I spent my childhood attending a school just a block away from Lake Harriet and the Rose Gardens. I was lucky enough that my school highly valued getting the students out in nature, and we spent a surprising amount of time going to the rose gardens and, at the end of every year, spending the day at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. We called it Lake Day- when almost the whole school (all students grades 1-8) would walk to the bandshell and spend the day there. We could get our faces painted, play games, and brought picnic lunches. It was always one of my favorite days of the year and continues to be one of my favorite places in the world. I feel like I grew up at Lake Harriet, so I hold a lot of sentimental feelings and memories with it!
Lisa, your experience takes me back to junior high. I also went to the dermatologist in the Twin Cites. I also suffered from a horrible stent with eczema. Mom made the best of the day by doing something special. The restaurant you remembered was called The Good Earth. I think it was in a mall, right? Great place with that sharp cheddar cheese soup with popcorn. Mom loved it as much as we did. Thanks for reminding me of that experience.
I thought it was "The Good Earth" but now it's kind of "healthy" and that lunch didn't seem too healthy so I wasn't sure if that was it. I think you're right? In Rosedale?
I loved going to a little restaurant called Foxy’s in my home town of Galesburg, Illinois. My mother took her 3 daughters, Cherrill, Roslyn & Mary Ann most Friday nights to have a little dinner. It was a big baked ham sitting out on the counter for who knows how long, to have a 1/2 of a delicious ham sandwich with mustard. We were allowed to get a Coke but our Mother said, “don’t drink all your Coke before your sandwich comes. “ loved this little diner. Big night out for us. Cokes were 5 cents.
Our family took an annual summer car trip to Galesburg ,Illinois- mine, 2 of our siblings and our parents’
hometown. There was a local attraction in Galesburg called “Kiddieland”. It was a tiny amusement park that had about 6 rides- tickets were 10 cents. We begged our parents the minute we arrived at our grandparents home to take us to Kiddieland. There were searchlights out in front that were visible from our grandparents home which only added to the excitement. I remember a scary ride called “The Flying Swings”. I went on the ride with my Aunt one time and her shoes flew off- I thought it was hilarious. Apparently Kiddieland had been a traveling carnival that went bankrupt when it got to Galesburg so a local man bought it and became his family’s business. If a kid didn’t have money they always had a few tickets to give away so all the kids could go on a ride. Kind of sweet.
I’m so glad a memory that could have been a rough one was changed to a favorite just by your mama’s action. Hugs to you both.
My favorite place - places really, for I had one when I was too young to leave my property and the other when I was a little older. First, there was a little green space in the back of our yard where an old tree and wild flowers grew. Lady bugs came and there were flowers I would make into dancing ladies. The spot was sunny and warm and lovely for a lonely imagination. The second was a small wooded area behind the old elementary school. When kids weren’t there smoking pot, I went to build forts where I could write. I think of these two getaways often, but never talk about them. ☮️
I spent my childhood attending a school just a block away from Lake Harriet and the Rose Gardens. I was lucky enough that my school highly valued getting the students out in nature, and we spent a surprising amount of time going to the rose gardens and, at the end of every year, spending the day at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. We called it Lake Day- when almost the whole school (all students grades 1-8) would walk to the bandshell and spend the day there. We could get our faces painted, play games, and brought picnic lunches. It was always one of my favorite days of the year and continues to be one of my favorite places in the world. I feel like I grew up at Lake Harriet, so I hold a lot of sentimental feelings and memories with it!
Lisa, your experience takes me back to junior high. I also went to the dermatologist in the Twin Cites. I also suffered from a horrible stent with eczema. Mom made the best of the day by doing something special. The restaurant you remembered was called The Good Earth. I think it was in a mall, right? Great place with that sharp cheddar cheese soup with popcorn. Mom loved it as much as we did. Thanks for reminding me of that experience.
We asked this question at the huddle and someone posted this. https://www.youtube.com/embed/LdFtVZqlszM?fbclid=IwAR3rLAQ7Vmgd8GtKjPQBiOEJpHeObD7wIej4G40S154UD0rtdVosvat5bo0 - Can't you hear mom asking one of us to request, "Sunshine on my Shoulders?" haha
I thought it was "The Good Earth" but now it's kind of "healthy" and that lunch didn't seem too healthy so I wasn't sure if that was it. I think you're right? In Rosedale?
I think that’s right. I loved that place. One of the best memories with mom.
I loved going to a little restaurant called Foxy’s in my home town of Galesburg, Illinois. My mother took her 3 daughters, Cherrill, Roslyn & Mary Ann most Friday nights to have a little dinner. It was a big baked ham sitting out on the counter for who knows how long, to have a 1/2 of a delicious ham sandwich with mustard. We were allowed to get a Coke but our Mother said, “don’t drink all your Coke before your sandwich comes. “ loved this little diner. Big night out for us. Cokes were 5 cents.
Our family took an annual summer car trip to Galesburg ,Illinois- mine, 2 of our siblings and our parents’
hometown. There was a local attraction in Galesburg called “Kiddieland”. It was a tiny amusement park that had about 6 rides- tickets were 10 cents. We begged our parents the minute we arrived at our grandparents home to take us to Kiddieland. There were searchlights out in front that were visible from our grandparents home which only added to the excitement. I remember a scary ride called “The Flying Swings”. I went on the ride with my Aunt one time and her shoes flew off- I thought it was hilarious. Apparently Kiddieland had been a traveling carnival that went bankrupt when it got to Galesburg so a local man bought it and became his family’s business. If a kid didn’t have money they always had a few tickets to give away so all the kids could go on a ride. Kind of sweet.
Was that me or Roslyn?
I’m so glad a memory that could have been a rough one was changed to a favorite just by your mama’s action. Hugs to you both.
My favorite place - places really, for I had one when I was too young to leave my property and the other when I was a little older. First, there was a little green space in the back of our yard where an old tree and wild flowers grew. Lady bugs came and there were flowers I would make into dancing ladies. The spot was sunny and warm and lovely for a lonely imagination. The second was a small wooded area behind the old elementary school. When kids weren’t there smoking pot, I went to build forts where I could write. I think of these two getaways often, but never talk about them. ☮️