Several years ago I asked this newspaper for help finding the recipe for Hamburger Pie (HP), that was a lunch staple at Liberty High School. I received several tasty suggestions and enjoy this dish once or twice a month.

If you don't remember; browned ground beef, secret sauce (I use Campbell's condensed tomato soup), quality vegetables, spices, scooped over mashed potatoes, served with lots of bread and butter.

Today as I prepared (HP) for dinner, stuck at home due to Covid, my mind took a nostalgic walk down Main Street in Liberty approximately 55 years ago, spurred on by a Bette Midler song, IN MY LIFE.

“There are places I remember all my life, though some have changed. Some forever, not for better. And some have gone, and some remain”.

Can't you just hear the tune?

So it's Friday night and we are planning to meet at the Liberty Theater, like we do every Friday night. Warren Lipson, Neil Geiser, Allen Frankel, Warren Sabloff, and a couple more guys are on the way.

What are we going to do tonight? I don't know, we all agree. Meanwhile one by one we find our way into Nifty's candy store, buying a pack of gum or a candy bar. Then it's into Berner's Sporting Goods checking out baseball bats and gloves, footballs, jerseys and more. No one purchased anything.

Minutes late Frenchie Park drives by in his brand new orange 442 Olds convertible with white vinyl seats and, if you wanted a ride home, it cost's a buck. Gas at the time was 32 cents per gallon.

Some of us decide to see a movie, some go home. After the movie, it's over to the Madison for cherry cokes or Corey's for pizza. Wow what a great night.

Some Friday nights we are on the move. Heading South on Main Street, our first stop was the Taxi Stand which offered two pinball machines at 5 cents per game. Many nickels and hours later, it was time to move on. A trip to the Cemetery for a beer or two if we could find someone to buy it.

Other nights we just cruised the streets looking for anything…I remember:

A stop at Sabloff's rooftop where we could throw snowballs unseen.

Walking North you could see Mr. Dashew selling insurance inside the Sears store. Across the street was the Police Station, where I found myself just once, I can't remember for what, but I didn't go back.

Around the comer was Briker's Wholesale, selling candy to our class for basketball games and events. Turning back was the Post Office and Dr. Pollack's dental office. Just down the street was Eva Gordon's Beauty Shop, Helen's mom. Rounding the corner we worked our way to Smitty's Restaurant and the Woolworth.

Just North and across the street was the then famous candy store, The Brownie Shop with Mr. and Mrs. Stern standing guard at the door. Poley's shoe store and then South to the Town and Country, to see Eddie Kay, the man with the beret.

Well it's back to the Madison and maybe Frenchie will be there for a ride home. Hey Frenchie, I've got 50 cents.

Where did 55 years go?