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Reader's
mail from Maine
Not Remembering
the Monahans Sandhill Rangerettes
Monahans, Texas
Rex Parsons |
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"This
is my brother (seated) and me. Murray's Hardware can be seen across
the street. Its probably Main Street in Monahans. The date on the
pic is 1954. Obviously a hot west Texas afternoon." |
| I
lived in Monahans from 1952-1963. I do
not recall any Sandhills Rangerettes while I was there. I have some
pix in/around Monahans if you might be interested. The photo looks
to me like a shoot for a "cheesecake" calendar which were popular
back then. I'm not saying there weren't any Sandhills Rangerettes.
I'm saying I just don't remember them. |
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Printed
at the back of the postcard:
"Monahans Sandhill Rangerettes"
c. 1958
TE Postcard Archives |
I haven't lived in Texas since 1965 but I am still full-blood TEXAN.
I can still talk about Texas all day - and will, if given the chance.
We used to "hike" out to the Million
Barrel. Back then it was quite the adventure. We'd pack our canteens
and head out to slide down the inside slopes where we ruined many
a pair of jeans. There were some dried seed pods that we picked up
along the way. Or they picked us up. They were monstrous, very sharp,
three pronged things that when dried would draw blood from you ankle
if you walked into and got caught by one. And they were a bitch to
get off.
The
old (only) newspaper / magazine stand on Main Street would sell "dressed
up" pods. We, not so affectionately, called them Devil's Claws. Nobody
here believes me. Wish I had a couple to show them.
The old Texan theatre on Main closed while I was there. There were
two drive-in movies. The old "Dingo" drive in restaurant. Doubt that's
still there. We kids would cruise around it all evening. Sometimes
we'd go inside to jitterbug awhile. When we tired of driving around
in circles we'd just sit in our cars and order "windmill floats" from
the carhops. We didn't have much money so it was usually windmill
floats and french fries. Why didn't our parents understand the importance
of being seen "dragging the Dingo". When the Youth Center opened we
finally had a place to go to hangout. |
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"This
is our dog, Pal who always enjoyed visiting Bud and Merle Moore. That's
their house on west side of the Grandfalls Hwy. In the background
you can barely see Parsons Lease Works. A company my father owned.
circa 1955.
When we kids were giving old Pal a bath in the yard Bud would see
us and whistle and Pal would go running to him. Soap aflying."
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During
the late evening hours in September we would sneak down to the new
car dealerships. Back then the official unveiling of the new models
was a closely guarded secret. The windows would be covered with paper
so nobody could see until the next day. It was so exciting back then
to get that sneak peek. Of course, we'd have to avoid any "police"
entanglements. We did get caught a couple of time and returned to
our parents. But, we knew something they didn't. We knew what the
1956 new cars would look like. - Rex Parsons, Maine, 1-31-06
Forum:
Subject: To Rex Parsons
You may not remember me, Rex, but perhaps you will remember who I
am, Kay Watson. My father was MHS band director for many years, probably
during the time you lived in Monahans.
I was in the 5th grade in 1952 so you and I were in junior high at
the same time. I was looking for pictures to put on Facebook when
I discovered Texas Escapes. You have
some interesting stories and pictures--good job. The picture of the
drill team girls is not one of young ladies from Monahans. To my knowledge
we never had a drill team. In my opinion they may be from Odessa High
School. Odessa folks used the sandhills for pictures because of the
"beautiful" scenery it afforded.
I'm wondering about the picture of you and your brother, also. I lived
in Monahans from 1942 to 1960, and I do
not recall a Murray's Hardware store. The site of the town does not
look familiar at all. Do you think maybe you were visiting in Kermit,
Grandfalls, Pecos,
or somewhere else and enjoyed your ice cream there? I loved your story
about Pal and the youth center opening. Do you remember Carter Barron
or Mary Ann and Jim Kent? Keep up the good work. - Kay Watson, January
09, 2015 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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