Yes, we list and sell high-end homes in Midtown and the region.
Montgomery’s Midtown Neighborhoods
Call the Hat Team to put them to work for you!
CAPITOL HEIGHTS
GREEN ACRES
nth
Mo
55
$4
NARROW LANE
CLOVERDALE IDLEWILD
nth
Mo
61
$9
nth
Mo
53
$8
nth
Mo
22
$7
Shop Midtown First Campaign
Benefits Residents and Merchants
$79,900
$126,900
$149,900
$169,900
www.hat-lady.com
GARDEN DISTRICT
40
$6
NORMANDALE ESTATES
nth
Mo
60
$4
nth
Mo
CAPITOL HEIGHTS
98
$3
TOP 300 IN THE U.S.
CLOVERDALE
REALTOR® Magazine
th
on
8M
0
1
,
$1
nth
Mo
It’s time for holiday shopping. After lauching our wellreceived and greatly appreciated “Shop Midtown First”
campaign last year, Midtown merchants asked for more, and
we’re repeating the message. SHOP MIDTOWN FIRST!
Before you drive outside the bypass, check the offerings
and convenience of the many stores and unique shops
inside the bypass.
• Most are locally owned by people who are your neighbors.
• Most carry unique merchandise you’ll not find at the big
box stores which feature products in bulk.
• Most will give you personal service with a smile and offer
special services like wrapping. Some even offer delivery.
UNIQUE STORES
$112,500
VAUGHN MEADOWS
$81,900
$69,900
$179,900
EDGEWOOD
BRENTWOOD
DAVE BRADLEY
nth
Mo
08
7
,
$1
nth
Mo
34
$7
69
$3
nth
Mo
(334) 834-1500
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CUSTOM HOUSE
PUBLISHERS, INC.
45203
nth
Mo
34
4
,
$1
$253,000
$299,900
$128,900
F e a t u re d I n s i d e
• The Kovels
$64,900
• Jack Nicklaus
All payment estimates based on a 5% down payment and a 6%, 30-year conventional mortgage.
• Wolfgang Puck
Talk to one of the Hat Team Specialists. We can show any home in Montgomery. Call 834-1500.
• Working Smart
• Click and Clack
• Sports Trivia
Sandra
Nickel
Broker
Billy Young
Production
Manager
Rusty
Wilkinson
Sr. Listing
Specialist
Denton Hawk
Investor Buyer
Specialist
Lauren
Layfield
Buyer
Specialist
Pam Massey
Frank Powell
Buyer
Specialist
Buyer
Specialist
Kathy
Henderson
Seller Services
Manager
Steve Luker
Closing
Manager
Melissa
Roberts
Closing
Coordinator
Jim Nickel
Technical
Manager
• Crossword
• Chicken Soup
Shopping in Midtown means there are a dozen small
community shopping centers from which to choose:
• Cloverdale Area: the Old Cloverdale Business District
along E. Fairview Ave. and Woodley Rd., and Cloverdale
Village on Cloverdale Rd. and Graham St.
• Mulberry Business District: Country Club Center and
shops along Mulberry St. and Carter Hill Rd.
• McGehee Road area merchants: Gay Meadows Shopping,
Olde Town Shopping Village, Montgomery Mall, and
Colonial Shoppes at McGehee Place and other fine stores
along McGehee Road.
• Zelda Business District: Zelda Place, Hillwood Center,
Hillwood Festival and Westminster Shopping.
• Others: There are several unique and convenient shops
scattered downtown, on Madison Ave., Mt. Meigs Rd,
Highland Ave. Vaughn Rd., and Perry Hill Rd.
All told, there are more than 200 stores (see our complete list inside) where you can find great gifts, fill holiday
needs from choosing cards to selecting wrapping papers
and shipping, gifts, and you will find places for treats and
food for those, hurried busy days until the end of the year.
SAVINGS NOT WORTH HASSLE
The few cents you may save elsewhere will actually
cost you more in time, gas and wear on your car – not to
mention personal frustration.
With the time you’ll save shopping Midtown and not
fighting the bypass traffic and big parking lot jams, join us
for the many neighborhood events, open houses and public
performances celebrating the season (full calendar inside).
Join us, too on Saturday, December 11, for a free showings
of Shirley Temple movies at the Capri Theater. It is our
Christmas gift to you and your family.
So this year, join with your neighbors and let’s Shop
Midtown First!
-Sandra Nickel
McGehee Place is Place of
Choice for New Residents
What some folks saw as a negative
resulted in a big opportunity for several new Montgomery homeowners
who have taken advantage of great real
estate values near Montgomery Mall.
One of the first to claim the neighborhood as his new home was Jack
Thomas, Jr., the new Operations
Director appointed by Ohio-based
Glimcher Properties at Montgomery
Mall.
Jack, who lived in the region earlier, returned to Montgomery from a
NY-based realty trust, where he was
responsible for 12 shopping centers in
south Georgia and north Florida.
“It’s definitely convenient to my
work,” said Jack. “I got a lot of house
for my money,” he said of the 3,200sq.-ft., 2-story Colonial home he purchased only three blocks from the
Mall.
“We’re excited about our forthcoming
plans to redevelop the mall and see it
return to its rightful place serving
Midtown, the city and region. I’m
excited to be part of the neighbor-
hood,” he said.
Studies show the mall is in the
heart of one of largest employment
and retail sales centers in the River
Region.
Another family who’ve recently
purchased in McGehee Place are Peter
and Charlotte Brambir. Peter started
the Gay Meadows Homeowners
Association.
They just sold their big house and
big yard with a pool on Colonial
Drive, to retire to a smaller garden
home.
They attended their first homeowners association meeting in October
and were surprised to learn how many
great people they knew who live in
McGehee Place.
The Brambirs said they are close to
their old neighborhood, so they anticipate staying in contact with friends
and using the same Midtown stores
previously patronized.
Both of the Brambirs were
Realtors after he retired from the
USAF. She retired from the Hat-Team
McGehee Place garden home for
sale listed by Catherine Berman
at $245,000.
after eight years in 2003.
Sandra Nickel, Realtors participated
in the sale and purchase of both houses.
Another financial expert who is
excited to see the renewed interest in
the neighborhood is Troy Hughes, vice
president and branch manager of
Regions Bank at the entrance to
McGehee Place.
Many of his customers live in
nearby neighborhoods along McGehee
Road.
“We think the mall is surrounded
by some of the premier residential
areas in Midtown and offer their residents lots of value, choice, safety and
convenience,” he said.
Uniquely
MIDTOWN MERCHANTS
CAS Gallery & Frames
THANKS FOR SHOPPING WITH THESE MERCHANTS.
TELL THEM YOU APPRECIATE THEM –
THEY’RE INSIDE THE BYPASS.
OPEN FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING
In Zelda Place
Museum Quality Custom Framing
Archival Material
Full Preservation Practices
2960-F Zelda Road • 334.271.3772
CORPORATE
ART SOURCE
Providing corporate consulting
to southern businesses
for more than 20 years.
CAS Gallery Fine Art
Fine Art Appraisals
Fine Art Brokerage
Private Acquisitions/Consulting/Sales
www.casgallery.com
The new location of the beautiful
1979 – 2004
Stonehenge
Gallery.
25
SOCIETY OF ARTS & CRAFTS
YEARS OF
EXCELLENCE
2001 Mulberry Street
Montgomery, AL 36106
SAC’S GALLERY
Storm Brings Out the Best
in Midtown
What a blessing it is to live in a city whose
residents care for one another. Hurricane Ivan
hit us personally when a huge tree fell on our S.
Lawrence Street house.
Within minutes neighbors were at our door
and Police came to check on us. Over the next
few hours, the City responded with a variety of
service persons who removed the trees off our
roof and even out of the yard. Then Utility
company personel worked tirelessly to get
things back in working order in the entire
neighborhood.
We were without power for a few days, but
thankful we came to know some neighbors that
we previously hadn’t met, a rarity in the
Garden District. This story could be repeated in
many Midtown neighborhoods by many
Midtown residents. We have fewer trees towering in the sky, but we have a few more sidewalk friends and tall stories to share about a
MORTGAGE
Gallery Hours: Tues. – Fri. 10:00 – 4:30 & Sat. 10 – 3
Alcazar Shriners Temple, East Blvd. • Saturday, Nov. 13 and Sunday, Nov. 14
120 Arts & Crafts Booths from artists and crafts persons throughout the Southeast.
No Admission Fee • Call (334) 265-9931 for more information or visit,
www.sacsgallery.com/chrshowinfo.html
1041 East Fairview Avenue
(Next door to Capri Theatre)
334.262.8256
-Sandra Nickel
Resource Guide
Montgomery, AL
SAC’s 25th Christmas Art & Craft Show
horrific storm that came our way in mid
September 2004.
