08-14-2009
( Reply#: 3559 ) |
Tom J |
I know it has been mentioned somewhere in here, but where was Kelly's? Was it real close to the Pow Wow? Seems like maybe they were right next to each other or almost right next to each other.
Tom |
08-14-2009
( Reply#: 3560 ) |
S C Jones |
Kelly's was on the South west corner of 169th and Indianapolis Blvd---owned by Nicholas Kikolous. I was a carhop there the summer of 1956. Nicks wife, Helen and her brother, whose name I can't remember worked the kitchen when I carhopped there.
quote:
Originally posted by Tom J
I know it has been mentioned somewhere in here, but where was Kelly's? Was it real close to the Pow Wow? Seems like maybe they were right next to each other or almost right next to each other.
Tom
|
08-14-2009
( Reply#: 3562 ) |
Tom J |
Thanks, SC. |
08-14-2009
( Reply#: 3563 ) |
S C Jones |
You are most welcome, Tom Jquote:
Originally posted by Tom J
Thanks, SC.
Grand Park Subdivision 1940-1961 Boondocks of Hessville! |
08-14-2009
( Reply#: 3564 ) |
BobK |
And Pow Wow was on 169th just west of Kennedy.
Bob
[img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img] |
08-14-2009
( Reply#: 3565 ) |
Paddy |
I didn't own a car back then, but I was lucky enough to know several people who did. I visited Kellys regularly as a passenger. It was a great gathering spot for high schoolers, and was also the place for car nuts to show off their customized rides. Funny, I can't remember the names of the car owners but I sure remember their cars. One guy had a '56 or '57 Plymouth coupe, the one with the huge flared rear fenders. He had converted it to a street rod and it was one powerful ride.
When our first astronauts described the huge rumble they felt when when they soared into space atop their rockets, I thought to myself, "I felt the same way riding in that Plymouth." |
08-14-2009
( Reply#: 3566 ) |
S C Jones |
Yes, that is correct, Bob. The POW WOW had a great tomato burger! And I was a carhop there the summer after my freshman year in college.
quote:
Originally posted by BobK
And Pow Wow was on 169th just west of Kennedy.
Bob
[img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
Grand Park Subdivision 1940-1961 Boondocks of Hessville! |
08-15-2009
( Reply#: 3576 ) |
Carol |
Still got that great "long term" going, Bob! I was a carhop at the Pow Wow in the summer of '57 and the summer of '58 at Kelly's. All the "modified cars" parked at the fence and when all their lights came on at the same time, you knew a race was on. |
08-15-2009
( Reply#: 3582 ) |
Carol |
quote:
Originally posted by S C Jones
Kelly's was on the South west corner of 169th and Indianapolis Blvd---owned by Nicholas Kikolous. I was a carhop there the summer of 1956. Nicks wife, Helen and her brother, whose name I can't remember worked the kitchen when I carhopped there.
quote:
Originally posted by Tom J
I know it has been mentioned somewhere in here, but where was Kelly's? Was it real close to the Pow Wow? Seems like maybe they were right next to each other or almost right next to each other.
Tom
|
08-15-2009
( Reply#: 3583 ) |
Carol |
Hi, S C. Looks like you were at Kellys just before my tenure. I met Nick & his son about 10 years (maybe a little more) having a drink at Jonnathan's in Highland. I recognized him, he didn't me. Imagine that! I can't remember his son's name, but he was at the drivein alot when I worked there. Helen would take him home and then Nick became Nick. |
08-16-2009
( Reply#: 3587 ) |
Pro2am |
Right next to The Serenade drive-in. We lived at 6912 Magoun Ave. from 1954 to early 1962. I remember both drive-ins, but The Serenade is the one that really stands out. In the Summer they used to pipe mucic through outside loudspeakers. This was probably my introduction to the pop music of that era.
Kelly's is now the site of Nick's Liquors, and The Serenade, the NW Indiana health-care clinic.
Mike Rapchak Jr.
=======================
quote:
Originally posted by S C Jones
Kelly's was on the South west corner of 169th and Indianapolis Blvd---owned by Nicholas Kikolous. I was a carhop there the summer of 1956. Nicks wife, Helen and her brother, whose name I can't remember worked the kitchen when I carhopped there.
quote:
Originally posted by Tom J
I know it has been mentioned somewhere in here, but where was Kelly's? Was it real close to the Pow Wow? Seems like maybe they were right next to each other or almost right next to each other.
