Sunday, September 28, 2003

Requiem for the Esquire I grew up at 1340 South State, less than 100 yards from the Esquire Theatre. It was one of 3 suburban movie houses run by the Kerasotes family: others were the Southtown, at 11th and South Grand, and Northside (I think) at 9th and North Grand. They all showed double-features of second-run movies. I spent many a dreary winter afternoon at the Esquire, taking in the Saturday matinee: one quarter covered admission (14 cents), popcorn (10 cents) and a gumball (1 cent). What were the movies? Check out Turner Classic Movies on your cable system and watch anything dated 1948-58. As central Springfield died out, the downtown movie theatres (Orpheum, Roxy, Fox-Lincoln, Senate) closed and the suburban theatres expanded. The Esquire became a multi-screen complex with a huge parking lot, clearing all the house lots between State and Macarthur. For a while it prospered, but I noticed on my return visits that it often had to resort to Buck Nights and giveaways to draw customers. For a few years, Diane Gurgens Urbanckas was my neighbor on State, and she also remembers the old Esquire fondly. Now, she writes me, the theatre is changing once more: "I thought you might like to know that the good old Esquire is finally closing. Kerasotes has opened up a brand-spanking new theatre. It is called ShowPlace West 12 and is advertised as "never a blocked view," "all digital sound," and "curved screens reach floor to ceiling and wall to wall." "That means no more switching seats when that big guy sits right down in front of you, and no more being able to hear without first putting in earplugs. It also means no more deja vu of the Green Hornet, Roy Rogers and a few other things. Ahhhh, progress. Think I'll go rent an old movie." 9:37:47 PM    comment []

Moving with Sharon and Jack Jack and I really had a great time at the class reunion in July. Even though we were in the process of moving, we were happy to take time out to renew friendships with old friends and see our previous homes and schools. I know that you all on the committee put in many hours and worked very hard to put on such a nice affair. I certainly do appreciate your hard work. We have finally moved and are in the process of getting organized in our new home. We are in a new area so do not know any folks here but are looking forward to meeting friends. We have a new e-mail address and wanted you to have in on file for the next big reunion. Sharon (Tietz) and Jack Paine 15108 Aquarius Circle Port Charlotte, FL 33981 941-697-3865 painejs@earthlink.net Reminder: please send all address changes to Will, Keith, or Judy. When I receive them, I post updates on the website Directory promptly. 8:58:44 PM    comment []

Sailing with Pat and Dave I still am telling everyone here how much fun the reunion was. Getting reacquainted with you was delightful. Our two-month sailing trip from Baltimore to Bar Harbor, ME was great: I describe it as a fabulous Outward Bound experience. The fact we survived two months on our 35-foot Beneteau sailboat is a testimony to Dave's patience and good will! The trip home out in the ocean along the New Jersey coast was a bit wild with the effects of Hurricane Fabian. We got home just in time to prepare the boat for Isabel. The 8 foot surge (above high tide) did incredible damage to homes and marinas at the mouth of Middle River. We are at the source of the river and came within ten inches of disaster. Our marina survived. Exciting times! Pat Flamm Crowner: dandpcrowner@earthlink.net 8:47:11 PM    comment []

Suggestion for 50th: A Souvenir Ornament Diane Gurgens Urbanckas commented below: "Just an idea, but I think it might be nice to have a Christmas ornament made commemorating the SHS 50th for all attendees. It would be something I would certainly cherish." I think one of our classmates makes ornamental glass products: is it Lois Gibson Hart? If not, does anyone know of a source for this kind of souvenir? 1:22:43 AM    comment []

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