Thanks to all the individuals who helped
one another in this time of need. Thanks to the
journalists, photographers, and reporters who
kept us informed of the latest news and forecasts. Thanks to the utility providers from in
and out-of-state who came to our city’s rescue.
Thanks to the local folks who will be cleaning
up and repairing Ivan’s mess for months.
In the face of crisis, neighbors band
together, whether it is in lower Manhattan or
Midtown Montgomery. A common need brings
out the best in all of us. Now, perhaps we can
work together on other critical issues that face
our city. We can accomplish a lot in a short time
when we look after one another and work cooperatively. God bless you all.
Mortgage, Inc.
GARY PITTMAN
MORTGAGE
Residential
Mortgage
Corporation
Mortgage Loan
Officer
8301 Crossland Loop
RMC
213-1347
Take advantage
of the historic
low rates!
FHA, VA and
CONVENTIONAL
LOANS
MOVERS
PRE-SELL INSPECTIONS
MORTGAGE
AUTOMOTIVE
REAL PROPERTY
Smart-Pay
SEXTON
CONSULTING, LLC.
Mortgage
We make you a better
home buyer!
WELLS HOME
FARGO MORTGAGE
Certified Home
Inspections
Call: Lee Hester
850.4939
E-mail:
[email protected]
TIRE & SERVICE CENTER
$
5 OFF ANY SERVICE
Expires 12/31/04
SEXTON TIRE & SERVICE CENTER
Interest Only
Rates Below Prime!
Up to 100% Financing
Call Andy Little
Home Mortgage Consultant
24-Hour Road Services
7 A.M. – 6 P.M.
270-9100
Dreaming is the First Stage...
Wells Fargo is the Next Stage
2718 Zelda Road
272-2555
INSPECTION
ATTORNEY
HOME INSPECTION
MORTGAGE
ROY E.
MCBRYAR
AMS REAL ESTATE
INSPECTION, LLC
Fast, Courteous,
Experienced
ALLEN STUCKEY
1002 S HULL ST.
[email protected]
John Herzog, CMB
The Tobacco Leaf
Uptown Exclusive
Wolf Camera Center
262-6666
SMCNELLEY@
ADMIRALMOVERS.COM
272-1065
Page 14 • Your Family Home
Thank you to the following Midtown Living Partners for their participation
& investment in this publication. When you patronize these companies,
please tell them you saw their ad in Sandra Nickel’s Midtown Living.
277-0067
4241 Lomac Street
Montgomery, AL 36106
Zelda Place
P41142-LUC-R2571
[email protected]
SCOTT MCNELLY
1200 NEWELL PKWY.
834-7969
Putting 27 Years of Local
Experience to Work
in Montgomery.
FAX 272-5363
LOCAL/WORLDWIDE
FOR ALL YOUR REAL
ESTATE NEEDS
INTERSTATE AGENT
FOR AMERICAN
RED BALL
No representation is made that the
quality of the legal services to be
provided is greater than the quality of
legal services performed by others.
NATIONAL PROPERTY
INSPECTIONS
North American's Premier
Inspection Service
Christopher (Chip) Jones
Professional inspector/owner
Licensed & Insured
FREE ESTIMATES
EXPERT PACKING
MEMBER FDIC
1-800-REGIONS
WWW.REGIONS.COM
©2004 Regions Bank
Apply by phone
Save time. There’s something worth giving or getting this
holiday season from every shop in Zelda Place.
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers
Klein & Son
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Nancy Paterson’s Bistro
Talbots
Talbots Petites
Tang’s Alterations
The Strength
To Help You Do More
Steve & Samye Kermish
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2940 Salon
B Barganier Interior Accents
Bridals by Penolia
Clay, Metal & Stone
CAS Gallery & Frames
First Command Financial
Fitness Solutions
Community involvement – a collective
strength that makes dreams come
true. Great thing happen when we
work together toward a common goal.
At Regions, our dream is to strengthen
our community through a spirit of
teamwork. And we are doing our best
to make that dream come true.
Real Estate Inspections
Plumbing, Heating/AC,
Electrical, Roof, Foundation
Pre-Purchase Inspection
Synthetic Stucco Inspection
Where Southern Hospitality
Meets Modern Technology
215-4526
Home Seller’s Pre-listing Inspection
New Home Warranty Inspections
Home Buyer's Inspections
467-8616 • fax: 365-3850
[email protected]
www.npiweb.com/cjones
Page 3 • Your Family Home
A Look Back …
Former Resident Remembers Six Decades
in Highland Park
A past Highland Park resident recently wrote a letter
reprinted in the neighborhood’s newsletter. She still
resides in Montgomery and has graciously consented to
sharing her earlier childhood and wartime experiences,
edited for length, with a new generation of residents.
Consider the memories that went on in your Old House.
Sandra,
Our Mansion on Poplar Street
At 5 years old in 1928, my family moved to 502 Poplar
Street (now 2506 on the “edge of town,” There were no
paved streets and no street of any kind south or east of
Poplar.
My father worked with the Singer Sewing Machine
Company. We had only one car, as did most families we
knew. My mother stayed at home with my younger brother
and me. My father had lost an arm in his job with the railroad while he awaited orders to report for military service.
We thought our three-bedroom house on Poplar Street
was wonderful and my father often said that when he got
home in the afternoon, he felt like he was in a mansion. It
was certainly far from a mansion compared to houses now
(or even then). We were poor but so was everyone we
knew, so we never even realized that we were poor until
much later.
Soon a few more houses were built around us and we
became friends with all the neighbors. An especially joyful
time for us was the rare occasion when we could stay out
after dark and play together under the street light on the
corner of Ryan and Poplar. We played “May I” and “Red
Light” and few things have been as much fun since.
Each afternoon Mother would promise my brother and
me that, if we would take a nap, she would order us a Dr.
Pepper from the store (on Ryan Street). No drink has ever
tasted so good as those did. Imagine having two cold
drinks delivered for a total of ten cents. Dr. Pepper was a
big name then, as now. 10-2-4. Every child knew that
slogan.
I remember my first day of school at Highland
Elementary. My mother walked with me that first day and
everything was wonderful.
Another happy occasion was the day I went to the
birthday party of Clyde Wayne Grant, who lived across the
street.
I somehow won a little porcelain cat band and I have
several of the pieces yet. It is hard for children now to
understand how important something like that was, but we
had so few things, other than necessities, that every toy
was cherished. For Christmas I always received a fifty-cent
doll (I’m not sure how we knew it cost fifty cents) and an
orange. I don’t remember ever having a birthday party but
I remember going to a few.
When I was in the third grade, Highland Avenue
School had a Tom Thumb wedding. I was the bride and
Henry Claude Allen was the groom. Mother made my
wedding dress out of an old dress of hers. The “wedding”
was at night and they charged a quarter to come. That was
big money back then. The downstairs of the school was
packed and people were sitting on the stairs.
My family was members of Capitol Heights Church of
Christ, but we often went to Highland Avenue Church
(now the Crump Community Center) for revivals and special services. We attended church almost all day on Sunday
and when there were revivals sometimes every night
during the week. We had many church friends as well as
neighbors and relatives.
Page 10 • Your Family Home
With the neighbors, too, there was much visiting.
Everybody knew each other and the adults would sit
together and talk while the children played in the yard.
There was no television, but we loved “Amos and Andy,”
“Lum and Abner,” “Fibber McGee and Molly,” “George
and
Gracie,”
and
later
“Wilderness Road.”
There was also no central
heating or air conditioning. In the
winter there was heat only in the
kitchen (a wood-burning stove
that also heated water) and,
sometimes, a coal fire in the
living room. My father would
cover the hot coals with ashes at
night and then, in the morning,
stir the coals and add a little more
coal. I remember looking into my
bedroom mirror and thinking that
there was no way I could do anything with my hair until warmer
weather because my bedroom
was so frigid that I could not bear
to stay in it except in the bed. I
shall never forget how loved I felt
when my mother heated a blanket
in front of the fire on the coldest nights and then tucked me
in with the warmth of the blanket and her love. In the
summer time, we slept with all the windows open and an
oscillating fan blowing between bedrooms but it was still so
horribly hot that we lay there awake most of the night.
On Sunday afternoon Daddy usually took us for a ride.
That was a treat because we rarely went for a pleasure trip
of any kind. Later, he took us to Union Station and parked
so that we could sit and watch the trains come in and leave.
Sometimes he would allow us to get out of the car and
stand back of the iron fence so that we could see better. If
we had enough time, then, before time for church service
to start, he would park on Dexter Avenue and we would
“window shop.”
“In the spring and summer the “vegetable man” (sometimes a woman) would bring his produce wagon by the
house early in the morning. Mother would sit on the porch
and shell peas or beans and cook them for dinner.
Dinner was always in the middle of the day and supper
was late afternoon or evening. What was left at dinner was
left on the table with a cloth over it to keep away the flies
until suppertime. and eaten without reheating.
I do not remember anyone getting sick. We had meat
only on Sundays unless the preachers were coming to eat.