Tom
|
08-16-2009
( Reply#: 3590 ) |
BobK |
I forgot about Serenade.
Bob
[img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img] |
08-16-2009
( Reply#: 3591 ) |
Carol |
I forgot the name of the drive in next to Kelly's also. But I remember somebody got his gas & brake mixed up, jumped the sidewalk and ended up inside. |
08-16-2009
( Reply#: 3594 ) |
Carol |
Hey, S C, do you remember two sisters that worked at Kelly's. I think at least one of them did when you were there. She was tall, very thin, jet-black hair and very pale skin. I think her name might have been Brenda, but I'm not sure. She had a southern accent and walked very s-l-o-w-l-y. She wouldn't walk faster if her hair was on fire! She was Nick's favorite at the time. |
08-17-2009
( Reply#: 3596 ) |
S C Jones |
quote:
Originally posted by Carol
Hey, S C, do you remember two sisters that worked at Kelly's. I think at least one of them did when you were there. She was tall, very thin, jet-black hair and very pale skin. I think her name might have been Brenda, but I'm not sure. She had a southern accent and walked very s-l-o-w-l-y. She wouldn't walk faster if her hair was on fire! She was Nick's favorite at the time.
Grand Park Subdivision 1940-1961 Boondocks of Hessville! |
08-17-2009
( Reply#: 3597 ) |
S C Jones |
Hi Carol, I do not remember the person you describe. In fact, I can't remember any of the girls who worked there when I did. I was more interested in the guys who came to show off their cars! There were some really great guys who were gentlemen, too--they would not have wanted their buddies to know that. They acted tough and COOL, but all I met and dated were good guys I am sure went on to be great men in their own right.
You are right about that being good money in the 50's. I didn't work the whole summer, but I earned enough to get a lot of new clothes for my Senior year.
quote:
Originally posted by Carol
Hey, S C, do you remember two sisters that worked at Kelly's. I think at least one of them did when you were there. She was tall, very thin, jet-black hair and very pale skin. I think her name might have been Brenda, but I'm not sure. She had a southern accent and walked very s-l-o-w-l-y. She wouldn't walk faster if her hair was on fire! She was Nick's favorite at the time.
Grand Park Subdivision 1940-1961 Boondocks of Hessville!
[/quote]
Grand Park Subdivision 1940-1961 Boondocks of Hessville! |
08-17-2009
( Reply#: 3598 ) |
Carol |
SC, hi again. You're right, alot of the guys would have "died" if their friends knew how gentlemanly they really were. I dated a few myself. I thought Brenda (or whoever) worked there forever but maybe not. It's still great memories! |
12-21-2009
( Reply#: 4248 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Here's an old Kelly's picture----well, sort of. This classic photo shows my older brother Mike (also of Sheptalk fame-on the left) and me
(right) in the summer of 1955. We were standing in front of our great old house at 6912 Magoun Ave--directly 1 block WEST of Kelly's--which is unfortunately not visible in this pic. Notice the unfinished apartment buildings across the street; I recall that there was much concern in the neighborhood that these apartments would attract undesired low-life into our area, which fortunately did not occur--the folks who moved in were mostly retirees. Kelly's would have been directly in BACK of these apartments.
Larry r
[IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/55Summer.jpg[/IMG]
|
12-22-2009
( Reply#: 4249 ) |
Tom J |
I LOVE old pictures like that, Larry! Of course, they mean much more when the time and place that they were taken are included, like you have done. Thanks for sharing.
Tomster |
12-22-2009
( Reply#: 4251 ) |
S C Jones |
What toy is that you guys are holding? |
12-28-2009
( Reply#: 4346 ) |
Pro2am |
I'm not sure, but they look like clear plastic tubes that contain candy. The hard plastic caps include a small figure of some sort.
Mike Rapchak Jr.
====================================
quote:
Originally posted by S C Jones
What toy is that you guys are holding?
|
12-30-2009
( Reply#: 4402 ) |
S C Jones |
Could they have been "Bee Astro Blasters"? Rockets filled with candy. quote:
Originally posted by Pro2am
I'm not sure, but they look like clear plastic tubes that contain candy. The hard plastic caps include a small figure of some sort.
