In the past, we’ve dug in a bit to the topic of York County’s former roller-skating rinks.

I have some more info to share today, including a bunch from commenter friend Audrey Lerew, who did a bunch of research and produced a lot of great info and photos that I want to share today, as well as many other readers’ memories!

Audrey noted, “There was a big White Rose Skating Rink on East Market Street. I am in the 500 block. At the railroad tracks was a little 5&10 cent kind of store. The York Theatre was next and then the rink was behind the theatre. It eventually burnt down and then comes Playland which was a skating rink standing next to the Playland Motel which was built around a swimming pool. That would be where the Cloister car wash stands today. I skated 7 to 8 sessions a week. I would go to Playland and then I would go to Weiglestown where there was a small rink built by a bus driver named Faircloth. I think his first name was Bob but not sure anymore. Then Saturday nights we would drive over to Rocking Springs Skating Rink for the midnight session. I would go to Playland for the matinee, then back to Playland for the evening and then over to Rocky for the midnight sessions after a couple of times on the roller coaster. Sundays I would do Weiglestown matinee and then Playland for the skate dancing lessons and stay for the evening session. There was also Haar’s in Dillsburg… and the Fountainblu off 83 North at the Fishing Creek Exit.”

Audrey said that June Lloyd of Universal York shared a biography with her of John Richley, who owned the White Rose Arena Skating Rink and many other properties in York. That’s where the photo you see above, and the one you’ll see later in today’s post, come from!

Of Richley, Audrey noted, “He owned an automobile dealership where the Historical Society stands today. He bought the building White Rose was located. His biography says he closed the rink in July 1947 and the next 3 years it was a warehouse storage rental. … Sunday night December 13, 1953 that the White Rose Arena & Skating Rink burnt to the ground.”

It is really amazing (not in a good way) the way fires in York County are tied to roller-skating rinks. I also have memories of the Playland fire and a fire at Roll-R-Way… it is just such a strange coincidence!

This is another image from the autobiography of John W. Richley, who owned the former White Rose skating rink. Audrey Lerew shared this image, which is an advertisement and shows the stores that ran from the rail tracks east.

Playland

Speaking of Playland, I have some memories of that venue to share. Friend Betsy Baird, a former student of York Country Day School, noted, “Y.C.D.S. would have relaxing (for some!) and laughter-filled evenings when the school had skating parties. I tried skating once, and that was the last time for me and my back! I’d be holding on to the side bar all the time, Mother beside me. There was one teacher who was a whiz at skating. And another who was always falling down. We had to laugh, but we also pitied him. It was the wonder he didn’t break any bones. Those were the good days.”

Betsy also remembered there being semi-annual antique shows at Playland selling china, painted dishes, cut glass, furniture and the like.

She recalled the fire there and said, “Nov. 23, 1985 I was leaving the York Mall when I saw a plume on heavy smoke coming up from the Rink. At first I thought it was from Wendy’s. Then realized it was from the end of Playland. I beat it out of there quick, knowing the fire trucks would be coming right behind me! That place was completely burnt down and never rebuilt.”

She mentioned that she lives in that area, and said, “Sparks were blowing across the street toward my place and even toward houses up on the hill. I don’t even like to think of it. … I saw the roller-skaters coming out of Playland, still with their roller-skates on. Thank God NO ONE was hurt.”

Carolyn Sue KeAla WaiOla Brenneman writes about Playland, “Not only did I have the fun of skating there as a kid, my folks, Norman C. and Annamary E. Kelly, laid eyes on each other for the first time. As they say the rest was ‘happily ever after.’ Aside of the Wendy’s there is a flight of concrete stairs that is all that remains of the rink. A goal, I never accomplished, was getting a pictures of my folks, standing on those steps. Blessing, they are walking the streets of gold together.”

And Carole (Gosnell) Canonico of the Goldsboro area writes, “(The Playland article) brought back some fond memories of my own. I also checked with a couple of my sisters and one of my brothers (I’m No. 4 of six) to see what they could remember of Playland. My oldest sister is 72 and she remembers she went skating at Playland almost every Saturday with her girlfriends. My mother, who was a wonderful seamstress, made her beautiful skating skirts out of black velvet with colored sequins, lined in white or red satin with matching tights underneath. But she said the skirts were never short enough as others, so she would wear a loose cardigan with a narrow belt underneath and when my Dad dropped her off she would roll the skirt up a bit under that belt to make it shorter! LOL! She remembers she went skating when she was in Middle School, in the early ’50s and it cost 50 cents. As you went in the front entrance, to the left there was a room called the ‘spillway,’ where you could go to practice skating. To the right and looking up, you could see a man sitting at an organ in like a window where he played live organ music and announced different skating activities. She thought there was an oval shaped area about 25 to 30 ft where you could skate outside. She said the hardest thing about skating was asking your Dad to drive you to the rink, drop you off, then hours later come to pick you up. The dads had a lot of things to do on the weekends and sometimes it was hard to get them to drive you. We lived just off Pennsylvania Ave. a block from Kiwanis Lake and the rink was considered pretty far away.”