In the summer Mother “put up” vegetables and jellies
which carried us through the winters. We almost never had
canned or snack food, although I always longed for it. One
of my cousins had Ritz crackers and grape juice for
Sunday supper and I thought they were rich.
Milk was delivered to front porches and when it was
freezing, we thought it was a real treat to have frozen milk
with a little sugar in it.
We had chickens in our backyard, as did many families,
and for a time we had a cow. The chickens were usually
reserved for when the preachers came to eat but, once in a
while, we just had relatives over for chicken.
I never had a “ready-made” dress until I was in Lanier.
Mother was a wonderful seamstress and made beautiful
clothes for me but oh, how I wished for a bought dress.
By this time several other families had moved into the
streets near us. Back of us was still only trees and thickets
and little trails that we children made as we explored the
“woods.” Children truly got enough exercise back then.
Sometime within that period of my attending elementary school, Poplar Street was paved. Each homeowner had
to contribute his part of the cost, which was a very hard
thing to do.
When I finished the fourth grade, the Singer Company
transferred my father to Selma, a real challenge. We rented
our house,and stayed for two years. We rented a house next
to Highland Avenue Elementary School and later further
down Highland Avenue until the lease had expired.
By the time we returned to Montgomery, I was in the seventh grade at Capitol Heights Junior High School. Soon afterwards, my father lost his job because no one could afford to
buy sewing machines or anything else. For several weeks, he
could find no employment. I shall never forget how very
happy we all were when he went to work with the
Montgomery Advertiser as a route
foreman, which was a fancy way
to say that he was in charge of
having the newspaper thrown on
the porches of the subscribers in
Capitol Heights. Life was really
hard financially for several years.
We could not make our mortgage
payments, but very few people
could so the banks certainly didn’t
want to foreclose and have all
those houses on their hands that
nobody could afford to buy. When
we got holes in the soles of our
shoes, my parents went to Kress
and bought rubber soles and
cemented them on so that we
could wear them another year.
Even though we were so poor, life
at Capitol Heights Junior High
was so much fun. On weekends
we had proms and progressive dinners.
Later I attended Lanier, the only senior high in
Montgomery. Two weeks after I finished high school I married and my husband and I moved to Birmingham. In
December 1941 we came home to Poplar Street to visit my
parents. On Sunday, December 7, my cousin from next door
came over and told us “They’ve bombed Pearl Harbor.” We
really had no idea where Pearl Harbor was but we turned on
the radio and listened to Franklin Roosevelt tell us that
America was at war and the only thing we have to fear is
“fear itself.” Very soon my husband decided that he should
“sign up,” so he enlisted in the Naval Seabees and our infant
son and I came home to Poplar Street to stay with Mother
and Daddy for the next three years or so until the war was
over. Unless you have lived through such a war, there is no
way to understand how tough it was, not only on those who
were fighting but those families left behind. I didn’t hear
from Herman for months at a time and then I would receive
ten or twelve letters at once.
On VE Day everybody went to churches and prayed all
day. Everywhere were billboards of Uncle Sam with his
finger to his lips saying, “Sh, the enemy is listening.”
Several of the boys I went to school with were killed in the
war and others were permanently disabled. I shall never
forget the dancing in the streets when the war was finally
over with everyone kissing everyone else. The world, however, was changed forever and that age of trust and innocence was over.
When Herman came home, we remained in
Montgomery. That wonderful house on Poplar Street
became “home” to my children and their children and my
brother’s children and grandchildren as well.
Both my parents continued to live at 2506 Poplar Street
until my father died in 1984 and my mother lived there
until her death at age 90 in 1991. It took me several years
to go through all the memorabilia of those 63 years, but the
sweet memories of our “mansion” of love, faith and joy
will be with us all the days of our lives and live on for
many generations to come.
– Merle Furlong Haynes
Upcoming Events in Midtown Neighborhoods
UPCOMING DOWNTOWN PUBLIC
PERFORMANCES
OPEN HOUSES
& TOURS
Huntingdon College
SAC's Gallery
POEMS OF THE SOUTH
CHRISTMAS OPERA
ARTIST’S RECEPTION
Rhoda Ellison Writers‚ Festival
Cloverdale Theatre
Thur., Nov. 11, 7 p.m
East Fairview Ave.
833-4374
Amahl and the Night Visitors,
Clovedale Theater
Sat.-Sun, Dec. 4 p.m.-5 p.m.,
2:30 p.m. & Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets 833-4457
Norma Jean Robinson, Oils
Sun, Nov. 7, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
2001 Mulberry St.
279-6876
Huntingdon College
Gallery One
Alabama Dance Theater
City of Montgomery
BOOK SIGNING
MISTLE TOE
HOLIDAY PARADE
TU’s Davis Theatre
251 Montgomery St
Nov. 12,13, 14, 7:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Box Office 241-2800
Dexter Ave.
Sat., Dec. 4, 5:30 p.m.
241-7438
Charles Rose, In the Midst of Life
Thurs., Nov. 11, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
425 Cloverdale Rd
269-1114
US Air Force Band, Airmen of Note
Montgomery Symphony
ARTIST SEASON
PERFORMANCE
featuring Percussionist Kelsy Tamayo
TU’s Davis Theater
251 Montgomery St
Mon., Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.
Box Office 240-4004
SERVICE OF LESSONS
& CAROLS
Lignon Chapel, Free Event
Thur., Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.
833-4515
Montgomery Ballet
THE NUTCRACKER
TU’s Davis Theatre
251 Montgomery St
Thur., Dec. 2-Sun., Dec. 5,
2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Box Office 409-0522
Huntington College
TREE LIGHTING
Entrance, Flowers Hall
E. Fairview Ave.
Thurs., Dec. 2, 7 p.m.
GLENN MILLER HOLIDAY
CONCERT
TU's Davis Theater
251 Montgomery Street
Mon. & Tues, Dec. 6 & 7, 7 p.m.
Free, but ticket required
Available at any Region’s
Bank branch
Canned food donations
accepted at door
First Baptist Church
LIVING CHRISTMAS TREES
Thurs-Sun., Dec. 10, 11, 12
4:30 p.m., 7 p.m.
305 S. Perry St.
ADVANCE TICKET REQUIRED
834-6310, 241-5156
SACS Gallery
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
25th Anniversary Show
Sat., Nov. 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun., 1-4 p.m.
2001 Mulberry St
265-9931
Old Alabama Town
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
DOLLS, TOY & TRAIN EXHIBITS
Friends of the Public Library
Free Exhibit at Loeb Center
301 Columbus St.
Nov. 26-Dec. 30
240-4500
USED BOOK SALE:
CHILDREN, NOVELS,
TECHNICAL, REFERENCE
ARTIST'S RECEPTION
Fri. & Sat., Dec. 10-11
9 a.m. -5 p.m.
245 High St.
265-1616
Montgomery Symphony
Montgomery Chorale & Youth Chorale
HOLIDAY POPS
SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS
TU’s Davis Theater
251 Montgomery St.
Sun. Dec. 12, 2:30 p.m.;
Mon. Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Box Office 240-4004
Judical Building, 300 Dexter Ave.
Fri., Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. &
Sun., Dec. 5, 2:30 p.m.
Box Office 265-3737
Mulberry District
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Mulberry, Carter Hill, Club View
Fri., Nov. 12, Sat., Nov. 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.,
Sun., Nov. 14, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.,
265-3200
SAC's Gallery
Linda Gilliland, Dolls
Sun, Dec. 5, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
2001 Mulberry St.
279-6876
Gallery One
BOOK SIGNING
Montgomery Sketchbook-River Region
Thurs., Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
425 Cloverdale Rd.
269-1114
Capital Heights
CANDELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES
NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS
Capital Heights
Hillwood
TREE LIGHTING
NIGHTS OF WHITE LIGHTS
Armstrong Park,
Madison Ave.
Sat., Dec. 4, 7 p.m.
263-5179
Free Event
Located on all streets, N. of Vaughn
Dec. 12–26, Dusk until
271-0606
Old Cloverdale
Highland Park
TREE LIGHTING
NEIGHBORHOOD DINNER
Cloverdale Park
Sun., Dec. 7, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
262-2888
Sat., Dec. 18, 7 p.m.
Crump Community Center
Bring Covered Dish
263-3592
Sat., Dec. 11, 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
S. Capital Pkwy.
Advance Tickets on Sale, Area merchants
263-5179
Old Cloverdale Business District
OLD CLOVERDALE CHRISTMAS
Sat., Dec. 11, 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Woodley Rd. and E. Fairview Ave.
834-1500
Cottage Hill & Five Points Districts
CANDLELIGHT TOUR
AFTER TOUR PARTY
Cloverdale-Idlewild
Starts at Jubilee Center
432 S. Goldthwaite
Sun., Dec. 12, 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Advance Tickets on Sale
269-4698
Jean’s Florist
506 Sayre St.
Sun., Dec. 12 6:00 p.m.