Mike Rapchak Jr.
====================================
quote:
Originally posted by S C Jones
What toy is that you guys are holding?
|
12-30-2009
( Reply#: 4406 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
My mind's a blank.
LR
quote:
Originally posted by S C Jones
Could they have been "Bee Astro Blasters"? Rockets filled with candy. quote:
Originally posted by Pro2am
I'm not sure, but they look like clear plastic tubes that contain candy. The hard plastic caps include a small figure of some sort.
Mike Rapchak Jr.
====================================
quote:
Originally posted by S C Jones
What toy is that you guys are holding?
|
12-30-2009
( Reply#: 4408 ) |
Pro2am |
Concencrate! [:D]
Mike Rapchak Jr.
========================
quote:
Originally posted by HassoBenSoba
My mind's a blank.
LR
quote:
Originally posted by S C Jones
Could they have been "Bee Astro Blasters"? Rockets filled with candy. quote:
Originally posted by Pro2am
I'm not sure, but they look like clear plastic tubes that contain candy. The hard plastic caps include a small figure of some sort.
Mike Rapchak Jr.
====================================
quote:
Originally posted by S C Jones
What toy is that you guys are holding?
|
01-08-2010
( Reply#: 4546 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
quote:
Originally posted by HassoBenSoba
Here's an old Kelly's picture----well, sort of. This classic photo shows my older brother Mike (also of Sheptalk fame-on the left) and me
(right) in the summer of 1955. We were standing in front of our great old house at 6912 Magoun Ave--directly 1 block WEST of Kelly's--which is unfortunately not visible in this pic. Notice the unfinished apartment buildings across the street; I recall that there was much concern in the neighborhood that these apartments would attract undesired low-life into our area, which fortunately did not occur--the folks who moved in were mostly retirees. Kelly's would have been directly in BACK of these apartments.
Larry r
[IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/55Summer.jpg[/IMG]
MIKE RAPCHAK, JR. ~ October 12, 1949 - January 5th, 2010
REST IN PEACE, man.
Love, your brother
LARRY |
01-08-2010
( Reply#: 4547 ) |
Tom J |
Larry, has something happened to Mike? Oh, please tell me that he is OK!
Mike is a friend of all of us here.
Tom |
01-08-2010
( Reply#: 4550 ) |
Bill Bucko |
Very sorry to hear the news. I offer my condolences.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
01-08-2010
( Reply#: 4551 ) |
duane |
My sympathy to your family and Mike's. -Duane |
01-08-2010
( Reply#: 4556 ) |
BobK |
My condolences to you and the family.
Bob
[img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img] |
01-08-2010
( Reply#: 4558 ) |
S C Jones |
Larry,
So sorry to hear of your loss (and ours). The exchanges you guys had on this site showed a loving sense of humor that brothers sometimes lose in the struggles of life. Thank you for allowing us to know a bit of your hearts as brothers. |
01-08-2010
( Reply#: 4562 ) |
seejay2 |
I'm so sorry, Larry. I remember both of you guys from grade school and Mike from my one year at BNI when he loaned me "1812 Overture"...Cj |
01-08-2010
( Reply#: 4567 ) |
Tom J |
I'm having a hard time with this. I considered Mike to be a good friend, even though we had never met face to face. Mike and I were the same age. I was born 6/2/49 and Mike was born 10/12/49.
It was not long ago that we exchanged Emails.
I can't find an obituary on the NWI Times website. Does anyone know any of the details of his passing?
Tom |
01-08-2010
( Reply#: 4574 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
To the folks of Sheptalk-
My big brother Mike died in his sleep sometime earlier this week. I had tried to call him on Tuesday and Wednesday with no success, but was not especially concerned until I realized that I had received none of his daily e-mails either. So at 2:30 AM on Thursday (1/7), I drove to his house on Beech St in South Hammond. I said a little prayer as I approached the house, hoping that I would find his outside mail-box empty. But it wasn't---it was stuffed full. Not having a key, I called the cops, who came and entered through the back door. Mike had passed away peacefully in his sleep, with no visible signs of any illness. There will be a brief 2-hour service at La Hayne's on Southeastern Ave on Monday Jan. 11 from 3 to 5PM. He'd like that, since it's right across from the (former) train tracks where he used to spend lazy summer afternoons hanging out when he was a kid of 11 or 12.