Carole also recalled, “My brother, who is 69, remembered that you rented skates if you didn’t own them (which we didn’t until later) and rented skates had wooden wheels and sometimes they would ‘bump’ on the floor. He also remembered the room where you could practice skating. My brother also thought there was a swimming pool right beside Playland, but he wasn’t sure because we just skated. I’m 66 and the earliest I remember of Playland is watching the skaters behind the railing until I was old enough to skate in the rink as well. Up until them I was using the metal skates you slipped your shoes into and used a skate key to tighten them and we skated on the sidewalks at home. I remember my Mother saying how I would be sprawled along the wall with my skinny arms and legs trying to make it back to the railing when my parents would come to pick us up. And I remember how proud I felt when I finally learned to cross my right foot over my left going around the corners… Most times we skated around the rink from the right to the left and once in a while they would announce a reverse skate around the floor from left to right… that was harder to learn to cross over at the corners going in the opposite direction!”

And, she concluded, “They also had pair skating, couple skating where they dimmed the lights and used spotlights on the advanced skating couples. And there was, what I used to love, anyone who wanted to participate would skate to the center of the rink and the announcer would play and we’d all do the ‘Hokey Pokey!’ It was a fun thing to do besides going to the Boys Club Swimming Pool in the summer (by Farquhar Park) and the Hiway movie theater on W. Market Street… we would pack a lunch and spend the whole day at the movies; two other good memories of their own! Really enjoyed going down ‘Memory Lane’ about Playland with my
brother and sister (both of whom live in CO now) and it got us talking about a lot of childhood memories as well. Thank you!”

And, funnily, Carole added, that while she doesn’t know if she’s related to my friend Audrey Lerew, she had a step-grandfather on her father’s side named P. Paul Lerew, and a half-uncle Paul Lerew whose son was a Mark Lerew. “Could be a nice coincidence!” she said!

Steve Eaton noted, “My parents, Ernest Eaton and Lois Hershey, met at Playland. Dad competed and judged competitions all over the state. He knows most of the mentioned rinks that were around in the ’40s and ’50s. They were both instructors at Playland, and taught me as well. I have a picture of me at 3 years old with a Perry Como sweater and my skates on, ready for the ‘all skate!’ In later years when my kids had a school skate at the Castle (Lancaster), I would go just to put some skates on again. I didn’t care much for their concrete floor, preferring the nice wood floor and Playland. But at least I got to skate a little and bring back the memories!”

Of Playland, Andy Mansberger wrote, “Thank you for bringing back memories of Playland that I had forgotten about so many years ago. As I was reading, it brought back memories of standing outside waiting for the doors to open, on a rainy day you had to be there early enough to be under the overhang. I can smell the snack bar, see the soda spilled on the floor, always somebody spilling soda on the floor. I can remember the all night skates, the feeling in the morning when, after how many hours of skating, you took off the skates and got your ‘walking legs’ back and counted the blisters on your feet like proud war wounds. The sound of the organ music, the dreaded words ‘couples only’ and the long wait before you heard those two magical words ‘all skate’ and the world was right again. And later years going to Roll R Way west. Playland and (that) Roll R Way are long gone, but I still have the bad knees to prove that I was there!”

And Susan Beaven said, “I have fond memories of many years of skating on that wooden floor at Playland across from the York Mall. I had private lessons on Saturday afternoons. I forget the instructor’s name but the lessons gave me confidence and opened up a new door of fun for me. I remember we would have lunch at the Bury’s next to the rink. They also used to have a ‘pond’ in front of the rink that I think perhaps was used for ice skating. There was also a motel on the other side of the rink but I don’t remember the name.”

Roll-R-Way

Holly recalled the fire at THIS skating location! She writes, “I was at Roller Way East the day of the fire in ’85. I was there for a friend’s birthday party, and I swear to you, the song playing when the fire was discovered was Motley Crue’s ‘Smokin’ in the Boys Room!’ We were on the floor and were ushered right out into the parking lot, skates on and all! Never did get my jacket or sneakers from inside.”

i also heard from Pete Brady, who noted that for those of us on Facebook, there is a great group called Roll R Way Crew full of memories and so on that you’re encouraged to take part in!