Tickets at any
Jim Massey Cleaners Branch
269-4698
HOLIDAY CAROLS
& BONFIRE
F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Musuem
Thurs., December 23, 6:30 p.m.
Dupont Park at Cloverdale Bottoms
Bring Cookies
834-6030
919 Felder Ave.
Sun., Dec. 19, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
264-4222
Cottage Hills
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
Page 7 • Your Family Home
Why Shop Outside the Bypass?
There’s great shopping in the neighborhoods closer to home. Merchants go
where they think the customers will be. Most Midtown retail stores are locally
owned. They are unique. Others may not drive in to shop them since their advertising dollars may be limited, but if we don’t patronize them, they will leave.
When you next shop, thank them for locating in Midtown. Their patronage and
success means others will follow. Let others fight the staled traffic, hunting for
parking and the crowds inside the big box stores going for the same look alikeitems on their shelves. So save fuel and stress. Midtowners don’t follow the
crowds because they know unique merchandise and memorable gifts in the
River Region are found in Midtown.
Midtowner’s choose
the INside track.
INside the bypass,
that is.
CONVENIENT MIDTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPPING GUIDE
When deciding where to shop for yourself or others, choose from among these close by merchants:
CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES FOR HER
Avenue Plus.............................................................Colonial Promenade
Chantilly Boutique ................................................................Zelda Road
The Crate ...........................................Madison Avenue, McGehee Road
Denson’s............................................................................... Zelda Road
The Elephant Walk........................................................Central Parkway
Eve’s Shoes ................................................................Montgomery Mall
Express .......................................................................Montgomery Mall
The Hob Nob.........................................................Norman Bridge Road
Goody’s.........................................................Colonial Promenade North
Gloria’s ...........................................................................Mulberry Street
JCPenney Women’s Store ..........................................Montgomery Mall
Lady Foot Locker .......................................................Montgomery Mall
Lane Bryant ................................................................Montgomery Mall
New York & Company ...............................................Montgomery Mall
Parisian............................................................................McGehee Road
Revenge ......................................................................Montgomery Mall
Motherhood Maternity ...............................................Montgomery Mall
Royal Express.............................................................Montgomery Mall
Scentsations ................................................................Montgomery Mall
Talbots ...................................................................................Zelda Road
The Sisters’ Place ...........................................................Mulberry Street
Two Sisters .........................................................................Oxford Drive
Uniform Plus More ........................................................Mulberry Street
Victoria’s Secret .........................................................Montgomery Mall
Wardrobe 4 Success .......................................................Mulberry Street
Wet Seal......................................................................Montgomery Mall
CLOTHING, GIFTS FOR HIM
Jos. A Banks Clothiers ..........................................................Zelda Road
Brenner’s Luggage ........................................................Carter Hill Road
City Gear ....................................................................Montgomery Mall
Echoes of Italy............................................................Montgomery Mall
Express Men...............................................................Montgomery Mall
Goody's .........................................................Colonial Promenade North
JCPenney Men’s Store ...............................................Montgomery Mall
The Locker Room .........................................................Carter Hill Road
Marty’s Mens Clothing ..............................................Montgomery Mall
New Ware Fine Men’s Clothing ..................Shoppes at McGehee Place
Oxford Street ..............................................................Montgomery Mall
Parisian Store for Men....................................................McGehee Road
S&K Men’s Wear ....................................................Colonial Promenade
The Tobacco Leaf..................................................................Zelda Road
ACCESSORIES, SERVICES FOR THE BRIDE & GROOM
After Hours Formal Wear...........................................Montgomery Mall
All About Weddings................................................Colonial Promenade
Always A Brides Maid ...............................................Montgomery Mall
Brenner’s Luggage ........................................................Carter Hill Road
Bridals by Penolia .................................................................Zelda Road
Jim Massey Formals & Bridal ......................................Carter Hill Road
La Shea ........................................................................Clubview Avenue
Photographs by Andre...........................................................Zelda Road
The Paper Store.............................................................Carter Hill Road
Video Productions Unlimited................................................Zelda Road
CLOTHING AND TOYS FOR CHILDREN & TEENS
Barb’s Giftwears.............................................................Mulberry Street
Children’s Place..........................................................Montgomery Mall
The Children’s Shop.......................................................Mulberry Street
Claire’s Boutique........................................................Montgomery Mall
The Dollhouse Shop.......................................................Mulberry Street
Kids Corner................................................................Club View Avenue
Gap Kids.....................................................................Montgomery Mall
JCPenney ....................................................................Montgomery Mall
Kids Foot Locker........................................................Montgomery Mall
Kids Korner ................................................................Montgomery Mall
Parisian Store for Children.........................................Montgomery Mall
Rave............................................................................Montgomery Mall
Repeat Performance for Children ..................................Mulberry Street
Patty Cakes ..................................................................West Third Street
D'Livia Boutique ............................................................Mulberry Street
JC Penney for Children ..............................................Montgomery Mall
Rugged Wearhouse..................................................Colonial Promenade
Page 8 • Your Family Home
SHOES FOR GOING OUT OR STAYING HOME
Finish Line..................................................................Montgomery Mall
Foot Locker ................................................................Montgomery Mall
JCPenney shoe store...................................................Montgomery Mall
Journeys Shoe.............................................................Montgomery Mall
Parisian .......................................................................Montgomery Mall
Shoe Station ............................................................Colonial Promenade
Two Sisters Shoe Salon........................Oxford Drive at McGehee Road
Underground Station Shoe .........................................Montgomery Mall
PERSONAL ACCESSORIES, JEWELRY FOR HER
AND HER HOME
Apropros .......................................................................Cloverdale Road
Gloria’s ...........................................................................Mulberry Street
Parisian............................................................................McGehee Road
Rosemont Gardens Gift Shop .......................................Carter Hill Road
GIFTS FOR THE GARDENER
DW Moody .....................................................................McGehee Road
Dimensions ...................................................................Madison Avenue
The Lily Pad ...................................................................Mulberry Street
Montgomery Seed & Feed...............................................Dexter Avenue
Pretty In Pots .............................................................West Fourth Street
Snooty Miss Moody’s.....................................................McGehee Road
GIFTS FOR THE SPORTS MINDED
Just Golf ................................................................................Zelda Road
Adventure Sports II ................................................................Ann Street
Dancewear Etc. .........................................................Club View Avenue
Ed’s Art & Frames ........................................................Carter Hill Road
Bama Fever/Tiger Pride .............................................Montgomery Mall
Sports Authority............................................Colonial Promenade North
Sports Cards + NASCAR...........................................Montgomery Mall
Champs Sports............................................................Montgomery Mall
Finish Line..................................................................Montgomery Mall
BOOKS FOR SERIOUS READERS
Black Belt Publishers .....................................................Mulberry Street
Books-A-Million .....................................................Woodmere Crossing
Capital Books & News .........................................East Fairview Avenue
Collegiate Books Store............................................................Lee Street
New South Books ........................................Washington & Court Street
The Agape Shop/Heaven’s Depot music and Books..........Madison Avenue
GIFTS FOR THE SEAMSTRESS
Crazy Needlework ..........................................................Mulberry Street
King Cotton Fabrics ...........................................................Spruce Street
The Knit Shop...............................................................Carter Hill Road
Rose of Sharon .........................................................West Second Street
The Sewing Room..........................................................Mulberry Street
Sarah Howard Stone........................................Boultier & East Fairview
Tang’s Alterations.....................................Cloverdale Road, Zelda Road
ACCESSARIES FOR THE HOME, BED & BATH
Brass Fountain ..............................................................Cloverdale Road
Christine’s Feathered Nest....................................East Fairview Avenue
Ella’s .....................................................................East Fairview Avenue
Feet in the Creek ............................................................Mulberry Street
Snooty Miss Moody’s.....................................................McGehee Road
Stonehenge....................................................................Cloverdale Road
Trade Secret Nail Care ...............................................Montgomery Mall
GIFTS FOR THE HOME & KITCHEN
Cloverdale Oriental Rug Market......................................Woodley Road
Gloria’s ...........................................................................Mulberry Street
Gigi’s NY Kitchen Co........................Vaughn Road at Central Parkway
Peir One Imports.............................................................McGehee Road
The Paper Store.............................................................Carter Hill Road
Tupperware.................................................................Montgomery Mall
HOLIDAY BAKED, COOKED GOODS TO HELP THE CHEF
Bruno’s Bakery & Deli ..................................................Perry Hill Road
Cafe Louisa ...........................................................East Fairview Avenue
Cookies by Design..........................................................McGehee Road
