidewalk, homemade popcycles, runing errands for neighbors for a nickel, Sunday mass with head covering on, 2 for a penny cookies, store entrance cow bell to announce my coming and going, Saturday catechism lessons, reverence for adults and authority, Ahhh, those were indeed the days! "

David wrote on May 26, 2009 2:30 PM:

" Remember when the youth treated the older folk with respect because they thought it was the right thing to do ? "

What-a-time wrote on May 26, 2009 1:07 PM:

" For those of us in Jeanerette, remember Paul's Lounge. I first had a drink there when I was only 15. It caught fire in November 1959 and was ready for business by Christmas and New Years. "

Remembering When wrote on May 26, 2009 7:27 AM:

" Do you remember the milk man delivering milk to your house when you were a kid? I do. They had the creamiest cottage cheese. My mom would serve me a bowl of that creamy cottage cheese with milk, sugar, and marachino cherries. "

Forty Something wrote on May 26, 2009 6:15 AM:

" I loved watching Elvis Presley movies, Tom Jones singing on T.V, and then dancers and music on American Bandstand hosted by DickClark.

We always watched the Buckskin Bill show, and Captain Kangaroo, in the morning on channel 10 out of Lafayette.

It was a big deal to us as kids when we finally got a color T.V. set, like our grandparents had. It was also a big deal to us when we got Cable.

The Carroll Burnette Show was so funny. I would laugh so hard that I would sometimes have tears streaming-down-my-face. "

avid reader wrote on May 25, 2009 2:16 PM:

" Guess I am not old as dirt because I don't remember ANY of that stuff! "

Grandma wrote on May 25, 2009 4:27 AM:

" Remember when .W. St. Peter St. ended at Lewis St.? And S. Lewis St was a narrow gravel road through the woods that was a kind of shortcut to Adm. Doyle Dr. It wasn't named Adm Doyle then and I don't know if it was even blacktopped.
How about the fruit stand across from The Shadows? "

DAVID wrote on May 24, 2009 12:38 PM:

" Remember when black and white television shows and photographs were the norm and color TV and pictures were a luxury . Returnable soft drink bottles could be traded for cash to purchase important stuff such as candy and gum or whatever . Rembember Landy's Donut Shop on Center Street . "

Sam Gillett wrote on May 23, 2009 11:52 PM:

" I remember watching Little Rascals and The Three Stooges on weekday afternoons on the TV station out of Lafayette. That was back in the early 1960's when New Iberia was a really good place to be. "

Doris wrote on May 23, 2009 2:47 PM:

" Anybody remember the little train that ran near the rec center in City Park? "

To ZZRider wrote on May 22, 2009 7:00 PM:

" Was the pharmacy on the corner of Landry Drive and Jane Street? I remember a pharmacy there where we could sit at the old time Coca Cola bar and get an old fashioned Coca Cola in Coca Cola glasses. I have fond memories of that place. "

Butch wrote on May 22, 2009 3:07 PM:

" What about "DUCK'S DRIVE INN" on Parkview? That was probably the safest place in town for the high school kids to "hang around" in. My parents never worried when we told them we were "Going to Duck's"! "

Charlie wrote on May 22, 2009 2:49 PM:

" I remember when radio stations had more contests. I was working at KANE when we gave the last clue for a contest and too many people showed up at the same time to claim the one prize. I can't remember how we determined the winner. "

ZZRIDERR wrote on May 22, 2009 1:40 PM:

" I remember Mr. cooper pharmacy, riding the red truck to the pepper fields, Mr. cola soda,sundays at Iran,sheriff league in the west end park,homemade ice ceam,making kites outa newspaper and using flour and water for paste, pop guns outa bamboo, red skelton, the blackhawks girls softball, peeping thru the fence to see how good catholic high football was, could'nt beat Henderson :). its so nice when we can remember the goood, try to erase the bad and make the future better for ALL, PEACE "

old as dirt wrote on May 22, 2009 9:37 AM:

" yeah, i remember Fizzies, how about the penny box of 2 chiclets? What about the Dixie Doodle & Dixie Doodle Too? I used to love Tang drink mix. I didn't like the smell of burning feathers when dad killed & plucked the chickens and burned the remaining down feathers. But I loved the chicken stew & fried chicken. Yeah, I remember also the days of innocence when one could walk the streets in safety...anyone! Never see that again for sure. such a shame. "

Forty Something wrote on May 22, 2009 8:20 AM:

" I eagerly looked forward to watching Gilligan's Island after school, except when it was interrupted for a while by all of the "Watergate hearings" stuff on TV. I loved staying up late with the lights turned off to watch the scary Doctor Shock Theater movies while eating popcorn on blankets in the living room with my family. We also stayed up late to watch The Midnight Special show with various musical performers that was hosted by Wolfman Jack. We had fun listening to the Dr. Demento Show on the radio with all of the wacky songs. "

How about ..... wrote on May 21, 2009 8:01 PM:

" "Fizzies" .... These were sweet tart looking "pills" that were put in a glass of water and it fizzed into one of the best tasting drinks ever. My mom used to buy these for us when we were kids. "

Remember when wrote on May 21, 2009 6:56 PM:

" Woolco and watching American Graffitti at the movies - it was a packed house. "

Doris wrote on May 21, 2009 4:09 PM:

" Also the S & H trading stamps you could redeem for GREAT items in Torrido Village. "

stewart maturin wrote on May 21, 2009 3:17 PM:

" I remember walking and riding my bike all the way down Hopkins St. at night without a thing to worry about. I used to deliver The Advertiser at 3 AM on Sunday mornings down Field, Pershing Sts. and not being afraid.
The good old days. I sure do miss them. "

time goes slowly wrote on May 21, 2009 2:31 PM:

" Remember the wooden nickels burger chef gave away for product when they first opened. the ivey plants j w lowes gave away across the bayou in Mr Allen Daigres building. Roberts Lounge inside the Frederick Hotel.Stafford Landrys Trampolines on Main St.Valomilk candy and blue horse notebooks you saved the coupons for free stuff. solid easter candy.putt putt golf at the dixie doodle courts. those were the days. as a paper boy when you signed up a new customer you pulled out a chip from a cigar box to determine your cash prize. this was at the dailyiberian "

old as dirt wrote on May 21, 2009 11:14 AM:

" to Kim B. That does remind me of the earlier venture of Bob Denver (Gilligan). I remember the Dobie Gillis show around the early 60's. He played a beatnik (early name for hippie) that was allergic to work and played the bongo drums. "

I remember too wrote on May 21, 2009 10:18 AM:

" How about riding a bicycle from one side of NI to the other, to play baseball behind the "Stop and Shop". I did it every day.
My kids weren't allowed leave our street. "

John B. wrote on May 21, 2009 9:02 AM:

" Some of you may remember the " The Silver Hut " it was on Center Street arcoss from where Arceneaux Ford is. It was set way back off the road and was great for hamburgers etc. Remember the Pelican Auction at the Evangeline Theater. You could bid on prizes using bottle tops from Pelican Creamery milk bottles. Pie Mannina who lived next to the Pelican Creamery won often. "

I remember wrote on May 20, 2009 11:13 PM:

" It shows my age, but I remember all of it. How innocent and free things were in those days. Little kids could walk the streets for blocks to play with their friends. Now they don't really know their neighbors. I will always regret that my grandchildren won't ever know life as it used to be. Houses didn't have fences and we walked through yards to take shortcuts to the next street. The village watched out for all the children.
Thank you for the memories. "

Kim B wrote on May 20, 2009 9:10 PM:

" Dont forget Gilligan's Island. "

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