More memories on wheels

Fred Messerly of Red Lion recalled several local establishments. “I was a competitive roller skater at Playland from the early ’50s till 1959,” he said. “When I started skating Playland had a wooden floor and was owned by Dave Sternberg. The teaching pros were Jimmy and Nancy Wells. I skated dance and pairs with Nancy”s little sister Pat Gotwalt. The rink had a very active skating club of about 75 skaters. We put on shows and ran competitions at Playland. The club was called The Golden Rollers. Jimmy and Nancy were wonderful pros and many of us placed in State and Regional meets. I did skate at Nationals several times, but never placed. Pat and I skated Fours with Jean and Dale Hines.”

He continued, “After I stopped skating competition I did teach classes at the Faircloth’s rink in Weigelstown. They were very nice people. Jimmy and Nancy Wells left York about 1960 and moved to Kansas and operated two rinks in that area. Jimmy is still alive and we speak on the phone several times a year. Pat Gotwalt lives in Florida and we talk about old times and skaters frequently. Pat retired from skating as have Dale and Jean. I still skate a couple of time each month. York still has Roll R Way operating in the old ice rink in York. They get lots of kids and play modern music. I prefer Organ Music and a rink in Maryland south of Hanover called Sportsmans Hall had live organ music on Sunday nights.”

And, he concluded, “As far as I know I am the last member of the Golden Rollers that still skates. Not very well, but, I can still do a few dances. Many of the old Golden Rollers still get together for lunch a couple of times a year. If anyone wants to know when, give them my phone 717-870-8666.” And, he finally concluded, “I did skate one time at the White Rose Arena, but the in town boys did not like us skating with their ladies!”

Speaking of that Weigelstown rink, Don Wagner writes, “I grew up in Weiglestown. I worked at the Weigelstown Skating Rink which was established in the former ‘Weigelstown Youth Center.’ I cannot establish the exact first year of the skating rink, my guess about 1957. It was still going when I graduated in 1961; but I think it closed soon thereafter. It first had a poured floor of a very fine black asphalt type surface which then was painted blue. It had to be scrubbed weekly and repainted often. It was like falling on a rock. After some time Donald ‘Sonny’ Faircloth, the owner, had a wooden floor installed.”

he continued, “I used to help out in the Saturday afternoon session, then the evening session, and then we would pile in a car and head for Rocky Ridge Roller Rink in Lancaster County for the midnight till 2 a.m. session. The floor restrictions were less restrictive at the midnight session. We could skate much faster, lock arms across shoulders and fly around in a line, and even ‘flea hop.’ I wonder if anybody remembers and could tell me what flea hopping on roller skates is?”

I remember flea-hopping, actually, though I was a terrible skater personally! But here’s a cool video from the late 1990s of a bunch of people in Ohio doing it!

Meanwhile, Jim Fahringer recalled, “I remember the White Rose Arena very well. I was born in 1947 and during my first 7 to 8 years lived in the 300 block of East Poplar Street close to Edgar Street. We often walked to the theater that was located in the front of the Arena facing Market Street to see a movie as kids. The theater was then called the York Theater and later became the Holiday Theater. There may have been several names before the name of The York Theater. … I definitely remember the Arena Newsstand. … I also remember often stopping by the L & H 5 and 10 and buying worthless trinkets and toys… one of my favorite parts of the L & H 5 and 10 Store was the Candy Counter. The Candy Counter had these large slanted glass candy compartments where penny candy was sold. You could buy those big chunks of Kleins Chocolate pieces. … I remember the huge arena which seemed to stretch from East Market to almost East Philadelphia Street. The arena was not only used for roller skating but also convention-like shows. I remember attending an Izaak Walton League Outdoor Show there in the early 1950s. I distinctly remember seeing a snake or two in glass cages. I also remember becoming separated from my mom, grandparents and uncle and getting lost. I began to cry and ran through the arena looking for my family. The officials caught me and asked me my name and I told them but I told them my last name was my mother’s maiden name. They announced that they had a little lost boy over the intercom. I was finally reunited with my family. We moved out of the city of York in the summer of 1956. Sometime – probably not more than four years before 1956 the arena caught fire. I remember that night just like it was yesterday. My mom, my dad, my cousin, and my grandmother walked me over to the corner of East King Street and Edgar Street and we looked up into the northeastern night sky and we could see that the whole sky was lit up by the flames from the arena fire. I wanted to get closer to the fire but parents and grandmother told me we couldn’t get in the way of the firemen. I estimate that night as being somewhere around 1951 – 1955. An interesting side note is that many people considered this fire to be the largest fire ever in the history of York but Jim McClure does not list this fire as one of York’s largest in the discussion on the Exchange of several years ago. Most people who lived during that time will tell you that it was York’s Greatest Fire. Perhaps the history of this building has been lost from official records. I do know that the theater and the stores on Market Street were damaged and that the flames also caused some damage to the A & P Food Market on East Philadelphia Street close to the railroad tracks at Broad Street. Many years later a train derailed along the 5 & 10 building on East Market Street causing much of the western side of the 5 &10 building to collapse. I believe this was in the late 1960′s or perhaps very early 1970′s. I also believe that this train derailment and the damage that it cause spelled the end and the demolition of these buildings along East Market Street which were eventually replaced by the Danskin Sewing Company.”