Chappy’s Deli ..............................................................Carmichael Road
Food World Bakery.........................................................McGehee Road
Liger’s Bakery ................................................................McGehee Road
Shashy’s Bakery .............................................................Mulberry Street
Super Foods Bakery & Deli ...........................................McGehee Road
The Cookie Company ................................................Montgomery Mall
Winn Dixie Bakery & Deli ..................Carter Hill Road, Vaughn Road,
......................................................East Patton Avenue, Mt. Meigs Road
ARTWORK, FRAMES, GIFTS FOR ART LOVERS
Art & Frames..................................................................Perry Hill Road
Ed’s Frames...................................................................Carter Hill Road
CAS Gallery ..........................................................................Zelda Road
Gallery One...................................................................Cloverdale Road
Goat Hill Gift Shop .............................................................Union Street
Highland Gallery..........................................................Highland Avenue
Jeff4son Creations Gallery............................................Madison Avenue
Marsha Weber’s Art Source .............................................Woodley Road
New South Art Shop.................................................Montgomery Street
SACS Gallery .................................................................Mulberry Street
Stonehenge Gallery...............................................East Fairview Avenue
ELECTRONICS & MUSIC FOR TALKERS,
LISTENERS & PLAYERS
AllTell Mobile.........................................................Colonial Promenade
Bailey Brothers Music ....................................................Jefferson Street
Best Buy..................................................................Woodmere Crossing
Blockbuster Video ...................................................Colonial Promenade
Culp Piano & Organ .....................................................Madison Avenue
D Image Photo............................................................Montgomery Mall
EB Games Video Store...............................................Montgomery Mall
Funky Phones .............................................................Montgomery Mall
Movie Gallery ...............................................................Carter Hill Road
Nextel ......................................Shoppes at McGehee Place, Zelda Road
Premier Video ...............................................................Madison Avenue
Radio Shack ..................Colonial Promenade North, Montgomery Mall
Sam Goody.................................................................Montgomery Mall
Verizon Wireless.........................................................Montgomery Mall
Wolf Camera & Video...........................................................Zelda Road
FURNITURE, ACCESSORIES, GIFTS FOR THE HOME
Bailey’s Radio Hospital Furniture Store ........................N. McDonough
Barganier Interiors.................................................................Zelda Road
Bishop-Parker .................................................................McGehee Road
Culp Dimensions Furniture...........................................Madison Avenue
Custom Draperies...........................................................Mulberry Street
King Cotton Fabrics ...........................................................Spruce Street
Lee Ann Interiors ...............................................................Vaughn Road
Lilies of the Field ........................................................Clubview Avenue
Dimensions Furniture ...................................................Madison Avenue
Stein Mart................................................................Colonial Promenade
Stonehenge Lamps........................................................Cloverdale Road
Weaver Furniture...........................................................Madison Avenue
Cloverdale Oriental Rugs.................................................Woodley Road
Orec Floor Care ......................................................Colonial Promenade
Snooty Miss Moody’s.....................................................McGehee Road
JCPenney Home Store................................................Montgomery Mall
SEASONAL CARDS, DECORATIONS, WRAPS, FLOWERS
Adams Drugs ..................................................................McGehee Road
CVS ..............................................................Forest Avenue, Zelda Road
Al’s Flowers ..................................................................Carter Hill Road
Capital’s Rosemont Gardens..........................................Rosemont Place
Gracie’s English .............................................................Mulberry Street
Hallmark.....................................................................Montgomery Mall
Lilies of the Field ........................................................Clubview Avenue
Montgomery Curb Market ............................................Madison Avenue
Painted Pink....................................................................Mulberry Street
The Paper Store.............................................................Carter Hill Road
Patty Cakes ..................................................................West Third Street
Richardson’s.....................................................................Woodley Road
Rite Aide ........................Olde Town Shopping Square, Perry Hill Place
The Sister’s Place ...........................................................Mulberry Street
Yesterday’s Memories ....................................................Mulberry Street
The Medicine Shop.......................................................Madison Avenue
COLLECTIBLES FOR COLLECTORS
Sports Cards+ NASCAR............................................Montgomery Mall
The Hen Pen...................................................................Mulberry Street
Things Remembered ..................................................Montgomery Mall
JEWELRY FOR ALL
Barry Lynch, Jeweler ............................................East Fairview Avenue
Bromberg’s......................................................................McGehee Road
Friedman’s Jewelers ...................................................Montgomery Mall
Gold & Diamonds ......................................................Montgomery Mall
Harold’s Fine Jewelry ...........................................................Zelda Road
Kay Jewelers...............................................................Montgomery Mall
Klein & Son ..........................................................................Zelda Road
JCPenny Jewelry Store...............................................Montgomery Mall
Jewel Connection .......................................................Montgomery Mall
Jewel Time..................................................................Montgomery Mall
New York Jewelry.......................................................Montgomery Mall
Silver & Gold Connection..........................................Montgomery Mall
Whitehall Jewellers ....................................................Montgomery Mall
Yesteryears Antique Jewelry...........................................McGehee Road
Zales ...........................................................................Montgomery Mall
UNIQUELY MIDTOWN MERCHANTS
Holiday Gift Guide for avoiding the bypass
Mulberry District
Holiday Open House
Friday, November 12 • Saturday, November 13 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, November 14 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Barb’s on Mulberry, Barb’s Next Door, Feet in the Creek, LaShea, In the Mood,
Lilies of the Field, Painted Pink, The Children’s Shop, The Hen Pen,
The Lily Pad, The Unicorn Shop, Treasure Chest Antiques, SAC’s Gallery
MAKE US YOUR FIRST STOP
Thousands from across the Southeast come to shop with us. Do you?
The Shops of
Cloverdale Village
off Norman Bridge at Cloverdale Road
UNIQUE, SEASONAL GIFTS FOR WHOMEVER
Barb’s Next Door ...........................................................Mulberry Street
Cottage Collections.......................................................Cloverdale Road
Old Alabama Town .......................................................Columbus Street
Goat Hill Gift Shop .............................................................Union Street
Brenner’s Luggage ........................................................Carter Hill Road
Rosemont Gardens Gift Shop .......................................Carter Hill Road
Wet Pets ..........................................................................McGehee Road
In the Mood ....................................................................Mulberry Street
Style Setters................................................................Montgomery Mall
Apropos • Beckett Antiques • Brass Fountain • Cottage Collections
Emily Dearman Antiques • Filet & Vine • Gallery One
Old Cloverdale Antiques • Stonehenge Frames & Lighting
Sheffield Antiques • Tangs • Vintage Year Restaurant
INEXPENSIVE STOCKING STUFFERS
CVS ..............................................................Forest Avenue, Zelda Road
Dollar General...............................Colonial Shoppes at McGehee Place
Dollar Tree...............................Colonial Promenade, Montgomery Mall
In the Mood ....................................................................Mulberry Street
Shades.........................................................................Montgomery Mall
Sunglass Hut...............................................................Montgomery Mall
Unique Shopping • Food • Entertainment
SPECIALTY FOODS & WINES FOR ANY OCCASION
A+Gourmet...................................................................ClubviewAvenue
Filet & Vine...................................................................Cloverdale Road
GNC...............................................Carter Hill Road, Montgomery Mall
ANTIQUES FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE PAST
Antiques and Drapes of Distinction ...............................Mulberry Street
Beckett Antiques ...........................................................Cloverdale Road
Cloverdale Oriental Rug Market......................................Woodley Road
De Jais Antiques...........................................................Highland Avenue
Emily Dearman Antiques..............................................Cloverdale Road
Frances Edward‚s Antiques ..................................East Fairview Avenue
Herron House Antiques......................................................Herron Street
Nicole Malone French Antiques................................Goldthwaite Street
Old Cloverdale Antiques...............................................Cloverdale Road
Pickwick Antiques..........................................................Perry Hill Road
Sheffield Antiques ............................................................Graham Street
Treasure Chest Antiques.................................................Mulberry Street
The Unicorn Shop Antiques...........................................Mulberry Street
Whimsey Antiques ........................................................Carter Hill Road
Old Cloverdale
East Fairview Avenue & Woodley Road
We’ll take You Back In Time
When Personal Service Reigned In Montgomery
OPEN HOUSE, FREE MOVIE, SANTA, REFRESHMENTS, MUSIC
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, Noon to 8 p.m.
HOLIDAY SHIPPING AND MAILING
Kinko’s Fed Ex .............................................Colonial Promenade North
UPS Store ..............................................................................Zelda Road
Shop Midtown
First!
Whatever you need this holiday season or throughout
the new year, you’ll find it around Zelda.
Over 220 Stores, Eateries, Services, Conveniences,
and Professional offices
Page 9 • Your Family Home
A Look Back …
Former Resident Remembers Six Decades
in Highland Park
A past Highland Park resident recently wrote a letter
reprinted in the neighborhood’s newsletter. She still
resides in Montgomery and has graciously consented to
sharing her earlier childhood and wartime experiences,
edited for length, with a new generation of residents.
Consider the memories that went on in your Old House.
Sandra,
Our Mansion on Poplar Street
At 5 years old in 1928, my family moved to 502 Poplar
Street (now 2506 on the “edge of town,” There were no
paved streets and no street of any kind south or east of
Poplar.
