April 29th - May 4th

Gordon Tindall has a thing for old diners - Story from beginning of April in the Elmira Star Gazette, PA version. The article tells about Gordon's acquisition of the former Cecil's Trackside Diner of Wellington, Oh.

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Worcester Deluxe 101 has been sold. - After more than 45 years, Worcester Deluxe 101 may finally be finished. At least, that's what the new owners, Chris and Matt Blanchard, have planned.

Worcester Deluxe 101, built after the original Worcester Lunch Car Company closed in 1961, spent the next three decades stored inside the Van Slett Sign Company shop in Worcester. When that building was cleared out, the American Diner Museum acquired the unfinished diner.

http://wbjournal.com/j/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1636&Itemid=142

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Red Robin Diner in Johnson City, NY stays with original owners Chris and Pat Anagnostako as a deal to sell the diner fell through.

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The Fodero diner in Malta Ridge, NY (Route 9 just south of Exit 13 of I-87) is reopen as Bloomers, and American Bistro. The counter is gone.

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A reall cool stained glass sign for Bixler Hardware in Stroudsburg, PA was saved. Read the article that talked about the sign before it was saved.

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070421/NEWS/704210327/-1/rss28

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Edgemere Diner in Shrewsbury, MA for sale for $1* Read the fine print in the article that talks about how you could get a Fodero diner for only a dollar.

http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070501/NEWS/705010613/1008/NEWS02

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Michigan State Fairgrounds history: Roller-coaster ride at the state fairgrounds

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Valley Arctic Island: Preservation success story -
Valley Arctic Island, a noteworthy vintage ice cream stand in Syracuse, NY, came closer than we realized to being demolished. The "Scoop" is located on the Seneca Turnpike, west of US Rt 11 in "The Valley" which is south on US Rt 11 from downtown Syracuse, NY.

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The Munson Diner in Liberty, NY (NY Rt 17, Sullivan Co.) inches closer to being open. Though it seems that the interior may get muddled.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070501/NEWS/705010319/-1/NEWS

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There were 3 articles about the Moondance Diner in Manhattan. Basically, there's a muddied story. But the diner owner needs money to move the diner to another location. He also, seemingly, has to buy the diner from the people who have purchased the land and will be building condos.

http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-moondance0503,0,2409820.story?coll=am-local-headlines

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A two-week vacation's worth of recommendations - From Susan Levinson. A plethora of information on assorted cities all over Central states of America.

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Soda fountains in Texas - An article about 10 soda fountains in Texas.

Pharmacies boasted soda fountains because carbonated water was considered to be therapeutic. In fact, early soft drinks such as Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper were touted as health drinks.
Some of the originals have survived for more than a century, while others have been lovingly recreated. Some of our favorites are featured inside.

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April 22nd to 28th

A Roadside Fan member took a trip to the Catawissa Bottling Co. A maker of soda in Catawissa, PA

Road trip to Catawissa Bottling Company

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As vintage roadside attractions go, Howe Caverns in central New York can be said to be among the oldest, since its rock formations are millions of years old. But like other vintage attractions, Howe Caverns has seen a decline in attendance, from 220,000 to 140,000 annually over the last 20 years. Now, new owners are promising to pump some new life into an underground gem.

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=582468&category=BUSINESS&newsdate=4/20/2007

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Mid-Atlantic popular | American culture association
18th Annual Conference
Call for Papers 2007 MAPACA Conference
November 2-4, 2007
Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel Philadelphia

please visit MAPACA’s online newsletter, The Gazette, at http://www.mapacagazette.net

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Messages 5548 - 5550 talked about diners in movies

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Chick's Diner in Scranton, PA fought the (No Smoking) law, and the law won.

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18251309&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=6

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Cable news channel New York 1 has a video report on the Moondance Diner in Manhattan, slated for closing so that condos can be developed on the site (see RoadsideFans Message 5249):
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=8&aid=69098

http://tinyurl.com/2t3utf

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The Empire Diner is going to have new owners, who have a successful track record of running restaurants. Crazy Otto's Empire Diner will be the name, and it should open up by the end of June.

http://www.herkimertelegram.com/articles/2007/04/27/news/news03.txt

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Couple assorted links mentioned this week

ttp://www.ritterfarms.com in Eastern Tennessee
Fred's Inn in Norwich, NY http://fredsinn.com/