Back to Playland, Jim noted, “I remember attending roller skating parties at Playland in the very early 1960s. I would attend on special nights that were set apart for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and sometimes school groups. I remember when they would conduct a partner skate towards the end of the evening and the girls could ask the boys to skate with them as their partner. Being very shy, I felt so awkward and clumsy as I skated around holding the hands of a girl on the wooden floor. One time I was standing back in the refreshment room when my roller skates rolled out from under me with my legs still in them. I did a total flip and landed on my back while my cup of Coke rocketed onto the ceiling causing a cascade of coke spewing over everyone around me including the cashier at the snack bar. If looks could kill, that night I would have died from the expression on the face of the cashier as she hurried to clean up the mess. In the late 1950s I lived close to the Chronister Farm in Springettsbury Township. In the southern end of their farm property was airplane hanger which housed the private plane of Mr. Sternbergh who was the owner of Playland. We often saw him take off in his plane. Somehow a Dr. Herman Gehly (spelling?) was also affiliated with Mr. Sternbergh. As we progressed through the 1960s the condition of the once beautiful roller rink began to deteriorate. I remember seeing holes punched into some of the walls by what appeared to be the results of a person’s fist.”

And Jim concluded, “The Playland complex also included a pool and a motel. The motel rooms were built around the pool with the pool being in the center. There was a place off to the side of the motel office where you could look through heavy plate glass and observe the underwater view of the pool. Many swimmers would dive down under the water, hold their breath and swim to the window and wave to the onlookers on the opposite side of the glass who might be registering for a room. It was a unique motel and swimming pool combined.”

Finally today, I have a question from Jim Smith that I hope we can field. He writes, “My family origins were in York Co. and I had a barber shop in York in the ’60s. My great grand father moved to Columbia and for a while lived in what was called ‘Rink Row’ in 1892. Urban legend has it that the roller skating rink was torn down and made into housing for the ole wagon Works. As a kid I skated at the ‘Hut’ in Columbia. In your research have you ever heard of a rink in Columbia in the 1890s?|” I would love to hear any info for Jim!

What’s inside
1. Former Damon’s becoming WellSpan practice
2. Seeking information on Piccalo’s/Piccolo’s
3. Whereabouts of Catholic high school

1. I ride by the old Damon’s buidling every day at the corner of Roosevelt and Rt.30, but over the last (month) or so they’ve demolished the building. Kinsley is in there but there aren’t any signs anywhere that say what is going to be built there. Any idea?
- Tina

Hey Tina, thanks for checking on that!

That’s actually going to become a WellSpan family medical practice – details are available here!

I hope that helps!

2. I remember a restaurant called Piccalo’s (Piccolo’s?). It sat about where the George Street exit off I-83 is now. I think it was a bar and restaurant. I remember going there sometimes on Friday evenings for dinner, spaghetti and meatballs. Yum! Does anyone know if they went somewhere else?
- Ann Brown

I was wondering at first if this was an earlier incarnation of what is now The Cove and was previously Emerson’s and some other establishments, or something separate. Any comments for Ann would be welcome!

3. In March, reader Dan Noble asked for photos of a Catholic high school formerly in York, giving its location as at King and West streets.

I heard from Henry Dennis, who wrote, “There are no photos of the old Catholic high school from the 1940s or ’50s on King and West streets because the school at King and West was Lincoln Elementary School. I started there in 1947. The Catholic high you’re referring to is now the New Hope Academy at 459 W. King St.”

Well, that’s good to know! I am still hoping someone will have a photo of this Catholic school – anyone have one to share?

Got any questions? Ask Joan using the form at right. I’ll attempt to answer them in a future “Ask Joan” column on this blog. I get a large volume, but I will feature three each week and answer as many as possible!

I’m starting out today’s post with special good wishes to my own mom and to all the moms of York County and beyond. You are loved!

But the funny part is – today, I’d like to share memories of one of our readers’ father!

Marta Freedman recently wrote after seeing this October post about 7 Cousins restaurant, which, in its history, was also run under the names of Archie’s, Hap Miller’s, Cicero’s and more!

Marta wrote, “My father, Robert Freedman, started the 7 Cousins, and before that, the Embers.”