My father worked with the Singer Sewing Machine
Company. We had only one car, as did most families we
knew. My mother stayed at home with my younger brother
and me. My father had lost an arm in his job with the railroad while he awaited orders to report for military service.
We thought our three-bedroom house on Poplar Street
was wonderful and my father often said that when he got
home in the afternoon, he felt like he was in a mansion. It
was certainly far from a mansion compared to houses now
(or even then). We were poor but so was everyone we
knew, so we never even realized that we were poor until
much later.
Soon a few more houses were built around us and we
became friends with all the neighbors. An especially joyful
time for us was the rare occasion when we could stay out
after dark and play together under the street light on the
corner of Ryan and Poplar. We played “May I” and “Red
Light” and few things have been as much fun since.
Each afternoon Mother would promise my brother and
me that, if we would take a nap, she would order us a Dr.
Pepper from the store (on Ryan Street). No drink has ever
tasted so good as those did. Imagine having two cold
drinks delivered for a total of ten cents. Dr. Pepper was a
big name then, as now. 10-2-4. Every child knew that
slogan.
I remember my first day of school at Highland
Elementary. My mother walked with me that first day and
everything was wonderful.
Another happy occasion was the day I went to the
birthday party of Clyde Wayne Grant, who lived across the
street.
I somehow won a little porcelain cat band and I have
several of the pieces yet. It is hard for children now to
understand how important something like that was, but we
had so few things, other than necessities, that every toy
was cherished. For Christmas I always received a fifty-cent
doll (I’m not sure how we knew it cost fifty cents) and an
orange. I don’t remember ever having a birthday party but
I remember going to a few.
When I was in the third grade, Highland Avenue
School had a Tom Thumb wedding. I was the bride and
Henry Claude Allen was the groom. Mother made my
wedding dress out of an old dress of hers. The “wedding”
was at night and they charged a quarter to come. That was
big money back then. The downstairs of the school was
packed and people were sitting on the stairs.
My family was members of Capitol Heights Church of
Christ, but we often went to Highland Avenue Church
(now the Crump Community Center) for revivals and special services. We attended church almost all day on Sunday
and when there were revivals sometimes every night
during the week. We had many church friends as well as
neighbors and relatives.
Page 10 • Your Family Home
With the neighbors, too, there was much visiting.
Everybody knew each other and the adults would sit
together and talk while the children played in the yard.
There was no television, but we loved “Amos and Andy,”
“Lum and Abner,” “Fibber McGee and Molly,” “George
and
Gracie,”
and
later
“Wilderness Road.”
There was also no central
heating or air conditioning. In the
winter there was heat only in the
kitchen (a wood-burning stove
that also heated water) and,
sometimes, a coal fire in the
living room. My father would
cover the hot coals with ashes at
night and then, in the morning,
stir the coals and add a little more
coal. I remember looking into my
bedroom mirror and thinking that
there was no way I could do anything with my hair until warmer
weather because my bedroom
was so frigid that I could not bear
to stay in it except in the bed. I
shall never forget how loved I felt
when my mother heated a blanket
in front of the fire on the coldest nights and then tucked me
in with the warmth of the blanket and her love. In the
summer time, we slept with all the windows open and an
oscillating fan blowing between bedrooms but it was still so
horribly hot that we lay there awake most of the night.
On Sunday afternoon Daddy usually took us for a ride.
That was a treat because we rarely went for a pleasure trip
of any kind. Later, he took us to Union Station and parked
so that we could sit and watch the trains come in and leave.
Sometimes he would allow us to get out of the car and
stand back of the iron fence so that we could see better. If
we had enough time, then, before time for church service
to start, he would park on Dexter Avenue and we would
“window shop.”
“In the spring and summer the “vegetable man” (sometimes a woman) would bring his produce wagon by the
house early in the morning. Mother would sit on the porch
and shell peas or beans and cook them for dinner.
Dinner was always in the middle of the day and supper
was late afternoon or evening. What was left at dinner was
left on the table with a cloth over it to keep away the flies
until suppertime. and eaten without reheating.
I do not remember anyone getting sick. We had meat
only on Sundays unless the preachers were coming to eat.
In the summer Mother “put up” vegetables and jellies
which carried us through the winters. We almost never had
canned or snack food, although I always longed for it. One
of my cousins had Ritz crackers and grape juice for
Sunday supper and I thought they were rich.
Milk was delivered to front porches and when it was
freezing, we thought it was a real treat to have frozen milk
with a little sugar in it.
We had chickens in our backyard, as did many families,
and for a time we had a cow. The chickens were usually
reserved for when the preachers came to eat but, once in a
while, we just had relatives over for chicken.
I never had a “ready-made” dress until I was in Lanier.
Mother was a wonderful seamstress and made beautiful
clothes for me but oh, how I wished for a bought dress.
By this time several other families had moved into the
streets near us. Back of us was still only trees and thickets
and little trails that we children made as we explored the
“woods.” Children truly got enough exercise back then.
Sometime within that period of my attending elementary school, Poplar Street was paved. Each homeowner had
to contribute his part of the cost, which was a very hard
thing to do.
When I finished the fourth grade, the Singer Company
transferred my father to Selma, a real challenge. We rented
our house,and stayed for two years. We rented a house next
to Highland Avenue Elementary School and later further
down Highland Avenue until the lease had expired.
By the time we returned to Montgomery, I was in the seventh grade at Capitol Heights Junior High School. Soon afterwards, my father lost his job because no one could afford to
buy sewing machines or anything else. For several weeks, he
could find no employment. I shall never forget how very
happy we all were when he went to work with the
Montgomery Advertiser as a route
foreman, which was a fancy way
to say that he was in charge of
having the newspaper thrown on
the porches of the subscribers in
Capitol Heights. Life was really
hard financially for several years.
We could not make our mortgage
payments, but very few people
could so the banks certainly didn’t
want to foreclose and have all
those houses on their hands that
nobody could afford to buy. When
we got holes in the soles of our
shoes, my parents went to Kress
and bought rubber soles and
cemented them on so that we
could wear them another year.
Even though we were so poor, life
at Capitol Heights Junior High
was so much fun. On weekends
we had proms and progressive dinners.
Later I attended Lanier, the only senior high in
Montgomery. Two weeks after I finished high school I married and my husband and I moved to Birmingham. In
December 1941 we came home to Poplar Street to visit my
parents. On Sunday, December 7, my cousin from next door
came over and told us “They’ve bombed Pearl Harbor.” We
really had no idea where Pearl Harbor was but we turned on
the radio and listened to Franklin Roosevelt tell us that
America was at war and the only thing we have to fear is
“fear itself.” Very soon my husband decided that he should
“sign up,” so he enlisted in the Naval Seabees and our infant
son and I came home to Poplar Street to stay with Mother
and Daddy for the next three years or so until the war was
over. Unless you have lived through such a war, there is no
way to understand how tough it was, not only on those who
were fighting but those families left behind. I didn’t hear
from Herman for months at a time and then I would receive
ten or twelve letters at once.
On VE Day everybody went to churches and prayed all
day. Everywhere were billboards of Uncle Sam with his
finger to his lips saying, “Sh, the enemy is listening.”
Several of the boys I went to school with were killed in the
war and others were permanently disabled. I shall never
forget the dancing in the streets when the war was finally
over with everyone kissing everyone else. The world, however, was changed forever and that age of trust and innocence was over.
When Herman came home, we remained in
Montgomery. That wonderful house on Poplar Street
became “home” to my children and their children and my
brother’s children and grandchildren as well.
Both my parents continued to live at 2506 Poplar Street
until my father died in 1984 and my mother lived there
until her death at age 90 in 1991. It took me several years
to go through all the memorabilia of those 63 years, but the
sweet memories of our “mansion” of love, faith and joy
will be with us all the days of our lives and live on for
many generations to come.
– Merle Furlong Haynes
Upcoming Events in Midtown Neighborhoods
UPCOMING DOWNTOWN PUBLIC
PERFORMANCES
OPEN HOUSES
& TOURS
Huntingdon College
SAC's Gallery
POEMS OF THE SOUTH
CHRISTMAS OPERA
ARTIST’S RECEPTION
Rhoda Ellison Writers‚ Festival
Cloverdale Theatre
Thur., Nov. 11, 7 p.m
East Fairview Ave.
833-4374
Amahl and the Night Visitors,
Clovedale Theater
Sat.-Sun, Dec. 4 p.m.-5 p.m.,
2:30 p.m. & Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets 833-4457
Norma Jean Robinson, Oils
Sun, Nov. 7, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
2001 Mulberry St.
279-6876
Huntingdon College
Gallery One
Alabama Dance Theater
City of Montgomery
BOOK SIGNING
MISTLE TOE
HOLIDAY PARADE
TU’s Davis Theatre
251 Montgomery St
Nov. 12,13, 14, 7:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Box Office 241-2800
Dexter Ave.