Mike was an amazing guy that always awed me in many ways; he was very complex, but our relationship was always strong, since we grew up together with barely any other friends in our lives and had very similar interests; he was, after all, the one who introduced me to all of you guys and the Sheptalk site, encouraging me to get involved. Our bond was (is)absolutely unique, I'm sure, especially our detailed memories of our past AND our wacky "code" of verbal humor that we developed over the last 50 years. The mini-exchanges on this thread above (from Dec 30th), where we quote the Three Stooges, are just the tip of the iceberg...believe me.
At some point I may write a little tribute to him for Sheptalk; I'm sure he'd appreciate it. In the meantime, I will continue to contribute regularly, since I enjoy "spending time" with all of you. It's good for the soul, wouldn't you say?
Larry r |
01-08-2010
( Reply#: 4575 ) |
Tom J |
Oh, Larry, I am SO sorry! Tears are flowing as I type this.
It must seem strange to folks that I would weep for someone whom I have never met, but from his posts and from the few Emails that we exchanged, I felt as if I knew him, and I considered him to be a good friend. I had hopes of one day hooking up with him in person.
We are family here at Sheptalk, and we have lost a beloved family member.
Rest in peace, Mike. You were a good friend to all of us.
Tom
P.S.
I'm glad to know that you will be sticking around here with us, Larry. I hope by hanging around here with the Sheptalk gang, you will feel more "connected" with Mike.
Once again, I am very sorry for your loss. In a very real way, his passing is our loss, too.
|
01-08-2010
( Reply#: 4576 ) |
MrRazz |
Larry, so very sorry to hear of your great loss and ours, and my heartfelt condolences go out to you. I hope that the many good memories you had together will prevail during such a difficult time bringing you comfort now and peace for the future. |
01-09-2010
( Reply#: 4581 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by HassoBenSoba
To the folks of Sheptalk-
My big brother Mike died in his sleep sometime earlier this week. I had tried to call him on Tuesday and Wednesday with no success, but was not especially concerned until I realized that I had received none of his daily e-mails either. So at 2:30 AM on Thursday (1/7), I drove to his house on Beech St in South Hammond. I said a little prayer as I approached the house, hoping that I would find his outside mail-box empty. But it wasn't---it was stuffed full. Not having a key, I called the cops, who came and entered through the back door. Mike had passed away peacefully in his sleep, with no visible signs of any illness. There will be a brief 2-hour service at La Hayne's on Southeastern Ave on Monday Jan. 11 from 3 to 5PM. He'd like that, since it's right across from the (former) train tracks where he used to spend lazy summer afternoons hanging out when he was a kid of 11 or 12.
Mike was an amazing guy that always awed me in many ways; he was very complex, but our relationship was always strong, since we grew up together with barely any other friends in our lives and had very similar interests; he was, after all, the one who introduced me to all of you guys and the Sheptalk site, encouraging me to get involved. Our bond was (is)absolutely unique, I'm sure, especially our detailed memories of our past AND our wacky "code" of verbal humor that we developed over the last 50 years. The mini-exchanges on this thread above (from Dec 30th), where we quote the Three Stooges, are just the tip of the iceberg...believe me.
At some point I may write a little tribute to him for Sheptalk; I'm sure he'd appreciate it. In the meantime, I will continue to contribute regularly, since I enjoy "spending time" with all of you. It's good for the soul, wouldn't you say?
Larry r
Larry, I sure do hope you will write something to share with us about Mike's life and about your relationship with him over the years.
I respect Mike's privacy and yours; but I knew very little about Mike, and I would like to learn more about him.
Mike and I were the same age; we grew up in the same town, albeit in different sections of town; we shared a love for trains; and we simply "hit it off" from day one. You know how it goes; sometimes you meet people in real life and instantly take a liking to them. I guess that happens on the Internet, too; because that's the way it was with Mike and me.
So, if it wouldn't be too painful, please tell us about Mike's life. It could actually turn out to be something that helps you get through the grieving process.
God bless, Larry. You and Mike's other loved ones are in my prayers.
Tom |