“You can see a full page article on him and all his restaurants from the November 9, 1974 edition of the York Daily Record on the front page of the Family Section.”

Marta had a great photo of the page that she shared with me; you can see it in three parts with today’s post. And she also shared some neat memories!

She writes, “My dad would bring us home spare ribs from 7 Cousins Oriental and boy were they good!”

She adds, “He also started the first dinner theater in York and was maitre’d at the York Little Theater. And to Karen Boyle, no doubt it was my dad you referred to as the well dressed maitre d’. He was so handsome in his three piece suits with cufflinks. My grandma, his mom, was the charming red-headed coat check lady. I really miss both of them.”

This was a neat story to hear, and it was fun in another way, too. If you look closely, you’ll see that this page was designed by Linda Weiner Seligson – who is now cultural director at the York JCC, but who was a great friend and mentor to me in my earlier years at the YDR, where she worked into the early/mid-2000s!

What a fun Only in York County!

These were sent to me by Malinda Snellbaker, who writes, “Just wanted to share with you an advertising item from Eddie Herr Insurance that my aunt Sylvia (Sylvia Ebbert) had given to my sister and I. It hung for several years in her pantry, it is in the original frame with the paint spots, we left it just as it was, whenever we look at it we think of Aunt Sylvia. I wish she was still with us, I am hungry for her fudge. Your column brings back memories, keep up the great work.”

Thank you for sharing, Malinda!

Terry Downs notes, “My memories of Loucks Road start where it passes 11th Avenue in North York when the Loucks Road (now U.S. 30 – known also as the bypass!) was a 2-lane road from the J.M. Fields and Pantry Pride stores on the former Leitner’s Orchards. Gino’s built on the corner there. When you approached Pennsylvania Avenue, it was a ‘T’ intersection for Pine Hill Apartments weren’t built yet west of Gwendale Development (off of Susquehanna Trail) and Holtzapple’s Gulf was where the Rutter’s store is now. Heading west was farmlands and Colony Park was being built, and soon the Two Guys Plaza was a new spot. Where Maple Village is was yet a strip of field corn. Beddia’s was on the corner (now York Mitsubishi) and cattycorner at Roosevelt Avenue (a stop sign then) was King’s Mobile Home Park, and you proceeded west past the Loucks School that was mentioned in the article. A man named Norman Richards resided in the renovated schoolhouse; Norm Richards was leader of a local orchestra from the WWII era. The adjacent cemetery holds descendants of the Pfaltzgraff family line. You continue on to Haviland Road and then Carlisle Road (again, 2 lane roads with a stop sign) and you continue on thru the intersection to Hayden Heights and westward, eventually taking you to the Taxville Road. Being near 50 years old, I remember this road as a lad.”

I also heard from Jo Ott, who said, “Several years ago my sister and brother-in-law were in town from Florida for her 50th class reunion (York High) and they were staying at that Holiday Inn where the reunion also was being held. She told me later that they set out in a rental car to find Shiloh and our old home on Locust Lane – think water tank. Never did find Shiloh or the old home, she said they drove all over. Little did she know they were already in Shiloh and only about two miles from where we once lived. That’s how much the area has changed since we moved away in 1947!”

Fran Stump wrote and said, “That cemetery on Loucks Road is Wolf’s cemetery. I don’t know how the cemetery got named Wolf’s. There is a rehab office in there now, but in the ’50s a family named Richards lived in the house. I knew it was a school before. The Richards family had a son and daughter, I went to school with the son, John. His father had married a woman I played golf with. She lived there for a while after he died. She was there when the mall was built. The ladies who work at Maier’s Bread told me she died a few years ago. Just a little tidbit for your records.” Thanks, Fran!

And finally, I had a neat note from Sally Harbold, who was my elementary-school music teacher some years ago! She notes, “I read … about the Loucks Cemetery on Loucks Road. I lived in the old Loucks School House and sold it to Dr. Bruce Sicilia, MD for his Pain Rehabilitation Practice when my father passed away. My parents bought the house in 1939; it was already converted from a schoolhouse at that time. I would love to talk to you about the house and the wonderful Halloween parties we had in the cemetery! I also would like to contact “Lorraine” cited in (the earlier) article; I may know her!”

Sally, it was very neat to hear from you! I will definitely try to pass on your contact information to Lorraine! I am certainly also wondering if you know Fran and how her story and yours overlap!

Signs for the anchor stores of the West Manchester Mall are seen in this September 2012 Daily Record/Sunday News photo by Paul Kuehnel.

While we often talk about York County “business memories” from longer ago, one topic that’s been of particular interest to me are the recent-ish memories of places like the West Manchester Mall. While the mall is still in business – though it’s certainly at a transition point after being sold late last year – there are certainly many changes that have taken place over the years and many stores of the past even there!