Sat., Dec. 4, 5:30 p.m.
241-7438
Charles Rose, In the Midst of Life
Thurs., Nov. 11, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
425 Cloverdale Rd
269-1114
US Air Force Band, Airmen of Note
Montgomery Symphony
ARTIST SEASON
PERFORMANCE
featuring Percussionist Kelsy Tamayo
TU’s Davis Theater
251 Montgomery St
Mon., Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.
Box Office 240-4004
SERVICE OF LESSONS
& CAROLS
Lignon Chapel, Free Event
Thur., Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.
833-4515
Montgomery Ballet
THE NUTCRACKER
TU’s Davis Theatre
251 Montgomery St
Thur., Dec. 2-Sun., Dec. 5,
2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Box Office 409-0522
Huntington College
TREE LIGHTING
Entrance, Flowers Hall
E. Fairview Ave.
Thurs., Dec. 2, 7 p.m.
GLENN MILLER HOLIDAY
CONCERT
TU's Davis Theater
251 Montgomery Street
Mon. & Tues, Dec. 6 & 7, 7 p.m.
Free, but ticket required
Available at any Region’s
Bank branch
Canned food donations
accepted at door
First Baptist Church
LIVING CHRISTMAS TREES
Thurs-Sun., Dec. 10, 11, 12
4:30 p.m., 7 p.m.
305 S. Perry St.
ADVANCE TICKET REQUIRED
834-6310, 241-5156
SACS Gallery
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
25th Anniversary Show
Sat., Nov. 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun., 1-4 p.m.
2001 Mulberry St
265-9931
Old Alabama Town
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
DOLLS, TOY & TRAIN EXHIBITS
Friends of the Public Library
Free Exhibit at Loeb Center
301 Columbus St.
Nov. 26-Dec. 30
240-4500
USED BOOK SALE:
CHILDREN, NOVELS,
TECHNICAL, REFERENCE
ARTIST'S RECEPTION
Fri. & Sat., Dec. 10-11
9 a.m. -5 p.m.
245 High St.
265-1616
Montgomery Symphony
Montgomery Chorale & Youth Chorale
HOLIDAY POPS
SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS
TU’s Davis Theater
251 Montgomery St.
Sun. Dec. 12, 2:30 p.m.;
Mon. Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Box Office 240-4004
Judical Building, 300 Dexter Ave.
Fri., Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. &
Sun., Dec. 5, 2:30 p.m.
Box Office 265-3737
Mulberry District
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Mulberry, Carter Hill, Club View
Fri., Nov. 12, Sat., Nov. 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.,
Sun., Nov. 14, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.,
265-3200
SAC's Gallery
Linda Gilliland, Dolls
Sun, Dec. 5, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
2001 Mulberry St.
279-6876
Gallery One
BOOK SIGNING
Montgomery Sketchbook-River Region
Thurs., Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
425 Cloverdale Rd.
269-1114
Capital Heights
CANDELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES
NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS
Capital Heights
Hillwood
TREE LIGHTING
NIGHTS OF WHITE LIGHTS
Armstrong Park,
Madison Ave.
Sat., Dec. 4, 7 p.m.
263-5179
Free Event
Located on all streets, N. of Vaughn
Dec. 12–26, Dusk until
271-0606
Old Cloverdale
Highland Park
TREE LIGHTING
NEIGHBORHOOD DINNER
Cloverdale Park
Sun., Dec. 7, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
262-2888
Sat., Dec. 18, 7 p.m.
Crump Community Center
Bring Covered Dish
263-3592
Sat., Dec. 11, 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
S. Capital Pkwy.
Advance Tickets on Sale, Area merchants
263-5179
Old Cloverdale Business District
OLD CLOVERDALE CHRISTMAS
Sat., Dec. 11, 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Woodley Rd. and E. Fairview Ave.
834-1500
Cottage Hill & Five Points Districts
CANDLELIGHT TOUR
AFTER TOUR PARTY
Cloverdale-Idlewild
Starts at Jubilee Center
432 S. Goldthwaite
Sun., Dec. 12, 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Advance Tickets on Sale
269-4698
Jean’s Florist
506 Sayre St.
Sun., Dec. 12 6:00 p.m.
Tickets at any
Jim Massey Cleaners Branch
269-4698
HOLIDAY CAROLS
& BONFIRE
F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Musuem
Thurs., December 23, 6:30 p.m.
Dupont Park at Cloverdale Bottoms
Bring Cookies
834-6030
919 Felder Ave.
Sun., Dec. 19, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
264-4222
Cottage Hills
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
Page 7 • Your Family Home
Uniquely
MIDTOWN MERCHANTS
CAS Gallery & Frames
THANKS FOR SHOPPING WITH THESE MERCHANTS.
TELL THEM YOU APPRECIATE THEM –
THEY’RE INSIDE THE BYPASS.
OPEN FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING
In Zelda Place
Museum Quality Custom Framing
Archival Material
Full Preservation Practices
2960-F Zelda Road • 334.271.3772
CORPORATE
ART SOURCE
Providing corporate consulting
to southern businesses
for more than 20 years.
CAS Gallery Fine Art
Fine Art Appraisals
Fine Art Brokerage
Private Acquisitions/Consulting/Sales
www.casgallery.com
The new location of the beautiful
1979 – 2004
Stonehenge
Gallery.
25
SOCIETY OF ARTS & CRAFTS
YEARS OF
EXCELLENCE
2001 Mulberry Street
Montgomery, AL 36106
SAC’S GALLERY
Storm Brings Out the Best
in Midtown
What a blessing it is to live in a city whose
residents care for one another. Hurricane Ivan
hit us personally when a huge tree fell on our S.
Lawrence Street house.
Within minutes neighbors were at our door
and Police came to check on us. Over the next
few hours, the City responded with a variety of
service persons who removed the trees off our
roof and even out of the yard. Then Utility
company personel worked tirelessly to get
things back in working order in the entire
neighborhood.
We were without power for a few days, but
thankful we came to know some neighbors that
we previously hadn’t met, a rarity in the
Garden District. This story could be repeated in
many Midtown neighborhoods by many
Midtown residents. We have fewer trees towering in the sky, but we have a few more sidewalk friends and tall stories to share about a
MORTGAGE
Gallery Hours: Tues. – Fri. 10:00 – 4:30 & Sat. 10 – 3
Alcazar Shriners Temple, East Blvd. • Saturday, Nov. 13 and Sunday, Nov. 14
120 Arts & Crafts Booths from artists and crafts persons throughout the Southeast.
No Admission Fee • Call (334) 265-9931 for more information or visit,
www.sacsgallery.com/chrshowinfo.html
1041 East Fairview Avenue
(Next door to Capri Theatre)
334.262.8256
-Sandra Nickel
Resource Guide
Montgomery, AL
SAC’s 25th Christmas Art & Craft Show
horrific storm that came our way in mid
September 2004.
Thanks to all the individuals who helped
one another in this time of need. Thanks to the
journalists, photographers, and reporters who
kept us informed of the latest news and forecasts. Thanks to the utility providers from in
and out-of-state who came to our city’s rescue.
Thanks to the local folks who will be cleaning
up and repairing Ivan’s mess for months.
In the face of crisis, neighbors band
together, whether it is in lower Manhattan or
Midtown Montgomery. A common need brings
out the best in all of us. Now, perhaps we can
work together on other critical issues that face
our city. We can accomplish a lot in a short time
when we look after one another and work cooperatively. God bless you all.
Mortgage, Inc.
GARY PITTMAN
MORTGAGE
Residential
Mortgage
Corporation
Mortgage Loan
Officer
8301 Crossland Loop
RMC
213-1347
Take advantage
of the historic
low rates!
FHA, VA and
CONVENTIONAL
LOANS
MOVERS
PRE-SELL INSPECTIONS
MORTGAGE
AUTOMOTIVE
REAL PROPERTY
Smart-Pay
SEXTON
CONSULTING, LLC.
Mortgage
We make you a better
home buyer!
WELLS HOME
FARGO MORTGAGE
Certified Home
Inspections
Call: Lee Hester
850.4939
E-mail:
[email protected]
TIRE & SERVICE CENTER
$
5 OFF ANY SERVICE
Expires 12/31/04
SEXTON TIRE & SERVICE CENTER
Interest Only
Rates Below Prime!
Up to 100% Financing
Call Andy Little
Home Mortgage Consultant
24-Hour Road Services
7 A.M. – 6 P.M.
270-9100
Dreaming is the First Stage...
Wells Fargo is the Next Stage
2718 Zelda Road
272-2555
INSPECTION
ATTORNEY
HOME INSPECTION
MORTGAGE
ROY E.