Ken's Diner in Birch Run, MI http://www.kens-diner.com

http://www.usroute20.com/ The US Route 20 pages has been updated

April 15 to 21st

Dutch Kitchen Diner in Frackville -

It looks like they redid the outside, but the inside remains unchanged. I have fond memories of stopping there on our treks south. Maybe someone knows what kind of diner this is? Here
is the web site: http://www.dutchkitchen.com/

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Kappy's Diner, a Valentine, is located at 501 N. Orlando Ave. in Maitland. #5548

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This page explains the history of Big Boy, leading up to the two companies that
exist today (Big Boy International and Frisch's):
http://www.99w.com/evilsam/ff/bigboy.htm

--

There are obvious differences between the Frisch's and Bob's Big Boy statues. But one of the neat things about the early Frisch's Big Boys is the slingshot in the back pocket -- just visible in this photo from the Sign Museum:
http://www.agilitynut.com/06/3/frisch2.jpg
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Thus, the first-ever "Greasy Spoon Awards." given out by our host Glenn Wells
The Silver Spoon goes to Tums.

--

Gold Spoon goes to the Heart Attack Grill in Tempe, Arizona.

Here's a video report posted on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9N4Y1DpTxs

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Vermont sits on edge of diner crisis
By Ed Shamy
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070417/COLUMNIST\
S05/70417016/1007/NEWS02

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A beach is much more fun when there's someplace nearby to buy a soda or ice cream cone. Any 12 year old kid knows that.

In Madeira Beach, Florida, 12 year old Kaitlyn Chalke has become an advocate for an 80 year old log cabin known as the Snack Shack. The city decided to demolish the building, prompting Chalke to collect 200 signatures supporting keeping the Snack Shack.

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April 8th - 14th

From TheAmericanRoadside.com "The author of the book on the A1 Diner, Sarah Rolph, is the guest on my latest podcast. It's a complete coincidence that the Food Network decided to shoot there this week...and I just posted the podcast. Sarah is really a wonderful woman and the book is a delight."
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There were talks about Roundabouts and SPUI, and "pronounced as though it's spelled "Spewie." Meet the Single Point Urban Interchange."

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Train meet this weekend at Merchants Square Mall 1901 S 12th St Allentown Pa April 15th 10am-3pm
Visit http://www.lehighvalleytrainmeet.com

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Diner news from all around:

The A-1 Diner in Gardiner, Maine hosted a crew from the Food Network today and Friday, filming for the newest installment of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives."
http://business.mainetoday.com/news/070411a1diner.html

Fremont, Nebraska has a new diner, Penny's Diner, and it's even open 24 hours. From the photograph, it appears to be a Starlite.
http://www.fremontneb.com/articles/2007/04/11/news/news2.txt

In Rochester, NY, Charles Scanio has departed the popular Charlie Brown's Restaurant on North Goodman Street, turning over the spatula to Bob and Bill Keller.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070412/ENT0305/\
704120323/1060/ENT03

Chef's Diner in Montour Falls, NY has been offering a "Titanic dinner," offering food like what would have been served on that ill-fated ocean liner.
http://www.stargazettenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/COLUMNIST05/7\
04100308

And in Glenmont, NY (south of Albany) Dan Sher visits Johnny B's Glenmont Diner.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=580146&category=ARTS&newsdate\
=4/12/2007

April 2nd-8th

former Boston Trolley Diner now an Asian restaurant in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Fire
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/11564589/detail.html

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Posts #5415, #5425 asked Is "Modern" over?

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Fleetwood Diner offers classic fare (suburban Grand Rapids, where you should first find Pal's Diner, even though the original Fleetwood diner in Ann Arbor is fantastic!)

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grpress/index.ssf?/base/features-0/1175784596\
246190.xml&coll=6

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The Albany Times Union published a review of the former Tops Diner(they tore it down and started over with a stick built building) now "Tops American Grill, Bakery & Bar." . Food was always good at the place. It's just sad they tore the diner down.

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=578184&category=ARTS&newsdate\
=4/5/2007&TextPage=1

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Monorails http://www.monorails.org/tMspages/Where.html

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Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum http://www.mistereds.com

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Orange roof stays, but state’s last HoJo’s gets new name - Brass House Restaurant, Waterbury, CT

http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18182341&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id\
=517514&rfi=6

March 26-April 1

Just a reminder that every week on Roadside Radio, we mention unique web sites and unique places to visit, for example, one place mentioned this week was the "Pork Roll Express" www.porkrollxpress.com. They sell Taylor Ham and so much more that people from NJ may miss, all across the country, via the mail.