Today, I’d like to share some more West Manchester Mall memories received since our last installment in 2011!

Michelle asked about the mall, “Was a McCrory’s store there? And the pet store inside McCrory’s? I know there was one in the York Mall. There was also the pizza shop that had two entrances to it with lots of mirrors on the walls. Wow this is really pushing the WAY BACK BUTTON!”

That was neat to me – and yes, there was a McCrory’s – but the pizza shop was Sbarro’s, and it’s where I had my first job outside my family’s business! Jeffrey McCloskey had asked, “Any chance that pizza place was Pappy’s? Pappy Makes Me Happy!” While it wasn’t, you can certainly read more about Pappy’s here!

Jen recalls, “There was a Limited, McDonald’s, a phone store (before cell phones), Friendly’s and a pet store (I think) … jewelry store, a pizza place (forget the name).” Yep, Sbarro’s again, and yes, there was also a separate pet store, which is actually where my dog came from; he is the one and only pet I’ve ever purchased from a pet store, believe it or not; my others have all been rescues!

Will writes, “There used to also be an Orange Julius there. That mall should have never let Walmart close off its entrance from the mall side. As soon as that occurred, the mall has been on a steady decline since.”

I definitely think that was a factor, Will, too! And also, if anyone hasn’t seen this yet, did you know that you can get Orange Julius again in York County – at Dairy Queen on Roosevelt Avenue in its new location in front of Weis! Our daughter took a tour of the DQ recently with a group of homeschoolers, and they mentioned Dairy Queen had bought the brand some time ago and had been slowly rolling out the products across its stores.

Mo notes, “I had forgotten about Hess’s!” Mo also recalled GeeBee’s at the other end of the mall when it opened.

And Nicole Hamilton said, “Yes, there was a McCrorys, also a Lane Bryant and Fashion Bug.”

Joyce Scarborough pointed out, “I loved Value City… where Kohl’s is located now. There were unique items in there that you couldn’t find anywhere else!”

Tammy writes, “I think at one point, wasn’t there a carousel in the center of the mall? Right outside of Bon-Ton?” There definitely was a carousel, but I believe it was farther down the mall at either the orange or yellow door!

And commented James notes, “The stores I can remember in no particular order: Fries, Etc.; Aladdin’s Castle (arcade); Friendly’s; TShirts Plus; Kay Bee Toys; Gee Bee; Irving Shoes; Hess; Limited; Gap; Sbarro; Claire’s; … and the cool fountains.” YES to those fountains! I only wish I had a picture of those.

The exterior of the West Manchester Mall is seen in this September 2012 Daily Record/Sunday News photo by Paul Kuehnel.

In some more memories, Jen N. notes, “I also remember there was Gee Bee’s where Kohl’s is now. I also remember the rest rooms used to be close to where the mall office is now. An Orange Julius was on the corner near Chick Fil A. I don’t remember that being there long. A few years ago, they used to have a dollar store where the karate place is now. That closed during one of the times the mall changed owners.”

Red noted one I had forgotten, saying, “I remember the cookie company. They had awesome chocolate chip cookie cakes and cookies. I remember one night someone put soap in the water fountain. The mall security was on high alert, but the fountain sure looked cool!”

Bev Hoffman said, “There was a pet store called Docktor Pet Center at the mall. We purchased a Japanese Chin there in 1987. We also purchased a 27 in. floor model Hitachi TV in 1995 from Rex electronic store. It still works as good as a new one. No repairs were ever needed. It is very sad to see what the mall looks like today. It was a good place to shop.”

Maryann noted the pet store as well as Regis Hair Salon, and said, “I am absolutely certain of this because my mom spent a few years working at both places. I also remember a Gardners Candy Store. They always had the largest selection of candy any little kid could dream of.”

Finally, I heard from Brett Wisotzsky that D.E. Jones, which I remembered at Delco Plaza, was originally at the West Manchester Mall. “I believe next to the Orioles Store, they then moved to the K-Mart side of Delco and if memory serves me right, they then moved into the Jo-Ann Fabrics area of Delco,” he said. Brett added that he’d love to see pictures from the mall’s heydey. He said, “I remember the green and white large plastic tiles on the walls that all the kids punched in!”

I’d love to see photos as well, for instance of the sunken brown seating areas that used to line the center of the mall!

Hopefully, this Ask Joan will be just as informative as our wall map of the world?