MCBRYAR
AMS REAL ESTATE
INSPECTION, LLC
Fast, Courteous,
Experienced
ALLEN STUCKEY
1002 S HULL ST.
[email protected]
John Herzog, CMB
The Tobacco Leaf
Uptown Exclusive
Wolf Camera Center
262-6666
SMCNELLEY@
ADMIRALMOVERS.COM
272-1065
Page 14 • Your Family Home
Thank you to the following Midtown Living Partners for their participation
& investment in this publication. When you patronize these companies,
please tell them you saw their ad in Sandra Nickel’s Midtown Living.
277-0067
4241 Lomac Street
Montgomery, AL 36106
Zelda Place
P41142-LUC-R2571
[email protected]
SCOTT MCNELLY
1200 NEWELL PKWY.
834-7969
Putting 27 Years of Local
Experience to Work
in Montgomery.
FAX 272-5363
LOCAL/WORLDWIDE
FOR ALL YOUR REAL
ESTATE NEEDS
INTERSTATE AGENT
FOR AMERICAN
RED BALL
No representation is made that the
quality of the legal services to be
provided is greater than the quality of
legal services performed by others.
NATIONAL PROPERTY
INSPECTIONS
North American's Premier
Inspection Service
Christopher (Chip) Jones
Professional inspector/owner
Licensed & Insured
FREE ESTIMATES
EXPERT PACKING
MEMBER FDIC
1-800-REGIONS
WWW.REGIONS.COM
©2004 Regions Bank
Apply by phone
Save time. There’s something worth giving or getting this
holiday season from every shop in Zelda Place.
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers
Klein & Son
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Nancy Paterson’s Bistro
Talbots
Talbots Petites
Tang’s Alterations
The Strength
To Help You Do More
Steve & Samye Kermish
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2940 Salon
B Barganier Interior Accents
Bridals by Penolia
Clay, Metal & Stone
CAS Gallery & Frames
First Command Financial
Fitness Solutions
Community involvement – a collective
strength that makes dreams come
true. Great thing happen when we
work together toward a common goal.
At Regions, our dream is to strengthen
our community through a spirit of
teamwork. And we are doing our best
to make that dream come true.
Real Estate Inspections
Plumbing, Heating/AC,
Electrical, Roof, Foundation
Pre-Purchase Inspection
Synthetic Stucco Inspection
Where Southern Hospitality
Meets Modern Technology
215-4526
Home Seller’s Pre-listing Inspection
New Home Warranty Inspections
Home Buyer's Inspections
467-8616 • fax: 365-3850
[email protected]
www.npiweb.com/cjones
Page 3 • Your Family Home
Yes, we list and sell high-end homes in Midtown and the region.
Montgomery’s Midtown Neighborhoods
Call the Hat Team to put them to work for you!
CAPITOL HEIGHTS
GREEN ACRES
nth
Mo
55
$4
NARROW LANE
CLOVERDALE IDLEWILD
nth
Mo
61
$9
nth
Mo
53
$8
nth
Mo
22
$7
Shop Midtown First Campaign
Benefits Residents and Merchants
$79,900
$126,900
$149,900
$169,900
www.hat-lady.com
GARDEN DISTRICT
40
$6
NORMANDALE ESTATES
nth
Mo
60
$4
nth
Mo
CAPITOL HEIGHTS
98
$3
TOP 300 IN THE U.S.
CLOVERDALE
REALTOR® Magazine
th
on
8M
0
1
,
$1
nth
Mo
It’s time for holiday shopping. After lauching our wellreceived and greatly appreciated “Shop Midtown First”
campaign last year, Midtown merchants asked for more, and
we’re repeating the message. SHOP MIDTOWN FIRST!
Before you drive outside the bypass, check the offerings
and convenience of the many stores and unique shops
inside the bypass.
• Most are locally owned by people who are your neighbors.
• Most carry unique merchandise you’ll not find at the big
box stores which feature products in bulk.
• Most will give you personal service with a smile and offer
special services like wrapping. Some even offer delivery.
UNIQUE STORES
$112,500
VAUGHN MEADOWS
$81,900
$69,900
$179,900
EDGEWOOD
BRENTWOOD
DAVE BRADLEY
nth
Mo
08
7
,
$1
nth
Mo
34
$7
69
$3
nth
Mo
(334) 834-1500
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CUSTOM HOUSE
PUBLISHERS, INC.
45203
nth
Mo
34
4
,
$1
$253,000
$299,900
$128,900
F e a t u re d I n s i d e
• The Kovels
$64,900
• Jack Nicklaus
All payment estimates based on a 5% down payment and a 6%, 30-year conventional mortgage.
• Wolfgang Puck
Talk to one of the Hat Team Specialists. We can show any home in Montgomery. Call 834-1500.
• Working Smart
• Click and Clack
• Sports Trivia
Sandra
Nickel
Broker
Billy Young
Production
Manager
Rusty
Wilkinson
Sr. Listing
Specialist
Denton Hawk
Investor Buyer
Specialist
Lauren
Layfield
Buyer
Specialist
Pam Massey
Frank Powell
Buyer
Specialist
Buyer
Specialist
Kathy
Henderson
Seller Services
Manager
Steve Luker
Closing
Manager
Melissa
Roberts
Closing
Coordinator
Jim Nickel
Technical
Manager
• Crossword
• Chicken Soup
Shopping in Midtown means there are a dozen small
community shopping centers from which to choose:
• Cloverdale Area: the Old Cloverdale Business District
along E. Fairview Ave. and Woodley Rd., and Cloverdale
Village on Cloverdale Rd. and Graham St.
• Mulberry Business District: Country Club Center and
shops along Mulberry St. and Carter Hill Rd.
• McGehee Road area merchants: Gay Meadows Shopping,
Olde Town Shopping Village, Montgomery Mall, and
Colonial Shoppes at McGehee Place and other fine stores
along McGehee Road.
• Zelda Business District: Zelda Place, Hillwood Center,
Hillwood Festival and Westminster Shopping.
• Others: There are several unique and convenient shops
scattered downtown, on Madison Ave., Mt. Meigs Rd,
Highland Ave. Vaughn Rd., and Perry Hill Rd.
All told, there are more than 200 stores (see our complete list inside) where you can find great gifts, fill holiday
needs from choosing cards to selecting wrapping papers
and shipping, gifts, and you will find places for treats and
food for those, hurried busy days until the end of the year.
SAVINGS NOT WORTH HASSLE
The few cents you may save elsewhere will actually
cost you more in time, gas and wear on your car – not to
mention personal frustration.
With the time you’ll save shopping Midtown and not
fighting the bypass traffic and big parking lot jams, join us
for the many neighborhood events, open houses and public
performances celebrating the season (full calendar inside).
Join us, too on Saturday, December 11, for a free showings
of Shirley Temple movies at the Capri Theater. It is our
Christmas gift to you and your family.
So this year, join with your neighbors and let’s Shop
Midtown First!
-Sandra Nickel
McGehee Place is Place of
Choice for New Residents
What some folks saw as a negative
resulted in a big opportunity for several new Montgomery homeowners
who have taken advantage of great real
estate values near Montgomery Mall.
One of the first to claim the neighborhood as his new home was Jack
Thomas, Jr., the new Operations
Director appointed by Ohio-based
Glimcher Properties at Montgomery
Mall.
Jack, who lived in the region earlier, returned to Montgomery from a
NY-based realty trust, where he was
responsible for 12 shopping centers in
south Georgia and north Florida.
“It’s definitely convenient to my
work,” said Jack. “I got a lot of house
for my money,” he said of the 3,200sq.-ft., 2-story Colonial home he purchased only three blocks from the
Mall.
“We’re excited about our forthcoming
plans to redevelop the mall and see it
return to its rightful place serving
Midtown, the city and region. I’m
excited to be part of the neighbor-
hood,” he said.
Studies show the mall is in the
heart of one of largest employment
and retail sales centers in the River
Region.
Another family who’ve recently
purchased in McGehee Place are Peter
and Charlotte Brambir. Peter started
the Gay Meadows Homeowners
Association.
They just sold their big house and
big yard with a pool on Colonial
Drive, to retire to a smaller garden
home.
They attended their first homeowners association meeting in October
and were surprised to learn how many
great people they knew who live in
McGehee Place.
The Brambirs said they are close to
their old neighborhood, so they anticipate staying in contact with friends
and using the same Midtown stores
previously patronized.
Both of the Brambirs were
Realtors after he retired from the
USAF. She retired from the Hat-Team
McGehee Place garden home for
sale listed by Catherine Berman
at $245,000.
after eight years in 2003.
Sandra Nickel, Realtors participated
in the sale and purchase of both houses.
Another financial expert who is
excited to see the renewed interest in
the neighborhood is Troy Hughes, vice
president and branch manager of
Regions Bank at the entrance to
McGehee Place.
Many of his customers live in
nearby neighborhoods along McGehee
Road.
“We think the mall is surrounded
by some of the premier residential
areas in Midtown and offer their residents lots of value, choice, safety and
convenience,” he said.