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The Red Robin's (Johnson City, NY)last day of a 37 year tenure of Chris and Pat Anagnostakos was last Saturday. They will open up shortly after a remodeling. The diner is a Mountain View

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Message 5397 talked about the history of "Michigan" Sauce and Michigan Hot Dogs, so popular in Plattsburg, NY.

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Old drugstore in Saginaw, MI closes up. Pankonin Rexall Drugs has a soda fountain, and has been open for 130 years, but it won't make 131.

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Dick's Drive In Restaurants - Seattle area

http://www.ddir.com/

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When this place says Roadside BBQ. They mean it. This guy parks his vehicle and smoker on the side of the road. I've seen it personally. Didn't know it was a big time thing.

http://www.allsmokedup.com

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When chains get new uses

http://www.notfoolinganybody.com

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For Fans of Googie

THE most extensive Googie site of them all, it's
http://www.roadsidepeek.com
For even MORE Googie and such, it's
http://www.lottalivin.com
And if you *STILL* haven't quite gotten enough of that great stuff,
http://www.jetsetmodern.com

March 16-24

From the Staten Island Advance(NYC) -- The sale of the 40 year old Country Club Diner in Grasmere is expected to close in the next two months. Yawn, for a Walgreens.

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The Syracuse Post Standard said, "The former Miss Syracuse Diner? Meet Anmar Cafe, the new name for the storied diner across from Syracuse's City Hall, at 258 E. Water St." The diner is a Bixler.

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The Burlington(VT) Free Press reported that the Parkway Diner will reopen next month.

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Willies Weenie Wagon is located on Altama Ave in Brunswick, Georgia. This old landmark is still run by Willie himself! It is an old roadside stand that has been added onto several times. The hot dogs and other menu items are legendary. Willie is famous for his pork chop sandwich and people drive for miles to get one. If you ever pass by Brunswick, Georgia on I-95 be sure to pull off and visit Willie!

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Florida resident Lynn Jenkins mentioned places in St. Augustine, FL "I'd also recommend the Cracker Cafe on St. George St. for some of the best Minorcan Chowder in the area and O.C. Whites for a really great dinner."

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From the York (PA) Dispatch. "The York Drive-In Theatre is the test pilot for a new technology that will allow movies to be shown in broad daylight instead of a traditional night-time viewing" One reader reported that it's a "poseur", that it's really a large TV.

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Glenn Well's Florida gem is the Hob Nob Drive In Restaurant 1701 N Washington Blvd. Sarasota, FL 941-955-5001. His beach reading (what a treat!) "My beach reading on the trip was "Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails" by TimHollis. This book explores a nearly forgotten aspect of Florida tourism..."

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Family to part with Big Jim sculpture near Charleroi
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07081/771527-55.stm

100 years ago, road rage was rampant (concerning a Brian Butko talk)
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/seate/s_498913.html

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Steve and Susan Levinson took a three-day trip to the Lehigh Valley area of PA last week-
end and ate at several good places. Post #5362 for more in depth info. Very worth it if these places sound to your liking.

In the downtown section of Emmaus (a few miles south of Allentown): Balasia, a vegetarian (actually, *vegan*) restaurant (500 Chestnut Street; 484-330-6405),

Phillipsburg, NJ (across from Easton, PA): Union Station Grill, where we ate lunch on Saturday in the renovated train dining car. The owners are a husband & wife (he's the chef and she's the server). They were very nice people and we enjoyed meeting them. http://www.theunionstationgrill.com/index.htm

Granny McCarthy's Tea Room, located in the charming historic downtown section of Bethlehem. http://donegal.com/tea_room_home.asp

Apollo Grill (also located in downtown Bethlehem). It's been voted "Best Bethlehem Restaurant" seven years in-a-row and it was easy to see why. Dinner reservations - even for early hours - are absolutely necessary. http://www.apollogrill.com

Shankweiler's Drive-In ("America's oldest drive-in theater", located in Orefield): http://www.shankweilers.com/

Yocco's "The Hot Dog King" (the original location is in Allentown, plus there are now two additional Allentown locations and one/each in Emmaus, Fogelsville & Trexlertown)
http://skew.ot.com/seven/menu/home.html

The Heavenly Hedgehog Ice Cream Company, in downtown Bethlehem:
http://www.heavenlyhedgehog.com/faq.php (the FAQs are quite amusing)