What’s inside
1. and 2. Seeking recipe for some panhaus
3. History of the Rothert Company

1. I read with interest a thread on your blog about panhas, German version of scrapple and am trying to find recipes for it. Can you help?
- Monica Kass Rogers

2. I m looking for a recipe my mom, grandmother and aunts used to make. It sounds a lot like the scrapple or pon haus you talk about. Is it possible to get a recipe?
- Donna

To tackle both of these questions, I pulled out my trusty copy of the Pennsylvania Dutch Cookbook edited by Claire S. Davidow. This is a LONGTIME family favorite book, and while I can’t vouch for this particular pork product, I hope this recipe will help!

Now, that said, I do NOT know if you want to go the whole pigs-head route, ladies; I understand you can substitute ground pork sausage with no problems! I also found this recipe on Allrecipes that uses canned milk, which my local scrapple-making friends don’t seem to favor, but which you might try.

Either way, if you try it out, I hope you’ll let me know what you think!

3. I have 2 dessert size plates that read “Compliments of Rothert Company, York, PA 1907″ on the back and on the front a picture of a monk with the inscription “Command married life to everyone, but keep thyself a bachelor” on one and a pic of a stork with a baby bundle that reads “May all your troubles be little ones.” I live in Illinois and got these after my PA-born father-in-law died. We are in our late 60s and I don’t know if I should save them for kids or grandkids. Do you have any suggestions or history on the plates or the company?
- Cathy Meyers

Cathy, I do not have ANY knowledge of Rothert, but I am sure that someone reading will be able to fill us both in! Any details are greatly appreciated!

Got any questions? Ask Joan using the form at right. I’ll attempt to answer them in a future “Ask Joan” column on this blog. I get a large volume, but I will feature three each week and answer as many as possible!

Scott was following up on some previous posts, such as memories of the York Mal and our large and always-growing Stores and Restaurants of the Past directory.

He writes, “I would like to share my memories of the Delco Plaza, which was an indoor shopping center. The major anchors, K-Mart and Hills (later Ames), were located at opposite ends of the shopping center. In between was a 5-screen UA Cinemas and several small shops, some of which were accessible from both inside and outside. There was Pet World, Comix Connection, Megatronix (video games), Bookland, D.E. Jones, and a post office branch. At the center entrance was an arcade, a pizza place, and a Chinese restaurant. Other tenants include an eye doctor, a dentist, Oletowne Jewelers, Kempo Karate, and a PennDOT driver’s license center. I remember there being an indoor mini-golf for a brief time in the early 1990′s. The shopping center was demolished in 2005 and has since been redeveloped. Other nearby businesses that were also demolished include Tractor Supply (former Pathmark store), Ollie’s, and Roll-R-Way.”

Later, Scott also shared a memory of some of the stores along Route 30. “I remember my family getting our first microwave at Silo in the late 1980s. Microwaves were big, heavy, and expensive back then. Silo was an appliance store on Route 30 across from the North Mall. It is now Aaron’s. To the left was Color Tile (now Sleepy’s Mattress). Four Seasons Fireplace & Patio was to the right (now JFC Staffing). Across the street was Boston Chicken, which later became Boston Market. It operated as a Gateway Country computer store in the late 1990s and is now Vitamin World. There was also a Boston Market on East Market Street (near the York Mall) which has been converted into an Arby’s.”

These are great memories, Scott, thanks for sharing! These are areas I can’t get enough of hearing about!

Since then, I’ve shared memories here and there, including some of Keyboard Studios in this March 2013 Ask Joan follow-up.

I have some more to share today, including a special memory from a local music legend.

Blake Stough of Preserving York writes, “When I was growing up, all of my siblings took piano lessons from Miss Nace. We lived in Spring Grove, so she may have been local to that area. I was the baby of the family, and my lessons only lasted 1 month or so. The piano wasn’t my thing, and I soon started taking drum lessons from Dave Hershey in West York. My older brother and 2 sisters also took piano lessons from Miss Nace. Each stopped taking lessons over time, but my brother ended up playing percussion for the York Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony, and the Spring Garden Band.”

Back in September 2011, Jim Goodling (who passed away in 2012) told me that he took piano lessons in the late ’40s and ’50s “from a Miss Miller who came to our house for the lessons. In about 1953 I started lessons above Julius Music House, which then was on West Market St… I took lessons from a Dick Gruver, who also played in a local band.” Jim was an invaluable source of memories on York County and I very much miss hearing from him, so it’s been great to have this chance to continue to share his recollections.

In this 2002 file photo from the York Daily Record/Sunday News, Sam Keeney, one of the original members of the Versetones, laughs with his fellow group members about a funny memory during a meeting to plan their farewell concert in the basement studio of Sam Keeney Organ and Piano Center, Inc. in York Township. Keeney later retired from that business and passed away in November 2012.

Another special memory I have to share is from the late Sam Keeney, who passed away in November 2012. Sam had written about our map of downtown stores, and when I asked if he was “the” Sam Keeney of local music fame, he said, “I am the organ, piano and accordion player, but I’m not sure to what degree of fame. Believe it or not, I started by trying to play the guitar in the 1940s and started accordion lessons two years later. The accordion went very well and from that instrument I went to the organ and piano; most of the playing I do anymore is at the organ – in fact when you sent me this email I was playing for the folks at Country Meadows in Shiloh. Thanks for inquiring.”

Later, Sam wrote again and added, “How well I do remember the accordion bands of the 1940s and 1950s, since I was part of the LaRose Band during those years. I began accordion lessons in the late 1940s at LaRose Accordion Studio, at 51 S. Queen Street in York. Patsy Weaver was my first instructor and then most of my years of instruction were from Leo LaRose. Everything I learned on the accordion (technic, touch, chord structure, etc.) I eventually used fully to transition to the organ. How well I recall the accordion band concerts at the various parks around town and the Halloween parades each year always were fun to prepare with decorating a flat-bed truck and hoping for good weather on parade night. Following graduation from high school I had worked for Leo LaRose for seven years before going into my own business from which I retired.”

I know the community has missed Sam greatly since his passing; it was great to be able to add some of his memories to our continued discussion on this topic that was his passion.

In another music-related topic, Michael Meckley wrote after I shared some Weaver Piano ephemera. He said, “You had 2 postcards from the Weaver Piano Co. which brought back some memories to me. My father worked his entire career at the Weaver Piano Co. He graduated from York High in 1917 in the Industrial course. When in the Industrial course you went to classes for 2 weeks and then worked in a factory for 2 weeks to learn a trade. My father worked at the Weaver Piano Co. and learned to be a cabinet maker. Upon graduation they offered him a job and he worked there until they closed in 1959. He worked his way up and was the General Superintendent when it closed. They built high quality pianos and organs but could not compete with Steinway, Chickering and other large piano companies. He got another job but died in late 1959 at the age of 59. The Weaver Piano Co. had a show room in the first block of east Market St. on the north side. The factory building still stands on north Broad St. off Philadelphia St. At the Agriculture and Industrial Museum there is a display of Weaver pianos.” I have seen that display, Michael, and it is wonderful; I hope others will visit or have already checked it out!

Finally, John Loeper mentions yet another related memory tangent. He says, “If I may suggest another possible topic for your blog… The York High band. They were huge in the ’60s and ’70s (and still may be for that matter) and I am sure there are hundreds of Yorkers who were either in the band at one time or at least remember enjoying there performances at football games and parades over the years. They were always the biggest hit of the annual York Halloween parade. As I recall, folks would not leave the parade route until the York High Band marched by. They marched on and off the football field to an original tune titled ‘We’re from York.’”

Indeed, John, I’d love to hear those memories as well!

Michael “Mykl” Lau, who you might remember from the amazing walking tour from downtown York that I shared in the past, wrote, “Loved your article on Betsy Ross Elementary School. I too am an alumnus of good ol’ Betsy Ross. The fourth grade teacher’s name was Mrs. Ettline (my sister Pat agrees). Left out of the list was the mention of the Custodian for the school. His name was Mr. Gallagher. Betsy Ross was a real ‘neighborhood’ school. I think everyone knew everyone. When I was in Mrs. Ettline’s class I was lucky enough to be selected to be a ‘Safety.’ We got to wear the white belt (with a ‘real’ badge) and assisted the younger students safely across intersections. There was even a ‘post’ at the railroad tracks on Pattison St. in case a train came along. One of the great moments of going to Betsy Ross was the May Day celebration. Each class did a little dance or something and then there was the traditional May Day Maypole Dance. It was a big deal. Another memory I have of Betsy Ross is when I was sent to the coatroom in Miss Gross’ 1st grade room for kissing Barbara Martin on the cheek. Years later I crossed paths with Miss Gross again when I was a traveling Elementary Physical Education teacher in the York City Schools and taught at Hartley Elementary School where she was the Principal at that time. My sister, Pat, and I did attend one of the meetings of the group of alumnae of Betsy Ross. I don’t know if they still meet anymore or not. I’m sure some of those folks will write you as well.” Mykl said that he was a 1962 graduate of York High and was part of the Betsy Ross class of ’54.

And Sandra Miller noted, “I attended Betsy Ross Elementary School from 1952-1955. My mother, Gloria Musser, married to Frank Musser, worked as a waitress for Berry’s Restaurant nearby. I would visit my mother every day after school while she worked there. Occasionally, I would play outside. The pretzel baking factory – called the National Biscuit Company, located between the school and Berry’s – would sometimes provide pretzels through their window.”

Yum! Thanks to both of you for sharing your Betsy Ross memories, and please, keep them coming!